11BandMan11

So definitely not going to be something like Cypress Mountain cause....well...Texas #nomountainsjusthills 🤣

Hoping to see the same number of groups enroll into this contest as we saw when it was hosted at the Katy ISD stadium. The past couple years the Katy contest has had over 30 groups enroll and perform throughout prelims. The Katy location on the far west side of Houston was easier to justify for some of those groups to travel to with it being an easy straight shot to get there. I do wonder if the San Antonio and surrounding area groups who would travel to the Katy Contest will elect to pass in lieu of a different contest that isn't such a haul to the south side of Houston. Does anyone have any insight or information on why it was moved to Clear Creek ISD and to the south side of Houston? From going to the other regionals throughout the years in Austin, Dallas, etc. it seemed to me like the Katy location was a pretty solid spot for a contest with the dual stadium lots next to each other, size of the parking lots for trucks/busses, seating capacity, the acoustics (always fun to debate what's the best stadium), the box location, etc.

Question to throw out to the fun 2024 contest discussion. How are all the school districts dealing with the new UIL heat indexes, specifically the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature)? I'm really wondering how schools across the state are going to be dealing with the new temperature guideline indexes that UIL is pushing out to school districts. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature was especially BRUTAL on schools in the greater Houston area due to the wonderful humidity fun they all get to deal with. I know speaking with some friends over there, there were schools all across Houston that literally lost multiple full weeks of outdoor rehearsal time due to being told you can't go outside, it's over 92. So I'm very curious how districts and schools are going to be addressing and dealing with that interesting thing for the new upcoming year.

Feels pretty darn good as a guess looking at the schools. It'll be interesting to see what happens during the 'off' season with the different program's developments throughout the concert season & summer. I'm wondering how some of the school numbers will play out with what was posted with the enrollment numbers at campuses. I know Katy ISD has a new HS opening up (heard a rumor they'll be 4A to start and not 5A?) that will be pulling students from both Paetow & Katy. The other thing I'm wondering about is how schools across the state are going to be dealing with the new temperature guideline indexes that UIL is pushing out to school districts. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is BRUTAL on schools in the greater Houston area due to the humidity fun. I know there were schools all across Houston that literally lost full weeks of rehearsal time due to being told you can't go outside, so I'm very curious how districts and schools are going to be addressing and dealing with that. Really no way to make a solid guess on anything beyond the top 5ish until we see and hear schools posting their hype clips and things during the next summer band camps. Lol 🤣

I'm guessing it's going to be at 2280 based upon the number of schools that are usually in the 6A classification. Based upon the enrollment numbers submitted by schools to UIL if it were 2280 there would be 245 schools in 6A. With the UIL regs there is a minimum 220 and a maximum of 250 schools for the 6A classification. Curious to see where they put the number and how it all shakes out in the end. We gotta wait and see!

*Insert popcorn eating gif here* Lol 🤣

I genuinely don't know how any Band Directors and staff members would be able to survive if the hours were increased, even marginally. Back when I was a student for our end of the year banquet I added up the number of hours our Directors worked to tell everyone how dedicated and amazing our staff was blah blah blah, and now looking back on it, its CRAZY how much Band Directors work for how little they are paid. I don't have the speech file anymore still but if I recall correctly, from Band Camp through our football season ending, end of last week of July which went into August and our football team was a one and done in the playoffs that year, it was OVER 1,000 HOURS CUMULATIVE THROUGH TO THE START OF NOVEMBER! Just over 3 months, and over 1,000 hours of school days, rehearsals, contests, etc.

Sorry for the longer post and response.... If what I've heard from former students about Cartwright & instructional practices that were occurring - good riddance. On another note - It's always interesting how there are a ton of other EXTREMELY successful "old school" band directors who did not and still do not resort to or utilize some of the methods that we all know are not just wrong for kids, but if we're really honest with ourselves, not just borderline, downright abusive. There's a very big difference between holding students accountable / having high expectations and communicating that appropriately to CHILDREN at the high school age, and verbally accosting / screaming / threatening / etc. CHILDREN for the sake of 'the art'. Accountability is good, high expectations are good, when POSITIVELY reinforced by staff and students alike. Also, I really dislike how in the band community we have turned "old school" into a massive diss - we would literally have NONE of the funding, facilities, voices at the decision making table, etc. if it weren't for all of the amazing and positive "old school" band directors across Texas and the country. While we're at it, lets get REAL for second. Marching Band - It's not that deep. It's CHILDREN running around a football field wearing crazy costumes, throwing things in air, etc. to be a part of something bigger than themselves and a part of a band and guard family where everyone is accepted and appreciated. Sometimes we can forget that when we all get heated in recaps, have bad reps or rehearsals, whatever; at the end of the day, its just marching band. #LetsAllBeGoodPeople

No 100% yet - once the snapshot numbers were released by UIL from all the campuses thats when the real fun began of guessing where everybody lands, they'll be releasing the reclassification alignment in the future which will put every program in their difference conferences

Not covered by the district - the costs are covered by the students/families/fundraising efforts across the ensembles, if the district covered anything it would maybe be a meal or two for the students on the trip, but even that would surprise me. Since BOA Contests are not the sacred three letters, U.I.L, most school districts view and describe BOA contests as "optional" and an extra supplemental performance opportunity that is a choice to attend, therefore won't be covered by the district. From an administrators perspective or school board perspective, I can see how it could quickly spiral out of hand and cause issues if a district were willing to shell out massive funds for a contest performance opportunity for one organization (band), and not provide any funding or support for another organization (wgi dayton travel, basketball tournament, football skills & sac camps, etc.)

^ This. Rewatching the finals performances for the top 3, all the visual scores make sense, but Hebron being dogged in Music GE? Hebron's music book is so ridiculous it is talked about LONG before, during, and after each of their performances, is that not the definition of MUSIC General Effect? Directly from BOA, "It is the position of Bands of America that music is the more important aspect of the performance, with marching as the presentation and visual enhancement of the program. Similarly, more emphasis has been placed on the effectiveness of the general effect judges than on fine-line perfection of the performance judges." If it were within a tenth, I guess it would be a different conversation since a tenth in judging is considered 'judges preference' and everyone has different preferences, but nearly a full point? That much of a point difference in judging terms means that there were clear deficiencies in performance and one performance was obviously better than another. It is very interesting how arguably the most challenging high school marching music book in history with the highest (or tied with the highest?) music score in BOA history is in the judges eyes, not generally effective.

Starts belting out in song..... "THERE GOES MY HERO!!!" ❤️

So....who got them sheets and why are they not posted yet? 🤣

I CANT WAIT to see everyone deep dive into the scores and have all the spicy takes on judging the next 24 hours! Congratulations to all the Finalist performing bands for putting on such a ridiculous display of artistry and musicianship tonight! Be thankful and happy that the fine arts and music is being supported and can produce nights like tonight! GOODNIGHT Y'ALL!

No one can say Carmel is not good and doesn't deserve to be near the top...but after that Hebron run....they literally melted faces with that musical excellence and artistry - that was OUTSTANDING and should absolutely make them jump multiple places!

GREAT finals draw for Hebron, hoping they and every Team Texas school pulls out their best performances for finals! I'd LOVE to see Hebron and Woodlands in the Top 3!

The Top 5 for the Area I think are going to be the same as this year, with potentially some changing of placement between 2-5. Bridgeland is going to continue throwing down and improving. The only big change I could potentially see in the Top 5 is with Seven Lakes. They just added a director on staff this year who used to be at the Woodlands during that programs dominating years. I'm just guessing here, but I bet they take on more this coming season and Seven Lakes jumps up. 6 - 15 could literally be ANY of the bands that placed in 6 - 15 this year depending upon their show design and execution. Every group is going to continue to grow throughout the spring and summer; it'll be a complete mystery as to who will end up where until we actually get to next fall and can get some more concrete grasps on each bands performance. At this point, we could ask the Zoltar and they'd give us a prediction with the same accuracy as any of our guesses. 🤣

Absolute fantasy land thought.... I know it's COMPLETELY unrealistic - but how crazy interesting and cool would it be if UIL and the State decided to foot the bill for travel to GN for the State Champion for each classification (1A - 6A) to go up to Grand Nats and represent Texas each year? (I know logistically, monetarily, timeline, planning for students, etc. this is not possible, but still fun to think about)

Found it! 2017 BOA San Antonio Finals Results 96.625 – Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 95.600 – Hebron H.S., TX 95.575 – Vandegrift H.S., TX 95.375 – Avon H.S., IN

I think it's going to be a close one for some of #TeamTexas with Finals this year! I'd LOVE to see all of #TeamTexas in Finals, but with some of these performances, I don't know if that'll happen 🫣

The minimum cost per program in the past was usually in ballpark of 200-250k to go to Grand Nats. With the increase in costs for literally EVERYTHING now, I wouldn't be surprised if schools, more specifically schools boosters, have to account for and budget a minimum of 300-400k depending on the size of the group to go up to Grand Nats. Unfortunately, with the funding struggles for all school districts across the country, there's no school district that would ever be willing to cut a check for that dollar amount, let a lone for the equivalent amount of 3 groups to travel, no matter the amount that could be saved on the back end with bulk purchases of accommodations. The cost for travel to Grand Nats is one of the reasons I STRONGLY believe that BOA San Antonio should be a Pre-Lims/Semis/Finals format like Grand Nats, or have Grand Nats turn into an every other year format where the location is moved between Indianapolis and San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma, etc. somewhere that is MUCH less cost prohibitive for Texas Groups to attend. I know I'm selfishly advocating and specifically talking about Texas groups, but even beyond Texas, currently it is an impossibility for the vast majority of groups across the country to have the opportunity to attend and perform at Grand Nats due to the cost. #TheStruggleIsReal

The Finals performances this year were INCREDIBLE! It astounds me the level of musicianship, performance, visual control, etc. these HIGH SCHOOL students are achieving now! How many more BOA San Antonio contests with this INSANE depth of performances will it take before BOA realizes they need to make the San Antonio Super into the same PreLims, Semis, and Finals format as they currently have for Grand Nationals? Not throwing shade at any of the other amazing ensembles and contests that occur outside Texas and throughout the country, but if we're all very honest with the depth of competition at the San Antonio contest specifically, any of the ensembles that placed between 15th and 25th at BOA San Antonio and DID NOT make finals this year, would ABSOLUTELY be making Semis at Grand Nats, and many would push and make Finals as well if they went up this year. Knowing how much time, energy, money, etc. these programs invest into performing at San Antonio, I would LOVE to see more performance opportunities for more groups! Just my 2 cents! Looking forward to seeing #TeamTexas at Grand Nats this year!!!

BOA San Antonio might as well be called Grand Nationals - the depth at the contest is RIDICULOUS compared to every other BOA Contest in the country, especially when watching these finals performances. So. Freaking. Good. #TeamTexas all the way at GN this year and beyond!

So happy there are more groups representing the Houston areas this year! LOVE IT! Also, may the force be with the judges - definitely DO NOT envy the position they are in with ranking all these amazing groups!

YES!!! Bridgeland has been crazy good the past two years! I believe I heard somewhere that Jeremy Spicer was working as their program coordinator? Maybe? Someone have more info? Cy Fair, Cy Woods, Seven Lakes, and Tompkins will all represent the Area really well at State! THANK YOU for showing love to the groups who didn't make finals but have been improving like CRAZY the past years! Cy-Springs, Paetow, Langham Creek, and Waller had solid prelims runs as well. There has been a TON of growth and development across the entire Area the past two years and I can't wait to see what happens next year! Were there any surprises from anyone in the Area of groups that have not been doing as well as anticipated?