mmbandfan

JJ Pearce

7 of the 14 finalist schools this year did not exist in 1998, btw. Vandegrift (2009), Cedar Ridge (2008), Vista Ridge (2003), Flower Mound (1999), Hebron (1999), CTJ (2008), and Ronald Reagan (1999)

Yep, it’s like the only mic that’s live is the one by the pit speakers. All I heard was synth and soloists.

Random order, because the top 6A band in prelims, Rock Hill, was 5th in performance order in finals.

Because band directors want uniforms that are adaptable to different show themes and not locked into one color scheme. Of course more bands are ditching their spirit uniforms completely for competitions and just doing a "disposable" custom top each year. Then there's Hebron, who has their school color game uniforms and a totally different competition uniform which is so unique it became their show theme this year.

Not to mention Lake Highlands, JJ Pearce, Trinity, Lake Ridge, Fossil Ridge... There will be bands left out of finals who could qualify for state in some Areas!

Lake Highlands, Permian and Boyd are still 6A. My guess is LH cancelled when Region 20's UIL contest got postponed a week by weather - it's now today. Permian probably decided against the long trip. Can't say why Boyd cancelled.

Has Lake Highlands withdrawn from the contest?

In the past, Area finals times have been assigned at random.

Part of the "BOOM!" that elevated Prosper was the incredible growth of their student population and the Prosper area, which has exploded in the last decade. PHS was a 2A school as recently as 2006! They moved to their new campus in 2012 with barely 1200 students and half the building a shell for future expansion. By the time their band program exploded on the scene in 2017-18 they had close to 4000 students and a new high school was under construction! Waxahachie has also experienced massive population growth (while not quite as dramatic) and also moved to a new campus in 2018.

Region 20 marching contest is postponed until Oct. 20.

JJ Pearce will be at Wylie Marching Invitational (Oct 2) and Duncanville Marching Invitational (Oct 23) (DFW East)

What a great, detailed history of competitive marching band in the state of Texas. I would love to read more about how marching band styles changed through the 20th century, especially with the influence of show band style shows in the 1960s and DCI corps style shows in the 1970s and 80s. I know my high school band (Rayburn HS in Pasadena) switched from military to corps style in 1979 as did many Texas high school bands around the same time. Did the popularity of corps and show band style shows in the 1970's parallel the emphasis on competitive marching band over the next decade? Also, speaking of Westfield HS what a game changer that program was in the mid-1980s by innovating and moving the activity forward - in much the same way the Garfield Cadets pushed the envelope at the same time in DCI.

J.J. Pearce is returning to BOA Waco, and is also scheduled for the Wylie Invitational on October 3.

Also Richardson ISD is in for a big change, moving from Region 3/Area C (its home for decades) to Region 20 and both Area B for marching and Area D for TMEA. Area B stretches from McKinney/Frisco in the northeast, across the mid-cities and Fort Worth, all the way to Weatherford and Granbury! As for TMEA, it looks like Richardson kids will be auditioning for all-state side by side with kids from way down in Round Rock and over to College Station! On the bright side this means Berkner and JJ Pearce will no longer have to go head to head with the Lewisville ISD powerhouses. (This year Hebron alone had 25 band All-Staters, compared to 3 total from all of Region 3 - Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, and Rockwall!)

Changing topics, what are some thoughts about McLane Stadium as a BOA venue? I had mixed feelings. One one hand it was a spectacular backdrop, and the parking and staging were ample. On the other hand it was a very difficult stadium to navigate as a spectator, and especially as a band parent volunteer. Why was there only one entrance, and why was it on the opposite side of the field from the home side that the bands play to? Also, despite the stadium's size I found good seats at a premium because the upper decks were either closed or reserved for VIPs. The lower deck has great sightlines for football, but not for band - it was impossible to watch from a high vantage point, especially from between the 30s. Not to mention the ridiculously long lines for the one concession stand open!

We are all extremely proud of our group, all the more because of hardships behind the scenes. We marched both runs down several marchers including a bass drum (flu), had kids (and props) struggle with the heat, and even weathered a truck tire blowout on I-35! And yet the kids still stepped up and delivered the first BOA finals result in school history. (as far as we know) As for the leaves, each marcher was simply assigned a leaf "quota" to pick up and shove in their pockets!

As a Pearce parent I can say after last night's experience we will definitely be attending more BOA events in future years! This was kind of a trial run for us in becoming more active competitively.

I believe it is the case, because they are also fundraising to take a group to Midwest in December. That school and its band program has done so much with relatively modest resources for a long time.

Berkner is officially out - it's not even on their webpage calendar anymore. No idea why.

Pearce could surprise some folks at Waco. They are a solid program that achieved much success at the 4A level but have flown under the radar competitively since their leap to 6A in 2012. They have always had a very strong concert band program (two Sudler flags!), but with strong leadership from "Mr. I" (former Hebron assistant director, in his 5th year at Pearce) they are steadily building a more competitive marching band culture. Despite some personnel turnover the last few years they now have a solid young staff and are putting on a challenging marching program with cool visuals and gorgeous music. (theme: Equinox, featuring "Autumn Leaves" as the ballad) Because of Homecoming last week their first contest is this Saturday at the McKinney Invitational. Waco will be their first BOA contest since 2013.

JJ Pearce: Equinox (going to first BOA competition in 5 years!)

Richardson ISD Parent here - we've had no physical requirement for marching band, and this is the first I've heard of the UIL rule. So that's 4 more high school bands in the North Dallas/Plano area who will be booking Dr. appointments!

As a long time Area C parent I continue to marvel at the progress of John Horn, and I really want to know more about their story. 22nd at State, and ahead of Pearland, Hendrickson, and Cy-Fair! Two years ago they were 21st...at Area! Having seen them live this year I can say it was deserved - such a powerful sound and masterful playing of some challenging John Mackey music. Congratulations on a fantastic season!

Yes, I was at Duncanville, and JH was on fire at finals. Solid show.