WoodlandsMom4ever

The Cruella show was fantastic last year! I got to see it in Dayton and loved it!

@twhspercdad is more “in the know” now than I am. I’ve actually not even logged onto here since late November. Just have been busy with other stuff. From what “I” knew when my daughter was in: Marching the choreography ran through whoever was doing band choreography- and Cyndi would help fine tune it. Winter- Cyndi does most of it, but they would bring Seth in a few times through the season to help figure out spots that they felt they needed some help on. I don’t know who they’ll use now for winter guard for that.

Yes. Almost have all the kids in from the tunnel… but still have to get them all set in their spots

I’m not a current parent so don’t know the exact schedule- but was heavily involved in setting travel plans and schedules in the past. The schedule is set to try and avoid pulling the kids out of school as much as possible. Because the schools are open for voting stations for the election- Monday and Tuesday our district didn’t have school- so the kids didn’t miss any school for UIL. They drove back home last night and kids were at school today, they’ll be at school the rest of their week. They have a football game Thursday night and will drive back to the San Antonio area Friday night. BOA SA Saturday and then back home Sunday. School on Monday, tues, and then wed they usually (I don’t know what the schedule is this year) have half the kids leave around lunch and the other half an hour later to head to the airport to fly on the two charter flights to GN. So the kids will miss 2- 2 1/2 days of school for GN. They’ll fly back home on Sunday and be back in school on Monday. cost- I don’t know what it is this year. It’s a crazy large total number (of the entire band) to pay for the flights and hotels… but while it’s not cheap- there are opportunities to fundraise and if a family can’t pay- there’s a built in % that “is expected” and the only person that knows who is helped out and who fully pays is the director and booster treasurer. The GN years are the expensive years… they try to keep the costs lower for the other years.

My youngest graduated in 2023, and hasn’t done anything since then. After 10 years of marching band with 4 kids it’s hard to give it up! I’ve hopped on the busses and chaperoned a few times since then and I still hang around these message boards and try and get to a few football games each year- and I’ve gone to BOA San Antonio each year as well as gone to WGI worlds twice just to watch. I know some former parents in our bad that still go and show up as part of the pit crew and are still involved a lot. If it is something you enjoy volunteering and helping with- most booster groups are fine with extra helpers!

I remember watching the cheer and relief on the kids when they finally were announced going to finals…crazy moment! looks like early prelims is going to be their calling card for San Antonio this year. Early call time at state and early call time for Boa SA prelims that Saturday… For all the bands out there- kids- take your vitamins, eat the healthy foods more than the junk foods, don’t share drinks and get sleep whenever you can as we get into these crazy weeks left!!! Good luck to all!!

Team Texas showed up this year for scholastic. So proud of all the teams but especially “my” girls. Having watched them through the last 6 years. So proud of the girls, the directors now and previous that helped get it to where it is. So proud of the parents that step in and do so much for the program. Just so proud of them all!! I said before- but if you have never been to Dayton- find a way to go… it’s magical!

TWHS was incredible in person. Tomorrow night the roof is going to blow off with the crowd… There really are so many great shows this year! If you’ve never been to Dayton to watch in person- put it on your bucket list and make it happen!

We got to see Emerson this morning. They had a great run!!

We always have just used an uber/lyft to get from the airport to the hotel. Then we walk everywhere else while there and uber/lyft back to the airport.

No chance - Pearland band dad’s will have it covered…

Until football schedules come out I’m sure many bands could sign up for both Houston and then drop once they figure out which will work better.

Just watched a video of them without sound first- and had to double check I wasn’t playing it on 1.5 speed… the spinning was so much and so fast. Was a great first performance and can’t wait to see it develop in the next 2 months.

Are you coming into San Antonio via plane or busses? I don’t know of any non hotel options- but if you have busses and don’t have to stay right downtown for access to the dome- hotels a little bit away from downtown are a little more affordable. It’s not ideal- but if the budget needs every penny pinched- a La Quinta can house kids- 6 to a room if you use the pull out couch instead of the standard 4 to a room. Our band uses Tourrrific to help book things and they have experience with lots of group sizes- they might be able to offer some suggestions.

Kyle Witty was The Woodlands assistant director that left in 2022. He took a year off and started with Seven Lakes in fall 2023. He’s fantastic!

After seeing them yesterday I’m seriously considering going to Dayton this year…

I 10 has a vehicle fire or something that’s got both ways at a standstill around Luling Bucees. I wonder if that will affect any groups coming in from the east.

Lone Star Preview is hosted by The Woodlands High School Band at the Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah TX. This year 2024 it will be October 12th! Registration is still open, but spots are filling up fast! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/TSGssVATPCbHe42D/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Awe, thank you! Having traveled with them for the last 4 years I know they love when they get to interact and talk to other groups at the hotels. They are the sweetest and nicest girls (as most of the colorguard groups I’ve ever encountered are!) I miss traveling with them and being with them this year since my daughter graduated last May.

In my opinion from the last few seasons of watching up close, I think the numbers just don’t fully mean anything until that week in Dayton- they do give some insight to where they are, but there are too many variables to compare them side by side through the season. Until the shows are seen by the same eyes on the same day… I don’t think comparing numbers across the nation is fully accurate. ‘22 had something special. ‘23 was great, but didn’t have that special moment to it… ‘24 I feel like it has the special piece to it that was missing last year. If the girls can clean it up, Avon might not be catchable, but everyone else is still within reach. No matter what- Dayton will be so incredible to watch!!

I’m hoping they might have the ac turned off tomorrow so we aren’t all popsicles in the stands. I’m sure the cooler temp was great for the performers… but no one else! I’m not asking for heat though- because that would make the crowded stands worse.

Cisd a little further north from cypress and Katy has been starting on Aug 9,10,11 the last 3 years… which means band camp ends the weekend before because there isn’t space at the school for it to be held with orientations and such… so they’ve only had camp with drill for a week or less. Happily next year it is going the opposite way from Aug 9th this year as a start date. Next year they start on the 14th and the following the 13th… but at least it’s the 2nd full week of August and not the first full week.

The way the south Houston bands have been growing lately I think this is great!

We’ve stayed with the band at both of the Marriotts downtown. The location is fantastic and the grilled cheese at the Marriott downtown cafe is perfect as a comfort food when you’re eating quick between semis and finals! being on the walkways means you only have a few minutes of being outside in the cold- you don’t have to wear 10 layers of clothes to manage those few minutes outside.

common English translation? I have similar thoughts to what has been stated. I wouldn’t want the 8 hour rule to go away. I don’t have to worry about it anymore- but I do think it’s important for kids to have time to be well rounded with multiple things they do and are interested in- and school is just one of those things. The pressure academically is so much when you have large schools. You can be smart- incredibly smart and taking advanced classes and getting a’s… and still not be in the top 30% of your class. 8 hours of practice does not mean just 8 hours of band per week. It’s 8 hours of after school practice- 5 days with about an hour of in class fundamentals (music or skills- no drill because their marching pad is covered in students cars). A football game that takes the entire day after school till almost midnight by the time they head home- sometimes on a Thursday with school the next day (sure 1 hour afterschool they are “off” but they are all at school- there’s no going home and coming back those days). Then the competition weekends thankfully are limited- because that’s the entire Saturday. The 8 hour rule is for all sports and extracurriculars in Texas. Because Texas is competitive like no other place I’ve lived. (And I’ve lived in east/south/west states- 9 total) if it were to be taken away it would only make students lives harder and harder to balance.