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Post by rickyrosay on Sept 27, 2023 6:54:00 GMT -6
Is there a correlation to a competitive state circuit and the overall quality of groups in a state? Or like most things is it more complicated than that?
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Post by philodemus on Sept 27, 2023 7:44:38 GMT -6
Is there a correlation to a competitive state circuit and the overall quality of groups in a state? Or like most things is it more complicated than that? Correlation does not equal causation. But… I think there’s a correlation.
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 27, 2023 7:44:57 GMT -6
Is there a correlation to a competitive state circuit and the overall quality of groups in a state? Or like most things is it more complicated than that? I’m sure there’s a correlation, but it isn’t absolute. Nebraska has a state circuit, but you won’t see too many bands compete outside the state that aren’t the Bellevue and Millard districts. On the other hand, Illinois has multiple finalist and semifinalist level bands, but doesn’t have a solidified state circuit. Missouri only recently got one despite having multiple semifinalist level bands because St. Louis has been viewed as the ultimate contest for many of the groups. It’s more circumstantial than anything.
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Post by hewhowaits on Sept 27, 2023 8:10:46 GMT -6
The strongest correlation isn't at the top end of band quality. It is in the depth of strong programs across all school/band sizes.
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Post by philodemus on Sept 27, 2023 8:24:58 GMT -6
The strongest correlation isn't at the top end of band quality. It is in the depth of strong programs across all school/band sizes. Well said! For me, the example is Illinois vs Kentucky. We have nothing to match Illinois top programs, but the average competitive Kentucky band is better than the average competitive Illinois band… In my opinion. I also think a state circuit is the reason for our excellent small school bands: they have a playground to flourish in and experience success.
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Sept 27, 2023 19:33:36 GMT -6
The strongest correlation isn't at the top end of band quality. It is in the depth of strong programs across all school/band sizes. Well said! For me, the example is Illinois vs Kentucky. We have nothing to match Illinois top programs, but the average competitive Kentucky band is better than the average competitive Illinois band… In my opinion. I also think a state circuit is the reason for our excellent small school bands: they have a playground to flourish in and experience success. Kentucky has definitely built a system that is great at cultivating successful small school programs. I feel like a similar system could be very beneficial here in NC but we'll have an official state championship when pigs fly over a frozen hell. Or at least not until some of these ancient directors who are allergic to competitive band finally retire.
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Post by srv1084 on Sept 30, 2023 15:48:09 GMT -6
I'm assuming everything east of Ohio is some sort of USbands? Genuinely curious! I'm nerding out. But USBands was one of the most popular circuits here in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that has provide a state championship but there are some state creating their own circuit due to not liking USBands system over the years. - Thanks to srv1084 with his beautifully written history on EMBC and CT, and I suggest everyone read it. It's amazing. hornrank.proboards.com/post/59685 . Here. EMBC did provide a Connecticut States until more outside band started competing, so they moved to championing each state. Same as USBands providing a New England State that champions each band from different state in each Group/Class. So for Rhode Island, Maine if Westbrook HS comes and Connecticut it's their only State performance.
- Massachusetts has MICCA Festival state finals which I don't know that much, but they use a star rating system.
- New York has New York State Field Band Conference, but USBands also does provide a States that mainly pull Long Island bands. However, USBands NY States is nowhere near the size as NYSFBC.
- The Tournament of Bands circuit provided Maryland their first States in the late 1980s which exploded in participants in the 90s until TOB stopped in 2003 as USSBA Maryland States grew in power. In 2019 many MD directors was tired of non Mayland circuits having such a hold in Maryland and decided to make the MMBA (Maryland Marching Band Association) to provide their unified championships.
- Tournament of Bands I believe is the only circuit that has a Delaware States Championships that's usually paired up with Maryland since the Delaware competitive band scene is getting smaller and smaller every decade.
However, New Jersey did have their own State Championships provided by NJMEA which was popular in 60s to 80s which Hammonton HS dominated for a portion of a time, but slowly decrease in bands over time unfortunately I don't know why, so NJMEA moved on to focus on a huge festival/showband bands participant in the fall, and in the spring jazz/concert/symphonic bands. But many organizations have held a NJ State Championships like Cavalcade of Bands in 2021, USBands in 2002, and Tournament of Bands in 2011. USSBA being the most popular that had to most bands competing with 100+ bands, which was the most successful out all of the USBands State Championships. We even had out of state bands compete for example Baldwinsville Central (NY) who got last place in 2013 and more, but in 2020 a bunch New Jersey band directors decided to design NJMBDA State Championships that's now the only New Jersey State-based circuit which isn't helping USBands NJ States numbers. That's all correct on EMBA (and thank you for the shout out!). Musical Arts Conference replaced them until the mid-late 2010s as the CT state circuit, but now USBands is all they have in CT. Maine does have MBDA, but it's all festival ratings starting in the 2000s like MA's MICCA circuit, so there's no real winner. MA is divided between USBands and NESBA, Maine bands really only dip into NESBA (occasionally USBands, but less frequently now). NH and Rhode Island really only have NESBA and USBands as options.
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Post by scbanddad on Oct 11, 2023 14:03:13 GMT -6
South Carolina has had a state championship circuit since at least the 70s if not longer. There are 5 different classes with something close to 150 high schools that participate. While state circuits can include a lot of politics and drama, ultimately judges are brought from around the country now and the healthy part of instate competition definitely breeds success. At the end of the day I wish more states had them. Surprisingly, SCBDA has a great page with all the historical champions. www.bandlink.org/marching/scbda-marching-champions/
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Post by dbbandalum on Oct 11, 2023 17:38:38 GMT -6
South Carolina has had a state championship circuit since at least the 70s if not longer. There are 5 different classes with something close to 150 high schools that participate. While state circuits can include a lot of politics and drama, ultimately judges are brought from around the country now and the healthy part of instate competition definitely breeds success. At the end of the day I wish more states had them. Surprisingly, SCBDA has a great page with all the historical champions. www.bandlink.org/marching/scbda-marching-champions/This is the first circuit I've seen that goes all the way to the fifties. Most ones I've seen usually started around the late 60s
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 11, 2023 18:59:37 GMT -6
South Carolina has had a state championship circuit since at least the 70s if not longer. There are 5 different classes with something close to 150 high schools that participate. While state circuits can include a lot of politics and drama, ultimately judges are brought from around the country now and the healthy part of instate competition definitely breeds success. At the end of the day I wish more states had them. Surprisingly, SCBDA has a great page with all the historical champions. www.bandlink.org/marching/scbda-marching-champions/They do a great job!
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Post by 4score on Oct 22, 2023 21:49:28 GMT -6
Colorado has Colorado Bandmasters Association which runs sanctioned shows and a regional and state system. I believe they’ve been hosting marching shows for 40 or so years.
Ascend performing arts (Blue Knights) host the friendship cup shows, but they pull more developing groups. Some districts even do their own marching shows that aren’t CBA affiliated.
Overall it works pretty well. I don’t have the solutions nor the power to fix the things I don’t love about CBA so I try not to complain…too much!
State for 4A/5A is this weekend and I’m excited.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 23, 2023 7:59:52 GMT -6
The SC 5A state championship this year could be more competitive than usual but there’s a caveat here…Wando will run away with it as usual, but the fight for 2-4 could be more interesting than it’s been in a while. With Byrnes coming in less than hot this year, Clover and Summerville could really make some noise. I think Clover can really challenge the 10 or 11 straight Upper State titles streak Byrnes is currently on. Both Stratford and Blythewood could make big strides as well. Wando will score a 97. The next three could all be 92-93.
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Post by kdivine on Oct 23, 2023 15:00:52 GMT -6
In Minnesota, state championships are part of Youth in Music, held in early October at USBank Stadium. YIM is not limited to MN bands though. Bands from WI, IA, MO and the Dakota's also join in. Minnesota also has a marching season that's short because there's only eight football games in the regular season, MEA convention/fall break in midOct, and a fairly good chance the weather is going to start plotting your demise after Halloween.
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 23, 2023 16:43:14 GMT -6
The SC 5A state championship this year could be more competitive than usual but there’s a caveat here…Wando will run away with it as usual, but the fight for 2-4 could be more interesting than it’s been in a while. With Byrnes coming in less than hot this year, Clover and Summerville could really make some noise. I think Clover can really challenge the 10 or 11 straight Upper State titles streak Byrnes is currently on. Both Stratford and Blythewood could make big strides as well. Wando will score a 97. The next three could all be 92-93. Could be. Clover has a few more shots at it before they split. I really liked the clover show and honestly thought they might do better than they did at Conway. I think with the right panel they could come close to Byrnes but not sure right at this moment. Clover's show still seems like slightly trite and maybe not as refined from a staging perspective than Byrnes or certainly Wando. But musically Clover can certainly hang with 2-4, and watch out if one of those judges has a percussion background. Summerville always does better at that state than they should IMO but maybe after so many seasons of doing it this way maybe they can just pace their season to perfectly perform at 5A state. I was less than impressed with them last year and was honestly shocked Clover didn't beat them. But they were certainly better than Fort Mill.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 23, 2023 17:26:56 GMT -6
The SC 5A state championship this year could be more competitive than usual but there’s a caveat here…Wando will run away with it as usual, but the fight for 2-4 could be more interesting than it’s been in a while. With Byrnes coming in less than hot this year, Clover and Summerville could really make some noise. I think Clover can really challenge the 10 or 11 straight Upper State titles streak Byrnes is currently on. Both Stratford and Blythewood could make big strides as well. Wando will score a 97. The next three could all be 92-93. Could be. Clover has a few more shots at it before they split. I really liked the clover show and honestly thought they might do better than they did at Conway. I think with the right panel they could come close to Byrnes but not sure right at this moment. Clover's show still seems like slightly trite and maybe not as refined from a staging perspective than Byrnes or certainly Wando. But musically Clover can certainly hang with 2-4, and watch out if one of those judges has a percussion background. Summerville always does better at that state than they should IMO but maybe after so many seasons of doing it this way maybe they can just pace their season to perfectly perform at 5A state. I was less than impressed with them last year and was honestly shocked Clover didn't beat them. But they were certainly better than Fort Mill. Last year is a can of worms I struggle with to this day. It’s no secret in these parts that I loathe state side scoring and judges. I will never be over last year’s state finals and the scoring travesty that took place. A “phoned in” Wando show that still scored 2+ points higher than Byrnes will never sit right with me. In no universe should Wando have swept captions last year. Visually in particular. Should Wando have won? Maybe. But not by 2+. Truthfully though, out of all the 5A years, Byrnes should have scored the victory. Everyone in the stands not wearing a Wando shirt knew it. The shock was plainly obvious. But state side scoring is a different subjective animal. Clover was also, very clearly, a third place show. But Summerville got the nod. Until I die I will never understand the 2022 5A state championship. The score sheets are the absolute wonkiest I have ever seen. I have them saved as a memento of the year that subjectivity went off the rails. Okay…sorry for the grief dump. Mods...I realize this post would possibly be better served in the South Carolina/SCBDA 2023 thread - please move it if you prefer it be there.
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Post by es203 on Oct 24, 2023 23:09:35 GMT -6
Could be. Clover has a few more shots at it before they split. I really liked the clover show and honestly thought they might do better than they did at Conway. I think with the right panel they could come close to Byrnes but not sure right at this moment. Clover's show still seems like slightly trite and maybe not as refined from a staging perspective than Byrnes or certainly Wando. But musically Clover can certainly hang with 2-4, and watch out if one of those judges has a percussion background. Summerville always does better at that state than they should IMO but maybe after so many seasons of doing it this way maybe they can just pace their season to perfectly perform at 5A state. I was less than impressed with them last year and was honestly shocked Clover didn't beat them. But they were certainly better than Fort Mill. Last year is a can of worms I struggle with to this day. It’s no secret in these parts that I loathe state side scoring and judges. I will never be over last year’s state finals and the scoring travesty that took place. A “phoned in” Wando show that still scored 2+ points higher than Byrnes will never sit right with me. In no universe should Wando have swept captions last year. Visually in particular. Should Wando have won? Maybe. But not by 2+. Truthfully though, out of all the 5A years, Byrnes should have scored the victory. Everyone in the stands not wearing a Wando shirt knew it. The shock was plainly obvious. But state side scoring is a different subjective animal. Clover was also, very clearly, a third place show. But Summerville got the nod. Until I die I will never understand the 2022 5A state championship. The score sheets are the absolute wonkiest I have ever seen. I have them saved as a memento of the year that subjectivity went off the rails. Okay…sorry for the grief dump. Mods...I realize this post would possibly be better served in the South Carolina/SCBDA 2023 thread - please move it if you prefer it be there. Yeah, in no way do I believe that Byrnes (who was 2 spots away from GN finals) was that far behind Wando. In BOA scoring they would've been much closer. Judging at 5A state is weird...
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Post by antroot on Oct 25, 2023 1:57:27 GMT -6
Washington and Oregon do not have state circuit championships. However,
- Washington does have a competition in Mead claimed as the 'Pacific Northwest Marching Band Championships', but it tends to be in the middle of the season, and is really just treated just a mid season competition, not championships.
- WSU Championships and the Puget Sound Festival of Bands are typically end of season competitions in the state of Washington and are sometimes unofficially considered the state championship competition depending on when they're held.
- The NWAPA (Northwest Association for Performing Arts) circuit oversees a number of competitions in Washington and Oregon, with the final competition occurring at the University of Oregon, simply called NWAPA Championships, so that competition can be considered the regional championships for Washington and Oregon. It hosts about 30+ bands a year.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 25, 2023 6:40:26 GMT -6
Last year is a can of worms I struggle with to this day. It’s no secret in these parts that I loathe state side scoring and judges. I will never be over last year’s state finals and the scoring travesty that took place. A “phoned in” Wando show that still scored 2+ points higher than Byrnes will never sit right with me. In no universe should Wando have swept captions last year. Visually in particular. Should Wando have won? Maybe. But not by 2+. Truthfully though, out of all the 5A years, Byrnes should have scored the victory. Everyone in the stands not wearing a Wando shirt knew it. The shock was plainly obvious. But state side scoring is a different subjective animal. Clover was also, very clearly, a third place show. But Summerville got the nod. Until I die I will never understand the 2022 5A state championship. The score sheets are the absolute wonkiest I have ever seen. I have them saved as a memento of the year that subjectivity went off the rails. Okay…sorry for the grief dump. Mods...I realize this post would possibly be better served in the South Carolina/SCBDA 2023 thread - please move it if you prefer it be there. Yeah, in no way do I believe that Byrnes (who was 2 spots away from GN finals) was that far behind Wando. In BOA scoring they would've been much closer. Judging at 5A state is weird... Yeah it’s weird and a lot of times just plain wrong. But I feel like that’s a common thing throughout state championships across the country. I assume it’s a difference in judge training (BOA verses high school teacher, etc) but it’s terrible. State side scoring is just so unpredictable. Like last year, Hebron beating Vandy in SA and then losing the UIL a week later. Maybe others saw it coming but I definitely did not.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 29, 2023 10:09:56 GMT -6
Just look at SC 4A. Case in point.
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Post by rickyrosay on Oct 30, 2023 8:01:37 GMT -6
Yeah, in no way do I believe that Byrnes (who was 2 spots away from GN finals) was that far behind Wando. In BOA scoring they would've been much closer. Judging at 5A state is weird... Yeah it’s weird and a lot of times just plain wrong. But I feel like that’s a common thing throughout state championships across the country. I assume it’s a difference in judge training (BOA verses high school teacher, etc) but it’s terrible. State side scoring is just so unpredictable. Like last year, Hebron beating Vandy in SA and then losing the UIL a week later. Maybe others saw it coming but I definitely did not. This is interesting, what sheets are used in SC? Are they BOA? Where are the judges usually compiled from?
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 30, 2023 17:35:28 GMT -6
Yeah it’s weird and a lot of times just plain wrong. But I feel like that’s a common thing throughout state championships across the country. I assume it’s a difference in judge training (BOA verses high school teacher, etc) but it’s terrible. State side scoring is just so unpredictable. Like last year, Hebron beating Vandy in SA and then losing the UIL a week later. Maybe others saw it coming but I definitely did not. This is interesting, what sheets are used in SC? Are they BOA? Where are the judges usually compiled from? The sheets are still CompetitionSuite but the judges are not typically BOA caliber. They are music educators but in many cases lack the training of a BOA judge. They are often music teachers or band directors from other schools. Hence the reason why a band will score an 85 at BOA and a 95 the very next week at a state competition. State biases play a much bigger role as well outside of BOA’s.
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Post by es203 on Oct 30, 2023 17:57:08 GMT -6
Yeah it’s weird and a lot of times just plain wrong. But I feel like that’s a common thing throughout state championships across the country. I assume it’s a difference in judge training (BOA verses high school teacher, etc) but it’s terrible. State side scoring is just so unpredictable. Like last year, Hebron beating Vandy in SA and then losing the UIL a week later. Maybe others saw it coming but I definitely did not. This is interesting, what sheets are used in SC? Are they BOA? Where are the judges usually compiled from? The sheets are similar to DCI, 30% music 30% visual 40% GE.
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 30, 2023 19:51:58 GMT -6
Could be. Clover has a few more shots at it before they split. I really liked the clover show and honestly thought they might do better than they did at Conway. I think with the right panel they could come close to Byrnes but not sure right at this moment. Clover's show still seems like slightly trite and maybe not as refined from a staging perspective than Byrnes or certainly Wando. But musically Clover can certainly hang with 2-4, and watch out if one of those judges has a percussion background. Summerville always does better at that state than they should IMO but maybe after so many seasons of doing it this way maybe they can just pace their season to perfectly perform at 5A state. I was less than impressed with them last year and was honestly shocked Clover didn't beat them. But they were certainly better than Fort Mill. Last year is a can of worms I struggle with to this day. It’s no secret in these parts that I loathe state side scoring and judges. I will never be over last year’s state finals and the scoring travesty that took place. A “phoned in” Wando show that still scored 2+ points higher than Byrnes will never sit right with me. In no universe should Wando have swept captions last year. Visually in particular. Should Wando have won? Maybe. But not by 2+. Truthfully though, out of all the 5A years, Byrnes should have scored the victory. Everyone in the stands not wearing a Wando shirt knew it. The shock was plainly obvious. But state side scoring is a different subjective animal. Clover was also, very clearly, a third place show. But Summerville got the nod. Until I die I will never understand the 2022 5A state championship. The score sheets are the absolute wonkiest I have ever seen. I have them saved as a memento of the year that subjectivity went off the rails. Okay…sorry for the grief dump. Mods...I realize this post would possibly be better served in the South Carolina/SCBDA 2023 thread - please move it if you prefer it be there. I agree I thought this was odd too that Wando was 2 points better. Especially considering Byrnes was 14th… would Wando have honestly made finals with that show at GN?? I really don’t know. I agree at least a caption or two should have been traded Summerville always does better than they should at 5A, such is life 🤣
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 31, 2023 6:50:08 GMT -6
Last year is a can of worms I struggle with to this day. It’s no secret in these parts that I loathe state side scoring and judges. I will never be over last year’s state finals and the scoring travesty that took place. A “phoned in” Wando show that still scored 2+ points higher than Byrnes will never sit right with me. In no universe should Wando have swept captions last year. Visually in particular. Should Wando have won? Maybe. But not by 2+. Truthfully though, out of all the 5A years, Byrnes should have scored the victory. Everyone in the stands not wearing a Wando shirt knew it. The shock was plainly obvious. But state side scoring is a different subjective animal. Clover was also, very clearly, a third place show. But Summerville got the nod. Until I die I will never understand the 2022 5A state championship. The score sheets are the absolute wonkiest I have ever seen. I have them saved as a memento of the year that subjectivity went off the rails. Okay…sorry for the grief dump. Mods...I realize this post would possibly be better served in the South Carolina/SCBDA 2023 thread - please move it if you prefer it be there. I agree I thought this was odd too that Wando was 2 points better. Especially considering Byrnes was 14th… would Wando have honestly made finals with that show at GN?? I really don’t know. I agree at least a caption or two should have been traded Summerville always does better than they should at 5A, such is life 🤣 No way that Wando show would have made finals last year. The show they actually put the time and money into the year before didn’t even make finals (full disclosure though, their Cabinet of Curiosities was one of my absolute favorite shows out of all bands that year). Let’s just look at numbers for a second: 2021 - Wando’s nationals show verses the Zeppelin show from JFB. One show was designed to be competitive on a national level (Wando), one was designed to be a fun show to get students back into band after Covid (JFB). State finals scores: Wando 96.5Byrnes 94.7Great…makes sense. We’re all good. 2022 - JFB’s nationals show verses Wando’s “we’re only competing twice this year so let’s save money but still be good” show. This time it was JFB with a show designed to be competitive on a national level. It scored the highest they’ve ever scored at a BOA (Alabama). Placed 14th at GN. Wando did their show twice last year. It was a static show for the most part, and not a difficult book (Beyoncé may have been the hardest music in that show tbh). State finals scores: Wando 96.45Byrnes 94.3What the actual…? Wait…Byrnes actually scored lower than the Zeppelin show? Yes they did. But the most glaring problem is the virtual replication of the 2021 scores. State judging is out of control. There is no accountability and honestly my personal preference would be to stop going all together and just do BOA’s. Regionals are more fun, they’re run and managed light years better and the judging at least makes a little sense. And to top it off, I’m trying not to stress over the fact that Colleton County only seats about half of what Irmo did. Half the parent population could be stuck listening from outside the stadium. This crazy year just keeps providing the jokes 😐
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 31, 2023 9:28:17 GMT -6
I agree I thought this was odd too that Wando was 2 points better. Especially considering Byrnes was 14th… would Wando have honestly made finals with that show at GN?? I really don’t know. I agree at least a caption or two should have been traded Summerville always does better than they should at 5A, such is life 🤣 No way that Wando show would have made finals last year. The show they actually put the time and money into the year before didn’t even make finals (full disclosure though, their Cabinet of Curiosities was one of my absolute favorite shows out of all bands that year). Let’s just look at numbers for a second: 2021 - Wando’s nationals show verses the Zeppelin show from JFB. One show was designed to be competitive on a national level (Wando), one was designed to be a fun show to get students back into band after Covid (JFB). State finals scores: Wando 96.5Byrnes 94.7Great…makes sense. We’re all good. 2022 - JFB’s nationals show verses Wando’s “we’re only competing twice this year so let’s save money but still be good” show. This time it was JFB with a show designed to be competitive on a national level. It scored the highest they’ve ever scored at a BOA (Alabama). Placed 14th at GN. Wando did their show twice last year. It was a static show for the most part, and not a difficult book (Beyoncé may have been the hardest music in that show tbh). State finals scores: Wando 96.45Byrnes 94.3What the actual…? Wait…Byrnes actually scored lower than the Zeppelin show? Yes they did. But the most glaring problem is the virtual replication of the 2021 scores. State judging is out of control. There is no accountability and honestly my personal preference would be to stop going all together and just do BOA’s. Regionals are more fun, they’re run and managed light years better and the judging at least makes a little sense. And to top it off, I’m trying not to stress over the fact that Colleton County only seats about half of what Irmo did. Half the parent population could be stuck listening from outside the stadium. This crazy year just keeps providing the jokes 😐 I agree. “A phoned” in Wando show, that made me laugh. I really didn’t like Ascention either. I agree state judging in SC is very much regional band directors and mostly not the national names we see at BOA’s. Such as it is. Let us know how 5A goes I’m very curious. I will be at Utah this weekend
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 31, 2023 17:37:16 GMT -6
I agree. “A phoned” in Wando show, that made me laugh. I really didn’t like Ascention either. I agree state judging in SC is very much regional band directors and mostly not the national names we see at BOA’s. Such as it is. Let us know how 5A goes I’m very curious. I will be at Utah this weekend Oh you know I’ll be doing my best to keep the commentary from being “colourful” 🤣but I fully expect to be shocked and left wondering what just happened a few times over the course of the day.
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Post by oldbandguy on Nov 4, 2023 6:43:45 GMT -6
In the stands early for today’s SC 5A state championship. Both Clover and Byrnes drew first block prelims so they’ll be performing within the next two hours. This should be a tight competition for silver and bronze (Wando’s gonna Wando). But the upper state streak Byrnes has been on for the last decade is definitely up for grabs.
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Post by averageboafan on Nov 12, 2023 8:34:53 GMT -6
The only way a true state championship would be created in TN is if the TSSAA (Tennessee high school sports association) creates one. That is the only organization that could create enough pull to have all the top schools competing. The other TN circuits just don't have enough reputation. Heck I didn't even know they existed until Elizabethton started attending one of them. Elizabethton kid here (this was my senior year) but just for some history on that event, it has existed for a while now, we have won six titles there. 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2022, and 2023. Just thought I’d drop a little Etown history for ya, Lol.
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Post by bigecheeseburger on Jan 30, 2024 20:49:34 GMT -6
It's actually worse than that in Tennessee. I can think of 5 different contests that have at various points in times claimed to offer a state championship: —MTSU Contest of Champions —Memphis Bandmasters —APSU's Governor's Own Marching Contest —"Div II" State Championships (This one is especially strange because sports in Tennessee are classified as Div. 1 which is public schools or private schools that don't offer scholarships and Div. 2 is private schools that do offer scholarships, but the Div II state marching championships tends to just be smaller public school bands) —USBands TN Championships in Chattanooga which is now defunct The Division 2 championship is for the lower level bands that can’t compete with the likes of say Dobbyn’s Benett and have any chance of winning, but personally, as a student of the school, I feel Elizabethton should start moving away from it, as our fundraising and success is going higher and higher. Technically, the only reason we’re allowed to compete is because it’s for schools below like 1000 kids I think? Ours is like 600 to 800 kids, but the catch is like about quarter of the school is in band, so our band is huge compared to the others in the same division. A lot of parents complained when we won as it became “unfair”. In my opinion, they should make the Contest of Champions officially for Tennessee only as the official state competition, and maybe split it into multiple classes or so. But that’s my take on it lol
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