2024 Grand Nationals May get interesting with an LISD participant

[MikeKyu]

Do you hear what I hear??
 

 

 

 

[J-Mike16]

11 hours ago, MikeKyu said:

Do you hear what I hear??
 

 

 

 

About time!!!! Ok.... I need to not get my hopes up LOL

[Dave609]

OMG!!!!

[Tubalord11]

LETS GO!!! Praying that they go! 

[BandFan95]

I think I heard someone WEST may be going next year. But then again I could have been dreaming that. 

[ChristopherRoden]

Who else is projected to attend based on annual rotation? 
 

id love to see Rouse, Cy Fair, Bridgeland, Wakeland, and Coppell head that way for the first (?) time! 
 

[Tubalord11]

7 minutes ago, ChristopherRoden said:

Who else is projected to attend based on annual rotation? 
 

id love to see Rouse, Cy Fair, Bridgeland, Wakeland, and Coppell head that way for the first (?) time! 
 

Wakeland went in 2014, but other than that it would be first time for thee other bands, would love to see it! 

[MikeKyu]

I am actually pretty shocked that the LISD schools aren't buying nationals trips in bulk. I am sure the buying power of say 3 schools buying accommodations together, buying rehearsal spaces together, and buying transport together would be a considerable savings. I know that adds a layer of difficulty with coordination but I believe it could be worth thousands of dollars for each organization. I'm not saying make the bands all stay together in the same place, or travel together but just the buying power would be immense. 

[WoodlandsMom4ever]

While I can see how you might think booking in bulk would help- having worked with a group going I don’t think there is very much savings possibilities.

Accommodations- are booked through BOA housing- there is no option to not- and bands have no say on where they get booked (can set preference only) so no discount on that.  

Flights- I do know one year two bands split one charter (they each had one full charter on their own and a portion on a split one) to maximize seats and not have half a charter empty- so yes some savings could  possibly happen there if the numbers of seats needed work.  

Rehearsal- those without busses usually stay within the stadium and convention center area and the convention center rehearsals are all booked and very calculated in making sure rehearsal time is equal for all the groups.  Groups are limited to how much time they are allowed to book in advance- and the price is set and not negotiated.  
Charter busses for practice outside of the city center- if you fly in are hard to find availability and very expensive.  Those who drive in on busses do have a little more flexibility in practicing away from the city center.   

[Sideswiperr]

9 hours ago, MikeKyu said:

I am actually pretty shocked that the LISD schools aren't buying nationals trips in bulk. I am sure the buying power of say 3 schools buying accommodations together, buying rehearsal spaces together, and buying transport together would be a considerable savings. I know that adds a layer of difficulty with coordination but I believe it could be worth thousands of dollars for each organization. I'm not saying make the bands all stay together in the same place, or travel together but just the buying power would be immense. 

I agree with this. For example let’s say Cy-Fair, and Cy-Woods and bridgeland were to do something similar, all in the same district but the savings would be considerable.

[11BandMan11]

20 hours ago, MikeKyu said:

I am actually pretty shocked that the LISD schools aren't buying nationals trips in bulk. I am sure the buying power of say 3 schools buying accommodations together, buying rehearsal spaces together, and buying transport together would be a considerable savings. I know that adds a layer of difficulty with coordination but I believe it could be worth thousands of dollars for each organization. I'm not saying make the bands all stay together in the same place, or travel together but just the buying power would be immense. 

The minimum cost per program in the past was usually in ballpark of 200-250k to go to Grand Nats. With the increase in costs for literally EVERYTHING now, I wouldn't be surprised if schools, more specifically schools boosters, have to account for and budget a minimum of 300-400k depending on the size of the group to go up to Grand Nats. 

Unfortunately, with the funding struggles for all school districts across the country, there's no school district that would ever be willing to cut a check for that dollar amount, let a lone for the equivalent amount of 3 groups to travel, no matter the amount that could be saved on the back end with bulk purchases of accommodations. 

The cost for travel to Grand Nats is one of the reasons I STRONGLY believe that BOA San Antonio should be a Pre-Lims/Semis/Finals format like Grand Nats, or have Grand Nats turn into an every other year format where the location is moved between Indianapolis and San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma, etc. somewhere that is MUCH less cost prohibitive for Texas Groups to attend. 

I know I'm selfishly advocating and specifically talking about Texas groups, but even beyond Texas, currently it is an impossibility for the vast majority of groups across the country to have the opportunity to attend and perform at Grand Nats due to the cost. #TheStruggleIsReal

[Spirit]

46 minutes ago, 11BandMan11 said:

The minimum cost per program in the past was usually in ballpark of 200-250k to go to Grand Nats. With the increase in costs for literally EVERYTHING now, I wouldn't be surprised if schools, more specifically schools boosters, have to account for and budget a minimum of 300-400k depending on the size of the group to go up to Grand Nats. 

Unfortunately, with the funding struggles for all school districts across the country, there's no school district that would ever be willing to cut a check for that dollar amount, let a lone for the equivalent amount of 3 groups to travel, no matter the amount that could be saved on the back end with bulk purchases of accommodations. 

The cost for travel to Grand Nats is one of the reasons I STRONGLY believe that BOA San Antonio should be a Pre-Lims/Semis/Finals format like Grand Nats, or have Grand Nats turn into an every other year format where the location is moved between Indianapolis and San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma, etc. somewhere that is MUCH less cost prohibitive for Texas Groups to attend. 

I know I'm selfishly advocating and specifically talking about Texas groups, but even beyond Texas, currently it is an impossibility for the vast majority of groups across the country to have the opportunity to attend and perform at Grand Nats due to the cost. #TheStruggleIsReal

Apologize for the long post upfront, but this has been on my mind…

I always thought it would be nice to not always hold GN in Indiana every year. Those bands never have to worry about raising the exhorbitant funds to travel to attend/compete there. Instead, they can put most funds into their shows. Do they travel out of state to attend other competitions? Absolutely. But competing at Grand Nats is a tremendous financial undertaking they do not have to worry about, and therefore get to attend this prestigious competition as a “local show.”

Likewise, I’ll go out on a limb and say that just to attend the state competition, and/or BOA San Antonio, is a huge financial undertaking most bands in the state of Texas have to undertake, that the Austin and San Antonio bands don’t have to worry as much about raising funds for as well. Bands like Wakeland I’m sure would love to be able to go to Grand Nats, but just to get down to San Antonio already takes everything they have. Now that state is every year, that’s going to be even more of a financial burden. Forget about GN! Crucify me if you must for this post, but I do hope that the San Antonio and Austin area bands realize just how lucky they are. They can put the vast majority of their travel funds towards going to GN. That’s why you see them in Indianapolis far, far more often than any other bands in the state. Except maybe the TW, Coppell, and Lewisville ISD 6A bands. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

Unfortunately, GN will never be a “traveling” competition, because I don’t think there’s another facility in the country that has been built specifically to house and host this competition. I’m not even sure the state comp in Texas could be moved. So, it’s a really unfortunate set of circumstances for the great majority of bands to have to deal with every single year. My daughter was very fortunate to be a member of the Wakeland band the one time they did get to go to GN, and we are so extremely grateful she got to experience it. Our band director fought for years to make it happen, and OMG the fundraising was on another level! State and sometimes BOA is our Grand Nats. Not that that is a bad thing… we are very very thankful they get to do that! But it is also a reality the vast majority of bands have to face. With that said, it isn’t lost on us up here in the DFW area that there are some good BOA competitions locally that we can compete at, so we consider ourselves fortunate in that regard. It is what it is!

[utee94]

55 minutes ago, 11BandMan11 said:

The minimum cost per program in the past was usually in ballpark of 200-250k to go to Grand Nats. With the increase in costs for literally EVERYTHING now, I wouldn't be surprised if schools, more specifically schools boosters, have to account for and budget a minimum of 300-400k depending on the size of the group to go up to Grand Nats. 

Unfortunately, with the funding struggles for all school districts across the country, there's no school district that would ever be willing to cut a check for that dollar amount, let a lone for the equivalent amount of 3 groups to travel, no matter the amount that could be saved on the back end with bulk purchases of accommodations. 

The cost for travel to Grand Nats is one of the reasons I STRONGLY believe that BOA San Antonio should be a Pre-Lims/Semis/Finals format like Grand Nats, or have Grand Nats turn into an every other year format where the location is moved between Indianapolis and San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma, etc. somewhere that is MUCH less cost prohibitive for Texas Groups to attend. 

I know I'm selfishly advocating and specifically talking about Texas groups, but even beyond Texas, currently it is an impossibility for the vast majority of groups wacross the country to have the opportunity to attend and perform at Grand Nats due to the cost. #TheStruggleIsReal

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Spirit said:

Apologize for the long post upfront, but this has been on my mind…

I always thought it would be nice to not always hold GN in Indiana every year. Those bands never have to worry about raising the exhorbitant funds to travel to attend/compete there. Instead, they can put most funds into their shows. Do they travel out of state to attend other competitions? Absolutely. But competing at Grand Nats is a tremendous financial undertaking they do not have to worry about, and therefore get to attend this prestigious competition as a “local show.”

Likewise, I’ll go out on a limb and say that just to attend the state competition, and/or BOA San Antonio, is a huge financial undertaking most bands in the state of Texas have to undertake, that the Austin and San Antonio bands don’t have to worry as much about raising funds for as well. Bands like Wakeland I’m sure would love to be able to go to Grand Nats, but just to get down to San Antonio already takes everything they have. Now that state is every year, that’s going to be even more of a financial burden. Forget about GN! Crucify me if you must for this post, but I do hope that the San Antonio and Austin area bands realize just how lucky they are. They can put the vast majority of their travel funds towards going to GN. That’s why you see them in Indianapolis far, far more often than any other bands in the state. Except maybe the TW, Coppell, and Lewisville ISD 6A bands. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

Unfortunately, GN will never be a “traveling” competition, because I don’t think there’s another facility in the country that has been built specifically to house and host this competition. I’m not even sure the state comp in Texas could be moved. So, it’s a really unfortunate set of circumstances for the great majority of bands to have to deal with every single year. My daughter was very fortunate to be a member of the Wakeland band the one time they did get to go to GN, and we are so extremely grateful she got to experience it. Our band director fought for years to make it happen, and OMG the fundraising was on another level! State and sometimes BOA is our Grand Nats. Not that that is a bad thing… we are very very thankful they get to do that! But it is also a reality the vast majority of bands have to face. With that said, it isn’t lost on us up here in the DFW area that there are some good BOA competitions locally that we can compete at, so we consider ourselves fortunate in that regard. It is what it is!

Well said, both of you.  It might be sacrilege around here, but I don't really care about BOA-GN.

I don't even really consider "Grand Nationals" to be a national competition.  This year there are  28 Ohio programs and 16 Indiana programs.  To me it's the Ohio-Indiana Regional with a smattering of other competitors thrown in. The fact that 8 Texas groups managed to put together the necessary funds is nearly miraculous but I don't expect it to be the norm, it's just not realistic. 

If they want a true National competition, it should rotate sites annually.

Until then, I'll enjoy BOA-SA a lot more than the GN competition in Indianapolis because, quite frankly, the competition is tougher in SA.  The main reason everyone considers THIS year in Indianapolis to be so special, is because of all the Texas bands attending.  Let's switch that and have Avon and Carmel come down to San Antonio, and see how it goes.

2023 BOA-GN Representation:  18 States
KY 12 Bands
WV 1 Band
OH 28 Bands
IL 5 Bands
IN 16 Bands
AR 2 Bands
GA 1 Band
KS 1 Band
MA 1 Band
MI 6 Bands
MO 3 Bands
NC 1 Band
NV 1 Band
PA 1 Band
SC 2 Bands
TX 8 Bands
TN 3 Bands
VA 1 Band

[Spirit]

I think Avon came down one year (or was it Carmel??), and got (again, bad memory and too lazy to look it up) - I think 3rd? I know someone will correct me if I am wrong. 😉 And that was only amongst Texas bands. We are a powerhouse state in Marching band, which is why it has been said that BOA SA is the “second,” or the “other,” Grand Nats. It would be very interesting to see, with all things being equal, how well we’d stack up if any band from Texas who wanted to attend, financially could.

[11BandMan11]

6 minutes ago, Spirit said:

I think Avon came down one year (or was it Carmel??), and got (again, bad memory and too lazy to look it up) - I think 3rd? I know someone will correct me if I am wrong. 😉 And that was only amongst Texas bands. We are a powerhouse state in Marching band, which is why it has been said that BOA SA is the “second,” or the “other,” Grand Nats. It would be very interesting to see, with all things being equal, how well we’d stack up if any band from Texas who wanted to attend, financially could.

Found it! 

2017 BOA San Antonio 

Finals Results
96.625 – Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX
95.600 – Hebron H.S., TX
95.575 – Vandegrift H.S., TX
95.375 – Avon H.S., IN

[utee94]

2 minutes ago, Spirit said:

I think Avon came down one year (or was it Carmel??), and got (again, bad memory and too lazy to look it up) - I think 3rd? I know someone will correct me if I am wrong. 😉 And that was only amongst Texas bands. We are a powerhouse state in Marching band, which is why it has been said that BOA SA is the “second,” or the “other,” Grand Nats. It would be very interesting to see, with all things being equal, how well we’d stack up if any band from Texas who wanted to attend, financially could.

Yup, it was Avon in 2017.  They finished 4th in San Antonio.  Then they finished 3rd in Indianapolis.  I'd love to see all of the big-hitters from GN come down to SA every year, or at least every other year.

Finals Results - BOA-SA 2017

96.625 – Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX
95.600 – Hebron H.S., TX
95.575 – Vandegrift H.S., TX
95.375 – Avon H.S., IN

94.875 – Ronald Reagan H.S., TX
94.550 – Flower Mound H.S., TX
93.475 – Marcus H.S., TX
92.275 – Cedar Park H.S., TX
91.975 – Keller H.S., TX
90.875 – Hendrickson H.S., TX
90.700 – The Woodlands H.S., TX
89.875 – Cedar Ridge H.S., TX
89.150 – James Bowie H.S., TX
89.025 – Leander H.S., TX

Finals Results - BOA-GN 2017

97.500 – Carmel H.S., IN
96.925 – Broken Arrow H.S., OK
96.475 – Avon H.S., IN
95.700 – Marcus H.S., TX
95.625 – Flower Mound H.S., TX

92.725 – Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
91.825 – The Woodlands H.S., TX
91.200 – Castle H.S., IN
91.175 – Blue Springs H.S., MO
91.025 – Union H.S., OK
89.800 – Marian Catholic H.S., IL
89.625 – Round Rock H.S., TX

[Samuel Culper]

I love Avon for making that trip down.

GNats is never going to move. Our only hope is to have BOA elevate th status of SASR. I very much doubt that happens.

Is it fair? No.

Does that matter? No.

[11BandMan11]

Absolute fantasy land thought.... 

I know it's COMPLETELY unrealistic - but how crazy interesting and cool would it be if UIL and the State decided to foot the bill for travel to GN for the State Champion for each classification (1A - 6A) to go up to Grand Nats and represent Texas each year? 

(I know logistically, monetarily, timeline, planning for students, etc. this is not possible, but still fun to think about) 

[Spirit]

2 minutes ago, Samuel Culper said:

I love Avon for making that trip down.

GNats is never going to move. Our only hope is to have BOA elevate th status of SASR. I very much doubt that happens.

Is it fair? No.

Does that matter? No.

I love that they came to Texas as well! I wish more would make the trip. But there’s zero incentive at this point for them to spend that kind of money when they don’t have to. 

[Hard Core Band Fan]

8 minutes ago, Spirit said:

I love that they came to Texas as well! I wish more would make the trip. But there’s zero incentive at this point for them to spend that kind of money when they don’t have to. 

Well, they can go to a super-regional, the Grand Nationals, and easily be in the top three at both via a quick bus ride, so why spend big money to go and fight in Texas? 

[Samuel Culper]

I think maybe I'll start referring to this weekends competition as SGN - The Sorta Grand Nats

[JockTurnedBandDad]

On 11/10/2023 at 2:38 PM, MikeKyu said:

I am actually pretty shocked that the LISD schools aren't buying nationals trips in bulk. I am sure the buying power of say 3 schools buying accommodations together, buying rehearsal spaces together, and buying transport together would be a considerable savings. I know that adds a layer of difficulty with coordination but I believe it could be worth thousands of dollars for each organization. I'm not saying make the bands all stay together in the same place, or travel together but just the buying power would be immense. 

Does LISD pay for the schools Nat trips?  In our district, the students/families covered most of the cost.

 

[11BandMan11]

5 minutes ago, JockTurnedBandDad said:

Does LISD pay for the schools Nat trips?  In our district, the students/families covered most of the cost.

 

Not covered by the district - the costs are covered by the students/families/fundraising efforts across the ensembles, if the district covered anything it would maybe be a meal or two for the students on the trip, but even that would surprise me. 

Since BOA Contests are not the sacred three letters, U.I.L, most school districts view and describe BOA contests as "optional" and an extra supplemental performance opportunity that is a choice to attend, therefore won't be covered by the district.

From an administrators perspective or school board perspective, I can see how it could quickly spiral out of hand and cause issues if a district were willing to shell out massive funds for a contest performance opportunity for one organization (band), and not provide any funding or support for another organization (wgi dayton travel, basketball tournament, football skills & sac camps, etc.)  

[itsstephenyo]

Having spent the weekend in Indianapolis for the first time, and also as someone who was a staunch supporter of a traveling Grand Nats, I've come to realize that there is absolutely 0 chance that GN comes to San Antonio. 

The infrastructure at Lucas Oil Stadium is not just for football, but also absolutely designed for hosting 90 bands in a weekend. Practice halls (plural), all of them containing full sized indoor fields for groups to reserve and practice, halls for entire bands to relax, food, hotels, nothing at all like mess that is the Alamodome and surrounding SA. 

Would it be cool? Absolutely. Will it ever happen? Never. Lucas Oil was designed for band, too. It's the perfect stadium. 

[gregorydf01]

On 11/11/2023 at 12:47 PM, 11BandMan11 said:

Found it! 

2017 BOA San Antonio 

Finals Results
96.625 – Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX
95.600 – Hebron H.S., TX
95.575 – Vandegrift H.S., TX
95.375 – Avon H.S., IN

Bit of ancient history here but Carmel also did come down to SA in 2002. 

1st:  89.5 - Carmel
2nd:  89.25 - LD Bell
3rd:  87.9 - Reagan