2013 Marching Band Thread

[klj27]

One of the things that bothers me about BOA regionals is the lack of facilities for the students. We have gone the last three years. The two years when it was at a high school BOA has not reserved hospitality rooms for the bus drivers, staff, etc. They also haven't reserved space inside the high school to give the kids access to changing rooms and bathrooms. The kids had to change in the parking lot, because our buses didn't stay since it was such a long day. It was a crazy hike to even get to the portopotties. Yuck. Spectators can use the facilities at the stadium but that doesn't help our students.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

One of the things that bothers me about BOA regionals is the lack of facilities for the students. We have gone the last three years. The two years when it was at a high school BOA has not reserved hospitality rooms for the bus drivers, staff, etc. They also haven't reserved space inside the high school to give the kids access to changing rooms and bathrooms. The kids had to change in the parking lot, because our buses didn't stay since it was such a long day. It was a crazy hike to even get to the portopotties. Yuck. Spectators can use the facilities at the stadium but that doesn't help our students.

Wow. I'd suggest to our director that we don't go if we were ever treated that badly at a contest. I've seen local contests not affiliated with anything do far better.

 

[klj27]

Wow. I'd suggest to our director that we don't go if we were ever treated that badly at a contest. I've seen local contests not affiliated with anything do far better.

He did make a comment about not going next year! It always interferes with homecoming or the act or both too.

 

[Pembo]

Pembo, directors like that are just toxic. Our band has a style very similar to Ohio University, as a matter of fact, we have several alumni in that band. I love that style of marching. But our band kids and director are very respective of all styles and our kids love to see if the can incorporate some moves they see from all bands. We are highly complimented at all the shows we go to . Makes Me a proud band mama

We tailgate before every home game I am glad we have 2 away games lol We make a good amount of money flipping burgers/dogs and whatever else we dream up. Walking tacos are a huge hit! We also do a big clam bake and we used to work at the airshow, but since that was cancelled we did Tall
Ships It pays to live on a Great Lake

Where are you in Ohio? We're in Lorain County.

 

[klj27]

First competitions tomorrow. Kids have to be at school at 11. Comp is an hour away, they march at 1:45. Dinner is in the parking lot and they drive 20 mins for a second competition. They take the field at 7:45. By the time they announce the awards and head home, it will be about 11. This double header is our longest day of the season. Usually they only do one competition.

DS was telling me this am how their director always talks smack about the bands coming to the football games. Like tonight, we are playing a small Catholic school. Their band has about 30 members. He told them they are terrible. A few weeks ago he told them to watch the other band and see their horrible marching style. DS really liked that band, they looked to be having A LOT of fun. DS knows that the other bands are different and different isn't bad. Most of our local hs don't go to competition so they have a fun, relaxed marching style. Frustrating that the director can't teach these kids to appreciate the differences but has to run them down. Rant over...

Good luck tonight everyone....

and btw-is it still 90 in TX???

I am wondering if you are coming to our competition tomorrow??? There is a double header at one school in the am and then ours in the pm and we are about twenty minutes from the first school. And we are in Ohio.

 

[klj27]

Our band does a few small fundraisers like selling hamburger plates and car washes but their main fundraiser is the concession stands at all home games for both the home side and the visitor side. They only do a really big trip every 4 years.

It has been a really sad week for our band. One of the junior girls in band tried to kill herself at school on Monday and my daughter was the one who called 911. They've had extra counselors at the high school all week and the girl is going to be ok but still.......not something you want your kids to have to deal with at such a young age

Another out of town game this week but luckily this one is only about a 2 hour drive instead of the 3+ that the last two have been! Homecoming next week so it should be a busy week.

My daughter's best friend attempted at school last spring. It has been horrible. He is a super kid and praise God that he is still with us, but the healing will go on for a long time. Prayers for your community.

 

[bittybabygrower]

We are in Lorain County too! Are you going to the Elyria Band-arama? We were just at The Stow band show two weekends ago. We aren't doing as many shows this year.

And no clambake this year. Gotta come up with something else...maybe a wing ding.

 

[camreesmom]

Thank you to all for your good wishes. My daughter went to the football game tonight but will not be marching - her choice. She has missed a lot of school this week because of Monday's incident & didn't feel comfortable with the drill. The school is providing counselors & I took her to a counselor here in town that same day. We saw her pediatrician on Wednesday & she gave her something to help her sleep. The girl did survive & was lucky not to have any brain damage. She was hospitalized for inpatient therapy but was already released. That just blows my mind. I'm just praying that she gets plenty of support.

On to happier thoughts.....I would love to go watch a BOA competition just to see what it's all about but those prices are kind of steep, especially for a family of 5!!! Our band only competes in UIL events. It would be kind of neat to see what some of the larger bands are doing. I know my daughter would enjoy it, too.

 

[camreesmom]

We are in Lorain County too! Are you going to the Elyria Band-arama? We were just at The Stow band show two weekends ago. We aren't doing as many shows this year. And no clambake this year. Gotta come up with something else...maybe a wing ding.

I LOVE your screen name!

 

[sm4987]

Good luck to all who's competitions are starting tomorrow. Our first is tomorrow also and my kids are excited. I'm excited too, but I know it's going to be a long day.

 

[beavismom]

On to happier thoughts.....I would love to go watch a BOA competition just to see what it's all about but those prices are kind of steep, especially for a family of 5!!! Our band only competes in UIL events. It would be kind of neat to see what some of the larger bands are doing. I know my daughter would enjoy it, too.

Not to schill for Music for All, but you can buy a video subscription at their website for $59 for a year. They live stream all the Super Regionals as well as Grand Nationals. The regular regionals will be available on demand about a week later. You can also browse the video archives from the last several years competitions. It isn't quite like being there, but it is not much more than a 1 day pass for one person to a live event.

 

[beavismom]

Thanks for the info!

I did see the day pass option, but honestly, I don't think they'll make finals... As good as I think this year's show is, this is still our first foray into the world of BOA -- and we are definitely still more of a UIL band. We don't have anything that spins around, or lights up, or glows in the dark, or anything like we've seen from more BOA-oriented bands before. We sound terrific and do really well in UIL competitions, but we've just never been a "visual effects" kind of band.

And I just looked at the lineup -- Two of arguably the best bands in the state perform immediately before and immediately after us. Awesome. And the other three bands to pretty much round out the top 5, will be the last three bands to perform in prelims where the judges will remember them. Double awesome, lol. I would love for us to make finals just because it would be such a confidence booster for the kids, but this one will be a looooong shot!!

I could be mistaken, but I believe the top 10 bands advance to finals so don't count them out just yet. UIL and BOA styles are very different, but they may still do well. I have seen bands without all the shiny stuff advance, although they are unlikely to win.

It is going to be a short night tonight and a long day tomorrow. Good luck and safe travels to everyone who is headed to competitions!

 

[Southernmiss]

First competition tonight for us too. Our band just last night put all the pieces together for the entire show. They had one complete run throughbut there is still clean-up work to be done. They'll have practice today from noon until 4 break then go to perform tonight at 930. They sounded and looked fantastic to me last night!

Good luck to all! This is where all that blood, sweat and tears comes to fruition!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Football team got manhandled yesterday, 56-34. It wasn't a surprise, though, that team was undefeated and is very good.

First competition this evening, about an hour away. We do USBands (formerly USSBA) competitions; I never heard of BOA before hanging out of DIS Marching Band threads.

Tonight's competition's tickets are $10 per adult, $8 for students and seniors. No charge for parking.

 

[emilily88]

Our team (undefeated) went up against another undefeated team at last night's homecoming game and we won!

Halftime was a mess... since it was homecoming, they did the crowning of the king and queen, leaving about 6 minutes for the band to get on the field, perform, and get back off... I've never seen them run on and off the field so fast! Then the announcer decided to make an announcement during the second half of the marching show about a car that needed to move... really? Totally disrupted the entire trumpet solo

 

[momof1princess]

Good luck to all who's competitions are starting tomorrow. Our first is tomorrow also and my kids are excited. I'm excited too, but I know it's going to be a long day.

Good luck to everyone competing today! Our first competition is today as well! SO excited!

On a down note, our football team lost AGAIN last night. We're winless this season. Our coach is horrible. We only won one game last season.

 

[Pembo]

Our team is 0-5. My son is hoping for a perfect season, 0-10. LOL

Two competitions today. We got first place by .6 at the first competition. I think that .6 was the solos by both of my boys that put us over.

We left the second one before "crowning" as my dd called it. I think she watches too much Toddlers and Tiaras. LOL

Hope everyone did great at contest.

 

[lovegrumpy]

We got seconded tonight. I thought they did great.

 

[momof1princess]

We got seconded tonight. I thought they did great.

Congratulations!!! Our awful colorguard and lazy majorettes (I'm not saying that all colorguards are awful and all majorettes are lazy, just that OURS are) cost us a perfect score at competition today. I'm SO frustrated. Our band works so hard, and...I'm just going to stop there. I'm very frustrated. This is the second year in a row this has happened. Our band director needs to stop being Mr. nice guy and crack the whip.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I sure wish I could watch videos of everyone's bands. I would claim them as awesome fellow disers kiddos (like I know of everyone of you! )