titancoaster

Oh and after making finals at a tough BOA Houston Regional, I think we can add Dawson to the bands to watch in the UIL State race.

I must say that Bowie has the BEST show they have ever put out, its a cool theme, and extremely hard. I believe fourth was a bit low, as was brazoswood, but oh well it all boils down to what the judges want to see Oh and Danpod Dawson is Pearland's sister school not SFA's. SFA's is Willam B Travis

My predictions are, one medalist from Area D, one from area F, and the third from Poteet or if they are nocked off Area B. I think even though Area D lost talent, it still has two previous state finalists who will more then fill the empty shoes, and Area F has Friendswood a band that medaled in 03 and 05, and fourth in 07 so I think they will be able to grab a spot on the podium if you will (and if any Area F school manages to beat them they will definantly deserve a medal).

^oops, no jack, just HORRIBLE typing skills

When it comes to Firendswood, you do not have to worry about them juggling honor band and the marching band, as four years ago they were honor band and earned second in state. I agree with Vista Ridge being the program to watch, I saw them a week ago at a football game and they had an amazing performance, musically and visually. I cant wait for October 3rd!!!

Well, I have heard that Dripping Springs is doing amazing this year and will be fighting for a first place medal and a definant leader in the stacked area d. Friendswood and Poteet will make strong showings as is typical of the schools. I just hope that someone will take Poteet down, two times in a row is enough, let someone else win. I think it will be a good contest with some new names in state finals (Legacy?) seeing as three finalists (two of them medalists) are now 5A. I am looking forward to a great season for 4A programs!

wow Wes Cartwright is one very very busy man as it seems he does visual design for every band in texas

^I agree 100% a "revenge" style motivation is the strongest motivation I have witnessed and I think that not only a finals appearance is a lock but if their show is of their usual caliber a top 5 finish is a lock. (lets not forget that in 2006 they were first in semi-finals)

^^oops forgot that they put their show theme on the website... ^yeah its kind of a thing in pflugerville to put a p in front of everything that starts with an f... I wont give song choices away as atleast that will be saved for a suprise, but Connally has undergone some show design team changes (drill writer, color guard director, and the addition of a visual designer) that will make this show very BOA friendly and from hearing the music (as I have never seen the visual elements) I think this will be a show that could get CHS into Super Regional Finals.

^lol, your source come from where?

A big Congrats to Friendswood for getting the Honor Band title the second time in a row that they have been eligible. After seeing these results it should be an interesting 4A state year with Poteet (past honor band champ) vs Friendswood (current honor band) and Dripping Springs vs Hendrickson. DP vs HHS because usually hendrickson dominates area D in concert and marching bands, but now Dripping Springs is on the rise and may prove to be a strong force in the Area D competition and in State Finals. I cant wait for marching season to get started!!!

I am saddened to hear about the departure of two of Churchill band directors, but I do not feel that this means an end to the amazing performances churchill puts out there. I think they can still be as competitive as ever if they accept whoever takes over. This year Connally went under the exact same transisition, our head director left, the one who had been the head since the school opened, and our color guard instructor left. We at Connally pushed through became closer as a band family and we did pretty darn well, getting 1st place overall at USSBA, placing the highest in school history at a tough BOA Arlington, and putting on a darn good Area D 5A finals performance that many in the state believe deserved a state berth. So the Churchill program can still be amazing its about the desicions the kids make on how they react to the new directors, I hope that they push through because I have always loved the churchill program.

Connally's last concert is Friday May 22nd in our performing arts center (and all are invited (admission is free)): Varsity: William Tell Overture Silverado Dusk JV: Beauty and the Beast The Maelstrom Tribute Symphonic Band: Batman (Danny Elfman Version) ??? ??? The CHS Jazz band will also be preforming, but I do not know what they are preforming, but I am sure it will be great.

^ and I love the Lil' Wayne idea, the worst music to hit the radio, now goes to the marching field by the band known for giving us great symphonic literature

^wow, Im speechless, Mike Sloan is a genius and did wonderful things for the churchill band, it is sad to see him leave on such a sour note.

Connally HS Varsity: Overture to Candide- Bernstien Whatsoever Things- Camphouse The Gumsucker's March- Grainger

Connally's show next year is going to be extremly good next year. It will be a very different show than Carpe Noctem from this year and should make quite a statement at the BOA contests that Connally is doing next year. Oh and we are having a staff addition that will bring the show to an even higher caliber, but I will not say who just yet .

yay, people who actually care about being good leaders!!!! (here's the part where I speak about my experience and why I should be listened to, skip if you wish) I was a Section Leader for the Trumpet Section (the cockiest section, full of those who dont want to listen) for my Sophomore and Junior years, and for my Senior Year. My Sophomore year, I was up against a huge class of trumpet Seniors, all of whom did not care about anything I had to say at first. I eventually won them over and helped them excel at BOA Grand Nats. Junior year, I led the section through a high drama year (mostly from other trumpet leaders), and ended up injured, leaving me unable to march, but I became a field conductor, where the entire band began trusting me, (some liked me better than the DMs) and we ended up a State Silver Medalists. This Year I was the center Drum Major, and I had no issues with people following me, or respecting me, and I think there is enough talk on these forums about Connally's show this year to show how well we ended up. (here's where I give advice) There is no perfect way to lead a section, and anybody who says they have found the "one way" to lead is lying. Here are a few guidelines: 1. Never, Never, Never be the one to give out discipline, that is what directors are for, you should never make anybody run, do push-ups etc. (Just be the one to remind others about the rules, that way when you say the rules, you arent bad, they will actually perfer to listen to you, because there is no negative result unlike when a director says the rules) 2. Choose the Correct way of doing things NOW, and dont ever do anything else. (Follow the rules, practice, etc. if you dont do it the right way, how do you expect them to?) 3. Be Consistant. My band-mates respect me because I do the right thing all the time, and I am always trying to get the best of them. They have come to the understanding they will be better off listening to me, so they listen. (or they know I will nag them until they do it) 4. Be Positive All the time. This is what I struggled with. You must always be a positive realist. Approach rehearsals in a "I cant wait to get better" kind of way. Always hope for the best at the next competition, or football game, or even the next rep. (on the other hand dont be cocky, or unrealistic, dont expect to come out in first, or have a perfect show, becuase lets face it it wont happen) 5. Become a good listener. Care about your fellow section mates, learn what makes them tick, take the time to get to know them, it makes you feel much more connected to others. 6. Reward them for doing well. (they tend to repeat good behavior if there is a reward at the end of it) 7. The entire band is your section. (this goes with consistancy) dont treat anybody differently than you would your own instrument, otherwise your section will not like you because you begin to look like you are picking on them. 8. Dont break traditions (unless they are counter-productive) it just doesnt end well. 9. Dont give up if its not working, just try a different way, the moment you give is when you become a bad leader. 10. THE MOST IMPORTENT THING: you are a regular member of the band, if you act high and mighty you are screwed, treat yourself as an average joe, and people will like you better. Yeah, sry for the long post but after spending 3/4 years in high school as a leader there is a lot of info to be shared, PM me or email me if you have any questions. Good Luck with Auditions, and your season!

^ no problem I have always been a huge fan of the Cedar Park fan, and can not wait to see what you guys do next year

Cedar Park will be fine, this year Connally went through our first head director change in the history of the school, and still did very well through our season. Connally also was split a while ago when Hendrickson opened, and again Connally rose up and shortly after the split (or maybe the year of the split) CHS won a State Bronze Medal. So your obstacles can be overcome, you just can't think too negatively, just go out there and own!

^With Heart and Voice was my favorite piece we played in the Region Band last year. We played Easter Monday a few years ago, its alot of fun, definantly one of my favorite Sousa pieces. Nellhybel is a beast, we played Trittico last year, and that was just rediculous, I can only imagine the same from Symphonic Movement. The CHS Varsity Band is playing Gum-suckers March by Grainger, Whatsoever Things by Camphouse, and Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstien.

our first year in 5A we have one All-Stater (a Bass Trombone) I ended up 13th out of forty, not All-state but I have no regrets about how i prepared or how i performed

I see Hays taking the remaining spot, I say single spot becuase I have a feeling that not as many schools will advance to state as did last year.

^you have moved past favorite 3 shows to favorite Marching bands...

Connally: 1998- The Music of Day's of Future's Past 2001- Fire of Eternal Glory 2003- Aaron Copland 2004- The Three Dimensions of Time 2005- Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) 2006- Ourspace.com 2007- Londenigma 2008- Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night)