BandFan95

I don't think you're gonna see ours either. The kids have march a thon on Saturday as well.

PSJA must have used the same designer. They chose a grey based with the Maroon bear on them. PSJA is proud of their maroon. I don't care for show tops. But I get why bands do it.

I have a feeling DCI kind of stuff is gonna show up in a lot of shows this year. I can't wait! Already ordered my tickets for Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

Oh I know. It's just I like the idea of them coming in under the radar. The show is a complete 180 from last years show, and they are so much further along as well. They are a happy bunch and I'm so proud and excited for them.

I'm so glad that there aren't any videos of Westwood out there yet. The social media blackout seems to be working. I expect that to change this weekend, though with us playing Hendrickson. Yes I'm a Westwood homer. They shook House Park with their opening note during their halftime show on Friday. The show is flat out fun.

I don't mean to yell! Sorry everyone.

Well I am way older than that. Just seems new to me. SHOWS HOW MUCH I PAY ATTENTION!

That is interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a band perform their whole show, though, at halftime

Maybe I wasn't clear..and clearly I wasn't. What I mean was using a SEAT in the pit. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

I played Timpani all though middle and high school. Not once do I remember seeing them sit down in the pit. When did that become a thing? And why?

We got to preview Westwood's show last week. They have come to play. It's going to be a fun year!

I'm biased, but seeing Westwood's performance at BOA SA last year. It was my kids first time in the band, and their last performance. I knew it going into that day. A lot of us parents were in tears when it was over because it was over.

I am a Boston Crusader fan myself. All of the shows were phenomenal. However, I have to say that I think the Bluecoats benefited from having a show with music everyone knew.

We shall see how this all pans out.

Wow! That would be amazing!

HA! Well, she doesn't play an instrument. She tried out for guard on a whim and made it. So this is her busy semester!

I'm on the board as a "special" fundraiser parent. I'm also the new voice of the band. My daughter only does guard but I seem to be involved year round.

I loved Goliath! Boston Crusaders...second year in a row that I simply loved them. I sprung for good seats for my daughter and I to watch. We sat next to Carolina Crown's DM's mom. I don't get Crown's show. The Blue Coats and Blue Devil's shows are great! SCVG's show is beautifully executed.

So Westwood finally put out the official announcement about their show. Here are the details.

I loved it. I loved the Boston Crusaders as well!

Off topic question..can anyone go to grand nats or do you have to qualify?

Man, I wish my kid's band could get more than 25 on guard. Y'all with big guards are LUCKY

As a former marching band player, and now the parent of a band student, I'm kinda shocked at how some feel BOA is better than UIL. UIL IS the standard for the State of Texas. Not only do they dictate the rules for academic eligibility, but they do it for athletics and theater. Many schools, like my alma mater, simply cannot afford to attend one BOA event, even the one that is hosted near them. The cost of putting together elaborate shows for visual effect puts the majority of bands out of the running for ever attending a BOA show. I think of what I invested in my kid's band last year. $997 for standard fees $1000 in fund raising not to mention my time in volunteering for chaperones, snack bar, hosting events etc etc. There is no way in heck that my little old high school would be able to have EVERY parent commit that KIND of money every year for their kid to participate. And don't get me wrong, I am fortunate enough to have an awesome job to be able to afford to pay and will do it every year because I love my child..and I love our band community and family. But BOA literally keeps those little/poor schools out. UIL is for everyone in Texas.

Its kinda hard. Personally, I don't like BOA. They are a for profit organization. Yes, as a spectator, you get to see amazing shows..the format pushes bands to the extreme. However, you are nickle and dime all the dam time. $5 to park or $20 to park. Pay to see prelims..pay to see finals...pay $10 for a program. The bands still pay to enter every competition. That means that there will be bands who will never attend BOA because they simply cannot afford the travel and entry fee. Then there is the whole thing about how BOA is fixed...and that you see the same bands over and over again in finals. Lots of band parents are getting in the heads of their directors and telling them that they don't want their kids to do BOA because there isn't a very good return on their $1000 a year investment for little Johnny to be in band.

Thanks. And I get it. Still don't like it.