4A UIL state

[titancoaster]

well, we have learned our opener and spent two day cleaning it already, we start on our second movement monday! Our first movement is very verry clean for this early in the season. Our guard work owns, and is better than any guard work chs has ever had, imo. Our second mvmt. has an awesome percussion feature (think winter drumline on the field) so i think our chances of doing well this year are better than they have been in a long time! Watch out for the Connally Cougar Marching Band in '07!!

[borchnork]

Has anyone ever marched a 7/8 bar? Dear God I hope its a hold!

Sorry Wang, but I hafta say that I hope that of all the places to do a jazz run, I feel that the 7/8 measures would be the coolest. No holds for me. =]

[SerialSleeper90]

Well hey... it's your funeral. Hold or no hold its still gonna be about the same difficulty level for me. I just gotta time the three 8ths on time. Or Megan. Or Alex.

[borchnork]

hahaha... O well, I think it'll be an honorable death.

 

ANd I Have a question... In our drill it says that in set 5 our guard "splits up according to their voicing (high, medium and low)".... Does ANYBODY have ANY clue as to what that could possibly mean?

[SerialSleeper90]

hahaha... O well, I think it'll be an honorable death.

 

ANd I Have a question... In our drill it says that in set 5 our guard "splits up according to their voicing (high, medium and low)".... Does ANYBODY have ANY clue as to what that could possibly mean?

that sounds... ominous.

[ddmwingz]

that is a little weird

 

anyways, does anyone from centennial feel like we are way behind the rest of the bands out there?

[the terminator]

We have finished 25 sets so far, and we cleaned them up on Thursday and is starting to look very good. The only issue we have some individual trumpets can't march to save their lives, and some traverse problems with shoulders, but all is good the music is really coming together nicely

[borchnork]

that is a little weird

 

anyways, does anyone from centennial feel like we are way behind the rest of the bands out there?

While looking at all the posts about people having learnt 20+ sets already and cleaning etc. it seems rather intimidating.

 

But then again, we hafta remember that the Cavies JUST finished all their big competitions, so Mike Gaines hasn't had time to actually write the drill yet. I feel that next week though, we'll pick it up.

 

And plus, I think we look and sound the best on our first week than we've ever sounded before. And the 12 sets we do know are pretty long ... heck the shortest one is 12 counts!

[PlayOboe]

I'm not sure about the specifics, but Poteet's show consists of music from Richard Danielpour's "Urban Dances" and Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town Suite." Both pieces are about NYC, but I don't know how that theme is going to tie into the drill/guard eqipment/etc. I highly doubt there will be any props. I was a bit skeptical at first because this is a pretty big stylistic departure (musically anyway) for Poteet, but friends in the band say it's coming along very well.

 

I'm interested to see how the area re-alignment affects things. Area C will be less competitive than usual, but Area B is STACKED. Three 2005 state marching band finalists (Sherman, Birdville, Aledo), three 2007 honor band finalists (Centennial, Southwest, The Colony) plus McKinney and Seguin. Good luck, guys. It's going to be intense. I think this will be like 1999 when 4 of the 7 4A state finalists were from Area B.

 

Area A will be much more competitve than usual as Fossil Ridge, Azle, and Springtown move in to face Plainview, Frenship, and the El Paso schools. And then, of course, Area D will be as ultra competitive as it has been for the past few years. I'm also interested to see if any new Area G powerhouses emerge in the absence of Lopez.

[Fata1]

I'm interested to see how the area re-alignment affects things. Area C will be less competitive than usual, but Area B is STACKED. Three 2005 state marching band finalists (Sherman, Birdville, Aledo), three 2007 honor band finalists (Centennial, Southwest, The Colony) plus McKinney and Seguin. Good luck, guys. It's going to be intense. I think this will be like 1999 when 4 of the 7 4A state finalists were from Area B.

I didn't realize that. That contest will be crazy for us and the other bands there. It'll be fun though. A chance to watch all the other good 4A bands.

[whitewing09]

that is a little weird

 

anyways, does anyone from centennial feel like we are way behind the rest of the bands out there?

doesnt matter how behind you may seem i mean its good to be a little behind and perfect stuff then to just rush thru sets and music and sound not as good.

[ddmwingz]

oh, yea, i completely agree with you on that. its just that at the time that i posted that we were not cleaning or anything, we were behind and not lookin too hot. but it still makes me feel better,

[titandomo]

Well hey... it's your funeral. Hold or no hold its still gonna be about the same difficulty level for me. I just gotta time the three 8ths on time. Or Megan. Or Alex.

Eheheh... yeah...

 

we're gonna have some serious fun.

 

I think...

 

uhm... maybe.

 

But congrats on getting the opener, Wang! I know Megan and I will be with you 100% of the time.

 

Meanwhile, I work on the "Sketches of Spain" section.

 

Wooooot.

 

I so love Movement 2.

[borchnork]

I didn't realize that. That contest will be crazy for us and the other bands there. It'll be fun though. A chance to watch all the other good 4A bands.

which of the amazing area b bands are you from??

 

God, I remember when we first heard about the realiging of areas 2 years ago, and we thought (since we were leaving Poteet's area) that it'd be SOOO much easier to make it to state, but now it looks like it's only getting harder and harder.

 

 

and I hafta agree about Poteet's show seeming to be a COMPLETE and TOTAl style change. They usually are very out there with their show ideas and concepts, but this seems to have really toned things down. I have no doubt that they'll make it amazing (like the always do) but it will be interesting to see something different out of them.

[crazyjakeup]

in the dallas morning news...

 

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 18, 2007

By JENNIFER AREND / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

 

Tish Gomez, a sectional teacher and marching technician, gives emphatic instructions as the Mesquite Poteet High School marching band prepares for football season. The Pirate Marching Band won the University Interscholastic League Class 4A state championship in 2005 and in 1997. And recently, the Poteet Honors Band was named the Texas Music Educators Association's 2008 Class 4A State Honor Band.

 

It's not as high-profile an accomplishment as the marching band championships, but for those in the know, it's equally prestigious.

 

"The public sees marching as the really big deal," said Scott Coulson, director of the Pirate bands. Poteet has been a finalist several times, but has never grabbed the top spot. "But in the band director world, this is the big thing."

 

Schools can only compete for the honor every other year, just as in the state marching contest, where Poteet will put its 2005 title on the line this fall.

 

Bands submit recordings of three pieces from performances from the past school year.

 

The competition progresses from a regional level to area and state. At each level, five judges listen and evaluate the performances without knowing the identities of the bands.

 

At the region and area competitions, only two bands advance to the next level. Fourteen bands make it to state. The Poteet Honors Band placed first at all three levels.

 

The competition "recognizes exemplary music programs and teaching," said Robert Floyd, executive director of the Austin-based Texas Music Educators Association.

 

"Through the years, it's been a motivational tool to our members," Mr. Floyd said. "They can witness what young people are capable of doing. It's a very prestigious recognition."

 

The Poteet Honors Band will perform the featured concert at the annual TMEA clinic and convention at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the San Antonio Convention Center.

 

Poteet band president Audrey Brecheen, 17, said she was shocked when she learned that her group was chosen Honor Band.

 

"We'd already won for marching band," said Audrey, a senior. "It was pretty cool."

 

 

Joseph Proza, 17, said he was excited that Poteet was chosen. But the senior said the band's latest accomplishment will not prevent the Pirates from taking on the challenge of going after another state marching title.

 

 

"We have to prove that we are on the same par as (the 2005) band, and try to do better than that band," he said.

 

and it doesnt say they are 4a... which made me kinda upset...

[borchnork]

Looks like Poteet's really going after it. That just means we hafta push a little harder.

 

If it was published in Mesquite I think that the people who read the article would know that Poteet was 4A... or I'd assume so.

[PlayOboe]

 

The Pirate Marching Band won the University Interscholastic League Class 4A state championship in 2005 and in 1997. And recently, the Poteet Honors Band was named the Texas Music Educators Association's 2008 Class 4A State Honor Band.

 

Doesn't it say Poteet is 4A right there?

 

And Poteet will be doing Danielpour's "Toward the Splendid City" in addition to "Urban Dances." And I think "Lonely Town" is the only movement from On the Town they'll be using. I was hoping for a little "Times Square: 1944," but I guess that's a little cliche.

[Fata1]

which of the amazing area b bands are you from??

Southwest. It's all pretty exciting for us. We've never gone to a state competition for anything until last year for the TMEA Honor Band. We're all pushing to do well in the marching competition this year. We just barely missed going to state two years ago.

[borchnork]

yah, we've only had one shot so far at state marching 2 years ago. Second time around though... who knows. Area B... god it's going to be filled w/ tears by the end of the night. There's just to many good bands to have a clear idea of who has state in the bag right now.

 

Has anybody heard anything about Birdville's show yet?

[PlayOboe]

Area B advanced 5 bands in 2005. Of those 5, three are still in Area B (Birdville, Aledo, Seguin), and Waxahachie and Springtown moved to Areas C and A respectively. I really don't think there will be enough bands at area to advance 5 this time around. My guess would be 4. If so, I'd probably predict Birdville, Sherman, The Colony, and Aledo at this point with Centennial and Southwest as alternates. Of course that doesn't mean much since no one has even performed yet. The picture should be much clearer by mid-October. All I know is that whoever advances from Area B has a really good shot at placing in the top 10 at the state level.

[borchnork]

You really feel like Area B would place 4 through?

 

I was actually questioning whether there'd be enough bands in that Area to even send Three to state.

 

I feel like Centennial can beat Sherman and Birdville, if we try. We were close several times last year to doing so, and on one ocassion we actually did beat Birdville. So yah, it all comes down to that one prelim performance and then the finals later that night.

 

But, I feel as if The Colony already has a spot in state, and Possibly even a spot in finals.

[borchnork]

If Area B did send 5, who would you place up there along w/ sherman, birdville, the colony and aledo?

[PlayOboe]

You really feel like Area B would place 4 through?

 

I was actually questioning whether there'd be enough bands in that Area to even send Three to state.

 

I feel like Centennial can beat Sherman and Birdville, if we try. We were close several times last year to doing so, and on one ocassion we actually did beat Birdville. So yah, it all comes down to that one prelim performance and then the finals later that night.

 

But, I feel as if The Colony already has a spot in state, and Possibly even a spot in finals.

Well, after searching through the UIL website, it appears as though 20 of the 31 4A bands in Area B made a first divison rating at region marching contest in '06. If that happens again, then four will advance to state. I wouldn't worry too much about not having enough to advance three.

 

I absolutely agree that Centennial has the potential to compete with the other 4A powerhouses. I was just making a "safe" prediction based on results from the past couple of years. A lot can and probably will change throughout this season. At the beginning of the 2005 season, I don't think anyone was seriously predicting Hendrickson and Aledo to make state finals. Perhaps Centennial (or Southwest, or someone we haven't even thought of) can make a similar breakthrough.

 

If I had to pick a 5th band right now, then I would say Centennial.

[ddmwingz]

thank you for the compliment of placing us as the potential fifth. really is kool to have ppl say that.

 

anyways, i think out of area B sherman is a shoe-in, but as far as the next couple spots go. the colony has pretty good chances at makin state imho. then for the next spot or two id say its gonna be between(in no particular order) centennial, southwest, birdville, and aledo(who ive never seen, so cant honestly predict accurately)

 

but its anyones game. these predictions are just based on previous years, which in the end doesnt exactly affect this year. should be an interesting year. im lookin forward to it

[borchnork]

I think Poteet (and the rest of the state of Texas) should worry about the bands that DO emerge victorious in Area B. If they (whoever "they" ends up being) could push through, and stand out in a contest with EIGHT OUTSTANDING bands, then who knows what they are really capable of.