How many Bands in TX match the UIL records of these 3 Bands.

[Jeffrey L. Gorman]

After reading the topic on the Lone Star Cup competition,I have came to the conclusion that a 1st Division in Marching Contest is far more important to Class 1A, 2A , 3A & 4A Bands than it means to Class 6A & 6A Bands. The reason is that most of the smaller schools have more turnover in students in Band and being successful (which contrary to the Above comments, is important to smaller schools and Bands) Unfortunately I think this column should be named Class 5A and 6A Texas Bands because these are most of the Bands that compete in more than 3 contests a year and can place their emphasis on BOA vs UIL contests. I guess those of you who cannot understand why that 1st Division Rating in anything but a remarkably low Standards(words of the writer above) will not understand why a school of 250 students that receives 1st Division in Marching with a Band made up of one half the total school, celebrates this as a great accomplishment. These same schools do not have multi member staffs and cannot pay $3500 for a show as the bigger schools can and do. Due to low enrollment the size of these Bands varies by year. Thus when they accomplish being awarded a 1st Division Rating, it means something. I wonder how many Folks here go to Region, 2, Region 7, Region 16, region 1 and Region 21 contests to see how important this Rating is. No it is not BOA Quality, it is just many of our Bands being honored for making these REMARKABLY LOW STANDARDS OF A  1ST DIVISION RATING and what it means to that schools Lone Star Cup Chances.

[1998-2018]

Okay, I'll repeat the very first thing I said. "I don't want to upset anyone or disparage any band program." Clear enough? My issue is that someone with an untrained ear and no real experience with marching competition can still reliably tell the difference between a Division I and Division II performance. As I said before the difference is competence, not excellence. I think competence is a minimum expected standard for the program leadership. It's primarily a reflection on them, not the kids. So is the turnover you mentioned. High school is still just four years at the 5A and 6A level. If a high percentage of kids leave the program early it's time to start asking serious questions. Big schools can face this problem too. It's usually an early warning sign.

 

For me competence just doesn't rise to the level of celebration. You and others are welcome to see it differently. But the lack of participation in this dying thread may indicate I'm not far off the mark for many. I thought you had an interesting basic premise but clearly others objected to the focus on such extreme longevity. I tried to bring a different perspective to your idea to see if it might revive the thread and lead to a potentially interesting conversation with broader appeal. Maybe next time I won't bother. And maybe next time you are tempted to be offended you can stop and ask, "Am I missing something of value here? What else could this mean?" I know I did. That's why I took the time to comment instead of ignoring the thread like so many others did.

 

And for the record, I did not say success was not important to smaller band programs as you claimed. I simply offered a different and higher standard for measuring success. I also suggested this standard can be applied fairly across all classifications (1A to 6A). Excellence isn't naturally a big band versus small band issue. Someone has to make it that way and it won't be me. Please take a day or two and then read my original comments again. Maybe you will see them in a different light. Or maybe not, and that's okay too. Either way, please understand I intended no disrespect.

[JeremiahW]

These same schools do not have multi member staffs and cannot pay $3500 for a show as the bigger schools can and do.

 

I would say most if not all of the "bigger schools" you're referring to don't pay $3500 for a show. They're paying at least $10k+, for BOA regional and super regional finalists, likely $25k+.

[NETexasBandFan]

These same schools do not have multi member staffs and cannot pay $3500 for a show as the bigger schools can and do.

Have you SEEN a 3A or 4A band in the past several years? I'm sure almost all successful competitive 3A or 4A bands match or exceed that price tag on a show by a long shot.

[1998-2018]

If the Lone Star Cup is truly your focus I would suggest you still need to raise your standard because your logic breaks down very quickly.

 

It looks like UIL does not award any Lone Star Cup points for a Division I rating.

 

The UIL web page says Marching Bands receive points for earning a State Marching Contest berth. While I suppose that could possibly mean advancing from Region to Area that seems unlikely because so many bands advance that it would make the points awarded irrelevant. It's much more likely they are referring to advancing from Area to the actual contest in San Antonio.

 

In any case the next points are awarded in increasing amounts to Finalist placing Fifth through First. That's an even higher standard than I suggested.

 

https://www.uiltexas.org/lone-star-cup/rules

[Jeffrey L. Gorman]

At todays UIL Region Marching Contest, the following Bands continued their streak of receiving  1st Division Ratings. 

Plainview in Class AAAAA    Region 16

Odessa    in Class AAAAAA  Region 6

Longview in Class AAAAAA  Region 21

[8to5brass]

Tomball Memorial has only been open since 2011 and has gotten 1st division ratings every year and advanced to state every year possible but as previously mentioned, it is a younger school but has gone to state 3/3 times possible and hopefully this year will make it 4.

[azn]

I don't know how long is Berkner's 1st Division streaks but it's at least 53 by now

[MegaBear]

I honetly believe Eagle Pass High Scool may have a chance of getting that high of consecutives, they currently have 38 or 39 years of consecutive Uil 1s. If they keep it up theyll have a shot at getting or breaking a record