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Post by LeanderMomma on Dec 5, 2023 22:05:47 GMT -6
I’m just not at all convinced that there is any sort of effort in Texas to change the current marching band/guard trend other than the fact UIL focuses far more strongly on music than they do just about any other aspect of a show. Also, I don’t think the RR director was doing anything with his short sighted (and short lived) effort to change the auxiliary unit there from guard to dance other than an making an effort to be more like the current best marching band in the state of Texas. I know that having state every year will indeed change the focus of some of the bands in Texas, but I don’t think color guard is going anywhere. I am sad however, that UIL has made this change to having state every year so that bands can no longer swap their focus every other year to favor BOA or UIL, and I do think it’s going to negatively affect how Texas bands do overall at BOA competitions outside the state. Interesting subject for sure! I just want to see Texas bands keep performing they way the have in the past. That 2019 Leander show had effect. It was not just that they played so incredibly well and had some killer soloists, but they made a connection to the audience and it was awesome. You felt the music, especially their rendition of Benedictus. Wow. I just don't want to see these amazing Texas bands lose that, it would be a shame. good point. And I definitely agree that we are often seeing a different style of show in Texas than we did just a few short years ago. |
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charredbrown
Senior Member
Morton Alum, currently teaching band at Lutheran North High School in MI
Posts: 87
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Post by charredbrown on Dec 11, 2023 9:40:44 GMT -6
In my opinion, the single easiest thing you can do to increase the depth and effectiveness of your visual communication is to invest capital in the guard program. I don’t know why so many groups miss the ball on this. This this this this this 1000x THIS. It's what held back my alma mater when I was in school and, though now much improved, is still a weaker part of the program. Guard is integral to the visual appeal of your show regardless of whether or not it has its own dedicated caption. Also, imo, regardless of artistry on either side, it's unfair to judge a dance team and a color guard using the same rubric. One is just objectively more difficult and has a higher degree of margin for error - not to mention how much easier it is to spot an out-of-time flag than an out-of-time dancer. A good guard has both technical skills on the equipment and artistry in movement and dance, while a good dance team by design can only have the latter. They are literally incomparable, and ngl I've had a problem with this since Vandy came on the scene. Glad it's finally being hashed-out on here. |
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Post by LeanderMomma on Dec 13, 2023 2:30:42 GMT -6
In my opinion, the single easiest thing you can do to increase the depth and effectiveness of your visual communication is to invest capital in the guard program. I don’t know why so many groups miss the ball on this. This this this this this 1000x THIS. It's what held back my alma mater when I was in school and, though now much improved, is still a weaker part of the program. Guard is integral to the visual appeal of your show regardless of whether or not it has its own dedicated caption. Also, imo, regardless of artistry on either side, it's unfair to judge a dance team and a color guard using the same rubric. One is just objectively more difficult and has a higher degree of margin for error - not to mention how much easier it is to spot an out-of-time flag than an out-of-time dancer. A good guard has both technical skills on the equipment and artistry in movement and dance, while a good dance team by design can only have the latter. They are literally incomparable, and ngl I've had a problem with this since Vandy came on the scene. Glad it's finally being hashed-out on here. I’m still more than a little confused as to how Vandegrift took the auxiliary caption at Texas Marching Classic without a guard but I can appreciate how good the design and talent of the dance team was. |
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