TMEA Honor Band

[beowulf]

This year it's 6A, 4A, 1C

Regionals are in less than 2 weeks.

Area round the week after.

State finals at TBA in July.

 

Any predictions?

[Jelonfish]

  On 6/2/2018 at 6:20 PM, beowulf said:

This year it's 6A, 4A, 1C

Regionals are in less than 2 weeks.

Area round the week after.

State finals at TBA in July.

 

I know I heard ld bell and haltom and both sounded incredible

Any predictions?

[MadisonBandMan1]

  On 6/2/2018 at 6:20 PM, beowulf said:

This year it's 6A, 4A, 1C

Regionals are in less than 2 weeks.

Area round the week after.

State finals at TBA in July.

 

Any predictions?

Reagan?

[Gogogo]

Going with Ronald Reagan as well

[Danpod]

Here's a list of entrants for TMEA Honor Band:
https://www.tmea.org/divisions-regions/band/honor-band/entry-list/class#6A

 

The Rules:
https://www.tmea.org/divisions-regions/band/honor-band/rules

 

- Two bands from each Region advance to Area.
- Two bands from each Area advance to State.
- Five judges in a panel.  Olympic-Style scoring (High score and low score are dropped).
- If your director leaves, you have to withdraw your recording.
- The defending Honor Band winner is ineligible to compete in the next Honor Band contest. 

[beowulf]

The early buzz I've heard is that Flower Mound is fantastic this year.

 

At the region level, regions 3 and 17 look like a lot of fun.  Lots of quality bands.

 

The area round I'm looking forward to is E - the top Austin and San Antonio bands - bloodbath.

[bingogooberman]

Random historical statistic I found while doing a deep dive of the Honor Band results on TMEA- Richardson ISD is far and away the most successful district in Honor Band competition, boasting a staggering 22 honor bands across high school and middle school levels, with each of their four high schools having won the honor at least once, and seven of their eight middle schools doing the same (only Liberty MS has never won, though there were 2nd in the now defunct 3B in 2000). They were pretty dominant in the 70s and 80s, though they boast titles as early as 1967 and as late as 2002 (and finalists as recent as this past year). For reference, the closest I was able to find was Lewisville ISD, who has had 8 different honor bands over the years. Also interesting, I can't be sure, but it appears that no one program has ever won the honor band title, regardless of class, more than three times, though there are several that have won 3. 

[Gogogo]

  On 6/3/2018 at 8:21 PM, beowulf said:

The early buzz I've heard is that Flower Mound is fantastic this year.

 

At the region level, regions 3 and 17 look like a lot of fun. Lots of quality bands.

 

The area round I'm looking forward to is E - the top Austin and San Antonio bands - bloodbath.

[Gogogo]

Area E posted- CTJ, Reagan, Vandergrift, and Westlake all made it

[justabandkid94]

Prediction: Reagan and Vandegrift advance from E

[TXClarinet20]

It's early but I will say Flower Mound will be the 2019 6A TMEA Honor Band. They have been very close, especially with their 2nd place ranking in 2017.

[justabandkid94]

anybody know what each band is playing?

[principalagent]

  On 6/15/2018 at 2:29 AM, justabandkid94 said:

anybody know what each band is playing?

https://www.texasmusicforms.com/csrrptuilpublic.asp

 

start here - the vast majority of programs will be the same

[gmtb617]

  On 6/14/2018 at 10:19 PM, Gogogo said:

Area E posted- CTJ, Reagan, Vandergrift, and Westlake all made it

Where did you find this?

[beowulf]

  On 6/15/2018 at 3:51 AM, Lemondude617 said:

Where did you find this?

See the link on Danpod's post.

[beowulf]

There's one more region contest tomorrow, between Clemens, Steele, and Judson.  All other areas are set.

 

A lot of people here are predicting Reagan, and with good reason.  Reagan's Midwest entry in March was amazing.  They got in, Johnson didn't.

 

Since then, Johnson caught up and then some.  At the region 12 contest earlier today, Johnson was 1st place from every judge.  Given that Johnson was 3rd and 5th in the state the last two times it entered the honor band process, it shouldn't be too big of a surprise.

 

In area E, i still predict a bloodbath between Westlake, Vandegrift, and Reagan for 2nd.  If today was any indication, Johnson should be 1st place.  I think Reagan will pull out 2nd.

 

Areas B, F, and H have plenty of contenders, a lot of parity.  Based on past performance, I would expect Friendswood to advance from H.

 

Looking ahead, my guess is that the top 2 at state will be Flower Mound and Johnson, in some order.  People I trust have told me that one band or the other will win it all.  That said, the best concert band in Texas just might be Hebron this year, but they did not enter because their director is president of TMEA.  Brownsville Lopez is also not competing because they are the defending honor band.  BTW, I think the current rules, not allowing an honor band to repeat, are silly.  Even if you're the top program in the state by a wide margin, you can only be honor band every 4 years.  Silly!  The sitting honor band should be allowed to defend, and the contenders should welcome the opportunity to beat the champ.  Makes for a better contest.

[aaron067]

You have quite a bit of incorrect information in your post.

 

- It is a known fact that Midwest is based more on politics than it is on quality of recording.  You still have to be good, but the best recordings are sometimes overlooked because there are closer connections with other directors/programs, or it's another program's "time".  So, the fact that Reagan got an invite over Johnson isn't necessarily a result of the quality of the submissions (as I'm sure both were great).  

 

- Region and Area can have absolutely no correlation between judges' rankings.  For instance, Waxahachie had all 1st place votes at Region last year, then got a 11223 at Area, and then won State.  There's no rubric for judging Honor Band, so it's entirely subjective, and one panel can think the total opposite of another.  It's a rather unfortunate flaw in the system.

 

- I would not count Vandegrift out at all.  I don't know what their recording sounds like this year, but their past recordings have been amazing (i.e. should have won 5A in 2015).  

 

- Flower Mound has no mistakes in their recording, but they also aren't playing the most difficult or the most enjoyable program out there.  A band with a more difficult program and an equally impressive recording could be given more credit by the right (or wrong) panel of judges.  

 

- Just because someone says this band or that band will most likely win doesn't make it so.  First of all, no person in the state has heard every band that will be at the State listening.  Second, that person's musical preferences may not align with the state judging panel's.  Third, where a band is heard during the day makes a difference because it's an 8 or 9 hour session.  We can guess at levels, though, like saying Flower Mound, Friendswood, and whichever two of Johnson, Reagan, and Vandegrift make it out of their Area will be in the top 4.  

 

- Lopez is not competing because they dropped down to 5A the year after they won 6A.  They will be eligible to submit a recording again next year.

 

- Honor Band is not about winning the title every year possible.  See below:

 

The concept of the Honor Band originated during the term of Joe Frank, Sr., who served as Band Division Chair from 1958 to 1960. The purpose was twofold. Many educators believed that through the process of hearing and observing the results of quality teaching, directors could develop their own instructional skills to a higher level. In addition, selection of an honor band in each classification recognized communities and school systems that successfully supported music in education through their instrumental music programs.

 

Through the years, participation has been active and the recognition of exemplary programs through the Honor Band selection process has become a most sought after goal by many directors. As a result, the quality of honor groups has remained high and the original purpose of growth and development through observation of superior teaching and performance has been addressed annually and maintains its validity. Teachers throughout the state have definitely had the opportunity to learn from master teachers by attending honor band performances and clinics.

 

In 1958 a set of rules and regulations was developed for the selection of Honor Bands. While these guidelines have been refined on several occasions, the original policies to protect the integrity of the competition have remained intact. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the participating director and administration to maintain the integrity of the Honor Band process. In order for the selection system to accomplish its purpose, all involved must honestly adhere to established procedures and share responsibility for maintaining high ethical standards. In the final analysis, preparation and participation must be consistent with worthwhile educational goals without exploitation of students or the system.

 

The many outstanding bands that have followed established procedures through the years and emerged as TMEA Honor Bands are evidence of the strength of the concept and regulations. It is the responsibility of all music educators who participate in the honor band selection process to model their preparation and participation after these exemplary programs.

[beowulf]

My apologies - I do recall now that Lopez played their 6A Honor Band concert last year after having dropped down to 5A.  My point remains the same, that a band can only be honor band every four years, which I consider to be silly.

 

Otherwise, my post was entirely accurate.  Though one panel has no bearing on how the next will vote, two different panels are more likely than not to agree, though it does not always occur that way.

 

You don't seem to have much respect for the Midwest Clinic and by extension, the bands that win invitations.  You also trashed the honor band process of 2015, basically calling Aledo undeserving.

 

I have written that I have heard that Flower Mound is amazing this year and could very well win it all.  However, I have never stated that their recording is "flawless", and I'm sure even their directors would not say that.  The "enjoyment" derived from listening to their program is subjective.

 

I did not count Vandegrift out at all.  I see them, Reagan, and Westlake battling for second place and give the edge to Reagan.  It wouldn't surprise me at all if Vandy pulled it off.

[aaron067]

  On 6/16/2018 at 5:46 PM, beowulf said:

My apologies - I do recall now that Lopez played their 6A Honor Band concert last year after having dropped down to 5A.  My point remains the same, that a band can only be honor band every four years, which I consider to be silly.

As I copied from the TMEA website, the point is to showcase talent from around the state; not show off the same program every two years.  It's not a state championship in the same sense that the State Marching Contest is.  It's an educational opportunity for students and directors alike.  Also, having been through the process, I can tell you that participating in State Marching while preparing for an Honor Band concert is exhausting for the students and staff alike.

 

Otherwise, my post was entirely accurate.  Though one panel has no bearing on how the next will vote, two different panels are more likely than not to agree, though it does not always occur that way.  

This is only true if the directors who are judging hold the same educational values in regard to what the best musical performance is.  Years of experience with the process tells me that this is just not the case, especially when you have educators from different regions of the state or eras.   

 

You don't seem to have much respect for the Midwest Clinic and by extension, the bands that win invitations.  You also trashed the honor band process of 2015, basically calling Aledo undeserving.

You're putting words in my mouth; there are a great many respectable band programs that have been invited to Midwest over the years.  Some of the best in the country, in fact.  However, the fact remains that their directors had to "play the game" in order to be in a position to get recognized in the first place.  I would probably feel less inclined to question the Midwest process (not the programs) if everything were totally anonymous.  

 

Regarding TMEA, I did not trash the process; I simply pointed out that the most deserving recording in 2015 was not given due credit that year.  I suppose that means I could be questioning the quality of some of the judges on that panel, though.  After all, Southwest placed ahead of Aledo at both Region and Area.  Since the recordings obviously don't change, it's odd that the final panel would suddenly think the opposite of the two prior panels and while simultaneously putting Aledo ahead of what were considered the two front-runners that year, as well.  I will also point out that there was at least one judge on that State panel who regularly works with the Aledo program.  I doubt there was any intentional favoritism, but there was a definite conflict of interest.  The judge, who conducted a piece at the concert, should have excused himself from the panel in the interest of fairness.

 

I have written that I have heard that Flower Mound is amazing this year and could very well win it all.  However, I have never stated that their recording is "flawless", and I'm sure even their directors would not say that.  The "enjoyment" derived from listening to their program is subjective.

I was the one who state that, and I heard it from the mouth of a past Honor Band director who judged them at the Region level.  I'm sure their staff could point out some issues, but, to anyone unfamiliar with the recording, it could very well be the most pristine recording out there this year.  Also, enjoyment is not entirely subjective.  Anyone with the usual range of human experiences and emotions is going to enjoy music with a melody they can hum more than a piece that's atonal and without a melody.  Ex: Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis vs. Schwantner's ...And the Mountains Rising Nowhere.  The first is more neo-classical while the second is definitely modernist.  Neither may be your cup of tea, but you're definitely going to remember more elements of the music in the Hindemith. 

 

I did not count Vandegrift out at all.  I see them, Reagan, and Westlake battling for second place and give the edge to Reagan.  It wouldn't surprise me at all if Vandy pulled it off.

And I suppose you've heard Vandegrift's and/or Westlake's recording, which is your foundation for making such a statement.  Is it not entirely plausible that they both advance out of Area and level the Northeast groups at home?  I guess I just don't see the point in trying to speculate unless you've heard all the recordings involved.  

[jmj]

A couple of Areas appear to be done today and reporting results already:

 

6A Area A - Frenship and El Paso Coronado advancing to state

6A Area E - CTJ and Vandegrift advancing to state

[Danpod]

Area D is almost finished up.  

[Danpod]

Area D:
Duncanville and McNeil advance to State.

[Danpod]

Area C:
Flower Mound and Wylie advance to State.  There was a tie for second place which meant that ALL directors had to leave the room and the tied programs were evaluated again among themselves.  

[Jelonfish]

  On 6/22/2018 at 7:22 PM, Danpod said:

Area C:

Flower Mound and Wylie advance to State. There was a tie for second place which meant that ALL directors had to leave the room and the tied programs were evaluated again among themselves.

that group that also advanced is Krum

[Xenon]

Area C 4A was North Lamar and Krum.