2011 Marching Band Season post--already....

[Katy Belle]

I read this one to my DS, and he laughed and said, "It's funny because it's true!" He said there are definitely different types of people that tend to play specific instruments, which I find just fascinating. We had a 30-minute conversation on different instrument "cliques", and keeping lines of conversation open with your 15 year old son is always a good thing, so thanks for the in!

Yeah, I didn't believe it at first... but its pretty funny My DS is Tuba Dude and we were new to the school last year. DS showed up at the Band Banquet wearing black pants and a black shirt... as did all 7 others! It was NOT planned and there were very few other boys in the whole band dressed like that. The Director made a joke that he didn't know the Tuba Section had decided to dress like Johnny Cash AND.. nearly all of the Tuba Dudes have leather jackets, including my DS14, who will be in the section next year. Not planned, once again, coincidental.

Flutes have very distinctive personalities... DS16 is finding out

Its all good! They are all great!

 

[marcyinPA]

I'll play!
You know you're a band mom when your families vacation budget is used to send your child on a week-long band trip.



Good segue...

Our band parent meeting was last night, and the last payment for the Hawaii trip was due. Or, at least we THOUGHT it was the last payment. Due to some additional expenses...mainly shipping and baggage charges...the price per student went up another $185. The total trip cost per student is $2770 inclusive. The director was hoping that he could get the instrument shipping charges underwritten, and is still trying, but basically the students need to absorb the cost, which is...hold on to your hats...$30,000.

This is one expensive trip. Holy cow.

 

[marcyinPA]

The drummers are the ones with the "reputations" in our band...at both the MS and the HS level. Of course, my DS12 is a drummer... Luckily, he is pretty good at following the rules...at least for now.

 

[jen0610]

The drummers are the ones with the "reputations" in our band...at both the MS and the HS level. Of course, my DS12 is a drummer... Luckily, he is pretty good at following the rules...at least for now.

It's always been the drummers that all the girls were hot for, around our school. And they are the biggest jokesters in our band. But you gotta love em.

Last night we had our family dinner night. During the kids dinner break, you could bring in food and decor - table cloths, balloons, candy bowls - and have supper with your kid - and any other band kid that might come a table-grazing.

I go to walk thru the band room with a couple of pizza's and a crap load of wings and walk right into the drumline and pit kids having a nerf gun shoot out going on in the band room. I hollered at them that if I got hit with anything while I had food in my hands, they would not like their bus mom come saturday. Needless to say, I had safe passage.

But, when I came back thru - empty handed - I got nailed by a couple dozen bullets. I got them back though!! I scooped up as many as I could, turned and high tailed it to the girls rest room and dumped them in there. The one drummer almost had me. As my shoulder hit the door, I felt his hand graze the back of my arm.

When he asked his girl friend - in color guard - to go get them, she said no (jokingly) and said I was her new hero for getting rid of the stupid things. I got a hug for all my underhandedness. DD made two bucks, as that is what she charged him to go get them for him. She good friends with his sister, so I am sure she got the two bucks in the form of an IOU.

 

[Katy Belle]

Tomorrow the band leaves for Saint Louis! They play at 5:45...or something like that. It will be about 7 hours on the bus for them. I wish I was going...DS Tuba Dude is still sick. I watched rehearsal tonight and he coughed his way through it. He's already on meds, but I went and bought stronger meds. His appetite is way, way down... ugh. I hate sending him, but he won't stay home. Luckily Fall Break is Wed-Sun of next week, so if he can make it that long he can sleep!

Anyone else going to St. Louis?

Good luck to all in contests this weekend!

 

[golfgal]

Katy Bell--too bad you aren't coming to St. Louis, it is quite the show here--although you usually get to see some of these top bands around your local competitions.

Our band is on the way. They had a LATE rehearsal last night and are driving through the night-leaving school at 2AM. They should be about half way here. It takes about 10-12 hours for them, including stops (which take an hour or more each time). They play tomorrow afternoon. DH and I drove down yesterday since the kids could get themselves to school for practice . Our actual driving time is about 8 hours.

I can hardly wait to see everyone's show. Our band finally put in their big visual element and performed it at the homecoming football game last week. The fans let out a HUGE cheer so it was well received-it's pretty cool.

 

[Katy Belle]

Katy Bell--too bad you aren't coming to St. Louis, it is quite the show here--although you usually get to see some of these top bands around your local competitions.

Our band is on the way. They had a LATE rehearsal last night and are driving through the night-leaving school at 2AM. They should be about half way here. It takes about 10-12 hours for them, including stops (which take an hour or more each time). They play tomorrow afternoon. DH and I drove down yesterday since the kids could get themselves to school for practice . Our actual driving time is about 8 hours.

I can hardly wait to see everyone's show. Our band finally put in their big visual element and performed it at the homecoming football game last week. The fans let out a HUGE cheer so it was well received-it's pretty cool.

I wish I were there!!!!!!!!! We could have our own little Dis Meet! I'm regretting not going...but I didn't want to blow my vacation budget and pull my other kids out of school... ugh. The next time they go, I will tag along!

Golf Gal... if you are still watching at 5:45, The Bartlesville Bruin Brigade will be wearing blue,white,black uniforms. DS Tuba Dude is the tallest of the Tubas, by just a bit...big boy with straight brown hair. Send him some good vibes! I am not in love with their show this year, but the Director is It looks better every time I see it. I watched last night... Color Guard was having some issues...hoping they can work that out! You have a marvelous time!

 

[Gina]

I wish our band was going to these far-flung contests, but I know it would make band even more expensive. Plus, I'm guessing there just isn't time -- it would be too much driving. Heck, 8 hours of driving and you're not even out of Texas yet, so it would take us kind of a while to get to someplace like St. Louis! Mickeymo ~ Y'all are right near us, how long does it take to get to the contest in Atlanta your band is going to? (That was horrible grammar, I know )


Last night's away football game was televised again, and was a big district win. Getting to watch the band on TV always makes me kind of giddy anyway, and I got to see my sax-playing son close up in the stands for a second! I told him, "Did you hear me whooping and hollering from home??" LOL I hate those Thursday games, though, especially when they're away games -- We didn't get home until just before midnight, and we have to get up at 5:45.

Tomorrow is the Lone Star Preview contest, a big deal in the area with very stiff competition. Planning on a mini-DIS-meet with Mickeymo there! Good luck to all the bands competing this weekend!!

 

[golfgal]

I wish our band was going to these far-flung contests, but I know it would make band even more expensive. Plus, I'm guessing there just isn't time -- it would be too much driving. Heck, 8 hours of driving and you're not even out of Texas yet, so it would take us kind of a while to get to someplace like St. Louis! Mickeymo ~ Y'all are right near us, how long does it take to get to the contest in Atlanta your band is going to? (That was horrible grammar, I know )


Last night's away football game was televised again, and was a big district win. Getting to watch the band on TV always makes me kind of giddy anyway, and I got to see my sax-playing son close up in the stands for a second! I told him, "Did you hear me whooping and hollering from home??" LOL I hate those Thursday games, though, especially when they're away games -- We didn't get home until just before midnight, and we have to get up at 5:45.

Tomorrow is the Lone Star Preview contest, a big deal in the area with very stiff competition. Planning on a mini-DIS-meet with Mickeymo there! Good luck to all the bands competing this weekend!!

There is a BOA regional in Texas. It is one of the better regionals actually. The Saint Louis Regional is a "Super Regional" which really means that there are more bands and it takes place over 2 days. The St. Louis regional is the "most competitive" regional though.

I wish I were there!!!!!!!!! We could have our own little Dis Meet! I'm regretting not going...but I didn't want to blow my vacation budget and pull my other kids out of school... ugh. The next time they go, I will tag along!

Golf Gal... if you are still watching at 5:45, The Bartlesville Bruin Brigade will be wearing blue,white,black uniforms. DS Tuba Dude is the tallest of the Tubas, by just a bit...big boy with straight brown hair. Send him some good vibes! I am not in love with their show this year, but the Director is It looks better every time I see it. I watched last night... Color Guard was having some issues...hoping they can work that out! You have a marvelous time!

I'm not sure if we will go watch tonight or not. If we do I will wave to your DS for you .

 

[Katy Belle]

I'm not sure if we will go watch tonight or not. If we do I will wave to your DS for you .

Thanks! Oh, he will be the one marching with the tuba and coughing, rather than playing...or that's what he did last night. I hope he can hang in there today! At the contest last week he said he played when he noticed a judge near...otherwise he just concentrated on breathing. Hoping he can kick this crud soon!

 

[golfgal]

Thanks! Oh, he will be the one marching with the tuba and coughing, rather than playing...or that's what he did last night. I hope he can hang in there today! At the contest last week he said he played when he noticed a judge near...otherwise he just concentrated on breathing. Hoping he can kick this crud soon!

We had this go through our band a couple weeks ago. It just wipes the kids out. I hope he feels better soon. It took a good week for our kids to feel better. DD missed playing at a football game so she could rest for a competition the next day.

 

[mrsklamc]

DH is in St.Louis. I'm jealous! Katy Bell, I will have him keep an eye out if he is around at 5:45.

 

[Katy Belle]

DH is in St.Louis. I'm jealous! Katy Bell, I will have him keep an eye out if he is around at 5:45.

Thanks! I'm really wishing I were there.... next time I guess... I will have kids in the band until 2018 I will have another chance!

 

[mickeymo]

There is a BOA regional in Texas. It is one of the better regionals actually. The Saint Louis Regional is a "Super Regional" which really means that there are more bands and it takes place over 2 days. The St. Louis regional is the "most competitive" regional though.



I'm not sure if we will go watch tonight or not. If we do I will wave to your DS for you .

Yes, you are correct there is a BOA regional in Houston, it was held last weekend. This year was an insanely competitive regional, Marcus, LD Bell, Stephen F Austin, & the Woodlands - frequent & familiar names to Grand National Finals & including several of the top UIL bands were battling it out for top honors. It was so much fun to watch and be a part of that day. The energy was electrifying & the crowds were so enthusiastic. I'm just glad I wasn't a judge for that contest.

San Antonio Super Regional is also held over two days & attendees would probably argue & claim the "most competitive" regional status over St. Louis. Regardless of the judging format or location, marching competitions are so much fun to watch. The pride, hard work and intensity of each band is amazing.

 

[mickeymo]

I wish our band was going to these far-flung contests, but I know it would make band even more expensive. Plus, I'm guessing there just isn't time -- it would be too much driving. Heck, 8 hours of driving and you're not even out of Texas yet, so it would take us kind of a while to get to someplace like St. Louis! Mickeymo ~ Y'all are right near us, how long does it take to get to the contest in Atlanta your band is going to? (That was horrible grammar, I know )

Tomorrow is the Lone Star Preview contest, a big deal in the area with very stiff competition. Planning on a mini-DIS-meet with Mickeymo there! Good luck to all the bands competing this weekend!!

Atlanta will be a 13 hour drive not as bad as the 24 hours to Indianapolis. Our director chose Atlanta Super Regional because it was a much lower cost & shorter drive time. Our district limits absences to two days & $500 per student travel fees. Unlike Indianapolis, the kids will be able to have some fun on Sunday before heading back on Monday.

Tomorrow will be fun! It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend!

 

[jen0610]

I am being such an evil band mom right now.

Sat we have our reginal competition. Top 10 go on to Semi-state next weekend.

The forecast is sunny, low 60's, but windy. As in 25-30 mile an hour winds. The site we are at, is only 10 miles from Lake Michigan, so there could be some really wicked gusts.

One of the bands uses these ballet bar props that are made outta pvc pipe. They are very flimsy and light weight. Here is where the evil is coming in. All I keep seeing in my mind, is a huge gust of wind coming in and taking out all these props. Sending them flying across the field, taking out band members. Is that bad or what!!!

I know the wind is going to cause havic for all the color guards, but these props just seem like they are asking for trouble if they use them.

 

[momof1princess]

I am being such an evil band mom right now.

Sat we have our reginal competition. Top 10 go on to Semi-state next weekend.

The forecast is sunny, low 60's, but windy. As in 25-30 mile an hour winds. The site we are at, is only 10 miles from Lake Michigan, so there could be some really wicked gusts.

One of the bands uses these ballet bar props that are made outta pvc pipe. They are very flimsy and light weight. Here is where the evil is coming in. All I keep seeing in my mind, is a huge gust of wind coming in and taking out all these props. Sending them flying across the field, taking out band members. Is that bad or what!!!

I know the wind is going to cause havic for all the color guards, but these props just seem like they are asking for trouble if they use them.

something like this happened at the competition we went to last weekend - one of the bands was doing a show of aerosmith songs (seems to be pretty popular around here this year) and, at one point, the danceline was using microphone stands with scarves tied to them, a la steven tyler, and the girl on the end on the left's microphone stand kept falling over. she was a real pro, though, she acted like she didn't even notice and just did the routine without it.

on a down note...i am SO sick. every time i eat something, i get horrible stomach pain. the pain is soooooo bad, it makes me sweat. not sure what's going on, but it better resolve itself soon, i've got a concession stand to work tonight!

 

[golfgal]

I am being such an evil band mom right now.

Sat we have our reginal competition. Top 10 go on to Semi-state next weekend.

The forecast is sunny, low 60's, but windy. As in 25-30 mile an hour winds. The site we are at, is only 10 miles from Lake Michigan, so there could be some really wicked gusts.

One of the bands uses these ballet bar props that are made outta pvc pipe. They are very flimsy and light weight. Here is where the evil is coming in. All I keep seeing in my mind, is a huge gust of wind coming in and taking out all these props. Sending them flying across the field, taking out band members. Is that bad or what!!!

I know the wind is going to cause havic for all the color guards, but these props just seem like they are asking for trouble if they use them.

Take a video and post it so we can see it when it happens . You are probably right though, unless they anchor them, they are going to blow away. Our last football game had super high winds and they just took out the high rifle tosses and the high flag tosses because they just don't work in the wind. We are inside for our last two competitions this year . Other then the wind though, we have had amazing weather for practices and shows this year.

 

[Katy Belle]

I am being such an evil band mom right now.

Sat we have our reginal competition. Top 10 go on to Semi-state next weekend.

The forecast is sunny, low 60's, but windy. As in 25-30 mile an hour winds. The site we are at, is only 10 miles from Lake Michigan, so there could be some really wicked gusts.

One of the bands uses these ballet bar props that are made outta pvc pipe. They are very flimsy and light weight. Here is where the evil is coming in. All I keep seeing in my mind, is a huge gust of wind coming in and taking out all these props. Sending them flying across the field, taking out band members. Is that bad or what!!!

I know the wind is going to cause havic for all the color guards, but these props just seem like they are asking for trouble if they use them.

I left the competition early last week, so I didn't see it... but there is a band that has this dragon, sea serpent thing...big tunnel type things... they had Dads behind them trying to keep them from blowing over. This is Oklahoma. Its windy here. That song...the wind comes sweeping down the plains... that is the real deal!!!!!!!!!! Our band has these big kite/angel things... some of them broke in the wind last week.

Our director this morning made a big deal about being in the DOME and having no wind! Such a treat for this band from Oklahoma!

 

[golfgal]

Yes, you are correct there is a BOA regional in Houston, it was held last weekend. This year was an insanely competitive regional, Marcus, LD Bell, Stephen F Austin, & the Woodlands - frequent & familiar names to Grand National Finals & including several of the top UIL bands were battling it out for top honors. It was so much fun to watch and be a part of that day. The energy was electrifying & the crowds were so enthusiastic. I'm just glad I wasn't a judge for that contest.

San Antonio Super Regional is also held over two days & attendees would probably argue & claim the "most competitive" regional status over St. Louis. Regardless of the judging format or location, marching competitions are so much fun to watch. The pride, hard work and intensity of each band is amazing.

The St. Louis designation is not my designation, it's a BOA designation. 6 of the 12 finalists from national in 2010 will be at St. Louis this year compared to 2 of the 10 at San Antonio. San Antonio is recognized as one of the top regionals though. All of the Super Regionals are 2 day contests.