TbonesRock

That is just freaky-deaky amazing! So well done, definitely championship worthy!

No need to be sorry. I didn't consider that to be harsh in the least! And there is much on which we agree. It's just a theory, that because college bands are often so huge, the more simple formations create a huge impact. I think that college directors are just more accustomed to that. It is only a personal preference for lots of movement, difficult drills, and visually stimulating shows. And standing still on an impact definitely adds more effect to the show, but when there's lots of it, as a spectator, I find I start looking at the clock, no matter how beautiful or intense the sound. Simply put, in marching season, I enjoy watching lots of marching. I imagine it is really hard, as a high school band director, to decide which direction to take. Because, like you say, there is no judge specifically watching the difficulty of a show, it might be tempting to go slightly easier. I really prefer the high school band venue, where you often see really unique themes and interesting drills. The variety that we were treated to last Tuesday was fabulous. I just would never want to see that go away. And I think the band students learn much and grow with the more intricate drills and music. Another thought I had, was that those kinds of risks would be more richly rewarded if, rather than having so many college-level judges, that DCI judges were in the mix. I don't know if that is even a possibility, or how that would affect the judging of woodwinds, etc. High school marching band rocks! I bet everyone here can agree to that!

It did seem like bands that moved up in finals were more "play loud and stand still" instead of playing and marching a lot at the same time. As long as UIL recruits so many University-level judges for State competition, we might see that. Colleges typically have their bands learn many shows each year, as opposed to high school directors having several months to teach and tweak one show with interesting themes or stories involving intricate drill patterns per season. Colleges really can't spend a lot of time on each show, and as such, college-level directors/judges may be attracted by the more military-type of production that they are accustomed to: more standing still and blowing away the loud crowds in stadiums. It's a completely different venue. I hope that Texas high school marching band directors continue to produce such fun and interesting shows as we saw in the shows of so many of the bands this year. What a day of entertainment that was! Beautiful, ingenious and fantastic shows that represent a wonderful art form, that of which nothing else can compare. Congratulations to every single band member of all of the top-notch bands that represented the best of the best of 4A all across our great state. And thank you! That was the best $30 I have spent in a long time! Band really is just better in Texas!

Hard week. Understandably so. Poteet's situation surely put everyone involved on a roller coaster ride from heck, and we know that it had to have been extremely difficult to get through it.

A few thoughts: ...the inability of UIL leadership to look at the "spirit of the law" as opposed to the "letter of the law". I think that if the spirit superseded the letter of the law, the whole system would break down. We all really feel for the Poteet band members and their families, big time. I cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak they are feeling, after having worked so hard on their show for so long. Truly devastating, and yes, especially for the juniors and seniors. My heart goes out to them. It is not true that Forney Band is going into this competition with absolutely no support from any other band program. Most of us here, while we have our favorites and hopes and dreams, recognize that the Texas high school marching band program is really righteous! We know that every single band has put body and soul into performing their very best. Forney Band included, and we are happy for them. Good luck to every band performing today and on Tuesday. What a fantastic week to be lover of Texas high school marching band!

Judge Information: A/AA Prelims - 4A Finals Music: [*] Brian Britt

The lineup: Lone Star................IV.............1:45 North Forney............II..............2:00 Robinson.................II...............2:15 The Colony..............II..............2:30 Wills Point...............II...............2:45 McKinney North........II...............3:00 Midlothian...............I................3:30 Summit...................I................3:45 North Mesquite.........I...............4:00 McKinney................I................4:15 Fossil Ridge.............I................4:30 Wakeland................I................4:45 Dripping Springs.......I.................5:00 Centennial..............Exh.............5:15 Good luck to all!