2009-2010 Marching Band Season is here!!

[rcraw45425]

Tomorrow is our first competition. We have some good friends coming from our old town because that band will be there too. I just watched a video of the show on Facebook. They taped it from a lot higher up then we can sit in our stands and saw some of the formations you can't see in the bleachers. It looks REALLY cool. It will be fun to see the show at BOA (like always) because you can sit up so high and see the show how you are supposed to see it! We have our home show on Sunday so 2 competitions this weekend (although we are technically exhibition for our own show).

Wow, busy weekend for you! We (well, DH, DD12 and I) just made it in from our first away game a few minutes ago. We left third quarter, we were greatly outclassed, both football wise and band wise tonight This marching band was from one of the two high schools in this county, outside of Atlanta. (Central of CArrollton GA if interested). All I can say is WOW! We keep a small marching banc by choice on the directors part. HE demands perfaction. This band was huge. A school of roughly 850 and their band was 150+ , flags/color guard ran 24. They had 8 tubas. Huge production number for halftime, Home on the Range (go figure that one). MAgnificent 7, Turkey in the straw, GOod, the bad & the ugly, all over the board music wise. THe color guard had two different flags (One was colored up like a cow) and they had cactus and split rail fence props. ANyone ever see flag girls standing on fences twirling? Drum major (Female) condicted in formal gown and opera length white gloves. Incredible show. Our routine looked and sounded good but the outplayed us due to their sheer volume. Two back to back festivals starting Oct 3, then Oct 10, then he'll cut our weekly practice back a little. Right now it's daily from 3PM- 5:30/6ish.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Good luck to one and all for a great marching band season

Our homecoming is next weekend and daughter is looking forward to marching with the alumni band at 1/2 time

 

[golfgal]

Wow, busy weekend for you! We (well, DH, DD12 and I) just made it in from our first away game a few minutes ago. We left third quarter, we were greatly outclassed, both football wise and band wise tonight This marching band was from one of the two high schools in this county, outside of Atlanta. (Central of CArrollton GA if interested). All I can say is WOW! We keep a small marching banc by choice on the directors part. HE demands perfaction. This band was huge. A school of roughly 850 and their band was 150+ , flags/color guard ran 24. They had 8 tubas. Huge production number for halftime, Home on the Range (go figure that one). MAgnificent 7, Turkey in the straw, GOod, the bad & the ugly, all over the board music wise. THe color guard had two different flags (One was colored up like a cow) and they had cactus and split rail fence props. ANyone ever see flag girls standing on fences twirling? Drum major (Female) condicted in formal gown and opera length white gloves. Incredible show. Our routine looked and sounded good but the outplayed us due to their sheer volume. Two back to back festivals starting Oct 3, then Oct 10, then he'll cut our weekly practice back a little. Right now it's daily from 3PM- 5:30/6ish.

Our band has 185 members, 36 colorguard--all of whom toss rifles a few spots in the show-it is pretty impressive. I think we have 4 flags this year and some other colorguard props. The formal dresses/tuxes are pretty much the way to go with the major bands now. Our band has done this the past several years. We have 3 girls and one boy as drum majors this year.

Our marching band practices for an hour each day during school-it is their band class for the fall trimester. Then also practice Monday and Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 during the school year. On weekends they practice for several hours before leaving for shows. Today they report at 12:00 noon, have clinics with the judges that are in for the 2 shows (tonight the show is at the neighboring high school), they leave for that show at 7:00 PM, perform at 9:30. Tomorrow they report at 8:00 AM for more clinic time, practice until noon, perform at 4:30.

The band from our old town marches about 220-250 kids-from a high school of 850. Marching band is very popular there. Another band we see marches 250. Broken Arrow in OK has 500 members for their home football games/parades. They march around 200 or so for competitions. When you get to national level competitions like we do, this is pretty common. Our show tonight we will see bands as small as 50 members up to the 250 size.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Question for all of you band parents out there. How many of you have marching band as a class in school? Our marching band is strictly extra curricular. We have 100 marching members and 21 guard. Although that is big compared to some bands, our school has roughly 2,000 kids. I would love to see more kids in the marching band, but like I said... with it being extra curricular I think what we have is a decent number. I am wondering if some of the larger bands actually have that class in school or it is part of a requirement for a fine arts class.

Just curious. I think it is so cool to see a band like golfgal's on the field. I think our band is amazing. They work hard... My DD is in guard and had three five hour practices last week with football last night. Their competitions start next week. But... there is a different dynamic when you see some of the really large bands on the field.

 

[rcraw45425]

Our marching band is extracurricular too. All members are required to either be in concert band or symphony band (director places you based on your audition). WHat has amazed me about this group of kids (although I think that its' pretty synonymous with any good group of bandies) is the sense of family. As one parent put it to me last night, these kids KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that someone has their back. They treat these freshmen kids like brothers and sisters after only knowing them for two months!

 

[golfgal]

Question for all of you band parents out there. How many of you have marching band as a class in school? Our marching band is strictly extra curricular. We have 100 marching members and 21 guard. Although that is big compared to some bands, our school has roughly 2,000 kids. I would love to see more kids in the marching band, but like I said... with it being extra curricular I think what we have is a decent number. I am wondering if some of the larger bands actually have that class in school or it is part of a requirement for a fine arts class.

Just curious. I think it is so cool to see a band like golfgal's on the field. I think our band is amazing. They work hard... My DD is in guard and had three five hour practices last week with football last night. Their competitions start next week. But... there is a different dynamic when you see some of the really large bands on the field.

Our band is the only one around here that I know of that marching band is their fall band class. It helps that we have 3 full time band directors at our school (1800 kids). We also have a couple student teachers each year so they help with lessons, etc. They just added another concert band so we have 9 concert bands too (8 in the fall plus marching band). Obviously band is huge here. We have a phenomenal administration that supports the arts programs in our schools so that helps too. Our sports teams, while very good, struggle for funding much more then the music programs.

In our old town they had marching band before school so kids could do both band and sports. We have a lot of kids in our band that are in both as well. It works because of how our evening schedule is set up.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Our band is the only one around here that I know of that marching band is their fall band class. It helps that we have 3 full time band directors at our school (1800 kids). We also have a couple student teachers each year so they help with lessons, etc. They just added another concert band so we have 9 concert bands too (8 in the fall plus marching band). Obviously band is huge here. We have a phenomenal administration that supports the arts programs in our schools so that helps too. Our sports teams, while very good, struggle for funding much more then the music programs.

In our old town they had marching band before school so kids could do both band and sports. We have a lot of kids in our band that are in both as well. It works because of how our evening schedule is set up.

We also have a large music program in our high school. There are concert bands, jazz bands, wind symphony, orchestra and I know there are more, but I can not think right now. Marching band is just not one of the classes. All of the marching band practices are after school. We only have a small % of our music students in marching band. I have heard of some other schools having marching band before school. I don't know if I could get DD out of bed that early. LOL.

Good luck to everyone this year! Can't wait to hear how everyone is doing.

 

[rcraw45425]

Our band is the only one around here that I know of that marching band is their fall band class. It helps that we have 3 full time band directors at our school (1800 kids). We also have a couple student teachers each year so they help with lessons, etc. They just added another concert band so we have 9 concert bands too (8 in the fall plus marching band). Obviously band is huge here. We have a phenomenal administration that supports the arts programs in our schools so that helps too. Our sports teams, while very good, struggle for funding much more then the music programs.

In our old town they had marching band before school so kids could do both band and sports. We have a lot of kids in our band that are in both as well. It works because of how our evening schedule is set up.

You all are soooo lucky to have administrations support! Here in the south football reigns. Our band director has received no funds from the board this year, yet they are almost finished with a 23 million dollar admin building . Luckily we are blessed with good parents with deep pockets and the ability to fundraise like maniacs. We have a deal with a pretty large SEC university to run concessions for their home games, last weekends totals ran over $15K, of which the kids and parents that work it get shares. Helps offset the cost of trips. We are about to get really busy with community performances at Shrine Circus and also a welcome home ceremony for WW2 vets that are being flown to DC, so the kids will play on the tarmac at our local airport. All this while maintaining their GPAs too.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

My band's first performance was at our first football game last night during halftime. It was raining all day (since Thursday!), and miraculously cleared up for our performance! We got the reaction we were looking for - everyone in the stands loved our show. Even the other team's cheerleaders were cheering us on!

 

[rcraw45425]

My band's first performance was at our first football game last night during halftime. It was raining all day (since Thursday!), and miraculously cleared up for our performance! We got the reaction we were looking for - everyone in the stands loved our show. Even the other team's cheerleaders were cheering us on!

THat's great!

 

[golfgal]

Well, we swept the captions and won by a little over 4 points. I was expecting to win but not by that much. The one band in our state that is always right on our heals was there last night and usually they are only a couple tenths of a point behind us. Their show is really, really strange this year. Their hornline maybe played 1/2 the show, the rest was the pit. They are a very good band so I don't know what was up with that. No one has their shows done yet though.

With only watching practices and one football game it is always hard to judge how good the show is but after watching the rest of the bands last night our show was WOW. I was really disappointed in the rest of the bands, their shows were really slow and not creative. Hopefully it is just because it is early in the season.

A couple other observations, comparatively there were hardly any fans there last night. The bleachers were full but usually at this show there are people standing on the grass on either side of the bleachers. Most of the bands were way down in numbers. I would have to guess that economy is the reason-can't pay band fees or don't want to travel to the shows.

 

[rcraw45425]

Well, we swept the captions and won by a little over 4 points. I was expecting to win but not by that much. The one band in our state that is always right on our heals was there last night and usually they are only a couple tenths of a point behind us. Their show is really, really strange this year. Their hornline maybe played 1/2 the show, the rest was the pit. They are a very good band so I don't know what was up with that. No one has their shows done yet though.

With only watching practices and one football game it is always hard to judge how good the show is but after watching the rest of the bands last night our show was WOW. I was really disappointed in the rest of the bands, their shows were really slow and not creative. Hopefully it is just because it is early in the season.

A couple other observations, comparatively there were hardly any fans there last night. The bleachers were full but usually at this show there are people standing on the grass on either side of the bleachers. Most of the bands were way down in numbers. I would have to guess that economy is the reason-can't pay band fees or don't want to travel to the shows.

I agree, band fees are a killer. In two years we'll have two in HS marching band, at the current rate that's $400 just in fees, not counting trip costs. DH hates sfundraising but at that point we may be forced to "work a few Auburn games" or something. The upcoming Old Spice Classic trip at WDW is costing the kids $800 each, we decided to forego it since it would be starting Thanksgiving day, the day after we return from the BC. I also think that Kelly's too young at 14 to go alone and I don't want to be seperated from the rest of the family on T'giving Day. (It's doubtful that Jeff could be away from work that long too (Emergency Medicine)) If it were another time of year maybe, but not during the busiest time at WDW, turned loose at Coronado Springs (that's also where the college basketball teams will be staying)

QUick question for you, we watched the video DH shot Friday night. Since you have a large band, do they tend to run more than march? That band literally ran onto the field, and seemed to do a lot of "power walking" as opposed to heel and toe marching. Kelly remarked that they looked like ants scurrying around. Is it necessary dur ot the sheer volume of people on the field?

 

[MushyMushy]

Our band is selling candy bars right now. Please keep my away from those things!!!

Our first competitive parade is coming up at the end of the month. Our competitions and such are not a big deal here because we're in such a rural area.

 

[golfgal]

I agree, band fees are a killer. In two years we'll have two in HS marching band, at the current rate that's $400 just in fees, not counting trip costs. DH hates sfundraising but at that point we may be forced to "work a few Auburn games" or something. The upcoming Old Spice Classic trip at WDW is costing the kids $800 each, we decided to forego it since it would be starting Thanksgiving day, the day after we return from the BC. I also think that Kelly's too young at 14 to go alone and I don't want to be seperated from the rest of the family on T'giving Day. (It's doubtful that Jeff could be away from work that long too (Emergency Medicine)) If it were another time of year maybe, but not during the busiest time at WDW, turned loose at Coronado Springs (that's also where the college basketball teams will be staying)

QUick question for you, we watched the video DH shot Friday night. Since you have a large band, do they tend to run more than march? That band literally ran onto the field, and seemed to do a lot of "power walking" as opposed to heel and toe marching. Kelly remarked that they looked like ants scurrying around. Is it necessary dur ot the sheer volume of people on the field?

It depends on the show but we have a very fast paced show so our kids do a lot of fast walking/jazz running. I really think that "marching" band is really a misnomer for the field show bands. They don't really march like you see in a parade. I can see where it would look like ants scurrying around. If you can get a very high viewpoint your show will look completely different then at football bleacher level-and that is what they are trying to achieve.

 

[golfgal]

Any updates? We won again last weekend. This weekend we have 2 competitions on Saturday-one in the early afternoon and one in the evening. We aren't sure if we are going to go to both of them-most of the same bands will be at both of them. We will see what the weather is like. The afternoon one is in the Metrodome (where the Vikings play). The acoustics there are horrible but if the weather is bad it is nice to be inside.

Anyone know anything about Lincoln Way Central and Downer's Grove South out of Illinois? They will be at the shows this weekend.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Our kids had their first competition this past Saturday. They finished 2nd in their class in prelims and 5th overall on the day. We were happy with the results for their first competition. The guard placed 4th overall on the day.

 

[babytrees]

First home football game was Saturday. The kids put the first movement on the show, without the props. It sounded great...can't wait to see it with the color changes. My friend in charge of video and photos let me join her where she goes to video in the crow's nest. My new camera can take a LOT of consecutive pictures, but even it was complaining I was taking too many.

This is homecoming week....busiest week of the season. The kids will have bonfire tomorrow, game on Friday (where they will put 52 out of 62 sets on the field) and competition Saturday morning, with the dance that night. PHEW!! They weren't going to do the competition on Saturday but as Cassidy said, "they finally realized what I did...we need the competition practice and there are less competitions BEFORE CBA regionals than usual."

 

[babytrees]

So the weekend is done...more competitions should be out of the way.

Our kids did an awesome job on Friday with the color change...even got High Schoolers to be quiet in the stands. I didn't watch Saturday but it sounds like they did okay for their first competition. We definitely aren't peaking early this season.

 

[golfgal]

Our band had two competitions on Saturday. The first was at the Metrodome and they were just given ratings not scores. Basically it was a chance to practice in the dome. They had a show in the evening. They won by 6 points. The next best band in the state behind us hosted the show so they were not in the scoring. There were a couple bands from Illinois and a couple from Wisconsin so it was nice to see some other bands. We are off to South Dakota this weekend for a 25 band competition.

 

[babytrees]

Our band had two competitions on Saturday. The first was at the Metrodome and they were just given ratings not scores. Basically it was a chance to practice in the dome. They had a show in the evening. They won by 6 points. The next best band in the state behind us hosted the show so they were not in the scoring. There were a couple bands from Illinois and a couple from Wisconsin so it was nice to see some other bands. We are off to South Dakota this weekend for a 25 band competition.

okay, I know I am a little out of it as I only know how the Colorado Bandmasters Association does it. But what is the reason behind travelling to other states for competitions??