Hard Core Band Fan

On that note, I have to say a few things about the Blue Springs program. After hearing their show in St. Louis, I was really impressed with their show. In San Antonio, I approached the directors while they were watching a few bands in the prelims and I welcomed them to Texas told them how much I really liked their show. They were very friendly, modest, and just nice people. Later during their prelim performance, I was sitting with a bunch of BR parents and they were exactly the same. They were friendly, clapped for every band, and were very complimentary to other parents from other bands. Throughout the day, every one of their parents I encountered were the very same way. I was very impressed with the parents as well. I didn't really get to meet or interact with any of the band kids until at the Grand Nationals after the finals announcements and we were leaving the stadium. I was walking next to a long line of BR kids who just found out that they were not in the finals. Although you could tell that they were disappointed, they were congratulating the parents of bands that did make it as they would recognize them by their show shirts and telling them how much they liked their band's show. They were sad, but at the same time happy for others. They were not defeated and you could see the determination in these kid's eyes. I was really impressed with these kids as well. Oh, and I almost forgot... as I was leaving the stadium after the announcement for bands making the finals, there was a large group of Blue Springs parents by the entry gates cheerfully giving away their finals tickets. These are some of the nicest, most generous people I've ever met. I do hope they come back to Texas next year!

Just had to share this -- I was in a hotel elevator with some Marcus and Round Rock parents in Indianapolis during the break before the Finals Saturday night, and the Marcus parent was telling us that she was told by a Carmel parent earlier that day that "Texas bands don't win here". I guess that Carmel parent was a little surprised and unhappy a few hours later!

What I would like to see is these 26 plus maybe Harrison and Plymouth-Canton compete directly - same day, same contest. Actually, add Broken Arrow, Tarpon Springs, Kennesaw, Union, Owasso, Lafayette (LA), and Wando. Now THAT would be a contest to attend!! I'd pay big money to be at that one. Have a prelims and a finals of the top 12. One term comes to mind -- bloodbath!

The attached file kind of shows how the Indianapolis and San Antonio BOA finalists compare to each other. The scores are a week apart, but give a fairly close comparison. I think it shows just how difficult the San Antonio finals is compared to the Indianapolis finals. Be sure to look at both pages as the 2nd page shows the comparisons of the bands that are going to the Grand Nationals. I find it interesting that of these 26 finalists, only 3 of the top twelve scores were of Indy finalists. And they had an extra week to prepare... Indy vs. SA Finalist.pdf

Well, almost correct. They were 7th at BOA San Antonio in 1995...

It's true that Blue Springs did well at St. Louis, but watching the videos again, Owasso and Marion Catholic did not perform as nearly as well as I've seen them in the past. I think Blue Springs will do well here, but they are going to be in Texas with many more good bands. St. Louis isn't nearly as competitive as San Antonio, which is more like a grand regional. I think that this year will be different than past years and there will be bands reaching places in the finals that they've never reached before. This should be a good one!

Hebron beat Round Rock in the finals by .10 because Round Rock had a .10 penalty. Without the penalty, they would have been tied for 7th and since Round Rock's GE score was higher, they would have actually been in 7th place. At least last year, you two were pretty even.

Some trivia regarding all of the BOA San Antonio finalist from 1994 - 2012: Aledo - Was 32nd in 2012, 37th in 2011, & 22nd in 2008 prelims. Made finals (14th) in 2010. Anderson - Attended only twice. Was 30th in prelims in 2012 and 11th in finals in 2011. Berkner - Made finals in 2010, 2008, & 2007. Was 18th in prelims in 2012. Brazoswood - Attended 9 times and made finals 6 times (2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, & 1994). Carmel (IN) - Attended once in 2002 and won. Cedar Park - Has made finals every year attended except 2005 and was 17th in prelims. Was Grand National Finalist in 2010. Claudia Taylor Johnson - Was 29th in prelims in 2008 - (1st year school opened) and 23rd in 2009. Has made finals since 2010. Was Grand National Finalist in 2011. Clear Brook - Attended from 2009-2005, but only made finals in 2006 (11th). Attended Grand Nationals once in 2007 and was 17th in semifinals. Colleyville Heritage - Attended 2011-2005, 2002, and 2001, making the finals in 2009, 2007, & 2001. Coppell - Attended 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 making the finals in 2005 (13th). Creekview - Attended 2008-2004, making finals in 2004 (11th). Cypress Falls - Attended 2007, 2005, 2003-2000 and made finals in 2005, 2003, 2001. Edinburg - Attended 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001, 1998, 1995, & 1994, making finals in 1995 (10th). Edinburg North - Attended 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003-2000, 1998, 1995, & 1994, making finals in 2000 (9th). Flower Mound - Attended twice and made finals both times - 2012 (11th) & 2011 (9th). Friendswood - Attended 2012, 2010, & 2008, making finals in 2008 (10th). Haltom - Attended 2012-2002, 1998, & 1995, making finals 2008-2002 & 1998. Attended Grand Nationals twice - 2002 16th in prelims & 1998 23rd in prelims. Harlingen - Attended 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004-2001, & 1999, making finals in 2001 (6th). Hebron - Attended 2012-2003, making finals in 2012 & 2010-2004. Was 19th in prelims in 2011 & 18th in prelims in 2003. Jackson Academy, MS - Attended 2012, 2009, & 1999, making finals in 1999 (8th). James Bowie - Attended 2011-2001, & 1995, making finals 2011-2007, 2005-2003, 2001, & 1995. Was 13th in prelims in 2006 & 11th in prelims in 2002, missing finals. Keller - Attended 2012, 2010-2008, & 2003-2002, making finals 2010-2008. Klein Forest - Attended 2008 & 1994, making finals in 1994. Klein - Attended 2007-2005, 1995, & 1994, making finals in 1995 & 1994. L.D. Bell - Attended 2012-2006, 2003-1999, & 1995, making finals every year attended. Was 1st or 2nd from 2011-1999 when attended and was 1st 6 times, 2nd 5 times, 3rd once (2012), and 7th once (1995). Was Grand National Finalist in 2010-2005, 2003, & 2001. Was Grand National Champion in 2007. Lake Highlands - Attended 2005 & 2004, making finals in 2004 (13th). Leander - Attended 2012-2007, 2005-2004, 2002, 1998, & 1995, making finals 2012, 2009-2008, 2002, 1998, & 1995. Was Grand National Finalist in 1999 (11th). Lewisville - Attended 2007, 2004-2001, & 1995-1994, making finals 2002 & 2001. MacArthur - Attended 1999, 1998, & 1994, making finals every year attended. Marcus - Attended 2012-2003, making finals 2012-2004. Did not make finals in 2003 - was 21st in prelims. Has been 1st or 2nd in finals since 2007. Was Grand National Finalist in 2009 (4th). McCullough - Attended once in 1994 and made finals (10th). Moore (OK) - Attended once in 1994 and made finals (6th). New Braunfels - Attended 2011, 2009, 2002-1998, making finals in 1998. Owasso (OK) - Attended once in 2004 and made finals (3rd). Plano East - Attended 2012-2010, making finals in 2012 & 2010. Richland - Attended 2012-2011, 2009, 2007-2002, 2000, & 1998, making finals every year attended. Was Grand National Finalist in 2007 & 2005. Did not make Grand National Finals in 2001 (22nd) & 1997 (14th). Robert E. Lee - Attended 2000-1998 & 1995-1994, making finals 1999 & 1998. Ronald Reagan - Attended 2012-2000, making finals every year attended. Was Grand National Finalist in 2012, 2005, 2003, & 2002. Did not make Grand National Finals in 2007 - 16th in prelims. Round Rock - Attended 2012, 2011, & 2009, making finals in 2012 (8th) & 2011 (7th). Was 28th in prelims 2009. Seguin - Attended 2006-1998 & 1995, making finals 2000-1998 & 1995. Spring - Attended 2012-2009, 2007, 2005-2002, & 1995-1994, making finals 2012-2009, 2004-2003, & 1995-1994. Was Grand National Champion in 1993 & Grand National Finalist in 1991. Did not make Grand National Finals in 2011 (13th) & 2002(18th). Stephen F. Austin - Attended 2012-2011, 2009-2008, 2005, 2003, 2001, & 1999, making finals every year except 2012 (27th in prelims). Was Grand National Finalist in 2010, 2007, 2004, & 2002. Taft (San Antonio) - Attended 1999 & 1998, making finals in 1999. The Woodlands - Attended 2012-2009, 2007-2005, 2003, 2002, & 2000-1998, making finals every year attended. Was Grand National Finalist in 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, & 2002. Did not make Grand National Finals in 1998 - 18th in prelims. Union (OK) - Attended twice and made finals both times - 1995 (4th) & 1994 (3rd). Westfield - Attended 2009, 2007-2002, 2000, 1998, 1995, & 1994, making finals 2007-2002, 2000, 1998, 1995, & 1994. Was Grand National Champion in 2003 & 2nd in Grand National Finals in 1995, 1990, & 1985. Westlake - Attended 2012-2008, 2006-2003, 2000, 1999, making finals in 2012, 2008, 2006-2003, 2000, & 1999. Winston Churchill - Attended every year, making finals all years except 2012 (16th in prelims). Was Grand National Finalist in 2006, 2002, 1999, & 1998. Did not make Grand National Finals in 2010 - 23rd in prelims.

It also doesn't mean they would have won had they been there. Broken Arrow has attended 11 times and won twice. Marcus went once and was 4th. We can only measure what has been done at the Grand National level and use those metrics. See Below: (Place, Score, School, Year) 2 95.70 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2012 1 95.95 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2011 2 96.25 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2010 6 92.75 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2009 6 93.35 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2008 6 91.85 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2007 1 96.75 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2006 12 86.00 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2001 12 85.80 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2000 7 90.45 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 1999 11 88.35 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 1998 4 94.50 Marcus H.S., TX 2009 I'm not taking anything away from Marcus, but was just stating the fact that Broken Arrow has proven themselves -- not by my opinions, but by their accomplishments and that their recent score in St. Louis of 89.35 was not an absurdly high score for them. But in my opinion, a band with 11 GN finals appearances has proven themselves a better band than a band with 1. It doesn't matter what may have happened IF Marcus had gone because they didn't go. I personally think they would have done well after 2004 which, by the way, was the first time that they made the finals (12th) in San Antonio. In 2003, they were 21st in the prelims and didn't make the SA finals. Again, I have nothing but respect for Marcus. Their stellar record the last 8 or 9 years is amazing and I can't wait to see how well they do in the GN's (as well as the other 4 TX bands)!

Hopefully, the top 5 on Friday are Texas bands!

It must be allowed as I saw one 5A's band director at Reeves stadium this past Saturday talking to his front ensemble and directing during the entire show. It was blatant enough for the judges to see it, so it must be okay.

Did you watch the finals? Broken Arrow was just that much better than Blue Springs. I don't think the score was absurdly high. They earned it! Besides, Broken Arrow has proven themselves a consistently better band than Marcus, so the comparison to Marcus' ranges over other bands is not a valid one in this case. I'm not taking anything away from Marcus' impressive record by any means, but Broken Arrow got what they deserved.

I don't know if any of you saw the St. Louis super regional finals or not, but Blue Springs is likely a finalist in San Antonio as well. They were 2nd in the finals below Broken Arrow and was just above Owasso and Marion Catholic. I had no idea that they are now at this level. Granted St. Louis isn't nearly as competitive as San Antonio, but the top 4 were very good and Grand National finalist-level groups and Blue Springs was in this group above 2 usual GN finalists. San Antonio should be very interesting! By the way, Round Rock was holding their own with Bowie at the Westlake contest. They beat Bowie in the prelims and narrowly lost to them in the finals. There sure is a lot of movement in the contests so far this year. Hebron was below Cedar Ridge in Conroe and then beat both Marcus and LD Bell in DFW. The only safe bet is that this is going to be a very competitive year!

Let's not forget Round Rock. They were 2nd in Music, 2nd in Visual, and 3rd in General Effect. Not a bad result for them!

In case anyone is interested, here are the results for Texas bands for all years: 6 89.85 James Bowie H.S., TX 2012 11 87.30 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2012 4 93.25 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2011 8 89.55 Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 2011 13 85.40 Spring H.S., TX 2011 3 96.05 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2010 9 88.50 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 2010 10 87.95 Cedar Park H.S., TX 2010 23 81.85 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 2010 2 95.25 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2009 4 94.50 Marcus H.S., TX 2009 7 92.50 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2009 10 89.65 James Bowie H.S., TX 2009 2 96.50 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2008 1 96.10 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2007 4 92.10 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2007 8 90.20 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 2007 9 89.75 Richland H.S., TX 2007 16 87.45 Ronald Reagan H.S.,TX 2007 17 87.30 Clear Brook H.S.,TX 2007 2 96.35 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2006 4 94.15 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2006 10 90.80 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 2006 12 89.35 James Bowie H.S., TX 2006 23 81.85 Cypress Falls H.S., TX 2006 26 78.60 Connally H.S.,TX 2006 2 95.65 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2005 3 95.60 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2005 7 90.65 Richland H.S., TX 2005 4 93.50 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 2004 7 92.20 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2004 1 94.35 Westfield H.S., TX 2003 2 94.30 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2003 5 93.00 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2003 5 91.45 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 2002 8 87.35 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2002 10 85.95 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 2002 11 85.85 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2002 16 84.85 Haltom H.S., TX 2002 18 84.15 Spring H.S., TX 2002 4 95.85 L. D. Bell H.S., TX 2001 22 82.40 Richland H.S.,TX 2001 9 88.05 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 1999 11 85.55 Leander H.S., TX 1999 9 91.30 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 1998 18 79.00 The Woodlands HS, TX 1998 23 84.95 Haltom H.S., TX 1998 14 87.05 Richland H.S., TX 1997 2 96.45 Westfield H.S., TX 1995 7 88.85 Klein H.S., TX 1994 1 96.55 Spring H.S., TX 1993 9 88.65 Duncanville H.S., TX 1993 6 91.65 Duncanville H.S., TX 1991 8 90.40 Spring H.S., TX 1991 2 95.30 Westfield H.S., TX 1990 2 88.40 Westfield H.S., TX 1985

It would be cool to see all 5 make the finals! We've had 4 make the finals before in 2009, 2007, 2006, and 2002, but never 5.

By Central Texas, I meant the Austin/Round Rock area. For now on, I'll state the area I was referring to as the Austin/Round Rock area. BOA Round Rock or BOA Austin.

I think adding a BOA regional competition to Central Texas would be a good idea. It could even be on the same day as another BOA competition. Since few of the Central Texas bands travel to the Houston or Dallas area competitions, it would be another chance for the bands in the area to compete and to receive feedback. Have it early in the season before UIL regional and area contests. This would actually help another 25-30 bands. If it was at Reeves, it would have to be limited to 30 or less. Another positive of having another BOA competition is that BOA competitions are really more suited for modern bands. The UIL system was set up a long time ago for military style marching. Marching and playing was all you did, so all you were judged on was marching and playing. Later, it was kept that way to make things fair for the remaining military bands whose programs were less exciting and took away any advantage of the more modern marching styles with the new-fangled color guard and new percussion. Today, it only judges marching and playing for the 99+ percent of bands out there that are corps style for an old, outdated concept that gives little or no scoring credit for guard, drumline, and theatrical content. It's a Texas tradition and is very unlikely to change. More BOA competitions means more competitions for bands of today! By the way, I've been attending marching contests since all of the bands were military and it's time we provided more competitions that fit what is being done in the present. Just my 2 cents...

I was there all day today and think that Reagan and CTJ are in for sure. Also, the following bands have a really good chance: Pflugerville Cedar Park Hendrickson Round Rock Several more have a good chance as well: Westlake Anderson Churchill SFA Keller Central Haltom The difference between the first and second group to me was the the first group had slightly better performances today. They all did well, but I think the first group will score higher. To answer an earlier question, Round Rock did well today. Much better than at Area. The guard killed it as did the percussion, and the horns did a fine job.

What? I was in no way claiming that Round Rock had beaten "all the bands out there in previous competitions". I was referring to two particular bands that they had competed with in both competitions and was not "equating" Westlake scoring to UIL scoring. I was only making the point that there was a wide discrepancy from one competition to another. That and having viewed all the bands at both competitions and many other competitions as well, that there was a sliding standard at Area D. I'm not saying anyone did anything wrong, just that they deserved to compete in the finals. Someone asked what happened and I reported what I had seen. As far as my observation, I make this with 40+ years of attending marching contests and not as a layman. I'd be making the same claim if I observed it with your band or anyone else's. This is not the first time I've seen this happen, nor do I expect this to be my last.

Actually, there weren't many tuning issues. Round Rock got robbed. The show wasn't perfect, but was quite good. I didn't see any perfect shows all day. It was very cold, very windy, and despite this they performed very well. They were a victim of a sliding standard so well known in UIL area and state competitions. It's tragic, but a fact of life in Texas. With BOA scoring, the result would likely have been much different. Going against 2 of the bands making the state cut at the Westlake contest, Round Rock beat them convincingly. In fact, they took every award and caption available. Neither of them even came in second. In fact, they were 5th and 8th. I heard at least 5, maybe 6, bands in the finals that did not perform as well as Round Rock in the prelims. That's too bad for these kids, but I hope they know they didn't fail. The system failed them!