2014 Marching Band thread

[Monykalyn]

It will be closer to 5 before they get done with the participation awards and announce the finalists. Sounds like there are some new bands there that are really rocking the place. It's going to be a fantastic finals tonight. I wish I was there!!

Yeah I just looked at time line. 3 is what she texted me but I think she meant that is when they have to be back for awards presentations lol!

 

[stasijane]

Good luck to everyone in STL today. My DD is on her way back up that way. I wish I could be there to see them play but its my weekend to work

 

[marcyinPA]

We're hosting a contest in a couple of weeks and trying to come up with something different to sell at the vending tables. Besides t-shirts, buttons, beads and noisemakers, what are you guys buying or what do you see is selling?

we sell car magnets, license plates for the front of the car (PA is a one plate state), stadium blankets, hats, scarves, and stadium seats, along with the usual t shirts, hoodies, sweatpants. (We sell these at home football games. We don't do band competitions. )

 

[Monykalyn]

Well, DD was a bit upset Saturday-they missed finals by a couple tenths of a point (top 14 made finals, they were 15). She said that those not used to marching messed up with the different hashmarks on the field. She also apparently told a few kids that if they weren't going to take it seriously then dont come back to band next year-she was quite upset that the same kids that blew stuff off and goofed off all year are the ones who messed up the most and then blew off everyone who was upset about finals - for the seniors this is first time they haven't made finals. She has offered to work with anyone all year on marching basics (only a few who took her up on it) and these kids didn't see what the big deal was. What on earth has happened to work ethic and doing your best because it affects the group and not just you?

 

[Happy Snowman]

Well, DD was a bit upset Saturday-they missed finals by a couple tenths of a point (top 14 made finals, they were 15). She said that those not used to marching messed up with the different hashmarks on the field. She also apparently told a few kids that if they weren't going to take it seriously then dont come back to band next year-she was quite upset that the same kids that blew stuff off and goofed off all year are the ones who messed up the most and then blew off everyone who was upset about finals - for the seniors this is first time they haven't made finals. She has offered to work with anyone all year on marching basics (only a few who took her up on it) and these kids didn't see what the big deal was. What on earth has happened to work ethic and doing your best because it affects the group and not just you?

That's really sad that the kids took that attitude. Your band has been to STL enough to know to make adjustments to the hash marks. Most band that need to put tape down to create the hash marks they need. This was probably one of the most competitive fields I've seen at BOA. 15th is still very good especially when you consider the 1st place band is a many times over National Champion band and the next 5 bands after that are all ranked in the top in the nation.

 

[Monykalyn]

That's really sad that the kids took that attitude. Your band has been to STL enough to know to make adjustments to the hash marks. Most band that need to put tape down to create the hash marks they need. This was probably one of the most competitive fields I've seen at BOA. 15th is still very good especially when you consider the 1st place band is a many times over National Champion band and the next 5 bands after that are all ranked in the top in the nation.

Yeah, not sure if it is more frustrating knowing how close they were lol! But a learning experience all the same. And the bands we saw at the other competitions seem to get better every year! Some of these high school bands really can rival college shows.

This season was also a growing experience for my daughter- she usually does not speak up about things like this just suffers in silence. So when she noticed these people struggling in band camps, and some just blowing things off, is when she decided she could offer to help get the marching part down. My mantra is "can't complain unless willing to help change".

 

[Happy Snowman]

Yeah, not sure if it is more frustrating knowing how close they were lol! But a learning experience all the same. And the bands we saw at the other competitions seem to get better every year! Some of these high school bands really can rival college shows.

This season was also a growing experience for my daughter- she usually does not speak up about things like this just suffers in silence. So when she noticed these people struggling in band camps, and some just blowing things off, is when she decided she could offer to help get the marching part down. My mantra is "can't complain unless willing to help change".

Outside of a few college programs, most of the high school bands that make finals at a BOA event will march better than a college band. It's just a different focus at that level and the marching isn't usually very clean .

 

[marcyinPA]

Our last football game is Saturday. It's the big one- the rival game. Our band always goes over the top on that half time show. Past shows have included sky divers and fireworks. It is always pretty amazing.

This will be a busy week getting ready. My DS is a drummer and they have drum sectionals every night this week for two hours. We have a special guest who is working with our drum line this year. I've mentioned before that our band is patterned after the Coldstream Guard. We have a member of the Queen's Royal Marines who has been flying over and mentoring our drummers. It's been a fantastic experience.

We have a band parent meeting in two weeks and two big announcements are supposed to take place. I am thinking they will announce the next trip(s). The rumor is Disney next year and Hawaii in November of 2016 for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. We were invited to the 70th anniversary- my oldest was on that trip. Can't wait to find out if my youngest will have the same experience! If rumors are true- I need to cut back and start saving NOW. haha.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This past week was a hard one for our marching band. The band had a death in two different families. Almost the entire band went to a viewing (in uniform) before their football game last Friday.

They asked to go last at the USBands State Championships, so students could go to a funeral mass. They came in 2nd place in their division, a half point behind first place. The kids got back to their school at 12:30AM Sunday morning. Sunday, the band marching in a Halloween parade.

Friday is our last game of the year. The football team is 8-1, but due to our strength of schedule, this is a must win game for us to make the state playoffs. There was talk about the band doing a Halloween show on Friday instead of their normal field show. Not sure if that's going to happen.

 

[marcyinPA]

This past week was a hard one for our marching band. The band had a death in two different families. Almost the entire band went to a viewing (in uniform) before their football game last Friday. They asked to go last at the USBands State Championships, so students could go to a funeral mass. They came in 2nd place in their division, a half point behind first place. The kids got back to their school at 12:30AM Sunday morning. Sunday, the band marching in a Halloween parade. Friday is our last game of the year. The football team is 8-1, but due to our strength of schedule, this is a must win game for us to make the state playoffs. There was talk about the band doing a Halloween show on Friday instead of their normal field show. Not sure if that's going to happen.

I heard about the tragedies in your band. Two of my girls in my small group at church go to your HS. We prayed for those families on Sunday night at youth group.

I saw the band in the parade on Sunday. They looked great. We sit close to the TV station so we got to see them dance. Always fun! As you know, our band wouldn't be able to pull that kind of thing off. Doesn't fit the style of our band. As much as I love our band, I can appreciate that more showy style too

 

[Katy Belle]

This past week was a hard one for our marching band. The band had a death in two different families. Almost the entire band went to a viewing (in uniform) before their football game last Friday.

They asked to go last at the USBands State Championships, so students could go to a funeral mass. They came in 2nd place in their division, a half point behind first place. The kids got back to their school at 12:30AM Sunday morning. Sunday, the band marching in a Halloween parade.

Friday is our last game of the year. The football team is 8-1, but due to our strength of schedule, this is a must win game for us to make the state playoffs. There was talk about the band doing a Halloween show on Friday instead of their normal field show. Not sure if that's going to happen.

So sorry about the loss in your Band Family.

We have a contest tomorrow. This one is different than the rest of our contests. No preliminaries and Finals, we just get a number grade. Shorter day! And our State Contest is Saturday. Two home football games, and that is pretty much the end! There are a couple of parades, and the Band Banquet! I'm ready for a break, but I know I will miss it!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Friday is are last home game. The kids are marching in costume and my child is going to be stitch. Then we leave Saturday morning at 3am for Annapolis MD. Might have two shows if they make it into the 2nd set. We think we are in the playoffs so who knows how many games they have.

 

[m&m's mom]

I have 2 kids in band this year. We have, once again, been warned within an inch of our lives not to discuss, or post, or breathe a word or picture- or anything else for that matter about the band.
Sooo I wish I could participate because we historically do very good in state competitions, and it's our state year.
Wish everyone good luck with their competitions this year.

Now that marching season is over I can share that my daughters ( the "M&M's" in mom's mom ) band won state UIL championship in 6A in Texas.
It was exciting and a great culmination of a lot of hard work at a lot of kids, parents and school directors.

 

[momof1princess]

Marching season ended for us on October 30th. Our football team didn't make playoffs; so, aside from a couple of Christmas parades, we're done until next fall (DD17's senior year).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I saw the band in the parade on Sunday. They looked great. We sit close to the TV station so we got to see them dance.

We do the same thing.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

So sorry about the loss in your Band Family.

I heard about the tragedies in your band. Two of my girls in my small group at church go to your HS. We prayed for those families on Sunday night at youth group.

Thank you.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our football team did win last week and advanced to the playoffs. First round of the playoffs was last night against our next-town over rivals and we won!

The marching band was really into the game for two reasons. For the most part, they really do like the football team. Secondly, USBands National Championship is next week. Our band performs at noon, and the awards do not start until 12:30am! If we didn't have a playoff game, the band was going to stay the entire evening to wait for the awards. Since the football team won, the band will leave after they perform to get back home and play at the playoff game.

 

[MouseLover]

Our season ended Friday. Marching band is over for my senior daughter. I'm not sure what she will do now since she eats/breathes/sleeps marching band. I am relieved but mostly sad at the same time.

On to concert band!

 

[Happy Snowman]

Our season ended Friday. Marching band is over for my senior daughter. I'm not sure what she will do now since she eats/breathes/sleeps marching band. I am relieved but mostly sad at the same time.

On to concert band!

Is she planning on marching in college?

 

[MouseLover]

She would like to. She's undecided on whether to go to local college which doesn't have a marching band or move away.