AvonDad

Avon in 2013 ran their opener at 180, dropped to around 60 for the 2nd song without any percussion on the field, then followed with their next song at 180. Fun show.

"I also have a hunch that Midwest bands are more effective than Texas ones in week 1 of November rather than week 2 (nationals). The Midwestern bands have more summer hours racked up at the start of the early season (since many start rehearsing in June or July and don't start school until after Labor Day) and the later you go the colder the weather gets and the less effective rehearsals become up north, while Texas keeps their momentum going and the summer advantage of the northern bands is made less effective the further into Fall we go. There's not enough evidence yet to develop much of a theory out of that though." Takigan - I found your hunch interesting on the Midwestern bands and had not thought of it that way before. Our kiddos started back to school the last week of July and have been in class for the past 7 weeks already and do have regular after school practices. One of the most memorable practice full runs we got to see was a couple of years ago after 3 hrs of practice on the field in 26 degree weather. Some of the kids looked like Sta-Puff Marshmallow Men and others in t-shirts and shorts, for who know why. I think the only thing in tune was the creaking of the bleachers when walking up them. The energy poured off the field as they played, it sounded awful, we were freezing in our seats, but it was a great rehearsal. That's all we know here and now I'm getting jealous of warm weather in Nov.

Looking forward to that first weekend in November.