radchad

Well, something you have to remember is that a lot of bands playing Orchestral arrangements of his Choral pieces. If you ask me, many times this isn't done much justice. I just don't think we should compare Whitacre to those "GREAT" composers, only because the times are different, and his way of writing reveals a change in society and its way of perceiving music. Look at the composer Dmitri Shostakovich. I admire him and his music. He wrote his music based on many of the troubles he had in life which are now seen as mere trifles. You have to bring the whole time issure into it. Sure, his music may not stack up to Beethoven's works, but it doesn't necessarily have to. It's unique in its own way. I think of Whitacre as a new-age Beethoven. Think about this. If you listen to Beethoven, then immediately listen to Whitacre, you will notice a huge change in many aspects of the piece. Times are more fast paced now, so Whitacre's music is as well. It's easier for me(even thought I love Beethovern) to sit and listen to a piece by Whitacre because of the tempo and dynamic speed. Hopefully my point is somewhat clear.

I'll be there. If I'll be at SCV, Crossmen, Blue Devils, and MAYBE Phantom, too.

Legacy High School is going. They are the new HS in Mansfield. I tech there.

Well, last year Mansfield scored pretty high in the contest. They also were number won in Percussion and Guard. Seeing their show, Creekview's show, and Plano West's show, I would have to say that Mansfield would win in GE for sure. Music is something I always have a hard time. Every band has a different sound. Btw, if you look at the predictions, ignore mine. I want to change them.

When it comes to a tie in marching band (especially at UIL), the bands involved are then placed in relation to their GE score. For example, all three bands could have had a 93, but one of them had .1 higher in GE. That band will get the higher placing.

An awesome visual component in a show would be to have triplets begin in the lower range of instruments, then add on higher and higher, then a pause, and a loud "power chord" as we call them. Another cool effect is having the whole band facing either the left or the right and in one hit their heads snap to the front with huge eyes. From the stands, this is a creepy/unexpected visual that is actually very nice to see.

How did you get the Bluecoats shows? Bluecoats '05 is one of my favorites.

Haha. This is Mr. Tarver. How did you know? @ Moose: I agree, fully. At the Area Marching Contest (the same one Bell was in) our scores were like this: 864 - Place 8. 840 - Place 6. 806 - Place 7. 784 - Place 8. 540 - Place 18. One judge screwed us over. I was so angry because of the inconsitency. I like BOA better. There are seperate judges for everything, so you get a good feel of what your band is really like. At UIL, someone who is more of a musical person could be placed as a marching judge. This is not good, because their preference is MUSIC. Whatever. Marcus played their music very well. I was a bit disappointed. For such a good size of band, they could have been a bit louder. The show was really cutesy, with pretty boring drill at times. It was VERY clean, though. I don't get how Duncanville always makes it high in finals. I just don't. Either way, L.D Bell won in my book.

I don't know if any of you know this, but I am going to throw it out there anyway. Last year, L.D Bell did a show which revolved around the Rapture, with bright music and triumphant, glorious journies to heaven. They did very well with that show, but took it one more step further this year. This year, their show revolves around all of the souls left behind. It's entitled "The Remaining", and is meant to keep you on the edge of your seat while creeping you out. I was at competition with them a couple times this year, and their music creeped me out. The colorguard plays a huge role in this. I think one of the coolest aspects of L.D Bell's show is its ability to catch the attention of the audience and keep that attention until they are off the field. While I love Ronald Reagan, Churchill, and Bowie, I am rooting for L.D Bell. I honestly think they deserve to win this year. No offense, but Duncanville is too traditional for me..