gmtb617

I completely agree with you.

Started *really* watching shows live in 2016 (saw some @ BOA Austin 2015 but didn’t really know the activity then). Don’t think I’ve voluntarily cried at any live performance but some certainly...got to my emotions. Vista Ridge 2018 (show I watched in person that got me the closest to tears. The closer combined with the early standing ovation...dear lord what a moment.) JET 2018 (pass-throughs at the end get me tearing up when I watch it online. Watching it not only reinforces my loyalty towards Katy ISD bands, but also reminds me why the activity is so awesome - hard work yields amazing emotional connection. They gave it their all at the closer every single time.) Some other powerful shows. Cedar Park 2015 Ronald Reagan 2016 Cy-Fair 2016 Flower Mound 2016 (did not see live) Vandegrift 2017 CTJ 2017 (did not see live...man...) Seven Lakes 2018 - by far the best show I’ve marched. CTJ 2018 Keller 2018

And JoyRIDE! That’s a really fun piece. Would certainly make for a great closer.

I wonder what reactions Hendrickson will garner with their “Music for a Decadent People.”

This makes me think: it would be really interesting seeing wind instruments try to pull off a Shepard tone in some way. Trombones/Synthesizers, perhaps.

You’re absolutely right. That’s my only excuse for not putting them among the upper tiers, but I’m not denying they could make finals. Also I’ve got a soft spot for them since they dedicated an entire show to Danzon No. 2 (2017), which is awesome.

And also Clements dropped out THEY NEED TO GO TO MORE BOA CONTESTS!!!

I’m so glad you mentioned JET’s wall of sound! Ive noticed this about them and many predictors tend to overlook it. Surprised their musical power and technical acuity (both musical and visual) didn’t propel them to a higher placing at state last year.

I didn’t know that BAC was an abbreviation for Boston Crusaders, lol.

I will say that to respond to my own concession in the above post (paraphrased: in 6A, “equality of opportunity” for marching band success is debatable), the idea of the D1 and D2 state contests is a really interesting proposal, and I think it may be quite excellent from a quality-of-life standpoint. It will give UIL state more value to more schools.

2nd half of the Every Year Area rationale (page 6/8 of the document):———— “This proposal is important because of the merit so many place in UIL-sanctioned events. Without an annual post-region level of competition we are concerned that UIL marching band events could become secondary in importance to other contests. The high standard of musical excellence in the state of Texas has been established through the guidance of the UIL Music. However, the most accessible and consistent performance outlet will guide the decisions made in the band halls throughout the state. Without an annual end-of-season evaluation that allows for more in-depth feedback and celebration of our students’ efforts, non-UIL events will gain more influence in the decisions that directly affect our students. The more opportunities all students have to showcase the incredible depth, diversity, and level of performance here in Texas, the more support we will all enjoy. The UIL should be the platform for this showcase.” ———— With this, there is a crystal-clear “target” that UIL is zealously pushing against with an every-year area system, that being non-state circuits like BOA. There is nothing explicitly mentioning that this factors into the “when” of the every-year area implementation, but considering the expressed intent outlined above, it certainly raises eyebrows. I do wonder why these out-of-state circuits are such a concern for them. UIL already has a great sphere of influence on TX marching band and does achieve its goal of giving all TX bands opportunities to succeed at the state level regardless of marching style/band program wealth and scale, etc (Although in 6A this is debatable). On the certainly valid point that out-of-state circuits do tip the scales of this balance, I respond with (1) corps style bands have long dominated the top of the UIL state contests since the 90s with Westfield/Spring and long before BOA exploded in Texas in the early 2010s (from what I’ve researched; I’ve only known this activity for 5 years), and (2) UIL has certainly exerted its influence on Texas Marching Bands, with all “top programs” participating in state, and no band DARING to miss UIL region. Despite this, Texas bands are evolving with changes brought about by out-of-state circuits faster than ever before, and I don’t see any clear-cut indication that more UIL oversight of the activity will reverse the natural evolution of marching band in Texas.

Hopefully TWHS is going to be Crossing Boundaries with this show.

I noticed that the Blue Devils 2019 and Vista Ridge 2018 had one common piece of source music between them. Not sure the name of the piece but it reaffirms the thought of comparing a Leander ISD school to the Blue Devils for sure. I also agree with your other comparisons. Although maybe for FloMo - SCV the comparison factor is amplified bc they both have white uniforms.

That’s a really interesting idea. Gets the inexperienced marchers out of the rigid mindset of the “forward, backward, slides” vocabulary prior to drill; also that opportunity can be used to preview dot vocabulary (midsets, vectors, dot book reading, etc.).

Expect to be emotional in one or more of your final performances. Perform in the moment, all the time. Enjoy your final season!

Looks like Western Europe stole all the heat. But seriously yesterday’s weather was phenomenal, at least in Houston; let’s hope it continues.

Of all the shows I’ve seen online, those PCEP shows seem to be the most “ahead of its time.” If there were more different forms of movement throughout their shows I would have assumed those shows were from the 2010s.

Thank you! I’ll check them out.

I want to see a HS band try “Elsa’s Procession to the cathedral” on the field. Phantom Regiment knocked everyone’s socks off with that song in their 2011 closer and I think a HS band could achieve incredible things with this piece as well.

This came out over a month ago and I completely missed it! Cinco Ranch HS - Ascendance “Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary” - Henry Purcell “Harrison’s Dream” - Peter Graham “Dancer in the Dark” - Bjork “Fight Song” - Rachel Platton On Facebook - Cinco Ranch Cougar Band

I love that so much

Change is the Only Constant +1 Synapse -1 All Hallows Eve 12 Uncharted Waters 24 The 4th Dimension 17 On the Waterfront 16 Leonardo's Dream 24 Steadfast Tin Soldier 2 Proddigy 15 Fractured Moments 7 Us and Them 7 Testament 10 Silence of Symphony 18 Sculpt 24 The Wanderer 8 Change is the Only Constant 12 Synapse 8 Polarity 18 Tremendous Sea of Love 10 Lost and Found 19 Endeavor 23 Loop 21 Pop! 18

SMU, right in the heart of Dallas. Computer science major. I’ll be in their marching band.

I really wish those two regionals didn’t lie on the same weekend haha. Have to choose between 2 fantastic regionals. Also funny how my HS career was in Katy, and now I’m heading up to Dallas for college. Now BOA Dallas and Waco are the two close regionals for me.

Clear Lake 10th or 12th?