Spitfire78

You misunderstood. I was hoping that they weren't being prohibited from participating for no real reason. The no camaraderie, no spirit , no fun after performing seems harsh. Contrary to team building. I guessed perhaps that being prohibited from participating might be punitive and hoped that if it was, it was for a minor infraction.

All the finalists on the field -not just the drum majors. Probably won't see that again due to COVID-19

You know? I almost want them to be getting some sort of collective punishment rather than thinking that they are "too good". Not punishment for anything serious. Eating BBQ sandwiches in full uniform or something relatively harmless. Not bad trouble. Good hardworking kid trouble. I have observed that though: Other state band member struck up a conversation with an Austin area band member at the concession stand line (I won't divulge the band - it might just be that one kid. Not the culture of that band) Other state kid is telling him how much he liked the show and which elements were impressive. Being really friendly and genuinely nice. The Austin area kid didn't respond with gratitude. He said, "All the bands here suck. You guys aren't even close."

While waiting for the awards ceremony, the bands in the stands will do the wave, signal each other with their cel-phone cameras, do cheers and engage in harmless good fun. And why not? These kids have worked incredibly hard and blowing off steam in a good natured friendly way seems appropriate. Except I've noticed on more than one occasion, one school in the stands will not participate. They sit completely still. Not participating. The other 9 schools in finals are having fun. 1 is ....well, not. I've been dying to ask: What's that about?

Just to further obfuscate the Summit vs Legacy debate, when MISD hand picked students for the orchestra for their summer musical, literally half were from Summit. Percussion has been dominated at All Region for the past few years by Lake Ridge's former Center Snare and Summit's Tenor 1. Last year Legacy broke through the SHS/LRHS stick and mallet dominance - but that comes with an asterisk.... It was all virtual. LRHS' center snare was probably focused on college audition music and SHS' tenor played his in an echoey hallway recorded on a Moto G5. If Legacy's percussionist does as well live, Legacy has the new king of MISD percussionists.

Cen10's shows were AMAZING in '18 and '19 - especially that '18 show with the bassline swap with different heads and costume changes. This year Midlo's show stands out more to me than Cen10's Of course I'm not a judge so I might be missing something subtle in the show that might propel them past Midlo's beautiful show, Summit's musicianship, or Legacy's all around effect.

I can't believe no one has picked Martin. Mansfield's pretty good too. I'm really disappointed in Grand Prairie. I'm sure there's a reason, But I was rooting for them.

What's in the musical water in 4-5A? Birdville, Cen-10, Colleyville Heritage, Legacy, Midlo, Richland, Summit....all in. All very good.

Can't put that much stake into one contest. Martin was 10th at Mansfield P.O.C. and they're taking that show to St Louis Super Regionals. (I'm certain they'll be finalists there too - that was a good show) Summit was consistently best in class and a top finisher overall in 2019 until they went to Duncanville. Didn't even make the finals there. The year before, Mansfield had an amazing show and ended up 10th at Area suffering the indignity of finishing behind their district rival who was in their very first year in 6A. But it was a show you remember and it was really good. I'm sure everyone here sat at announcement for finals at least once and thought, "What the heck just happened?!" One bad placing shouldn't make or break your program

Who didn't fall in love with D'Evelyn's show? Del Rio's show was fantastic too. Mojo's shows are always fantastic and flashy. I really liked Birdville too. I hope they do the show at halftime vs. Summit.

The south of I-20 crowd looks pretty good Cen10 and Midlo were really really good. Summit always brings it and Legacy and Timberview were performing incredibly well. Cleburne might surprise more than a few. North of, I liked Birdville and Azle's shows a lot. Definite contenders.

Good. Having another great competitive band in the district just bolsters the need for fine arts funding in the district. Mansfield and Lake Ridge always bring well crafted big shows, Summit is...well, Summit. If you can beat Summit on musicality, you are really good. Legacy is a welcome addition. Lest we become like Arlington. Martin might be the only really competitive program there. I love Arlington High's shows and believe they deserve better rankings than they get, but Martin is the only consistent finalist there.