2019 BOA Grand National Championships

[Rubisco]

Sorry, it just annoys me when I praise a band and call it an Eagle contender, and instead people latch onto a single word they don’t like. Clearly, I appreciate what CTJ does.

 

It’s getting a little in here. Relax and have a .

I appreciate your opinion. This was my first year exposed to marching band so I thought it was all kick a**.

All Texas marching bands are awesome!! Be proud of these kids! I was never in band as a kid and I’m amazed at the hard work and dedication these kids have. They are all beyond talented and I’m proud to say I’m a “band dad”!!

[Rubisco]

On that note:

 

If anything, the Vandegrift, Leander, TWHS, and Round Rock parents should be the ones raking me over the coals right now, based on what I said. I mean, I openly doubted all of their chances at the Eagle!

 

Those groups probably view my comments as an opportunity to prove me wrong. Certainly, I’m wrong a lot more these days than I used to be!

[SATXBandDad]

Sorry, it just annoys me when I praise a band and call it an Eagle contender, and instead people latch onto a single word they don’t like. Clearly, I appreciate what CTJ does.

 

 

It’s all good. We’re all fans of our kids programs first and foremost so it’s hard not to play favorites. We are all welcome to our opinion. As a CTJ parent myself, I hope we bring home the Eagle. But I’m happy for any member of #teamtexas if they win. Just makes Texas band look that much better.

 

Let’s all be happy and excited for our kids and not get so defensive.

[TWHSParent]

On that note:

 

If anything, the Vandegrift, Leander, TWHS, and Round Rock parents should be the ones raking me over the coals right now, based on what I said. I mean, I openly doubted all of their chances at the Eagle!

 

Those groups probably view my comments as an opportunity to prove me wrong. Certainly, I’m wrong a lot more these days than I used to be!

 

I'm officially no longer a TWHS parent (graduation was this past Friday). Not going to get worked up about your comments on TWHS. When we moved here we had no idea about the band program, and it was just serendipity that we ended up zoned to TWHS rather than TWCP or Oak Ridge (both fine programs). All programs are worthy of praise and criticism and each year is an opportunity for a new chapter. I'm looking forward to viewing the shows from a different perspective now.

[SATXBandDad]

I am curious as to why CTJ supporters seem to be the most sensitive to criticism. If you look at any sport or competition, some team or individual is the lightning rod. For TX marching band, it appears to be CTJ.

Oh no!! I believe some are just very passionate and that’s ok too. There are die hard supporters in everything and my man just wears his emotions on his sleeve. It’s all good. But please don’t start with the labels. We’re all in it for our kids.

[Nny14]

I am curious as to why CTJ supporters seem to be the most sensitive to criticism. If you look at any sport or competition, some team or individual is the lightning rod. For TX marching band, it appears to be CTJ.

I think it's because CTJ is one of the most unique and popular bands in the country. For good reason too. However they're not perfect and like any art people will have differing opinions. Their shows are usually miss for me, but I always respect what they do and how well they do it. Also I don't think it's rude or crazy to say the design of their show last year was kind of everywhere. But that's the standard you set when you create productions like Chameleon and FTtT.

[LeanderMomma]

On that note:

 

If anything, the Vandegrift, Leander, TWHS, and Round Rock parents should be the ones raking me over the coals right now, based on what I said. I mean, I openly doubted all of their chances at the Eagle!

 

Those groups probably view my comments as an opportunity to prove me wrong. Certainly, I’m wrong a lot more these days than I used to be!

I enjoy it when Leander proves people wrong. And I don’t feel the need to defend our chances to do just that.

[LHSbandDad]

As a CTJ parent myself, I hope we bring home the Eagle. But I’m happy for any member of #teamtexas if they win. Just makes Texas band look that much better.

 

This is exactly how I feel (except substitute Leander for CTJ) HA!!  Nothing would make me happier than for #TeamTexas to go 1-2-3-4-5-6 in finals.  Even if Leander is 6th, the fact that the Texas bands represent well is all I care about.  

[LeanderMomma]

I am curious as to why CTJ supporters seem to be the most sensitive to criticism. If you look at any sport or competition, some team or individual is the lightning rod. For TX marching band, it appears to be CTJ.

Perhaps because they seem to take the most criticism? It comes with being so different and unique and so successful, partly because of that unique-ness. When you are pushing the envelope and succeeding wildly at it, you open the door to those that will criticize what they don’t truly understand. I have said many times in here that I did not care for CTJ shows when I was first introduced to them in 2013. I didn’t understand their shows, and I didn’t care for how “artistic” they were. But within a year or two, I began to truly appreciate the genius behind their shows, and I quickly became a huge fan. Now they are just one of my all time favorite high school bands, and I adore their crazy artistic madness on the field. It just took me a little while to get there.

[CaliGirl96]

The term is appropriate.

 

You should stop getting so worked up every time anybody critiques any aspect of the Claudia Taylor Johnson program. It's not a good look for you, and it's not a good look for the Claudia Taylor Johnson program. A little equanimity goes a long way. (Look it up.)

 

Longtime lurker from California here. I'm just dropping by to say that I'm LIVING for this comment. Maybe it's the sly way you turn the knife at the end after you've stuck it in. And I say that as somebody who loves everything CTJ!

 

You should get a blog. I'd read it. Plus, your posts are often super long.

[CTJBandPops]

Perhaps because they seem to take the most criticism? It comes with being so different and unique and so successful, partly because of that unique-ness. When you are pushing the envelope and succeeding wildly at it, you open the door to those that will criticize what they don’t truly understand. I have said many times in here that I did not care for CTJ shows when I was first introduced to them in 2013. I didn’t understand their shows, and I didn’t care for how “artistic” they were. But within a year or two, I began to truly appreciate the genius behind their shows, and I quickly became a huge fan. Now they are just one of my all time favorite high school bands, and I adore their crazy artistic madness on the field. It just took me a little while to get there.

I do take issue with the constant criticism of the CTJ program - I have viewed this forum from 2010 as a guest. In 2014, when CTJ won their first BOA gold in Houston Finals, I read a post about how awesome it was that the Woodlands (then reigning GN champions) invited CTJ to their campus between prelims and finals - CTJ won their first gold in Finals and TWHS stayed to watch and cheer for the encore after the awards. - the comments posted where along the line of "CTJ did not deserve their win - The judges did not accept/understand the show - a real beating to an upcoming program. same things happened at the end of the season with CTJ winning BOASA and a UIL Bronze that year.

 

over the past few years -  it has continued - Last year after someone posted a video of the show from an early FB game stating that based on the show title, CTJ's show was a homage to the current president - lots of political comments about CTJ - that led to the director sharing what the real message of the show was. but PM's from the members did not stop - all year

 

as SATXBandDad posted - do not label all CTJ supporters as thin skinned or sensitive. I do not hide who I am or who I support, and as I have stated many times - I do not speak for the CTJ organization on this blog. I speak as an avid supporter that believes in the program 

 

looking forward to the season and the run for GNATS

[LeanderMomma]

I do take issue with the constant criticism of the CTJ program - I have viewed this forum from 2010 as a guest. In 2014, when CTJ won their first BOA gold in Houston Finals, I read a post about how awesome it was that the Woodlands (then reigning GN champions) invited CTJ to their campus between prelims and finals - CTJ won their first gold in Finals and TWHS stayed to watch and cheer for the encore after the awards. - the comments posted where along the line of "CTJ did not deserve their win - The judges did not accept/understand the show - a real beating to an upcoming program. same things happened at the end of the season with CTJ winning BOASA and a UIL Bronze that year.

 

over the past few years - it has continued - Last year after someone posted a video of the show from an early FB game stating that based on the show title, CTJ's show was a homage to the current president - lots of political comments about CTJ - that led to the director sharing what the real message of the show was. but PM's from the members did not stop - all year

 

as SATXBandDad posted - do not label all CTJ supporters as thin skinned or sensitive. I do not hide who I am or who I support, and as I have stated many times - I do not speak for the CTJ organization on this blog. I speak as an avid supporter that believes in the program

 

looking forward to the season and the run for GNATS

Well I hope that I have not been insensitive or derogatory towards you in any way. Some of my favorite mommas are CTJ moms and I mean that. I haven’t met any dads but I’m sure they are nice too.

 

Let’s all work on being more supportive of each other here. And of each other’s programs. Ultimately it’s about these kids and the astonishing things they are accomplishing these days. I feel honored at every BOA contest I attend just to be in the presence of such greatness. These kids are amazing.

[jarrettlipman]

@Rubisco I am teasing ... I enjoy very much reading your write ups through the years and know you don’t take things personally or I would not respond. It is always a great part of the off season to enjoy reading people’s analysis of things and we learn a lot through the reactions we get and how people respond (or do not) to what we put on the field.

 

@Banddad ... settle down over there :-)

[TWHSParent]

I do take issue with the constant criticism of the CTJ program - I have viewed this forum from 2010 as a guest. In 2014, when CTJ won their first BOA gold in Houston Finals, I read a post about how awesome it was that the Woodlands (then reigning GN champions) invited CTJ to their campus between prelims and finals - CTJ won their first gold in Finals and TWHS stayed to watch and cheer for the encore after the awards. - the comments posted where along the line of "CTJ did not deserve their win - The judges did not accept/understand the show - a real beating to an upcoming program. same things happened at the end of the season with CTJ winning BOASA and a UIL Bronze that year.

 

over the past few years -  it has continued - Last year after someone posted a video of the show from an early FB game stating that based on the show title, CTJ's show was a homage to the current president - lots of political comments about CTJ - that led to the director sharing what the real message of the show was. but PM's from the members did not stop - all year

 

as SATXBandDad posted - do not label all CTJ supporters as thin skinned or sensitive. I do not hide who I am or who I support, and as I have stated many times - I do not speak for the CTJ organization on this blog. I speak as an avid supporter that believes in the program 

 

looking forward to the season and the run for GNATS

 

The key is to recognize constructive criticism rather than jerk criticism. Rubisco is (in my experience) constructive. There certainly are those out there that aren't. I think CTJ is pushing Texas ahead more than any other program in this state. Of course, sometimes that means a swing and a miss - it is just the nature of boundary pushing. Recently there haven't been any misses from CTJ, but sometimes others hit it further.

 

It is also true that receiving lots of criticism can be a sign that those making the remarks are worried that you may become too good, and is a reflexive reaction to try to pull against that surge. So if you are able to step back and read between the lines, it can be viewed as a compliment that others are taking notice of what you are doing and the success being had. So viewpoints matter. I try not to be over the top without an actual goal to being so, but that's because I'm too old to worry about all the drama that some people seem to thrive on. Too much drama and I get a headache and retire to a dark room.

[CTJBandPops]

@Rubisco I am teasing ... I enjoy very much reading your write ups through the years and know you don’t take things personally or I would not respond. It is always a great part of the off season to enjoy reading people’s analysis of things and we learn a lot through the reactions we get and how people respond (or do not) to what we put on the field.

 

@Banddad ... settle down over there :-)

@jarrettlipman -     

[CTJBandPops]

The key is to recognize constructive criticism rather than jerk criticism. Rubisco is (in my experience) constructive. There certainly are those out there that aren't. I think CTJ is pushing Texas ahead more than any other program in this state. Of course, sometimes that means a swing and a miss - it is just the nature of boundary pushing. Recently there haven't been any misses from CTJ, but sometimes others hit it further.

 

It is also true that receiving lots of criticism can be a sign that those making the remarks are worried that you may become too good, and is a reflexive reaction to try to pull against that surge. So if you are able to step back and read between the lines, it can be viewed as a compliment that others are taking notice of what you are doing and the success being had. So viewpoints matter. I try not to be over the top without an actual goal to being so, but that's because I'm too old to worry about all the drama that some people seem to thrive on. Too much drama and I get a headache and retire to a dark room.

great perspective - appreciated 

[Magma31651]

Has there ever been a year when a TX band hasn't made gnats finals?

[Guest]

Not recently. The most recent year was 2000 and I believe that year saw zero Texas bands make the trip.

[Magma31651]

Not recently. The most recent year was 2000 and I believe that year saw zero Texas bands make the trip.

I don't think we should count that one

[Guest]

 

I don't think we should count that one

[principalagent]

I don't think we should count that one

[SpartanBandAlum]

However, Texas bands have missed finals and even semi-finals.

I’d just like to add that a Texas band missing semis is extremely rare, to the point where it’s only happened 4 times in the 22 years of the Semifinals format.

[Danpod]

Hands out ice cream to calm everyone down.

[CTJBandPops]

Hands out ice cream to calm everyone down.

Beer!!!!

[LeanderMomma]

Beer!!!!