bariphonium

3 of a Kind is an easy trio. I did that a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it. Your 3rd trumpet shouldn't too hard of a time.

Salt

Tailgate

Drum head

Side

As far as I know, most local contests don't have judges on the field. I don't think UIL has them either. Some bands just don't participate in BOA, and so don't know about on-field judges.

It depends on what kind of a show you want. Do you want a fast-paced, high impact show? Then you probably wouldn't want a "ballad," so to speak. But shows that compete to win need to show that they can do it all. Sure, show the trumpets that can pull the high C, clearly, and show the clarinets and flutes that can run the breaks like it's nobody's business. But you'd also want to show that you can produce the most beautiful, powerfully moving sounds ever put on turf. Show that you can create chords so wonderful people are crying by the time you're done. Use the ballad to show that it's not all about the technical stuff, not all about the range or volume. Think also about the visual aspect. Remember Reagan 03? The ballad was great (Linconshire), but what really hit me was their guard: massive flags (probably around 15' by 30'). I doubt they could've pulled those massive flags out at any tempo faster than a ballad. Ballads give the guard an excellent chance to do something creative, unique, and what normally wouldn't be possible at faster tempos. "But the band can't move much at slow tempos!" Why's that bad? If you're band just marched a 200 bpm, 2-minute long movement, they might like a slower pace. It gives them a chance to rest their lips for a bit, to catch their breath, and to recover for the next movement (which is, of course, 3 mintues long and goes 220). So, no, ballads aren't mandatory, but they sure do help out. IMHO.

Well if you want blasting, check out the Scouts, '95 and '96 especially. They'll push the stands back, yes, but Phantom's full sound is much harder to get. When you get at the level they're at, you better know the show with your eyes closed, because they're probably closing their eyes to listen that much better. Loud is one thing. Full is another.

What else can you expect from Peter Jackson? He didn't exactly mind pushing the LotR series.

1337

Empire

*Gasp* Band person? Get a life? Blasphemy!

Toup

Cat

Stick (as in stick-thin kid)

France

Minutemen

Rio Grande

Poo

Recycle! (w00t! First on the 21st page!)

Purple (Thanks MartinHorn)

Funny

Congrats, you lucky son of a $#%&@

Jeff Foxworthy

Tractor