Centex_band_mom

Wow! It's almost like you predicted this one. I hadn't seen this post before BOA Arlington. It sure was exciting!

I just want to give many thanks to the moderator's with this forum and your coverage of the BOA events. I have been on the forum for a year or so, but I was a first time viewer of the live blog while driving/riding to Arlington and while there for the performances. Your comments are so meaningful and positive and give credit to all the hard work and heart these kids, directors and families put into this beautiful thing (marching band). Thank you for all your efforts and kind words! Congratulations to all the bands!

I didn't necessarily say that they started drill last week - I don't believe they did. From what was passed on I do believe they had marching instruction last week and more than 10 hours. It looks like Montoya has the rule and it is a limit on the hours of marching instruction before August 1st and that drill can't start until August 1st or later. I don't have anything against RR band or any other - actually just thoroughly enjoy watching the incredible shows and listening to all the beautiful music. I only mentioned them, could have been any band, because someone from their band said to a friend what was the big deal with all the things in the news about marching bands and football starting in the heat on August 1st - that they had already had a full week of practice and were well versed/initiated in marching in the heat already. I just wanted to find out if I had misunderstood the rule. It seems like most or practically all of the top bands seem to set schedules to follow the rule so I was curious if the rule was maybe not all that important or if there was a reason a band would choose not to follow it.

Thanks to you both for the clarifications. Also someone else in the office confirmed what you said that bands can practice music all they want but the marching practice is limited to 10 hours before August 1st. So my next question is what if someone like Round Rock exceeded that limit last week? Is it more of an honor system and something that often gets overlooked?

What are the UIL rules for Marching Band with regard to how early in the summer you can have full band practices? I had always heard August 1st is the first day, but I know a number of schools have drum and colorguard camps that happen a week or so prior to the full marching band starting up. And then what happens to bands that disregard the date for the full band practice (I believe I know of at least one 5A that started full band on July 25th)? Do some blow it off in their non-state year and not worry about the UIL rules? I assume the rules for UIL have nothing to do with BOA.

Another random question for you .... Which bands march freshman and which ones don't? I have heard that some don't have freshman. Also are there other standards that schools use to decide who can march and who can't (beyond just trying out)?

Does anyone know a good place to find the music selections used by various top Texas bands from this 2010 marching season? I have a couple of tunes running through my head (having watched BOA San Antonio and State a few weeks ago) and I have been wanting to go look up some of that music.

I am a parent who's very new to marching band so I don't know what the various judging points are. I happened to like Johnson (SA) and I think someone said they were surprised they didn't make finals. My daughter happened to point to the time that expired (at 01 seconds) in the State prelim and they were still finishing up. I have to wonder if this cost them valuable points/votes? Strange thing is they didn't start Woodlands clock until 20-30 seconds into the program (after drum major acknowledged and they then started) and they ended with 16 seconds on the clock (so should have run out of time too). Maybe it's not a big deal though. I did notice a few strange things that I wonder if you seasoned band folks can answer. I saw several bands with people directing that were not drum majors (older people with badges, not uniforms). Is that okay? We also saw some adults telling the kids on the electronic equipment when to push what button - seemed strange. Also with Duncanville, I saw a snare drum not playing (no sticks in the hands even), but with no noticeable cast/sling, etc. Is that okay to march someone who is obviously not playing? Finally, one of the Duncanville staff (with a backpack, etc.) and two colorgard were picking up flags on the field to the right and the back of the field, during the last 1-2 minutes of the show. Is that okay? I've just never seen that in the few competitions I've been to this year. I appreciate all the coverage on this site of BOA and State. I think our band is great, but there are a lot of truly great bands and I know they all work as hard as we do. A lot for parents to be proud of!!!

I thought it had been a little quiet since Saturday, but I had missed a page of your comments. I didn't care so much for the Reagan show and was surprised they got 2nd, but a number of you picked them. I actually liked Johnson better than Reagan, and thought that Bowie was really great and deserved 1st! I agree with some of you regarding the Round Rock show. It is very pretty to watch, beautiful colors and effects, and beautiful electric solo and great percussion, but it feels light on marching and music other than solos or spotlights. Also, it seems like when they are marching they are not playing very much. I think someone did a great job of creating a pretty show that focuses on their strengths, but if strong music and marching are also strengths, it does not show them off. I am guessing they will do fairly well at BOA and not so good at State. I know a number of people were surprised that Churchill did not make it. I think maybe they should have been 6th and was expecting their name to be called Saturday night, but it didn't happen. Which judge is the questionable one (J?) and is it the same one who will also be at State? I see that one of them is judging marching at State.