justabandkid94 Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 5:28 PM, bancl said: Here is something I would love to know: Who are the designers for each of the 14 Finalists? Program Coordinator, Drill Writer, Arranger? Expand The Woodlands- Coordinator / Drill Writer: Jon Vanderkolff; Arranger Wayne Downey. Think it has been this exact team since 2006’s Hide & Seek! Vista Ridge: Coordinator / Drill - Vanderkolff; Arr. Ryan George Vandegrift: Coordinator(?)/Drill- Jeff Sacktig. not sure on rest Quote
zoomer Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 5:28 PM, bancl said: Here is something I would love to know: Who are the designers for each of the 14 Finalists? Program Coordinator, Drill Writer, Arranger? Expand I can give you arrangers Vandegrift - JD Shaw? I think Marcus - Michael Klesch Hebron - Dave Glyde/Michael Martin Flower Mound - Wayne Downey Vista Ridge - Ryan George The Woodlands - Wayne Downey Ronald Reagan - Aaron Guidry Coppell - Ryan George Pearland - Jim Wunderlich Bridgeland - Jim Wunderlich Cy-Fair - Bryan Harmsen Waxahachie - Evan Vandoren Round Rock - Vince Oliver Keller - Carol Britten Chambers (90% sure) Quote
boppellband Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 5:28 PM, bancl said: Here is something I would love to know: Who are the designers for each of the 14 Finalists? Program Coordinator, Drill Writer, Arranger? Expand Coppells head director is Kim Shuttlesworth, their fine arts director for the district is Gerry Miller, Matthew Rummel writes their drill and directs their color guard program, and their music is arranged by Ryan George, afaik. Quote
MarchingFan1 Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 Reagan has not used props for sometime now and rather have focused on drill, guard, unique movements and elements that are easy to miss, as well as an interesting twist on music to design their shows. I have been a fan of theirs for several years because of their understated and elegant style that I think is easy to overlook despite their innovation. I am a fan of the little things and I appreciate their style. Props or no props, all of those 14 bands performed amazingly well and any of the top 7 could have medaled. Quote
seafoodbuffet Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 Does anyone have video of the finals awards presentation? nfhs lumped the entire afternoon session into a single event and muted audio for the entire thing. Quote
BandFan23 Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 Looking at the amount of state finalists from each area(1st number) and how many qualified for state (2nd number) and how bands on the bubble for state finals 15th-21st (3rd number). A - 0/4/0 B - 3/7/1 C - 3/6/1 D - 2/5/3 E - 0/4/0 F - 1/5/0 G - 0/3/0 H - 2/4/2 I - 2/5/0 Area B and C are the strongest performing areas but D and H had all of their band place in the top 1/2. There are probably several bands in those areas that are good enough for state but are in areas that are too competitive. I would like to see state go to a 50 band system and award extra spots based off of last year’s state performance for the area. think this could be done, and help provide new schools and more competition. just an idea. Quote
bsk Posted November 1, 2023 Posted November 1, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 6:54 PM, LHSax said: It's so weird seeing the prop argument from this perspective considering Marcus (the band that "should wipe the floor") in its heyday (late 2000's, early 2010's) was notoriously known for their extravagant props, which often sparked debate on here along the lines of "Marcus is only winning because of their huge prop budget" (this was not the case). Seeing the opposite argument of "Vandy shouldn't win" due to lack of props is bizarre to say the least. Expand I recall Marcus around 2007 or so with the wild show with seahorses and whatever running all over the entire field. I loved it for entertainment value as a non-musician parent of a kid from another band. Quote
marcx Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 anyone know the name of the songs Vista Ridge plays in their show? Quote
natertater21000 Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 8:21 PM, zoomer said: I can give you arrangers Vandegrift - JD Shaw? I think Marcus - Michael Klesch Hebron - Dave Glyde/Michael Martin Flower Mound - Wayne Downey Vista Ridge - Ryan George The Woodlands - Wayne Downey Ronald Reagan - Aaron Guidry Coppell - Ryan George Pearland - Jim Wunderlich Bridgeland - Jim Wunderlich Cy-Fair - Bryan Harmsen Waxahachie - Evan Vandoren Round Rock - Vince Oliver Keller - Carol Britten Chambers (90% sure) Expand Vandegrift’s music book is written by Andrew Markworth zoomer 1 Quote
Popular Post washedupalum2017 Posted November 2, 2023 Popular Post Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 12:13 AM, BoAisBetter said: It's just incredibly frustrating; I surmise Vandy couldn't pull off the LISD shows -- especially Hebron's. But it's pretty obvious the LISD 3 could definitely pull off Vandy's show. Expand is it obvious? i thought vandy had a more demanding visual book than anyone else -- "marching band" is, in theory, also about the marching. vandy was doing some pretty crazy sacktig drill while gunning above 160-170 for large chunks of the show. Moving at that tempo in and of itself is difficult. Doing that to Sacktig drill? I mean, just draft the kids for 2000's Cadets right now. justabandkid94, Nny14, zoomer and 2 others 5 Quote
TheSV-001Gamer Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 11:14 PM, BandFan23 said: Looking at the amount of state finalists from each area(1st number) and how many qualified for state (2nd number) and how bands on the bubble for state finals 15th-21st (3rd number). A - 0/4/0 B - 3/7/1 C - 3/6/1 D - 2/5/3 E - 0/4/0 F - 1/5/0 G - 0/3/0 H - 2/4/2 I - 2/5/0 Area B and C are the strongest performing areas but D and H had all of their band place in the top 1/2. There are probably several bands in those areas that are good enough for state but are in areas that are too competitive. I would like to see state go to a 50 band system and award extra spots based off of last year’s state performance for the area. think this could be done, and help provide new schools and more competition. just an idea. Expand Area E has pearland as a state finalist Quote
DallasFan Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 12:14 AM, natertater21000 said: Vandegrift’s music book is written by Andrew Markworth Expand Is it full music? I know, at least in 2019, JD shaw would write the woodwinds/brass and Markworth wrote all the percussion stuff. Quote
justabandkid94 Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 I have been on this forum for 10+ years and that has to be one of the nastiest write ups to date. Had to stop reading, so embarrassing Any band kid reading these posts — imperative to realize that there is so much to be proud of about your season beyond a numeric placement. The grit, dedication and guts it takes to field these modern shows is unfathomable I marched when it was just Marcus and Bell crushing everyone in Texas. Now I question if some of those legendary shows would even medal at competitions today! Irrespective of placement this talent and intensity of competition in the Top 14 is pushing the activity to heights I could never have predicted 10 years ago. This activity shifts because kids rise to the occasion and choose to commit themselves excellence. That is how new standards evolve and transpire - and it happens no matter the hardware or recognition. GTFOH. LeanderMomma 1 Quote
Samuel Culper Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 12:13 AM, BoAisBetter said: Let me get a little bit more specific to avoid the troll label: Vandegrift had one especially challenging woodwind part at the beginning of their show. Hebron actually had a similar one, but it lasted longer AND they were moving... The big thing I think Vandy did was execute INCREDIBLY well. I just think that shows up way too much in the scores and content just doesn't count for much. I mean, power to 'em -- they've figured out how to win State pretty handily. However, if you watched all 4 shows yesterday and you honestly thought Vandy's was anything close to the LISD books... I dunno, I guess I'm honestly asking. Do you really think that? Is sportsmanship really so much more important than excellence? I think UIL needs to take a really good look in the mirror. Running an easier show cleaner than someone else ran an obviously far more difficult show doesn't seem like it's pushing the sport. Significant swathes of the crowd gasped when Hebron landed in 3rd. They had a REALLY clean Finals run, although visually...*shrug*, I dunno, I need to watch again to make a visual evaluation. It's just incredibly frustrating; I surmise Vandy couldn't pull off the LISD shows -- especially Hebron's. But it's pretty obvious the LISD 3 could definitely pull off Vandy's show. /rant. I'll go away now. Expand Two points I'll make 1 - If you question Vandy's ability to perform any music, you really are just showing your ignorance. Love them or hate them, they are an incredibly accomplished program with fantastic musicians. 2 - Please stop referring to Lewisville ISD as LISD as if they are the ONLY relevant LISD in the state. There is another LISD involved here with even more numerous highly accomplished marching band programs than Lewisville ISD has, each of whom could play any piece of music you throw at them and do it with excellence. Yeah, we're talking about, arguably, the top two school districts for marching band in the country. LeanderMomma 1 Quote
Iplaydadrum Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 1:23 AM, DallasFan said: Is it full music? I know, at least in 2019, JD shaw would write the woodwinds/brass and Markworth wrote all the percussion stuff. Expand Markworth writes everything now for the band. Quote
bsk Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 1:38 AM, Samuel Culper said: 2 - Please stop referring to Lewisville ISD as LISD as if they are the ONLY relevant LISD in the state. There is another LISD involved here with even more numerous highly accomplished marching band programs than Lewisville ISD has, each of whom could play any piece of music you throw at them and do it with excellence. Expand Thanks for saying that. I saw LISD in earlier posts and was confused because I immediately thought Leander ISD since I live in central Texas. LeanderMomma 1 Quote
LostChoirGuy Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 11:26 PM, bsk said: I recall Marcus around 2007 or so with the wild show with seahorses and whatever running all over the entire field. I loved it for entertainment value as a non-musician parent of a kid from another band. Expand I remember this! I was a kid watching my sister perform at state when I saw Marcus perform. I thought it was so fun! That's still the only time I've ever been lucky enough to see a contest in the alamodome. TromboneW 1 Quote
Dallas Hobbs Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 12:10 AM, marcx said: anyone know the name of the songs Vista Ridge plays in their show? Expand I know their ballad is All by myself by Celine dion marcx 1 Quote
Dallas Hobbs Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 11:26 PM, bsk said: I recall Marcus around 2007 or so with the wild show with seahorses and whatever running all over the entire field. I loved it for entertainment value as a non-musician parent of a kid from another band. Expand Close. It was their 2006 show, “Coral Reef: Voices From Beneath the Sea”. Here’s a link to the performance on YouTube in case anyone wanted to watch it: bsk and gregorydf01 1 1 Quote
Vidal28 Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 7:01 PM, oddlynormal said: As an older dog in this world it is hilarious to see people flame a band for not having props. Back in my day we whined about the opposite. Boy things have changed. I think marching band has evolved to a point that it has pushed boundaries we once would have called blasphemy. I am glad UIL has moved to this new system. Every single band in finals played well...most bands out of finals played well. What we have done allowing UIL to transform to include the evolution of the activity has made marching band EVERY BIT as valuable, if not more so, than a lot of DCI activities. I would say marching band is starting to push DCI a bit. The lived experience is getting pretty dang close! Not to say a high school band can perform at the level of a top tier corps, if given the same rehearsal structure, I think quite a few of these bands easily very well could. Y'all complaining about the level at which a band performs is comical. Every single band had a tough as nails book visually and musically. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but unless you are getting your rear end kicked in the ring with these groups you are whining. Stop that. Appreciate the art and the hard work that goes into this activity. Tearing down another group isn't cool. Expand I say that Marching band comps are as a whole more fun and varied than most Drum corps events and I’ve gotten flamed by it before, I mean when I say I’ll take Hebron 2021 as a spectator experience against any drum corps show I’ve seen the past several years and I mean that, it’s been hard to beat!! You could say the same thing about shows like Reagan 2019, several others that were the “lightning in a bottle” peak shows for respective programs. Glad I’m not the only one with the same take!🙃 Quote
bsk Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 4:16 AM, Dallas Hobbs said: Close. It was their 2006 show, “Coral Reef: Voices From Beneath the Sea”. Expand Thanks! I did okay considering half the time I don't remember why I walked into a room! 🙂 Dallas Hobbs 1 Quote
tennertrumbow Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/1/2023 at 8:21 PM, zoomer said: I can give you arrangers Vandegrift - JD Shaw? I think Marcus - Michael Klesch Hebron - Dave Glyde/Michael Martin Flower Mound - Wayne Downey Vista Ridge - Ryan George The Woodlands - Wayne Downey Ronald Reagan - Aaron Guidry Coppell - Ryan George Pearland - Jim Wunderlich Bridgeland - Jim Wunderlich Cy-Fair - Bryan Harmsen Waxahachie - Evan Vandoren Round Rock - Vince Oliver Keller - Carol Britten Chambers (90% sure) Expand Pretty sure Vandegrift is Evan VanDoren unless that has changed since last year Quote
zoomer Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 4:25 AM, tennertrumbow said: Pretty sure Vandegrift is Evan VanDoren unless that has changed since last year Expand I'm sure they're not Vandoren since he normally posts about the bands he writes for on his Instagram. Quote
tennertrumbow Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 4:27 AM, zoomer said: I'm sure they're not Vandoren since he normally posts about the bands he writes for on his Instagram. Expand Oh he never wrote for them I must be tripping, must have gotten it confused with the other LISD schools he does write for Quote
Vidal28 Posted November 2, 2023 Posted November 2, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 1:38 AM, Samuel Culper said: Two points I'll make 1 - If you question Vandy's ability to perform any music, you really are just showing your ignorance. Love them or hate them, they are an incredibly accomplished program with fantastic musicians. 2 - Please stop referring to Lewisville ISD as LISD as if they are the ONLY relevant LISD in the state. There is another LISD involved here with even more numerous highly accomplished marching band programs than Lewisville ISD has, each of whom could play any piece of music you throw at them and do it with excellence. Yeah, we're talking about, arguably, the top two school districts for marching band in the country. Expand Definitely have lots of respect for Vandy, I wouldn’t say any of their recent shows have been favorites for me, even though they all have great standout moments. Their style isn’t really my cup of tea, but they do deserve the accolades they receive, they’re very much a fantastic all-around program that hasn’t really buckled or wavered in their ascension. They’ve already got a GN title and 2 6A titles now so they’re continuing to build their resume even further! For all of LISD South, those feeder programs they have are going crazy, I think Vista’s Feeder won Middle School honor band this year iirc with Cedar Park’s right behind them so there’s plenty of evidence right there. The growth of their bands isn’t stopping anytime soon and there’s plenty more to come. For LISD North I did find it weird that OP says that they are just immediately better and more proficient musically than LISD South, like you said. I think it’s apples to oranges in the styles that the schools bring. Hebron’s electric, versatile wind players carry the musical demand, could listen to their woodwinds and high brass all day, the latter especially are remarkable and exceptional in the activity the last few years. They are usually my favorite to listen to year in and year out, jury’s out this year though, not my favorite program put together by them. Flower Mound is quite contemporary and imo fairly “blocky” and LOUD in the way they go about ensemble sound, more so diversifying their sound output with their strengths in individual players(notably their woodwind soloists, pretty fantastic every year without question). I think this year is probably the best ensemble sound they’ve had in years, I definitely feel that’s been a weak spot for them as of recent and definitely hasn’t been on the level of the other two LISD North bands and several notable LISD south bands. Marcus is traditionally known for being *traditional* and safe musically, but still being the most safe and controlled group in the whole state pretty much every year. They definitely mixed it up a bit with much more saucy, risky repertoire this year and it’s paid so much dividends for them! You can always count on them for very creative percussion features, moments that are sparsely produced here in Texas lately, which is always appreciated. For LISD South: As for Vandy, like I said I very much respect them, they always sound great. I feel like their sound profile doesn’t change much from year-to-year in that they are very explosive, but also one of the best groups in the state when it comes to dynamic contrast and intricate detailed phrasing. Percussion is always laying it down, one of the best units in the state. I feel that when I listen to videos of them though they kinda sound like an amalgamation of *generic drum corps* lite. It’s so hard to put my finger as to why that is, it sounds like hating, but that’s really all I can do when I haven’t been able to see them live in years. They have a distinct sound but it also kinda feels a bit familiar! Vista, you feel there’s an inviting openness to their sound, very pure, precise and controlled but can also have a flair for the dramatic. They’re kinda like Crown Jr. if you wanna look at them that way, I love their trajectory of where they’re going, would definitely love to see their numbers increase some too I forget how big exactly they are but iirc they’re one of the smaller big boys in the state! Cedar Park, just as explosive sounding as the other two, but also probably a bit grittier, darker sounding as well. The percussion is always quite spectacular, not gonna talk about every LISD south band, just one more after this, but they’re mighty, fantastic feeder programs are gonna continue this in the future. But they are very much a fantastic all-around program, I think maybe being a bit too UIL-centric probably hinders them a bit in regards to a bit more of an emotional congruity with their show structure, hard to explain, but oftentimes it’s just hard to latch on to their shows completely. The last band I’m gonna talk about doesn’t have this issue for me… Now Rouse…they are elevating and continue to elevate for a reason, they are one of the groups you want to listen to all day every day if you could, quickly becoming an emulator for a more classical, expressive sound, coming from their beginnings when they were small but still mighty!! They are controlled, explosive, colorful, light, and effortless. Quickly becoming the total package musically, and definitely leaning into more my cup of tea of having that emotional force of your program really coming through with their musical performance. They are about to unseat Cedar Park for the 5A crown, that’s hard to do, and they’re about to! That’s how good this band is becoming. Last I’ve heard from some people on here is their school growth is still continuing, very exciting to see where they go in the future. They are quickly becoming one of my favorite groups to listen to!! My last thing to add is to simply say that both LISD’s have great bands that have plenty to praise about, to say any of them are doing easy things would be pretty silly. If I were to rank the bands I talked about here, *purely* from personal preference here’s where mine would be currently! 1. Hebron 2. Rouse 3. Marcus 4. Vista Ridge 5. Vandy 6. Cedar Park 7. Flower Mound LHSax 1 Quote
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