RedJoker25

Texas Tech.

We finished learning our classical show today: March from Symphonic Metamorphosis Ritual Fire Dance Beethoven's Ninth Edit #1: I'll edit this post when I find out the music for the other shows. Right now, I know the names of the shows but that's about it. Edit #2: Journey Show Separate Ways Any Way You Want It Journey Closer Edit #3: Patriotic Show You're a Grand Old Flag Amazing Grace Stars and Stripes Forever The other shows were traditional stuff.

I know Rowlett's been planning on new uniforms for the last few years; they had prototypes when I was a senior last year, but I'm not sure if they have them yet. But they do have new early-season-while-it's-still-hot shirts/uniforms.

Yes, pit is where untalented people go. The people who are already there have talent, but the people who go there because their instrument doesn't march are usually less talented than those that have been playing pit instruments for a while. Doesn't mean they can't learn, just that they start out with less experience. That also means that they could easily be talented on their concert horn, just not percussion.

Most bands do march backwards and sideways while playing, though. Quite a few change tempo and step size as well. That's not enough to call drill easy or hard. Now, assuming there was a band that literally stopped marching and played, then stopped playing and marched, that would be a relatively easy show, not that drill alone couldn't be hard. In the end, it's not really how easy it actually is, it's how easy the band makes it look, which is what I define as clean. Meanwhile, music is weighted more (3 judges versus 2) which could really go either way. Good music scores can boost a band, while bad scores can drop it, no matter what their marching score is. The same could be said in reverse, but 11122 is better than 22211 in judges' scores, so music does have a stronger effect. About your other comment..."watching several times". Judges only see it once and they may or may not be looking at the points where mistakes are occurring. What they see is what they judge. As long as the kids are satisfied with their performance, though, both collectively and individually, the opinions and mindsets of the five random judges shouldn't matter.

Prayer of Light- Heaven's Light by Steven Reineke. It's a fairly easy concert band piece, but it could be beautiful and interesting with the right band. I've heard it take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes for the whole piece, so it's workable to the situation. Flight - Voliere by Camille Saint-Saens. More of a preshow suggestion unless it's used for the rest of the band to take a break while guard does something. Wing Fortress/Sky Chase Zones' themes from Sonic 2. Video game music has been arranged for marching band before, so maybe? Let Go - Maybe an assortment of fight songs? Stuff people get sick of playing so they "let go" of any control/care they have. Probably not what you were going for, but I can't really think of anything else.

From what I've read, most people are tackling this question from a judge/spectator view. As a performer whose director generally chooses fast paced shows, a full slow movement is basically the only chance for me (a slightly not-athletically-inclined person) to recover. This year, our show's second/fifth movements were supposed to be at least 178 with very few holds (part five had one 8 count and one 4 count hold). If it weren't for the slow/hold-intensive 3rd movement and the relatively slow (124) 4th movement, movement 5 would have been much worse than it was. On the other hand, last year's show wasn't quite as fast, but kept up the pace the entire time. Never felt I needed a break, and the show flowed pretty well. What I'm getting at is the question can't be answered from a general standpoint. Some shows need a slow movement so that the performers don't tire out. Some shows probably don't need it because it just wouldn't fit the theme. Some really intense shows have stronger marchers so they don't need it. To really answer this question, you have to look at the individual show, the band/corps, and what they're trying to do.

What kind of weather could have taco-ed a sousa without giving enough notice to cancel/postpone the contest? Now that I know that happened, though, I'm glad it's in the dome. On a side note, and this is just a random thought: What would happen if everyone in the Allen band blasted in the dome? Not saying it would happen, just throwing out a "what if" I thought of after reading Joeyz's statement.

To be perfectly honest, I think that any stadium, domed or open air, would be perfect for State. No matter where it's held, the top bands should be able to deal with any issues (rain or reverb). Lightning is the only reason I can think of against open air stadiums, although Duncanville apparently did well with it near by, or so I've heard. That being said, I prefer open air, just because bands usually perform in open air stadiums on a regular basis. As a performer, the dome is a good experience, but nothing beats the sun or stadium lights against the night sky. I get enough indoor stuff during concert season. As for the judges, I think music judges should stay in the press box or go to the stands, while at least one marching judge goes to the field while at least one stays in the press box. Reasoning for music: It's harder to get a good ensemble sound when you're standing next to a particular section. Marching: One for individual marching, one for ensemble marching - both are important and I believe on the rubric.

I wasn't saying that I didn't like the props or that they should stop using them, just that sometimes enough is enough. As I'm sure most people realize, based on posts about judging discrepancies (not this thread), judges are people too. When a bunch of lights suddenly go on, it may distract the judge temporarily, no matter how much they've been trained. When you need a perfect show, sometimes even a split second mistake could be the difference between first and second. Marcus has the talent. Just wish they could let it shine more often, without light-up props.

Rowlett since '02: 2002: Medusa 2003: Locomotion 2004: Musique du Soleil 2005: New York Impressions 2006: Of Bells and Angels 2007: Japanese Fantasy (Funa Uta, La Vita Symphony, Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song, Dies Festus) 2008: Fire and Ice (Fire Meets Ice, Infernal Dance, Lullaby, Firebird Finale) 2009: Exotic Impressions (Crossing the Border, Sandstorm, Birth, Mecca) 2010: Carnival of the Animals (Introduction, Royal March of the Lions, the Swan, Fossils, Finale) I entered in '07, so that's why there are Movement names starting then.

That's exactly how I feel. I don't deny that the top groups have talent (some bands would blast through everything or be out of step throughout their whole show), but as a person who has seen several giant prop-filled shows, I think that those giant props take away from what UIL Marching Band is about. G.E's fantastic for entertainment and from what I hear, BOA, but when it comes to technical judging which is what I think UIL's about, they really should be a bit more focused on not selling themselves short or spending money on props that take up half the field. They may have the skills to pull off a demanding show, but they rarely (if ever) try. That being said, congrats to Marcus for another fine showing and state championship.

Rowlett was first, but you should also take into account the lack of finals and the rain. First, Rowlett placed 1st in prelims 2 years ago as well, but dropped to 4th in finals, thereby not making it to state at all. Second, the rain that cancelled finals this year probably affected all of Area C's results, so it's not completely unexpected. Third, it's happened before: In '06, Rowlett advanced to state as 2nd from Area C but failed to make finals when the others did. Coming from Rowlett, though, I'm still iffy on that whole Coppell soundboard incident of 2 years ago. Whatever. I liked their music this year.