A Testing Trumpet

My top 10 so far would be Vista Ridge/Leander (can't choose between) Cedar Ridge Cedar Park Round Rock Hendrickson Lake Travis Del Rio Jack C. Hays Pflugerville

Need to go do some stuff so can't commentate further, but good luck all bands performing in prelims!

Cedar Park- The clarity of their sound is so crisp, and their movements are very clean. The show is good, Wouldn't put a top 5 finish out of the cards. Nice job!

It was glitchy for me as well

Lake Travis- Strong showing! I was a bit late to the performance but that arrangement from last year's RR show caught my attention . Loved the power in the sound. Great job!

Leander- Clear, powerful sounds and chords. I think this production has a lot of potential at Grand Nationals. Enjoyed it more and more the further the show progressed. A great top half statement I think for today. Amazing job!

Ann Richards- Good sound for the size, healthy bit of soloists throughout as well. Music selection was fun and the show had some nice movements. Nice job.

Jack C. Hays- Loved the powerful opener, the silly/fun section during the trumpet soloist was also neat. Overall the show was performed with lots of sound throughout. With a bit more clarity, could see them in a regional finals. Good showing!

Pflugerville- Pfun show with good energy to it. With a bit more cleaning it could make a regional finals, I think. Can't wait to see how the show evolves.

I think that would be the thing to do, yeah. I hope it goes well for you!

Del Rio- WOW!!! Favorite show of the day so far! That show had so much complexity to it, and plenty of energy. Powerful sound and great soloists. I think there is a good chance we may see them again in Finals!

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Shadow Creek - Some fun body movement in the opening segments, along with a fairly powerful sound. Loved the fire theme as well. I would not be surprised to see them at a regional finals in the future.

Vista Ridge- It's amazing how much this band has improved over the past few years. The production is strong and the skill on display is clear and concise. Yet another strong case for finals. Great job!

They have a monthly for $29.99/mo

They are typically pretty fair about it, especially considering how early in the season it is for many bands. Of course, if that is indeed the case they won't hesitate to penalize.

Hendrickson- Great stuff going on. Good body movement and with some hearty energy. Loved the inclusion of the vocalist, sounded great! I think we'll see again at finals.

Rouse- Some real interesting stuff going on. Their sound is powerful for their size as well. Nice soloist near the end; overall pretty nice job. Can't wait to see how this show develops.

Cedar Ridge -Wow! Really nice sounds! Fun movements and lots of energy. Solid case for finals

Round Rock- Substantial Improvement from last year. I think the show is much better designed then the last time they went to 'nats too. Wouldn't be surprised to see them in the top half of finals later today with a good performance. Show felt a little like their 2015 one, and 2018's gymnopedie was a nice callback too. Great job!

Wagnor - I really liked the theme of the show. Had some pretty dreamy chords to it and there were some great soloists throughout. Overall a great way to start off the show today .

Should be a fun regional to watch. Can't wait

I think it is a very interesting distinction that you mention the benefits as mere opportunities. I would expand this further to say that JV bands do not necessarily have to have these cons; much as how you highlight how it doesn't necessarily have those benefits. A JV band in it of itself isn't a good or band thing, but will become one depending on how it is executed. As a former member of the RR band, I don't want to talk much about my experience in that band specifically in this public forum in the interest of confidentiality; but I would be happy to talk to you over a PM if you wish to discuss that more precisely. For general terms, what I said before is largely what I wanted to say on the subject: It can be a good thing if done with as much care and investment as your Varsity group; if you don't, it simply will be a secondary group that falls to the wayside of your older group.

Bottom line, a JV band should seek to inspire a students' desire to perform, and by extension their individual marching. If that isn't happening to a degree that exceeds your previous format, then frankly it doesn't need to exist.

I have very strong opinions on JV marching bands, but I'm also heavily biased so I'll largely withhold my opinions. That being said, I will say that it all depends on why you are making a JV band. The most successful JV Bands will better equip students to do better at competitions, along with teaching life lessons that communicate that if you want something, you need to work for it. Simply put, If you are looking to make a new JV marching band and do not have the ability or drive to give the exact same level of education and dedication to your JV band as you do your Varsity (if not more so), then perhaps you should re-consider making one. If you already have a JV band, and you don't see your band improving from the change to a JV/Varsity format for an extended period of time, then what was the point to separating all of those marchers from the main group if your marchers are no better equipped than your old marchers were when the band was unified? in the worst case scenario, the only purpose the JV band has served in that case is to rob students of positive experiences at competitions that would have equipped them just the same as they did your old marchers. Plainly, I believe that if your JV band does not better equip students to march better then they would have in a single band format, then there is no collective gain from separating your marching bands.