LHSax

I don't know the exact number, but Hebron has won prelims (or semi-finals) at many end of year competitions, just to get edged during finals...I can think of at least 3 occasions. Their medal count is super impressive over the last 10 years, they just have to get over that hump!! My theory is that they score better (if only slightly) in prelims because they blow away the non-finalist caliber bands around them with their other-worldly playing, but have a bit more trouble standing out amongst top tier bands...and i mean this on a super minimal level, just enough to keep them off the top of the podium.

And then of course you have Hebron 13....It still baffles me that Hebron doesn't have an BOASA/UIL State/Grand national title...They should have all 3 in my opinion.

This is a great, fresh perspective on this upcoming year, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves, since it's on a board that most people don't look at to be honest (maybe we can move it to the "general discussion" board?)

I mean, yeah it’s a bit early to predict, but gotta work with what you know so far. Seems odd to point out a couple rumored canceling bands, cuz it’s probably gonna end up being all these bands or none of these bands pretty soon. But don’t worry y’all, even when 2020 doesn’t happen, we’ll have @Oracle to let us know what would’ve happened. Where’d that guy go?

Lol, I do this all the time while watching TV now...Any time there's human contact my mind says "that's not social distancing"...Even if the show is from 20 years ago... If the season doesn't happen, then 2021 will be an amazing season for sure. Imagine the these bands building on these show concepts for an entire year+ before putting it on the field. Imagine the emotion of these kids after not getting to do what they love the previous year. As awful as 2020 is shaping up to be, 2021 should be special.

Appreciate the effort to change the subject of this board back to marching band! I have many shows that I return to over the last 15 years, but this thread seems to be geared towards shows we experienced in person, so I'll use it as an opportunity to jump back in time and pull up some oldies. Links included for newer fans to pass the time as we wade through a DCI-less summer (apologies for some in poor quality - marching band recording has come a long way in 15 years). Hebron - 2006 - Music in Every Direction - Before Hebron was the perennial top 5 contender they are these days, there was this show. While this show only got 9th that year, I see it as the beginning of Hebron's rise to to power. I'm not exactly sure when the "dance break" became a thing in marching band, but this will forever be THE dance break for me. DDR was all the rage back then, and the dance section of this show, with the syncopated/offset DDR directions, was unreal to a bunch of high school kids who were obsessed with this trend. This was the first time I ever saw a standing ovation for a show before the end. This moment literally ripped people from their seats in excitement. I've searched for years for a better recording of this to no avail. LD Bell - 2007 - Transcendents - I don't think I have to say much about this show, because I (hope?) think everyone is aware of it, no matter how new you are to the activity. But I'm gonna say a lot anyway - I don't even know if I can call this a marching band show. This show was an experience. The crowd reaction to this show is still my favorite to this day because you could feel the moment of "what just happened" as they wrapped up their show. The fact that the ending changed at each performance put people even more on the edge of the seat. I also love that this show broke all the rules of typical marching show music organization. Rather than the typical opener-ballad-closer, this show was 5 minutes of opener (with some mixed in slow moments), and then 6+ minutes of ballad/art, and they milked every second BOA allowed them. Bringing back Lux from the first part of the trilogy was the cherry on top, I'm pretty sure I may have teared up a bit. I don't even know of a show from the modern era (last 5-8 years) that I could put in the same category as this one, it's just that unique. LD Bell - 2008 - The Quest - I was already hooked on Bell fever after the trilogy, so I had high hopes before seeing this show. It didn't disappoint. If 2007 felt like a theater production, this show felt like a movie. The closer is still one of my favorite's to this day. Still feel like Bell should've become the first back to back TX GN champion that year. Might've honestly been our only chance for that to ever happen. Cedar Park - 2008 - On Edge - When I pre-preemptively hope that Cedar Park gets back to it's glory days (it's "Roots"?) before every season, it's because of this show. I probably saw this show 3 or 4 times throughout the season, and I have never experienced anything quite like this opening statement from a high school marching band. This show is pure adrenaline. No props, no real theme, just marching band at it's purest form. Cedar Park was far from the largest band at BOA SA that year, and yet no one even came close to the volume CP was putting out. And this show was HARD. I'm not one of those old people who wish we would go back to the "good old days," but no one marches and plays simultaneously like CP did in this show (most bands didn't even do it back then). And the tempos they were reaching at the end of this show were UNREAL. If they hadn't run into Marcus/LD Bell duo at their peak, CP would have a BOA SA title. Bowie - 2011 - The Promise of Winter - I'm still bummed Bowie didn't get a title during their glory days. Of those "days", 2011 was my favorite. The linked video doesn't do it justice, but this opening statement SLAPPED you in the face. And before the rise of the Hebron mellos, there were the Bowie mellos. I'm pretty sure I first saw this show at a football game, and while football crowds usually half pay attention to marching shows - this show grabbed EVERYONE's attention and didn't let go.

Curious - did bands typically have any kind of rehearsals in June/early July on non-covid years? Or will bands just be using this to make up for lost time in May? Back in my day, I felt the only things that happened before late July were leadership camps. Will be interested to hear from those involved in programs what band directors choose to do with this news over the next month.

Thanks, Daniel, A lot of great points in this that are worth in depth discussion (since that's all we can do this time of year, right??) Appreciate the facts that are based in the reality of the situation, while maintaining a sliver of hope we all have. First, I'll show some appreciation for TXbands statement on current events. It's extremely important in all communities for this to be discussed, especially in groups as diverse and tight knit as band families are. As for the pandemic response, I think the harsh reality for me is that, marching band isn't as important to most of the world and this state as it is to those on these forums. We all love marching band...that's why we're here, that's why you're listening to this and reading this comment. But there's two things we have to remember- 1. For most of the population, marching bands exist to support football teams. That's just a harsh reality. Yeah, those who don't use halftime for the bathroom or snack lines will support the band with half-hearted applause, but the band is just there to fill the gaps between football plays. We saw this last year with some of the controversial decisions of some districts forcing bands to attend football games in conflict with their own competitions. With that in mind, I don't think districts will be willing to put their necks out as much for bands and their competitive schedules as they are football teams. That goes not just for bands, but for other associated groups as well (cheerleaders, dance teams, etc). 2. There are very supportive and amazing parents (many who post here) who realize how important competitive marching band is to these kids. They will support a marching season as if nothing is happening in the world, because they realize how much this means to them. But harsh reality #2 is that this isn't (I would guess) a majority of parents. I would guess (I'm not a parent, so I could be wrong), that most parents wouldn't want to put their children's health at risk for something, that while life-skill building, is EXTRA-curricular. I think if band season were to go "completely as planned" this puts a lot of pressure on these families to make a very hard decision between pleasing and protecting their children. And that's not a decision I admire any parent, or band director for that matter, for having to make. Football's a bit different. These kids are often playing for their chance (and sometimes only chance) at going to/affording college. Their futures sometimes DEPEND on being able to play and prove themselves on the field (that's an unfortunate reality, but one not meant for this board). No one is basing their college future on marching band. These two points have me thinking (and I open this as a question) - at what point is a watered down competitive season not worth it? Is a season still worth it if bands can't travel? Is a season still worth it if competitions have no fans? Is a season worth it if full participation in "normal" schedules isn't allow till mid-september? Is a season worth it if UIL/districts reduce allowed hours by half? At what point is reduction in what is allowed worth investing in competitive shows, rather than pushing to the following year? We obviously don't know what UIL/Music for all/school districts will do yet, and won't till likely July, so just trying to preemptively ask what-ifs?

I think directors have to be optimistic until they can't be anymore. The last thing they want is to not plan for a season, only for it to suddenly happen, where they have no plan. And in the end, if this year doesn't happen, then the show can relatively pretty easily be pushed to 2021 (I think a lot of drum corps are doing this). Fortunately (for better or worse), if marching band is gonna happen anywhere this fall, it's gonna be Texas. So there's my silver lining.

I agree with most things you post on this board, so happy to have an open discussion about it... One of my main concerns is - what happens when a student tests positive for COVID...Does the entire band suddenly quarantine for 2 weeks? Are we gonna see performances where half the band is missing...particularly later in the season when kids just generally get sick when it gets cold anyway? I know there have been instances in the past where bands (especially in DCI) have gotten hit HARD by just basic stomach viruses...The fact is, marching band is the PERFECT conduit for the spread of this virus. Students are breathing A LOT, masks aren't feasible, students spend significant amounts of time within feet of each other. I can certainly see a world where Texas tries to have a normal football/marching season, that pretty quickly gets canceled as soon as we see a single death from a student athlete/band member/cheerleader. I also read some interesting points (Again, reading about the NBA season), that while these kids can generally withstand the virus, a lot of the directors are part of the vulnerable population. I'll always re-iterate that I freaking love marching band. That's no secret. I want the season as much as anyone (Except maybe the kids who get to march). I feel awful particularly for seniors...but some things are more important.

Think the writing is on the wall here...think there's a slim chance there's a BOA circuit this year, a slimmer chance that there's a true "grand nationals," and an even slimmer chance that Texas bands make this trek if it does happen. Westwood certainly won't be the last Texas group to drop out (assuming music for all doesn't cancel it entirely first). Reading about the NBA "season" they're planning during the same time frame as marching season, and the EXTREME precautions their taking to make it possible, just doesn't make me very optimistic that something at the scale of marching band can happen this fall. I really don't mean to be doom and gloom...just expressing my fears.

I'll preface my thoughts with a few precursors - I've lived in NYC up until this past weekend, so I've seen the worst of it, and my wife is a doctor who is about to be thrown into the thick of handling this mess. So that's partially what likely sways my perspective a bit. I've tried to avoid these conversations, but the subject of marching band is close to my heart, so I'll chime in. While I want to be optimistic about this, I just can't bring myself to do it. The truth is, while cases have "stabilized," it's a fact that coronavirus will still be here in the fall...it's not going anywhere any time in the near future. And cases have only stabilized because we have been social distancing and canceling pretty much all events. I agree that life will go back to some level of normalcy, as far as people getting back to doing their jobs that drive the economy...because we don't really have a choice. But as much as I love football (a lot) and marching band (even more), they're far from essential activities that are literally the perfect storm for new spikes in this virus. Think of how close people in sit in stadiums, think of how tight they cram these kids into buses, heck, think of how close these kids are on the field during these shows. We're still barely scratching the surface of how the heck we're going to adjust school, which is much more essential. I will be happy to be proven wrong, come August (obviously all we can do is speculate), but it only takes one person to suddenly get a whole band sick, which will instantly shut down everything for everyone. I love marching band, but marching band isn't worth risking lives, and that's what we'd essentially be doing.

Wow, that is far and away the most professionally made show reveal I’ve ever seen!

Quite the tease by VR...They have all eyes on them, and they're milking it, as they should. Sounds like we won't have to wait too long though. A lot of exciting shows on here already, been quiet to respond though since I'm of the pessimistic camp who unfortunately believes we won't have a marching season this fall. This is especially sad since I'm moving back to the great state of Texas this weekend, so I'd finally be able to see some live marching band after 5 years away...Fingers crossed though!

Is there a history here? Is it that far-fetched to think BA would take a shot at the south grand nationals?

Gotta love the amount of momentum our groups have going into an Indy trip next year. Literally every single one of these groups might be coming off one of the best years of their program’s history.

Yes...In fact I think i made an entire topic dedicated to wondering if we'd ever see the end of their reign and dominance... Very happy that a lot more parody parity has been added to the activity since those days. I don't think there is 1 band of the decade, but The Woodlands, CTJ and Marcus have the strongest case and the most complete resumes over the course of the ENTIRE decade. Some recency bias would point to FM and Vandy, and they are likely the best bands of the last half decade, but the aforementioned 3 fit the initial premise of the post.

I'm sure there were others before them, but wasn't it The Bluecoats who really got this no shako trend rolling? (I know...I'm taking this further off topic...)

Am I remembering the story correctly that Vista basically didn't have enough, or didn't have the budget for shakos/plumes last year, so the current no headgear look is basically a happy accident that has worked out very well for them? I even think the initial reveal of their current uniforms had a shako, but seems like they've totally ditched headgear entirely to have more expressive shows?

I'm not a drumline guy, but what Vandy's drumline is doing has to be one of the best high school lines in the country, right?? I feel like I was listening to a DCI drumline in their show this year. Maybe it's the writing, or they're just that good, but even to my untrained ear this drumline sounded as special as their hornline, if not more so.

Scores are just numbers used to relatively compare each group, the actual number itself is meaningless, only the relative value to the groups around the score matters.We hear the phrase "you can't compare scores across competitions" all the time, and there's good reason for that. It's not the number that matters, it's how it relates to the other bands at THAT competition that matters, and determines the final rank. There is nothing to be feel bad about for the point drop in 2 weeks because these are 2 completely separate competitions with completely different variables. Your band has a lot to be proud of, and while the final score may not literally reflect an "improvement," The Woodlands and all of Team Texas improved like crazy from San Antonio 2 weeks ago, and it was amazing to see. If the Woodlands marched the same show they did 2 weeks ago, who knows, maybe they would've been 10th or 11th, so trust me, the 2 weeks of hard work were well worth it, regardless of an arbitrary number. Loved the Woodlands this year, can't wait to see how they push the envelope next year.

All Texas bands (besides Leander who was close) finished better than or equal to what they finished in San Antonio.

THE EAGLE IS COMING BACK, YALL!

The colors in this retreat are spectacular!!

That drumline! That brass technique! That ballad! Bring it home Vandy!!!!!!