FEDude

High School: 1. Reagan 2003 This is a show that didn't deserve to win nationals (despite being so close): Visually it's a mess, whoever played gong that day was always off, you can hear clarinet squeaks through their features, etc. Still, I've never had a show move me so much. When they start playing Jupiter in the second movement, it feels so triumphant. Then when they bring out the giant flags during Horkstow Grange, I consider that the perfect ballad. This isn't even mentioning the powerful first book and the closer that ends right where the show started. On one hand, it's a show about geometry, but on the other hand it's about becoming more than you thought possible. Previous Reagan shows relied heavily on the front ensemble. Here, we got to see the full ensemble push themselves more than ever. I believe this show sticks in your head years after watching it. 2. LD Bell 2006 If this show was a little cleaner, I think it would've swept that season, UIL and Nationals. 3. Reagan 2019 Not as talked about since Hebron 2021 happened, but this show was one of the most exciting shows I've ever seen. 4. Hebron 2022 Not as beloved as 2021, but I'll still put this one on when I have a long drive. Just a pleasure to listen to. 5. Cedar Park 2023 Kept me hooked start to end. Such beautiful visuals, especially during their ballad. DCI: 1. Cadets 2005 2. Blue Devils 2015 3. Carolina Crown 2016 4. Cavaliers 2002 5. Phantom Regiment 2006

Visually stimulating, I think I'd agree. In part it's because of groups like CTJ, TWHS, kinda Reagan, and (in my opinion most significantly) LD Bell pushing the envelope with visuals and guard work throughout the late 2000s and 2010s. I think Texas is still behind in that aspect compared to states like Indiana and California. You could also argue bands like PCEP, Carmel, Lawrence Central, Tarpon Springs, etc, have been innovating the visual space since the 90s, and Texas is just starting to catch up. Creative? I don't know. I really appreciated the musical creativity that came with the prioritization of music over visuals. Maybe it's nostalgia, but my heart melted when I heard Reagan play Gymnopedes 1 layered with Lana Del Ray, CTJ play Fly to Paradise better than some drum corps did that next season, Hebron performing a stunning dress change while performing their Cinderella show. I think you get the point, I like the 2010s a lot and consider a lot of those shows to be very iconic.

I think what sets this show apart is how exposed each section is musically. That's why we can call out any musical issues. The English horn/oboe duet just melts my heart every time.

I think that was their first year with Levi Chavis. I think they had some genuinely great shows under his watch (2010, 2011, 2014). I forget if 2015 was under him or Morrison, but it also absolutely gorgeous. I'll never understand why Reagan can't hold onto a band director for more than a few years. At least 2 ex Reagan directors are now real estate agents, so it's not like they're running off to another band. I guess I was also spoiled and had a director that had been there 11 years before moving.

Not a stat, but what is the "cleanest" show to ever win state. I think the contenders are: -Spring 1992 -Marcus 2012 (maybe some musical issues, but visually it is just flawless) -Hebron 2021 Not saying those are my favorites (except for Spring 1992 since I always come back to that one). But I seriously can't spot any errors when I watch those. Maybe someone with more musical knowledge can say which are the cleanest, and even go back to the score sheets.

Those early Reagan shows are just the best! Especially 2003-2006. I'd argue they shouldn't have made finals in 2007. 2008 and 2009 aren't as fun to watch, but 2007 just isn't performed well. Regardless, San Antonio doesn't have a lot of top performing bands. MacArthur, Marshall, Churchill, and CTJ each had a decade or so of being on top, but Reagan has never been too far behind. It's kinda a point of pride for any San Antonian.

Is that not what UIL judges do though? This is just anecdotal, but one of my directors judged 2013 Area G 4A and said judges did go back and look at their notes from throughout the day so they can be less biased in their judging when they're making final decisions on scoring. Even then, I agree with you mostly on early times affecting scoring. It's why the Hebron rule is a thing. It's performing after a high level band I'm not agreeing on so much.

I never did DCI but did go to an audition camp, and was satisfied with that experience. The full summer would've cost more than a semester of college, so I knew even if I made it I wouldn't be able to go. I actually encourage any lurking band kids to look into a camp. It's about a $200-$300 investment. Just understand, the top 12 corps are very picky, especially with their percussionists and guard members. I do know some high schoolers that got into corps that consistently made finals. Most were college students, though, and the only ones I've met that marched top 5 were music majors. Unfortunately there were a few (including a major corp in Texas) that had a reputation of giving call backs to kids auditioning they knew were less than stellar, just so they could get their money for the next camp (and the next and next until the HAD to cut them). I don't know if this is still practiced. It just goes to show, DCI is a business at the end of the day.

Have fun in Provo! The first winter there is always the toughest for us Texans. A piece of advice: Try and go shopping with someone from Utah, or any state that consistently gets snow for some clothes. A few pairs of thermals, wool socks, snow boots (because you will slip otherwise), waterproof snow gloves, and an amazing coat will go a long way. In total, it should be about $200-300. Don't cheap out because you will go crazy in the cold. It doesn't stop snowing until May, so good luck!

I don't want to argue, but I have to disagree with your thought process here. If judges are so unseasoned, they'd be willing to knock a band down just because of performance time close to a highly ranked band, they really wouldn't be judging for UIL. I was hoping more for insight on how those 3 bands performances went, director changes, etc. I believe the Del Rio percussion director was a tech at my high school a few years ago, so I often see updates from him on Facebook.

So anyway, looking at prelims, I was a bit surprised to see Brennan, Harlan, and Del Rio quite low. I know bands have on and off years, but especially Del Rio surprised me. Anyone there that day have any insights?

Not going to interact with the bitter troll. Instead going to celebrate the bands. NISD was 1/2 of finals. I don't think that's the record, but it is awesome. Nobody super unexpected made it to finals. That being said, congratulations to Sotomayor for making it to finals for the first time. It's an amazing achievement, especially for such a new school. O'Connor is back in finals! And Stevens and Taft (that was a close one in prelims) did amazingly as well! Now Brandeis. Everyone knew it was a long shot this year, despite the gorgeous and clean show. They were actually quite close to being in 4th in prelims. In finals, Lake Travis and Westlake locked it in. It wasn't their year, and it must hurt to be the perpetual alternate. Still, y'all put on a great show, and y'all are the standard NISD looks up to. At one point it was Marshall, then Taft for a while, then O'Connor. Now it's you guys that bring NISD pride by playing with the big names.

I'd consider 6-12th a true tossup since most bands are about as good as each other. If I HAD to choose one, it'd be Del Rio. Maybe Stevens or Taft or Steele. Brennan, O'Connor, Sotomayor, and Harlan are also all contenders that have done reasonably well this season. I don't know. It kinda depends on who has a good performance Saturday night. They're all so close to each other in level, an excellent performance could push anyone ahead of everyone.

I'm in the Master's civil engineering program, but only doing part time so I can work. It's a lot lighter than undergrad, and probably a bit easier to be honest (Professors want to give you A's). Never joined the band in undergrad. It was too much time commitment, and by sophomore year, I'd already broken my wrist so I couldn't play percussion anymore. I do recommend you check out the LBJ library though. It's also a museum of 1960s America, and civil rights. They occasionally have guest exhibits. A few months ago it was an awesome exhibit about music in America (from Charles Ives to Rappers Delight). Right now they have a Vietnam exhibit that is incredibly powerful. Anyway, don't mean to steer this post off topic. I'm sure Area will be lots of fun.

No way! I'm here studying at UT as well. I live a 10 minute walk from that stadium. That would truly be a dream. They'd just need to match it up with an away game, or conversely during the week (which isn't the best idea academics wise). I believe state used to be held at UT before the Alamodome and Floyd-Casey. What's your favorite part of UT? For me it's a tie between living close to so many good bands, and getting to visit the LBJ Library (I go at least once a month now). Jogs along speedway are a close third.