BOA Conroe 2018

[TWHSParent]

As the board skews to Austin, San Antonio, and DFW, I'll pick this one up again before it drops off the first page....

 

The bands that I am interested in seeing (other than TWHS), and that I think are in the finals hunt are: Clear Brook, Del Rio, James Bowie, Stephen F Austin, Ronald Reagan, Friendswood, Brazoswood, Cy-Fair, Pearland, Seven Lakes, James E Taylor, College Park, Winston Churchill, Westfield, and Vandegrift. I am also curious about Oak Ridge - I don't know if the split with Grand Oaks has hurt them or not. Throw in TWHS, and those are 16 bands I think the finalists will most likely come from (only half the field...).

 

I think the returning finalists from 2017 are likely to repeat: Clear Brook, James Bowie, Ronald Reagan, Cy-Fair, The Woodlands, Winston Churchill and Vandegrift. So 3 more spots. If I had to make my best guess, it would be Pearland, Seven Lakes, and James E Taylor. I think Brazoswood is very close and could get in over JET, I don't know anything about SFA this year, so they could be a wildcard based on comments in this forum, Del Rio was 6th at Midland and Westfield was 11th at McAllen, so they are in the hunt (but against a stronger field here). I haven't seen or heard much about College Park or Friendswood. But I really think any of the bands I listed above could make finals on the right day.

[whitewing09]

I'm very excited to see where Seven Lakes lands! I'm also very curious about SFA!

[Guest]

SFA is MUCH improved over the past few years in terms of show design.

[LostChoirGuy]

I think Oak Ridge will be in the hunt for finals. They were great last year.

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/28/2018 at 4:22 AM, LostChoirGuy said:

I think Oak Ridge will be in the hunt for finals. They were great last year.

 

They certainly could be. What I don't know is if they will regress a little due to losing about 1000 students to Grand Oaks. I have no idea how that would be reflected in the band program.

[Guest]

I cant imagine that being all that big of a deal considering they always have a massive amount of kids in their program.

[LostChoirGuy]

Usually new school openings only take underclassmen anyways. So while the band may be smaller, the members overall will on average be older and more experienced.

[Avisshadow]

  On 9/28/2018 at 2:25 PM, LostChoirGuy said:

Usually new school openings only take underclassmen anyways. So while the band may be smaller, the members overall will on average be older and more experienced.

I agree, it shouldn’t be a problem this year with only losing more inexperienced students. I’m more concerned on how they’ll be 2 years out and from then on. Unfortunately with the way the school zoning is, all the nicer and “wealthier” neighborhoods are going to Grand Oaks, so while money certainly isn’t everything in a band program, there is no doubt that it helps so I hope the program doesn’t go downhill as a result.

[TWHSParent]

I would like to say thank you to the Klein Oak Band for staying and supporting TWHS Band last night after the game. Ya'll were great!

[Txdrummer2]

A little history if you will into the contest vs football game situation in CISD. I’ll preface by saying I’m an alum of both TWHS and TWCP (I was part of the split). I’m also a current HS band director in TX, so I can give a bit of perspective on that side of things as well. It’s been 12 years so some details may not be 100%.

 

I believe it was 2006, but it may have been 2007. TWHS was still in the old cycle of going to the State UIL marching contest on Tuesday, getting home at 2-3 AM on Wednesday, then getting on a plane and flying to Indy for Grand Nationals that afternoon. In 2007 they again went to GN in order to separate the State year from a GN year (but that is besides the point). So in 2006, I want to say that the band missed 3 football games, and if not 3, then it was for sure 2. I can not remember what games it were and all, but I remember that they missed for at least Area (since Region marching in Region 9 is held on a Tuesday) and then they missed for another contest (likely the Houston regional which was at Pearland before the days of Woodforest). I want to say that that year GN fell on the last week of UIL FB games in Texas (or at the very least it was playoffs) so they missed that game as well. All the CISD schools had at least 2 (sometimes 3) Saturday games because there were 5 teams playing at one stadium, and all the teams sans Caney Creek were in the same FB district. Anyways. After marching and FB season were over Conroe ISD instituted a new Policy (School Districts love policies) that said a schools marching band could only miss a game if they were attending a UIL activity. At the time TWHS FB program was a powerhouse (three years prior they lost to North Shore in the State game) so I’m sure booster and community members complained. This policy has been in place ever since and many schools, not just TWHS, have missed finals at various contest because of it. I think it was changed to allow a band to miss a game excluding UIL contest, but only with permission from the Superintendent, hence the reason they were able to miss a game every year for GN and such. Interestingly enough, both TWCP and TWHS missed a Saturday game the following year when they played each other and both bands were at the Super Regional. I’m thinking now that they policy was put in place in 2007. Again, was a long time ago.

 

Anyways, regardless of what year it was the outcome was the same CISD admin decided that the Bands were missing too many games and put in a new policy to limit that. At the end of the day, directors have to follow what they admin says, and as much as all of us here like to think that band is the top priority, FB is still king. I’m glad that TWHS was able to convince their admin to let them attend the contest, but look for this to keep happening more and more. CISD has 4 teams in one stadium again and Kline has multiple schools using the same stadiums as well. With those districts splitting a FB district be prepared to see this again.

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/30/2018 at 2:41 PM, Txdrummer2 said:

A little history if you will into the contest vs football game situation in CISD. I’ll preface by saying I’m an alum of both TWHS and TWCP (I was part of the split). I’m also a current HS band director in TX, so I can give a bit of perspective on that side of things as well. It’s been 12 years so some details may not be 100%.

 

I believe it was 2006, but it may have been 2007. TWHS was still in the old cycle of going to the State UIL marching contest on Tuesday, getting home at 2-3 AM on Wednesday, then getting on a plane and flying to Indy for Grand Nationals that afternoon. In 2007 they again went to GN in order to separate the State year from a GN year (but that is besides the point). So in 2006, I want to say that the band missed 3 football games, and if not 3, then it was for sure 2. I can not remember what games it were and all, but I remember that they missed for at least Area (since Region marching in Region 9 is held on a Tuesday) and then they missed for another contest (likely the Houston regional which was at Pearland before the days of Woodforest). I want to say that that year GN fell on the last week of UIL FB games in Texas (or at the very least it was playoffs) so they missed that game as well. All the CISD schools had at least 2 (sometimes 3) Saturday games because there were 5 teams playing at one stadium, and all the teams sans Caney Creek were in the same FB district. Anyways. After marching and FB season were over Conroe ISD instituted a new Policy (School Districts love policies) that said a schools marching band could only miss a game if they were attending a UIL activity. At the time TWHS FB program was a powerhouse (three years prior they lost to North Shore in the State game) so I’m sure booster and community members complained. This policy has been in place ever since and many schools, not just TWHS, have missed finals at various contest because of it. I think it was changed to allow a band to miss a game excluding UIL contest, but only with permission from the Superintendent, hence the reason they were able to miss a game every year for GN and such. Interestingly enough, both TWCP and TWHS missed a Saturday game the following year when they played each other and both bands were at the Super Regional. I’m thinking now that they policy was put in place in 2007. Again, was a long time ago.

 

Anyways, regardless of what year it was the outcome was the same CISD admin decided that the Bands were missing too many games and put in a new policy to limit that. At the end of the day, directors have to follow what they admin says, and as much as all of us here like to think that band is the top priority, FB is still king. I’m glad that TWHS was able to convince their admin to let them attend the contest, but look for this to keep happening more and more. CISD has 4 teams in one stadium again and Kline has multiple schools using the same stadiums as well. With those districts splitting a FB district be prepared to see this again.

 

 

Thank you for the perspective.

 

My response (to the policy, not you personally) is: so what? My child joined band to perform band activities, not football activities. The administration forcing it the way you mentioned deserves to be called out and publicized and "king" football ultimately needs to be put in its place. The "king" appellation needs to meet its

[whitewing09]

It sounds like there needs to be a change in policy to support the change in culture. Maybe band’s primary focus was to support the football team (like at the very least 30 years ago), but band has evolved into so much more than football parents complaining when bands aren’t playing enough, they’re playing too much, etc. With this evolution, policies need to evolve and it’s great that parents are in support of their students. The biggest barriers to change are complacency and fear. Stay hungry, stay brave.

[tstrom01]

  On 9/28/2018 at 2:25 PM, LostChoirGuy said:

Usually new school openings only take underclassmen anyways. So while the band may be smaller, the members overall will on average be older and more experienced.

Being from Oak Ridge, I will say this is true. Instead of taking from 2 Jr. High Schools, we are taking from only one. So our usual 120-130 person freshman class coming into band is more like 60-70. The band will be smaller but it won't be significantly smaller for a few years.  

[Rudedog34]

Here's a policy to consider:

 

Marching Band is "required" to attend 8-10 (whatever) football games to show support for their team.

Then the football "team" including all players (freshman to senior), all coaches and support staff should be required to attend all marching band contests as well as purchase band merch to show support for the school's marching arts.

 

Let's see how that goes over with the athletic boosters.

[Guest]

  On 9/30/2018 at 6:13 PM, salingerkaul said:

 

i herd their band and show is really good this year, i know they just won friendswood marching contest also.

Much more demanding show than anything theyve done recently. Also a notably larger band (14 mellophones). If they can play out a litte more and clean up the closer, than I finals here are definetely a possibility. HUGE step up from last year.

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/30/2018 at 6:37 PM, tstrom01 said:

Being from Oak Ridge, I will say this is true. Instead of taking from 2 Jr. High Schools, we are taking from only one. So our usual 120-130 person freshman class coming into band is more like 60-70. The band will be smaller but it won't be significantly smaller for a few years.  

 

That's good. I've really enjoyed your shows the last 3 years that I've seen them. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys this coming Saturday!

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/30/2018 at 4:15 PM, whitewing09 said:

It sounds like there needs to be a change in policy to support the change in culture. Maybe band’s primary focus was to support the football team (like at the very least 30 years ago), but band has evolved into so much more than football parents complaining when bands aren’t playing enough, they’re playing too much, etc. With this evolution, policies need to evolve and it’s great that parents are in support of their students. The biggest barriers to change are complacency and fear. Stay hungry, stay brave.

 

Absolutely. There's a Robert Heinlein quote that I learned when I was young - you live and learn, or you don't live long. This applies to policies just as much as people. While I don't think it should be a state of anarchy, there must be room for all the activities and students to achieve, experience, and learn.

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/30/2018 at 8:28 PM, Rudedog34 said:

Here's a policy to consider:

 

Marching Band is "required" to attend 8-10 (whatever) football games to show support for their team.

Then the football "team" including all players (freshman to senior), all coaches and support staff should be required to attend all marching band contests as well as purchase band merch to show support for the school's marching arts.

 

Let's see how that goes over with the athletic boosters.

 

It really has been that one-sided in the friction between football and band, where the band is expected to sacrifice their work for the football team (and it is only the football team - no other athletic group has this sway). I think the pushback from the local and extended community at least opened some eyes a little. The key now is to keep that pressure on for all our programs. What our kids do is just as important to them and us as football is to their groups.

[zoomer]

  On 9/30/2018 at 8:34 PM, Cityscapes said:

Much more demanding show than anything theyve done recently. Also a notably larger band (14 mellophones). If they can play out a litte more and clean up the closer, than I finals here are definetely a possibility. HUGE step up from last year.

Rough timeslot between Bowie and Reagan 

[TWHSParent]

I think this is going to be an excellent contest this year. Vandegrift and Bowie looked very good at Austin, Churchill will likely be a finalist (bottom 5 in my opinion, but a finalist). Any thoughts on Reagan? They are performing Tuesday night at the NEISD festival - is anyone going?

 

I've read thoughts from the Friendswood contest. SFA did well, as did Pearland and Oak Ridge. Clear Brook was not in the top 4.

 

It is tough to be critical of your rooting interest band, but what I saw Friday night from TWHS was quite good. Probably the best sound we've put out since before 2015 (stronger high brass/mellophone sound this year throughout the show than we've had in recent years, so a more balanced sound with the low brass), and visually clean for this time of year (we are usually very visually dirty early on). I was sitting almost to our press box, and the sound projection to my seat was full and powerful. Still things to do of course, as they've only just put an ending on the field, and it showed. I will be interested to see what is added this week to make it stronger.

[MadisonBandMan1]

  On 10/1/2018 at 5:16 PM, TWHSParent said:

I think this is going to be an excellent contest this year. Vandegrift and Bowie looked very good at Austin, Churchill will likely be a finalist (bottom 5 in my opinion, but a finalist). Any thoughts on Reagan? They are performing Tuesday night at the NEISD festival - is anyone going?

 

I've read thoughts from the Friendswood contest. SFA did well, as did Pearland and Oak Ridge. Clear Brook was not in the top 4.

 

It is tough to be critical of your rooting interest band, but what I saw Friday night from TWHS was quite good. Probably the best sound we've put out since before 2015 (stronger high brass/mellophone sound this year throughout the show than we've had in recent years, so a more balanced sound with the low brass), and visually clean for this time of year (we are usually very visually dirty early on). I was sitting almost to our press box, and the sound projection to my seat was full and powerful. Still things to do of course, as they've only just put an ending on the field, and it showed. I will be interested to see what is added this week to make it stronger.

I will be there and will get to watch them from the stands, and IIRC Danpod is as well.

[TWHSParent]

  On 10/1/2018 at 5:24 PM, MadisonBandMan1 said:

I will be there and will get to watch them from the stands, and IIRC Danpod is as well.

 

Will be very interested in your impressions.

[Avisshadow]

I’m very excited for this contest. Though I’m hoping a Houston area band like the woodlands or something wins this one.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/1/2018 at 5:16 PM, TWHSParent said:

I think this is going to be an excellent contest this year. Vandegrift and Bowie looked very good at Austin, Churchill will likely be a finalist (bottom 5 in my opinion, but a finalist). Any thoughts on Reagan? They are performing Tuesday night at the NEISD festival - is anyone going?

 

I've read thoughts from the Friendswood contest. SFA did well, as did Pearland and Oak Ridge. Clear Brook was not in the top 4.

 

It is tough to be critical of your rooting interest band, but what I saw Friday night from TWHS was quite good. Probably the best sound we've put out since before 2015 (stronger high brass/mellophone sound this year throughout the show than we've had in recent years, so a more balanced sound with the low brass), and visually clean for this time of year (we are usually very visually dirty early on). I was sitting almost to our press box, and the sound projection to my seat was full and powerful. Still things to do of course, as they've only just put an ending on the field, and it showed. I will be interested to see what is added this week to make it stronger.

I saw the first half of their show a week ago at a football game - typical Reagan show - should be another strong year for them. I would expect both Reagan and Churchill to be in Finals at Conroe - Reagan likely in the top half with a shot at a medal, Churchill likely bottom half

Looking forward to seeing all the NEISD bands at fallfest - hoping the rain stays away this year.

[TWHSParent]

  On 10/1/2018 at 6:43 PM, banddad84 said:

I saw the first half of their show a week ago at a football game - typical Reagan show - should be another strong year for them. I would expect both Reagan and Churchill to be in Finals at Conroe - Reagan likely in the top half with a shot at a medal, Churchill likely bottom half

Looking forward to seeing all the NEISD bands at fallfest - hoping the rain stays away this year.

 

Ahh, the weather. At last check there is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday here. Still several days out, so it could change.