Stadium Wars

[TxRaider13]

Well with all the complaints of the Alamo Dome, here is a poll to see what the students/parents/fans have to say on where they would like to play.

Edited September 30, 2010 by TxRaider13

[the terminator]

  TxRaider13 said:

Well with all the complaints of the Alamo Dome, here is a poll to see what the students/parents/fans have to say on where they would like to play.

 

They should play at Darell K Royal Memorial Stadium, I mean who wouldn't want to perform there although I think it would be very cool for the kids to play at Cowboys Stadium

[TxRaider13]

  the terminator said:

They should play at Darell K Royal Memorial Stadium, I mean who wouldn't want to perform there although I think it would be very cool for the kids to play at Cowboys Stadium

 

 

I just like open air when it comes to music. Open air stadiums allow for different music, and most times bigger, and louder music, and not that gross over power sound that some bands do in domes..

Edited September 30, 2010 by TxRaider13

[Xenon]

For large bands, I prefer open air stadiums due to the cleanliness and clarity of sounds. For small bands, I prefer domes because of their projection without having to overblow.

 

I don't think that judges should ever be on the field because that isn't where the audience is. The performance is meant to be experienced from the stands, not the field. Also, on field judges can too easily accidentally focus on only one small portion of the band and not properly judge the group as a whole.

[rpd]

Even though I prefer open air stadiums, I think the Alamodome is the perfect spot for State Finals. For one, the Alamodome has some pretty solid acoustics and can hold a ton of people. Economically wise, I think its also the best spot. If it were in the Longhorn Stadium in Austin, it would make the contest site closer to Dallas rather than the Valley so it would cost more in gas for Area G bands (which is the largest area in the state). Typically valley bands come from a lower socioeconomic background than the North Texas bands. And typically the North Texas bands are suburbs of Ft. Worth and Dallas, so money isn't as big of an issue as it is for Rio Grande Valley bands.

 

I do prefer open air stadiums though. I also like judges on the field. I feel like they can truly see how technique in both playing and marching matches from person to person better than sitting in a booth.

Edited October 1, 2010 by rpd

[TxRaider13]

  rpd said:

Even though I prefer open air stadiums, I think the Alamodome is the perfect spot for State Finals. For one, the Alamodome has some pretty solid acoustics and can hold a ton of people. Economically wise, I think its also the best spot. If it were in the Longhorn Stadium in Austin, it would make the contest site closer to Dallas rather than the Valley so it would cost more in gas for Area G bands (which is the largest area in the state). Typically valley bands come from a lower socioeconomic background than the North Texas bands. And typically the North Texas bands are suburbs of Ft. Worth and Dallas, so money isn't as big of an issue as it is for Rio Grande Valley bands.

 

I do prefer open air stadiums though. I also like judges on the field. I feel like they can truly see how technique in both playing and marching matches from person to person better than sitting in a booth.

 

I agree with bits and pieces. First DFW area schools arent just loaded. You have Bell, Duncanville, and Coppell sure, but I went to Poteet and Forney, and they spend non-state years saving for the state year, so they go to cheaper contest. I understand with how bad the economy is that bands are cutting back, and I know the valley is getting it the worst, if not near the worst. I like open air stadiums, but the dome you don't have nature issues. Warmups can go inside if rain starts. Judges on the field is iffy to me. I like the idea of a percussion judge and a marching judge, but not playing. Marching judge could help find those people who hide being off step when forms get close or move to quick for the box judge. My only issue with the dome is, that the acoustics are horrid. I don't know what Alamo dome you played in or been to, but it sounds like crap, and is even harder for the students on the field. An idea, Texas is 3rd in the USA in revenue, and 11th in the world. If the Texas congress wanted to support the arts like they say they do, build a darn band only or a band mainly dome! They could build the acoustics and with everything considered, fans, seats, deminsions. But no they want to put money in their pocket instead of supporting the arts. And yes they could make it a football field, but emphasize on the music aspect, but that wont happen. I guess I need to hold Perry hostage untill he does it.

[Xenon]

  TxRaider13 said:

First DFW area schools arent just loaded. You have Bell, Duncanville, and Coppell sure, but I went to Poteet and Forney, and they spend non-state years saving for the state year, so they go to cheaper contest.

 

For the record, the average household income for the areas that Bell and Duncanville serve are only $61k and $56k respectively. That's not much more than Mesquite's $52k and less than Forney's $69k.

[TxRaider13]

  Xenon said:

For the record, the average household income for the areas that Bell and Duncanville serve are only $61k and $56k respectively. That's not much more than Mesquite's $52k and less than Forney's $69k.

 

 

But the money funneled to those programs is more than other schools

[takigan]

I prefer dome through and through. There's nothing like a vocal synth, which is already loaded with harmonics so it shimmers, that's packed with additional electronic reverb which makes it shimmer even more, then fed through powerful amplifiers in the Front Ensemble where it's shot off the 10-second-reverb acoustics of the dome walls and washes over the audience in an ocean of shimmering sounds. Mixing this sound with a full-size Tam-Tam being rolled on with large soft mallets and 200 brass musicians with bright-sounding equipment playing stacked major chords....then the sudden cutoff and the resulting RING! Yeah....domed stadiums all the way!

[drummerdad]

  takigan said:

I prefer dome through and through. There's nothing like a vocal synth, which is already loaded with harmonics so it shimmers, that's packed with additional electronic reverb which makes it shimmer even more, then fed through powerful amplifiers in the Front Ensemble where it's shot off the 10-second-reverb acoustics of the dome walls and washes over the audience in an ocean of shimmering sounds. Mixing this sound with a full-size Tam-Tam being rolled on with large soft mallets and 200 brass musicians with bright-sounding equipment playing stacked major chords....then the sudden cutoff and the resulting RING! Yeah....domed stadiums all the way!

 

This is a great topic...

 

1) I like the Alamodome in particular because it is pretty well dampened for a dome acoustically. Having watched a few college games in the new Cowboy Stadium, I can say there may not be a worse dome stadium for bands anywhere. The rebound of sound is excessive and you hear very little clarity. I believe that Reliant Stadium may be a good venue also. Problem with both these venues is cost, and as previously noted, location.

2) I'm good with the Alamodome as long as you are sitting inside the 30 yard lines and no higher than the second level. Past either of those locations, I feel the reverb of sound starts to break down the clarity and you lose the punch of big hits and phrasing of softer parts, especially in woodwinds. I agree that if you can be in the right spot, you get a great experience of both clarity and a perfect reverb effect. This is critical if your band does use extensive electronics, as the speaker locations don't seem to be as critical. I also like that there is a pretty healthy distance from the field to the stands.

3) Obviously, being in the right spot is critical regardless of where a band is playing, yet I feel that if you can guaranty 75 degree, 30% humidity, no wind conditions everytime that an outdoor venue is always a more enjoyable experience.

[TxRaider13]

  drummerdad said:

This is a great topic...

 

1) I like the Alamodome in particular because it is pretty well dampened for a dome acoustically. Having watched a few college games in the new Cowboy Stadium, I can say there may not be a worse dome stadium for bands anywhere. The rebound of sound is excessive and you hear very little clarity. I believe that Reliant Stadium may be a good venue also. Problem with both these venues is cost, and as previously noted, location.

2) I'm good with the Alamodome as long as you are sitting inside the 30 yard lines and no higher than the second level. Past either of those locations, I feel the reverb of sound starts to break down the clarity and you lose the punch of big hits and phrasing of softer parts, especially in woodwinds. I agree that if you can be in the right spot, you get a great experience of both clarity and a perfect reverb effect. This is critical if your band does use extensive electronics, as the speaker locations don't seem to be as critical. I also like that there is a pretty healthy distance from the field to the stands.

3) Obviously, being in the right spot is critical regardless of where a band is playing, yet I feel that if you can guaranty 75 degree, 30% humidity, no wind conditions everytime that an outdoor venue is always a more enjoyable experience.

 

I will say from experience in both High School and Drum Corps, that seating does matter in that dome. I guess it is comfortable in the dome, when it's cold outside and wind may be making it colder, so it's nice to be warm in the cold months. I guess what really gets me aside from the echo, is the bad PA guy for the contest. Can he over pernounce the HISPANIC NAME SCHOOLS, and butcher the White Name Schools any worse, not to mention he says the wrong school name at times which is bad enough.

Edited October 1, 2010 by TxRaider13

[titancoaster]

^what is ironic about the poor diction of the announcer is he is the head of UIL Drama

[TxRaider13]

  titancoaster said:

^what is ironic about the poor diction of the announcer is he is the head of UIL Drama

 

 

That makes it even worse. Come On Man!

[CPFrntEns]

From a performers perspective, it's gotta be the dome. Sure, it's hard to hear in there, but nothing beats walking out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd in the Alamodome. Plus, every year I've been there, there's been at least one moment in our show where the band will play really loud then cut off quickly, and the ring that follows the cut off is incredible.

[mellopwn1]

  CPFrntEns said:

From a performers perspective, it's gotta be the dome. Sure, it's hard to hear in there, but nothing beats walking out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd in the Alamodome. Plus, every year I've been there, there's been at least one moment in our show where the band will play really loud then cut off quickly, and the ring that follows the cut off is incredible.

 

This person’s got it exactly right. A dome is something prestigious, something larger than life, and something that you don’t experience every day. You walk into the Alamodome and this rush of excitement and thrill runs down your spine, and you are inspired to do your best. It isn’t some rinky-dink school district stadium, it is where the Spurs play, it is where they hold conventions; it’s real life. The reverb is positively terrifying when they first announce your band, but as soon as you hit that first chord, a wave of sublime delight envelops you and everyone else for those few precious moments. I would be outraged if they took State and the Super Regional out of the dome. By doing so, you would be depriving thousands of kids the experience of a lifetime.

 

Once again, that’s just me.

Edited October 4, 2010 by mellopwn1

[TxRaider13]

  mellopwn1 said:

This person

[kdnblue142]

After being at The Woodlands BOA yesterday during prelims and almost going blind from the glare....I am most definitely leaning towards indoor venues Very suprised any of my pics came out as well as they did.

[Xenon]

  kdnblue142 said:

After being at The Woodlands BOA yesterday during prelims and almost going blind from the glare....I am most definitely leaning towards indoor venues Very suprised any of my pics came out as well as they did.

 

Was it coming from Takigan's phone?

[kdnblue142]

  Xenon said:

Was it coming from Takigan's phone?

That must be some phone he used...it even messed with the Mr Video cameras.

[rpd]

  kdnblue142 said:

After being at The Woodlands BOA yesterday during prelims and almost going blind from the glare....I am most definitely leaning towards indoor venues Very suprised any of my pics came out as well as they did.

 

Very good point that no one has mentioned yet. At BOA Arlington we took the field to get in an hour or so of rehearsal. It was about 5:30ish and the sun was absolutely brutal. On certain parts of the field, seeing the drum major was near impossible.

[kdnblue142]

I was told that the field, being artificial turf, was very hot at The Woodlands and the since the color guard perform barefoot, their feet were being scorched. OUCH!!!!

[aly_lynn]

Thinking back to my marching band days, I always preferred performing in an open air stadium due to the fact that our band's sound was so much crisper and cleaner. That being said, I think the Alamodome is currently the best venue for the State Contest. After the disastrous weather in Waco during State '02, I think it was a wise decision to move the contest to the Alamodome.

[Coppelltuba]

I also think that the State Marching Contest should be in a dome.

Like today for example Area B Contest experienced rain all day. It messed up some performances and resulted in long delays and the cancellation of the finals. Having competitions in domes solves this problem plus it allows for larger seating capacity and tha nice Ring that evryone loves.

 

However, i think State should be at Cowboys stadium because it is by far the best football stadium in the world, I speak from experience, I've played there many times myself.

 

As for judges on the field, no, just no. THey would be too nitpicky and focus on insignificant mistakes. THey should be where the audience is because that is who the contest is for. we perform to the stands and thats where the judges should be, not walking around staring at us while we are trying to perform.

[RedJoker25]

To be perfectly honest, I think that any stadium, domed or open air, would be perfect for State. No matter where it's held, the top bands should be able to deal with any issues (rain or reverb). Lightning is the only reason I can think of against open air stadiums, although Duncanville apparently did well with it near by, or so I've heard. That being said, I prefer open air, just because bands usually perform in open air stadiums on a regular basis. As a performer, the dome is a good experience, but nothing beats the sun or stadium lights against the night sky. I get enough indoor stuff during concert season.

 

As for the judges, I think music judges should stay in the press box or go to the stands, while at least one marching judge goes to the field while at least one stays in the press box. Reasoning for music: It's harder to get a good ensemble sound when you're standing next to a particular section. Marching: One for individual marching, one for ensemble marching - both are important and I believe on the rubric.

[Joeyz]

Well, State was moved into the dome a few years ago because they had to cancel finals due to severe weather - similar to what happened to two of the Areas this year. Although the really great groups, in many cases, could handle the weather, there were people getting really hurt - a sousphone bell even got taco-ed. So I'm all for the dome. A bit of reverb never ACTUALLY hurt anybody.