2025 BOA Grand National Championships (Nov. 13-15)

[homerchap]

With Texas having the 8 hour rule, I can guarantee you that the good bands in Texas are good because the directors do a much better job at time management in practice than places without the rule and within Texas that's what sets some of the schools apart from each other.

[Sideswiperr]

  On 11/25/2024 at 4:04 PM, homerchap said:

With Texas having the 8 hour rule, I can guarantee you that the good bands in Texas are good because the directors do a much better job at time management in practice than places without the rule and within Texas that's what sets some of the schools apart from each other.

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Imagine if Texas didn’t have the 8 hour rule….

[dullbanddad]

  On 11/25/2024 at 5:12 PM, Sideswiperr said:

Imagine if Texas didn’t have the 8 hour rule….

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I get what you're saying, but as others have said I like the 8hour rule.  These kids already put more time in than any other group in High School between football games on Fridays and any mid-season competitions that last all day and they get home at 2AM.  I'm not sure kids could really do more and maintain grades as well.  I'm not sure how other states are putting in that much time.

[utee94]

  On 11/25/2024 at 5:12 PM, Sideswiperr said:

Imagine if Texas didn’t have the 8 hour rule….

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  On 11/25/2024 at 7:02 PM, dullbanddad said:

I get what you're saying, but as others have said I like the 8hour rule.  These kids already put more time in than any other group in High School between football games on Fridays and any mid-season competitions that last all day and they get home at 2AM.  I'm not sure kids could really do more and maintain grades as well.  I'm not sure how other states are putting in that much time.

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Amen, brutha!

I don't really want to imagine it because I don't want to think about how it would affect my kids. They already have a tremendous challenge managing their studies during the fall.  They're either doing band rehearsal, or football games, or competitions, or they're completely exhausted from all of the above.  It leaves very little time for proper study and preparation for their academic requirements. 

[11BandMan11]

  On 11/25/2024 at 7:07 PM, utee94 said:

 

Amen, brutha!

I don't really want to imagine it because I don't want to think about how it would affect my kids. They already have a tremendous challenge managing their studies during the fall.  They're either doing band rehearsal, or football games, or competitions, or they're completely exhausted from all of the above.  It leaves very little time for proper study and preparation for their academic requirements. 

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FACTS! The 8 Hour rule is truly a blessing for our kiddos involved in programs. Keeps the staff and kids accountable to get things done and not 'waste' time during rehearsals during an already massively time consuming part of the year. Most staff members and kids in programs, average somewhere around 60-70 hours a week at the MINIMUM throughout October (Bandtober) when you truly add it all up. 

School week - 40 hours 
After school rehearsals - 8 hours 
Football Game Days - 8 - 10 hours (Additional beyond the school day) 
Saturday Contest Days - 8 - 15 (or more) hours (Depending upon prelims finals contest, performance times, etc.) 

Total week hours -  64 - 75 hours / week 

Don't get me wrong, I love band, the staff members, and what it has done for the kids - but I also know speaking not just for my wife and I, but for other parents and I'm certain staff members as well, I know we all value that time with our own families as well and I can't imagine what it would be like if the hours increased from the 8 hour rule.   

[Sideswiperr]

  On 11/26/2024 at 2:13 AM, 11BandMan11 said:

FACTS! The 8 Hour rule is truly a blessing for our kiddos involved in programs. Keeps the staff and kids accountable to get things done and not 'waste' time during rehearsals during an already massively time consuming part of the year. Most staff members and kids in programs, average somewhere around 60-70 hours a week at the MINIMUM throughout October (Bandtober) when you truly add it all up. 

School week - 40 hours 
After school rehearsals - 8 hours 
Football Game Days - 8 - 10 hours (Additional beyond the school day) 
Saturday Contest Days - 8 - 15 (or more) hours (Depending upon prelims finals contest, performance times, etc.) 

Total week hours -  64 - 75 hours / week 

Don't get me wrong, I love band, the staff members, and what it has done for the kids - but I also know speaking not just for my wife and I, but for other parents and I'm certain staff members as well, I know we all value that time with our own families as well and I can't imagine what it would be like if the hours increased from the 8 hour rule.   

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I’m not even sure if there are any directors of any band in Texas that would push the rehearsal hours if the hours increased from 8.

[zxrzxz]

Funny thought, what if boa just installed a national 8 hour limit? Curious how a lot of the “elite bands” would stack up against texas…

[BOABuff]

  On 11/27/2024 at 3:43 AM, zxrzxz said:

Funny thought, what if boa just installed a national 8 hour limit? Curious how a lot of the “elite bands” would stack up against texas…

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🙄

[Blupanda]

  On 11/20/2024 at 6:48 PM, BigTrombone said:

Sounds like Coppell is making the trip to Indy next year. Heard it was announced at the 25th anniversary celebration of their 1999 4A State Championship. As for other Texas groups I've heard that are rumored to be attending.

Marcus - 2025 is a rotation year for Marcus. Highly expect them to be in attendance.

Flower Mound - Again, 2025 is a rotation year for Flower Mound. I'm a bit more skeptical on them attending since they're performing at the Macy's Parade next week.

Claudia Taylor Johnson - Would be a Grand Nats year for them based on the current rotation. However, considering Lipman's departure & CTJ's recent struggles, I wonder of they might put a pause on attending Grand Nats.

Vandegrift - Again, I've only heard rumors but nothing concrete. If they were to attend, they would easily be in contention for the eagle.

Timber Creek - I've also heard rumors about these guys attending. Would easily be a semifinalist if they were to attend

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I love to know where you have heard rumors about Vandegrift attending grand nats. I think they are over due to return to grand nats plus this upcoming season State comp will not be in the way.

[Sideswiperr]

  On 11/27/2024 at 3:43 AM, zxrzxz said:

Funny thought, what if boa just installed a national 8 hour limit? Curious how a lot of the “elite bands” would stack up against texas…

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Texas would uh, Texas would dominate lol 

[Detroit Rock City]

  On 11/28/2024 at 7:20 AM, Blupanda said:

I love to know where you have heard rumors about Vandegrift attending grand nats. I think they are over due to return to grand nats plus this upcoming season State comp will not be in the way.

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Two years ago I met with the Vandegrift Boosters to pick their brains on going to Grand Nats since it was our school’s first trip and no one had any info about it on our side and they just went recently.  Their current board (at the time) and the past board members who were there said the band was never planning on going again since they went and won on their first trip.
 

Of course they have switched directors so it could change. But two years ago, they said they were never planning on going again. 

[BOABuff]

  On 11/28/2024 at 3:13 PM, Sideswiperr said:

Texas would uh, Texas would dominate lol 

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Texas, ya’ll are great but you have such a GIANT chip on your shoulder! 

[tubapop]

  On 11/28/2024 at 5:24 PM, BOABuff said:

Texas, ya’ll are great but you have such a GIANT chip on your shoulder! 

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Everything’s bigger and better in Texas…including our chips

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/28/2024 at 5:24 PM, BOABuff said:

Texas, ya’ll are great but you have such a GIANT chip on your shoulder! 

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How so?

 

[cheeto2401]

  On 11/28/2024 at 11:55 PM, LeanderMomma said:

How so?

 

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probably indiana bands, even though they practice a lot the 8 hour rule can still give them a decent amount of time to actually compete

which all they really need is a good texas bands rehearsal schedule like any leander or lewisville isd school, probably could include round rock, although those are just (i believe) consistent national champs / super regional champs

[J-Mike16]

  On 12/4/2024 at 2:25 AM, Kendrakefan24 said:

according to a resource im hearing, South Forsyth high school has it on their calendar, they may be possibly attending.

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South Forsyth is in Georgia. I mean if they go, that's cool! However, this is a Texas HS Band primary Forum site.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/29/2024 at 12:53 AM, cheeto2401 said:

probably indiana bands, even though they practice a lot the 8 hour rule can still give them a decent amount of time to actually compete

which all they really need is a good texas bands rehearsal schedule like any leander or lewisville isd school, probably could include round rock, although those are just (i believe) consistent national champs / super regional champs

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I’m just genuinely curious what reason they have for making their claim that Texas bands have a giant chip on their shoulder. I mean maybe it’s true. And maybe it’s even justified. 🤣

[lost]

  On 11/28/2024 at 4:32 PM, Detroit Rock City said:

Two years ago I met with the Vandegrift Boosters to pick their brains on going to Grand Nats since it was our school’s first trip and no one had any info about it on our side and they just went recently.  Their current board (at the time) and the past board members who were there said the band was never planning on going again since they went and won on their first trip.
 

Of course they have switched directors so it could change. But two years ago, they said they were never planning on going again. 

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Seems a bit...I don't know the word. Pompous? Counterintuitive? Take your pick. I don't doubt they said that and I believe you, just a bit of a baffling and absurd take from them is all.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 12/5/2024 at 1:51 AM, lost said:

Seems a bit...I don't know the word. Pompous? Counterintuitive? Take your pick. I don't doubt they said that and I believe you, just a bit of a baffling and absurd take from them is all.

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And I don’t believe it’s the culture of the entire band, even if someone from Vandy DID say something like that. Surely they were joking. I also know good and well that Jarrett isn’t going to skip out on a future trip to GN for such a ridiculous reason and none of the kids currently in the program have ever even experienced GN. Give it a year or two and I bet we see Vandegrift return to Lucas Oil. 

[Detroit Rock City]

  On 12/5/2024 at 1:51 AM, lost said:

Seems a bit...I don't know the word. Pompous? Counterintuitive? Take your pick. I don't doubt they said that and I believe you, just a bit of a baffling and absurd take from them is all.

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That's how my wife and I took it.  Seemed odd to us but the amount of great info we got from them over that dinner really helped us plan for our trip.  And with the new director there, I can totally see them going in the future but the boosters that were there that night were positive they were never going again.  

[dstrell]

Any updates on who is confirmed to preform here?

[BigTrombone]

  On 1/3/2025 at 7:31 PM, dstrell said:

Any updates on who is confirmed to preform here?

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The Hornrank forums has the most accurate up-to-date list of performing groups at Grand Nationals next season. In terms of Texas groups going, the only confirmed schools so far are Coppell, Reagan, Round Rock, & The Woodlands.

[BugWub24]

We may have a new addition to Team Texas!

Wylie has listed Grand Nats as potential future travel on their Smore for the upcoming season! The event has not yet been added to their calendar, so attendance is TBD.

[Tubalord11]

  On 1/8/2025 at 5:32 PM, BugWub24 said:

We may have a new addition to Team Texas!

Wylie has listed Grand Nats as potential future travel on their Smore for the upcoming season! The event has not yet been added to their calendar, so attendance is TBD.

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I’m really hoping they make the trip. There’s already a really large group bound to be coming. Flomo and Marcus should be in attendance per their rotation cycle, as well as Round Rock, TW’s, Hopefully Reagan and CTJ, and ofc any other possible surprises like Coppell or one of the Leander schools (I’m looking at you Rouse :). But yeah, Wylie would do great here, easily a semi-finalist and with a super strong show, I see them in finals. Their last 3 shows have been amazing, and last years was just phenomenal!! 

[LeanderMomma]

  On 1/6/2025 at 12:04 AM, BigTrombone said:

The Hornrank forums has the most accurate up-to-date list of performing groups at Grand Nationals next season. In terms of Texas groups going, the only confirmed schools so far are Coppell, Reagan, Round Rock, & The Woodlands.

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And I do my best to copy and paste that info over here in a fairly timely manner. 🤪