Who ARE you, people?

[KickSomeBrass]

I am a band parent and have been reading this website for a couple of years now. I love reading everyone's opinions and feedback on bands, especially when I don't really understand much as far as what is going on or how things are judged other than "Oh look, they are so loud! Nice!" I often tell my family, "people on the band website said...." so I am clearly assuming y'all know what you are talking about! 

Anyway, that got me curious: what is your connection to the band world, especially if you are a regular on here and provide a lot of valuable feedback? Not looking for any specific identities - just some general "qualifications" so to speak...

And thank you for this place - especially when the rest of my family are not as excited about all the band details, I have a place to turn to.

[JFNDOWBFAN]

Just a parent here. My wife and kids are way more musically talented than me but I love following the forums. Stick around awhile and you get a feel for the ones that really know their ways around the community. Never look at my predictions as locks, I bleed orange wave band (Rockwall) but in my following them have really learned a lot about some other great bands. I have 2 sons in the band this year and sure one day will miss this season of our lives. 

[J-Mike16]

I am a graduate/bandaholic from Lumberton HS, Texas (Class of 2019, Go Raiders!!!❤️💙).

Played Alto Sax and have been on this site since October 27th or 28th of 2017 after trying to find Area Results so I could see who did not advance to UIL 5A Area E Finals lol.

I am also the TXBands Prediction Game Administrator here on the site!

[berinskygaming]

berinskygaming 

[natertater21000]

I've been on the forums talking band since I was a Junior in Highschool back in 2013. I am now in my 5th year as a middle school band director and mostly use the forums to keep up with the ebbs and flows of the marching world. 

[FEDude]

I was in the Taft band (front ensemble) and graduated 2017. I joined this board a year after graduating. I was a lurker since freshman year though. My band had a fairly strict social media policy, and as upbeat as this site normally is, to be able to post anything interesting, I needed to be free to speak my mind.

I did try out for the Blue Knights in 2017 (who were actually in discussion for being top 5 or 6 then), but was quickly cut. I couldn't afford any other camps, and wasn't studying music, so I decided to just forget about it.

I ended up studying at BYU for civil engineering and am now attending UT Austin for my masters. I consider myself very lucky, since I can catch the best bands in America just 30 minutes away.

That being said, when I was in high school, I could watch any band shows for 12 hours non-stop. Now, I can't last more than 3 hours at a competition. I do like to follow how my old band and related groups are doing though. My favorite bands to watch are Taft (obviously), Churchill (2 of my old directors switched over there), Reagan, and Brandeis.

I do love music, and often practice piano. I even play it at church. I broke my wrist a few years ago though and never fully regained strength; I can't really drum or play mallet instruments anymore.

[LeanderMomma]

Just a former Leander band mom (2013-2017) who is an eternal band fanatic and still attends as many contests as I can. We left Texas during Covid due to job losses and moved to NW Arkansas, but you can still find me at many Texas BOA events. (I was also in band and colorguard in high school in Memphis a long time ago).

I also love doing social media and you can find me on Instagram most of the time under the same name. I also help run the HornRank.com social media accounts and am occasionally on the OnAWaterBreak podcast. I love band!!!

[melloyellow]

I'm a current student (senior year) at LD Bell high school. I march mello and play the French horn during concert season. I loved last year's show so much! 

Favorites:
DCI: Phantom Regiment 

High School(s): Rouse, Leander, KRUM!!!!!!!!!

[smelloz]

  On 10/10/2024 at 6:50 PM, melloyellow said:

I'm a current student (senior year) at LD Bell high school. I march mello and play the French horn during concert season. I loved last year's show so much! 

Favorites:
DCI: Phantom Regiment 

High School(s): Rouse, Leander, KRUM!!!!!!!!!

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omg!! we love ld bell!! love the horn solo!

-krum mello/horn player 🫶

[Coleizil05]

Nah we got band reddit before GTA 6

[fruitiestflute]

hi!! im a current junior in a purple band (good luck figuring out which one, there's a startling amount of purple in this state lol) i play flute and occasionally pick up the alto flute, and ive marched all 3 years!!!!

my favs dci-wise are probably phantom regiment and the good ol' blue devils, but my current hs favs are a perpetually rotating selection of westlake, saginaw, and sachse!!! 

nice to meet yall!!!

[jacturn]

Hi Guys! I am a recently graduated Alumni of Rock Hill (class of 24) and marched clarinet all four years. I'm new around here trying to catch up marching band news from the DFW area, and now attend BYU for music ed!

[FEDude]

  On 11/2/2024 at 6:57 AM, jacturn said:

Hi Guys! I am a recently graduated Alumni of Rock Hill (class of 24) and marched clarinet all four years. I'm new around here trying to catch up marching band news from the DFW area, and now attend BYU for music ed!

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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!

[clarinetistkai05]

Recently graduated from Forney High School a few months ago in 2024 (marched clarinet all 4 years). I currently attend University of North Texas & marched in the Green Brigade this past season. Nowadays, I am a stressed out college freshman who also performs in UNT’s Concert Band (yeah i know a lot to handle), but I love band a whole lot!