[2024 BOA Grand National Championships (Nov. 14-16)]

2 hours ago, stix said:

I’m curious how grand nats cost are funded for bands.  I am sure there are multiple ways, just curious if anyone here would be open to sharing how your band handles this added expense?
 

Are they  part of the yearly fees, and they are just more on a grand mats year?

Are they paid for by fund raising through the band or the boosters?

Are they an addition fee not covered by normal band fees or fund raising?

I was heavily involved with planning/fundraising for a central TX band last year that went to Nationals last year.  The Grand Nats fees were in addition to the regular band fees for our band.  The GN fees were paid directly to the travel agency that planned our logistics (air, hotel, food) for each student.  The fundraising we did would be sent to the travel agency in a lump sum and then divided equally among the kids' accounts.  (ex. $20,000 divided among 200 kids = $100 off everyone's balance).

 

21 hours ago, utee94 said:

And I suppose if I haven't already, I'll go ahead and out myself as a CP band parent, and regular pit pack volunteer (the parents who help move equipment and props around).  It's been such a joy supporting these kids, watching their incredible hard work pay off, and being able to be down on the field at the Alamodome where the magic happened. 😀

I'm also a former band nerd myself, I played French Horn/Mello for Anderson High in Austin, many years ago.  But boy has it all evolved since I was a kid.

Seems like a lot of folks would be excited to see CP go to the 2024 Grand Nationals, but I can honestly say it's not really being discussed amongst the band boosters yet, and no specific fundraising has begun.  I'm not one of those band parent "insiders" who are privy to the band directors' innermost thoughts, but right now I'd have to say I'd be pretty surprised if CP went to Indianapolis next year.  Doesn't mean it won't happen, I have no crystal ball and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express.  I just think the band parents would probably have heard something more specific about it by now, if the plan were to do that a year from now, especially considering the additional fundraising that would be required.

And I'll be honest-- as a parent that will have TWO kids in the Cedar Park marching band next year, the idea of the sheer expense of that trip, terrifies me! 🤣

There is plenty of time to fundraise for next year so don't worry.  I also feel your pain about sending two kids to Grand Nats.  I did that last year.  

[2023 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 3 & 4)]

According to a Vandy parent there was a bus that broke down. 

[2023 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 3 & 4)]

I’m 99% positive I know the answer to this but I couldn’t find the answer today on the BOA website so here it goes. If my kids’ band performs on Friday will I also need to purchase prelim tickets for Saturday to see the finals announcement?  I’m assuming I will need to purchase a second prelim session ticket. In addition to the finals ticket. 

[2023 UIL 6A Area H]

I couldn’t copy this but wanted to let people know if they are going to Gupton that Parmer Lane will be closed just north of 45. I got this from the Area D chat.  I’ll be at Kelly Reeves tomorrow but since Gupton is just down the street, I wanted to share this here in case there are people going this way to get to Gupton. 

[UIL Area D 6A]

Here is the schedule 

[2023 BOA Prosper (Oct. 14)]

9 hours ago, lost said:

I’m still confused why Hendrickson drove out here instead of just stopping by the Texas Marching Classic.

I know a lot of Hendrickson parents and they were asking the same thing. 

[UIL 5A State Marching Contest 2023]

25 minutes ago, LeanderMomma said:

I think Rouse might have something to say about that. 😉

I think they will too!  I was amazed at their Austin performance. 

[UIL 5A State Marching Contest 2023]

After seeing Cedar Park last week, there is no way they don't win State again and it won't be close.  My kids have competed against them for the past 6 years and they looked really strong last week already. I was amazed at how cleaned they looked so early in the season.   

[2023 BOA Grand National Championships (Nov. 9-11)]

2 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

Also, around when do tickets open up to purchase. When I went in 21 it was long after they were for sale so seats were okay but I wanna be ready for this year.

I was in charge of getting tickets for Hendrickson last year and the public sale started September 1st.  There are group sales in August for the schools so they can get block tickets together.  

[Dripping Springs HS Thunder in the Hills 2022 Drumline contest]

Advanced Small Division Results:

Best Snare - McCallum
Best Tenors - Hutto
Best Front Ensemble - Rouse
Best Bass - Hendrickson

1st - McCallum 
2nd - Hendrickson
3rd - Hutto

 

[2022 BOA Austin (Sept. 24)]

Confirmed: Hendrickson (band calendar) 

[2022 BOA Waco (Oct. 29)]

Confirmed: Hendrickson (band calendar)

[2022 BOA Grand Nationals (Nov. 10 - 12)]

Hendrickson had a relatively young band last year with a rather small senior class. They should keep the momentum going next year with their improvements from the beginning of last year to their 10th place at UIL.  The staff should all be remaining the same next year so that will help tremendously with the continuity of improvements.  Really looking forward to their show next year and this leap to Grand Nats for the first time in school history.