2019 BOA Grand National Championships

[youcansound]

I think the closest a big star has gotten to Marching scene of Texas was when Reynolds said good luck to James Bowie

[1998-2018]

  On 10/17/2019 at 2:38 AM, banddad84 said:

wow - I am sure no band in Texas ever thought to seek a donor/sponsor to cover the costs for a Indy Trip - appreciate the heads up - I will get Mark Cuban on the phone - appreciate the enormous service you have provided to our Texas bands. hey everyone - don't everyone call Cuban at once..... I got dibs

YIKES! Come on, banddad84...uh...maybe it's time to go walk the dog or something. You regularly make valuable contributions to this forum, but that's certainly not one. So far this season I've been in a self-imposed exile after LeanderMomma unofficially crowned me the King of Unnecessarily Snarky Sarcasm at the end of last season but you just brought me back to ask if I need to abdicate? I recognize the conversation had become contentious and bordered on provocative, but that clearly crossed the line. I've definitely had my moments of weakness too. I know from experience, you're better than that comment would indicate.

 

LeanderMomma, in many ways you and your caring nature represent the best of who we are on TxBands and I have felt all along you and I should talk about when I crossed the line at the end of last season. Because you were neither a target of the venom, nor one of the snakes in the grass, my guess is you are probably unaware of the role you specifically played in the early stages of that incident. One of your comments was clearly the fork in the road for me. Now that you are a moderator on the HornRank forum it seems even more important to talk. I take full responsibility for the path I followed and adding you to the HornRank Moderator Team is well deserved. My only hope is you would find helpful insight in hearing my perspective on where I went wrong. Maybe we can find a few minutes in San Antonio. I'd like to clear the air with you.

 

Edit: My sentences should end with correct punctuation.

[LostChoirGuy]

I find that it is so easy for me to hide behind the computer and say things that tow the metaphorical line. I wish I used my filter a bit more before saying controversial things. Sometimes I think it is good to bring some discomfort to the conversation, but I hate to think that I may be the cause of anyone having their feelings hurt or especially that their ideas aren't welcome.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 6:16 AM, 1998-2018 said:

YIKES! Come on, banddad84...uh...maybe it's time to go walk the dog or something. You regularly make valuable contributions to this forum, but that's certainly not one. So far this season I've been in a self-imposed exile after LeanderMomma unofficially crowned me the King of Unnecessarily Snarky Sarcasm at the end of last season but you just brought me back to ask if I need to abdicate? I recognize the conversation had become contentious and bordered on provocative, but that clearly crossed the line. I've definitely had my moments of weakness too. I know from experience, you're better than that comment would indicate.

 

LeanderMomma, in many ways you and your caring nature represent the best of who we are on TxBands and I have felt all along you and I should talk about when I crossed the line at the end of last season. Because you were neither a target of the venom, nor one of the snakes in the grass, my guess is you are probably unaware of the role you specifically played in the early stages of that incident. One of your comments was clearly the fork in the road for me. Now that you are a moderator on the HornRank forum it seems even more important to talk. I take full responsibility for the path I followed and adding you to the HornRank Moderator Team is well deserved. My only hope is you would find helpful insight in hearing my perspective on where I went wrong. Maybe we can find a few minutes in San Antonio. I'd like to clear the air with you.

 

Edit: My sentences should end with correct punctuation.

Thank you for your kind words, it’s good to see you back! I was afraid that we had run you off for good, and that made me sad. I apologize for anything I may have said that made you feel the need to completely disappear. Yes, there was quite a bit of snark last year, but it happens every fall (like it’s happening now). Emotions tend to run higher towards the end of the season and we’re all prone to feeling defensive (and offensive!) at times. Hey, we’re human! My hope is always that we can have a nice but sometimes rousing discourse in these forums, and yet still remain cordial. Especially as there are young adults reading as well, and I hate for them to think we’re all a bunch of uncivilized beasts.

 

I would love to chat with you more at San Antonio. I look forward to meeting you!

[LHSax]

  On 10/17/2019 at 12:27 AM, Rubisco said:

Over on the TMC thread, there are discussions about how Texas might not send its top band to Nats this year. I've decided to move that discussion over here. While at first I was a bit disheartened by the prospect of a non-Nats group winning San Antonio, I've come to terms with it, in light of the fantastic programs that we *are* sending. Without question, this is the strongest Texas contingent since 2013. Vandegrift has maybe their best show ever; Hebron continues to develop their visual program to its fullest potential; CTJ is doing a rousing followup to one of the best shows of the past decade; both Leander and The Woodlands are performing what will probably become their best shows in years. Really, there is absolutely nothing to be disappointed about. I am SO looking forward to the finals performances at Nationals, because I think they'll be among the best ever. And you want to talk about accomplishments? Five finalists at Nationals will be from Texas, maybe even six, if Round Rock pulls it together. No other state can do that. And even if two of the top three spots do end up going to Avon and Carmel, that still means that a Texas group will likely come back with a medal. That's freaking FANTASTIC. It is hard to overstate how difficult it is to win Nationals, especially when you're at a rehearsal disadvantage, like Texas groups are. It's a nice goal to have, but who cares? At the end of the day, everyone will have their favorites that they'll talk about for years to come on these forums, and the kids will have memories that will last them a lifetime.

 

Well...since I kind of initiated that conversation, I will say I didn't mean to be all doom and gloom about this. I really thought after watching CTJ/Leander/Vandy and hearing clips of Hebron, that we'd be throwing Indy the best we have to offer (which we haven't quite done the last 5 or so years). I still think our groups have a great shot at taking 1-2 medals and an outside shot at taking home the eagle...

 

But man, what Reagan is putting on the field this year would have a great chance at dominating Grand Nationals. I believe that show is special. That said, as I've mentioned somewhere else. a repeat of 2007 (where a band that doesn't win SA, wins GN) is definitely in the cards, and I think as a whole, these groups will make up most of the top half, which is amazing.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/17/2019 at 6:16 AM, 1998-2018 said:

YIKES! Come on, banddad84...uh...maybe it's time to go walk the dog or something. You regularly make valuable contributions to this forum, but that's certainly not one. So far this season I've been in a self-imposed exile after LeanderMomma unofficially crowned me the King of Unnecessarily Snarky Sarcasm at the end of last season but you just brought me back to ask if I need to abdicate? I recognize the conversation had become contentious and bordered on provocative, but that clearly crossed the line. I've definitely had my moments of weakness too. I know from experience, you're better than that comment would indicate.

 

LeanderMomma, in many ways you and your caring nature represent the best of who we are on TxBands and I have felt all along you and I should talk about when I crossed the line at the end of last season. Because you were neither a target of the venom, nor one of the snakes in the grass, my guess is you are probably unaware of the role you specifically played in the early stages of that incident. One of your comments was clearly the fork in the road for me. Now that you are a moderator on the HornRank forum it seems even more important to talk. I take full responsibility for the path I followed and adding you to the HornRank Moderator Team is well deserved. My only hope is you would find helpful insight in hearing my perspective on where I went wrong. Maybe we can find a few minutes in San Antonio. I'd like to clear the air with you.

 

Edit: My sentences should end with correct punctuation.

not a fan of walking the dog -    and I don't plan any self-imposed exile anytime soon

 

have a great day

[11BandMan11]

*Puts down popcorn bag*

"My watch has ended"

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/16/2019 at 9:21 PM, LHSbandDad said:

I would say the costs are much more than $400K to go to Indy.  For our band, the GN fee is $1,500 x 335 = $500K+ and that is just for the band/guard.  Throw in the costs of the chaperones, volunteers, parents, etc. and the costs start piling up.  Plus the cost of the rig(s) to transport the instruments and props.  Hotel and airfare for parents to attend.  Oh, and don't forget missing three days of school and work for the parents.  It all adds up and makes this trip much more challenging than the local Indiana bands that go to GN every year!!  As has been stated many times, I will always respect Avon for making the trip down to SA.  I hope more do the same!!

correct - I used a conservative number - the real cost can exceed $600K for a program to attend based on location of departure and if the program charters flights VS buses

[1998-2018]

  On 10/17/2019 at 11:09 AM, LeanderMomma said:

Thank you for your kind words, it’s good to see you back! I was afraid that we had run you off for good, and that made me sad. I apologize for anything I may have said that made you feel the need to completely disappear.

To be clear, you didn't say anything to cause my self-imposed exile. I did. I'm just saying there was an early opportunity to defuse the situation and it was missed.

[1998-2018]

  On 10/17/2019 at 1:36 PM, banddad84 said:

not a fan of walking the dog - and I don't plan any self-imposed exile anytime soon

 

have a great day

I did not suggest you go into exile, just that you could take a few minutes to cool off before responding when things get that heated.

 

Looking at last night's comment this morning, is it still exactly what you would choose to say?

 

If so, and nobody else was bothered by the tone it conveyed, I wasted my time commenting and made the correct choice not to participate in the forum. Self-moderation is key to a healthy debate and community.

[1998-2018]

As for the cost of big trips with a big band, Keller parents spent $1M+ to go to the 2018 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That's why they cancelled plans for 2017 & 2019 Grand Nationals. Even Mark Cuban isn't likely to subsidize a significant enough portion of that to make it possible for all the top bands to go to Indy every year, regardless of his geographic roots.

 

Hopefully Keller will be back in 2021. But the gap from 2015 to 2021 is long enough that a whole cycle of students will miss the Grand National Championships experience.

 

But we still have San Antonio.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/17/2019 at 3:06 PM, 1998-2018 said:

I did not suggest you go into exile, just that you could take a few minutes to cool off before responding when things get that heated.

 

Looking at last night's comment this morning, is it still exactly what you would choose to say?

 

If so, and nobody else was bothered by the tone it conveyed, I wasted my time commenting and made the correct choice not to participate in the forum. Self-moderation is key to a healthy debate and community.

would not change a thing - was just returning what I perceived as received

 

again - have a great day 

[Samuel Culper]

  On 10/17/2019 at 3:33 PM, 1998-2018 said:

As for the cost of big trips with a big band, Keller parents spent $1M+ to go to the 2018 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That's why they cancelled plans for 2017 & 2019 Grand Nationals. Even Mark Cuban isn't likely to subsidize a significant enough portion of that to make it possible for all the top bands to go to Indy every year, regardless of his geographic roots.

 

Hopefully Keller will be back in 2021. But the gap from 2015 to 2021 is long enough that a whole cycle of students will miss the Grand National Championships experience.

 

But we still have San Antonio.

Is it that much more expensive to go to Macy's?

[youcansound]

travelling can be so expensive! 

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 1:45 PM, 11BandMan11 said:

*Puts down popcorn bag*

 

"My watch has ended"

 

sometimes it's kind of hopeless!  

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 2:45 PM, 1998-2018 said:

To be clear, you didn't say anything to cause my self-imposed exile. I did. I'm just saying there was an early opportunity to defuse the situation and it was missed.

 

No worries and I hope to get the chance to chat face-to-face in San Antonio.  Me and "the kid" (okay, she's nearly 21 now) plan to be there for almost the entire day on Friday and all of Saturday.  

 

Don't let the turkeys get you down, so to speak  Life is good!

[TWHSParent]

  On 10/17/2019 at 4:44 PM, LeanderMomma said:

No worries and I hope to get the chance to chat face-to-face in San Antonio.  Me and "the kid" (okay, she's nearly 21 now) plan to be there for almost the entire day on Friday and all of Saturday.  

 

Don't let the turkeys get you down, so to speak  Life is good!

 

 It appears that my former band kid will also be joining me in San Antonio this year. He has a Saturday class, but is arranging with his instructor a way to miss that one. We'll be driving over Thursday night.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 5:01 PM, TWHSParent said:

 It appears that my former band kid will also be joining me in San Antonio this year. He has a Saturday class, but is arranging with his instructor a way to miss that one. We'll be driving over Thursday night.

 

Mine just snagged a job at the library at Texas State and I told her to be sure they know right off the bat that she's off that weekend!   And the GN weekend.  She felt bad telling them that right away, but I told her it was non negotiable on my part.  

[BandFan95]

MFA asked Westwood to come to grand nats after Austin. Then asked again after Houston. There is no way that we could raise those kinds of funds to go.

 

$400,000 is just a lot of money.

[LeanderMomma]

Hopefully y’all can plan a trip in the next few years!

[youcansound]

MFA asks bands to Grand Nationals? Have they asked Vista Ridge since last years big breakout? Have they asked Ronald Reagan the same thing? Who knows! We will see in the future when those Grand Nationals lists roll out in the new year! Wish we could see Westwood at Nats! But for now keeping them to ourselves in Texas is fine with me

[youcansound]

On a second note if Nats numbers really start to get lower I can see them offering more incentives for going! Or financial aide?

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 11:26 PM, youcansound said:

On a second note if Nats numbers really start to get lower I can see them offering more incentives for going! Or financial aide?

That’s what I am thinking. Their numbers are way down. It’s cool though if they specifically asked Westwood to come. It’s such a great show WW has this year!

[1998-2018]

  On 10/17/2019 at 4:24 PM, Samuel Culper said:

Is it that much more expensive to go to Macy's?

Breakfast for the band kids the morning of the parade was not extravagant, but it was $11,367.29.

 

And VERY early...

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/17/2019 at 11:42 PM, 1998-2018 said:

Breakfast for the band kids the morning of the parade was not extravagant, but it was $11,367.29.

 

And VERY early...

Geez can’t they just eat dry Cheerios? Great Value brand?

 

I’m teasing. They should definitely get the name brand.