BOA vs... idk

[I<3thebox]

Ok, so after much wringing of hands on my part - I have confirmed (through our online calendar) that our band will NOT be attending either the Houston OR Arlington BOA regionals which I believe makes a first in ... at least 4 years (which I believe is when we began doing BOA) so heres the deal - (I'm not sure if this post will come out coherent enough to make sense, but here goes)

 

1. The reason we are NOT going to EITHER BOA Regiona is b/c

a) We will be attending a local competion during one weekend (Westlake HS

for anyone who knows about it)

We will be HOSTING our very first very own marching invitational

(apparently to make some money

 

First off the flaws I see in these 2 decisions -

1. While we will be saving (I presume) a LOT of money on bus fees and gas and all that hoopla (exorbitant enty fees and whatnot)

While I do not mean to "diss" any bands going to the Westlake invitational - there is a reason that certain bands go to Westlake and certain others go to (for instance) The Arlington BOA regional - while there may be some fine bands at Westlake (and there are... a couple) it is NO comparison to folks like Reagan, Westfield, LD Bell, Woodlands, Churchill, etc etc etc who WILL be at Arlington and Houston.

2. This being said a little "behind the scenes logic" from our Band - first off we operate in a "state year" "non state year" mode meaning every other year our show is tailored a little differently - for instance my Freshman year we did a VERY... "showy" show (if not a well executed) with original works by a like TV show writer, and a (depending on your opiniong) kooky / creepy theme - in short something we would NEVER try during a state year. my sophomore year we played arguably THE most recognizable piece of orchestral music ever written (and in my opinion one of the best). So this year we're back to sate style - crazy woodwind technique and not a lot of "fluff". Ok so here's where my confusion comes in -

last year we had a (in my opinion) fairly lite comptetion schedule we did Houston, Westlake and BOA SA-SR and one of our directors told us the day before we went to that we had a likely chance for the first time in like 4 years of not making finals at a competion - mainly because we had only been to Houston, and no other BOA stuff and we didnt really have an idea as to how our show was fairing with judges and we hadnt been getting outside critiques. Well come Super Regionals, low and behold (arguably due to entirely different reason - but still nonetheless) we did not make finals, which (and this may sound haughty but isnt meant to be, we learned a lot from that experience... i hope) was like a big SLAP in the face.

ok so I think I'm almost done - where I'm going with this is here -

1. This season we're basically not going to EVER see our competition (except for maybe 2-4 bands at Area and Westlake) until Super Regionals (when it will be far too late to nake any drastic changes)

2. Maybe its just me, but I don't get pumped up about relatively minor competitions - we do well at Westlake b/c we're one of maybe 4 bands that attend that have ever made it to state finals, and we're only going to exhibition at our own competition, and as of the last time I checked there were less than 10 (TEN!!!) bands signed up for the comp. [so heres a shoutout to all ye central texas bands - go to our invitation, which I techincally cant name cuz it would give away what school I'm from, which you probably already figured out anyways so... yeah]

The deal is I get MAJORLY psyched to go up against those "powerhouse bands" that always make finals,

One of my favorite marching band memories, maybe even more than State Finals 04 [i know... blasphemy!] was the Super Regional the saturday before where we played against some TOP NOTCH bands (obviously not trying to say that UIL State is not also TOP NOTCH), some bands I would never have DREAMED of beating and we came out ahead - a BOA placement I hadn't even conceived for our band. I remember standing at set (for that HORROR that is retreat lol - I swear I've almost passed out from the anticipation and lack of blood circulation combined) and as each name is called, and our band wasn't it - and then they started calling out like BIG name bands our the drumline and I are just like WHAT?! you mean we beat them? and we seriously could not control our excitement - it was just an extremely proud moment for us as a band.

So in conclusion - I think what I'm trying to say is

1. I am bummed that my Senior year will not include any BOA regionals

2. Conversely I am STILL SUPER PSYCHED for UIL STATE!

3. I just don't see our director's logic in bypassing our main competitors for State, and BOA in general for far lest competitive competitions (haha theres an oxy-moron)

4. Also bummed that I won't really get to see many cool/good/great bands LIVE like we sometimes get to when we go to BOA regionals

 

and... if ever there was a convuluted and confusing post... the above is IT lol sorry

I think it just helped to write it all down (even if it makes no sense)

 

so if you understood what I said and want to commment on it... please do, otherwise... lol good luck

 

PS In hindsight I think some of my comments might appear conceited or arrogant which is NOT what I meant at all... hopefully you all understand I am just trying to be frank about how while there are no "bad" and "good" bands, there are certainly ones you consider in your field of competition, and other who are below or above your "field" and I believe you become the best band you can be by giving it your all at a competition where most everyone there is more talented or perecieved as more talented than you are

 

and.... Im done. finally

[Lustra.exe]

i think you've dropped a few too many hints as to where you're from.

 

i know where you are from, and with that being said:

 

to an extent i agree with you because i believe yall can, and have showed that yall can compete at that level. last year, from what i saw, i dont feel like the engineering of the show was entirely meant for BOA. there were too many good bands to just make it to finals on your pure ability to march and play. but, that's just my opinion.

 

perhaps your directors dont want to jump into the BOA realm just yet. because unfortunately, that is the split with UIL and BOA and directors must to decide their entire show based on their competition schedule. it just so happens that the state's top bands lean towards BOA. but seeing as i still see yall as one of the state's top band, i dont think it matters.

 

all in all, it's just one person's opinion.

 

 

 

[goodluck with your show this year. i am a huge fan of the music.]

[euro_euph06]

Since I know you have read what I wrote Mr. Box, I have decided to get rid of the post so that the forum users (moreover your band director) will not have to see my response.

[whitewing09]

Wow i still cant figure out where this person from lol

 

 

well hey now doesnt westlake get at least... Cedar park and umm.... many other really good bands that arent at the top of my mind

[whitewing09]

is he from Cedar park? Bowie Akins Anderson Westwood Georgetown Round rock freak i dont know

[G'townPIT]

  Quote

is he from Cedar park? Bowie Akins Anderson Westwood Georgetown Round rock freak i dont know

 

Try looking at his sig...

[whitewing09]

  G said:

Try looking at his sig...

it would help if he had one ya know...

[mbui]

QUOTE (whitewing09 @ Aug 17 2006, 05:11 PM)

Wow i still cant figure out where this person from lol well hey now doesnt westlake get at least... Cedar park and umm.... many other really good bands that arent at the top of my mind

Cedar Park

[whitewing09]

omg i get it now lol

 

 

does cedar park do any good at boa any i havent heard of anything like GN or 1st at the boas for them

 

 

arent they more of a uil band anyway? i mean ya they have scored high at some boa but nothing remarkable dont they mainly place high in uil i mean no offense but its not like theyre are like reagan or bell who usually place very high at boa GN so might as well stick with what your best at

 

 

Besides Nothing wrong with sticking to the locals

[mbui]

Cedar Park has done very well at the BOA Texas Regionals over the years. As for Grand Nationals, they have yet to attend.

 

Visit the BOA website @ http://www.bands.org for more info.

[whitewing09]

i know theyve done good but recently ive heard the most about reagan bell for boa

[MRS. IaN KiNSLeR]

i'm sure your band director is doing what is in the best interest of the band, school, and/or district. if you're going to the super regional he in no way has a light year planned. you can also get better without competing against the big time bands. a contest is a contest no matter what, and you should prepare for every contest like it is grand nationals or state marching contest or whatever. then when it comes time for the big one you'll be ready physically and mentally.

 

sorry if that sounds a little abrasive. i'm a music ed student and that just kind of hit a lil pet peeve, lol. but it's all good. just let your band director do his job and have FUN. it's your senior year, right?

 

good luck with the rest of the season!

[hebrontuba08]

  MRS. IaN KiNSLeR said:

i'm sure your band director is doing what is in the best interest of the band, school, and/or district. if you're going to the super regional he in no way has a light year planned. you can also get better without competing against the big time bands. a contest is a contest no matter what, and you should prepare for every contest like it is grand nationals or state marching contest or whatever. then when it comes time for the big one you'll be ready physically and mentally.

 

sorry if that sounds a little abrasive. i'm a music ed student and that just kind of hit a lil pet peeve, lol. but it's all good. just let your band director do his job and have FUN. it's your senior year, right?

 

good luck with the rest of the season!

amen to that.

[whitewing09]

Well looks like Westlake did give alil competition seeing that yall tied then got 2nd to bowie