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Post by jeremiah on Mar 22, 2020 13:49:59 GMT -6
This new Texas-centric circuit is going to be having four "regional" championships and a "national" championship. Not quite sure what type of band this circuit will draw, but Claudia Taylor was previously listed on their website as competing, but seems to have since backed out. The new Hays ISD school Moe & Gene Johnson has both the regional and national contest in San Antonio on their schedule.
The circuit's San Antonio Regional falls a week after BOA's Austin Regional and their Houston Regional falls one week after BOA's Houston Regional, so those two regions are relatively conflict-free. However the two events in the Dallas area are the same weekend as the HEB Marching Contest and BOA Dallas Regional in Bedford.
Oct. 3 San Antonio — Venue TBA Dallas/Fort Worth — C.H. Collins Stadium (Denton ISD)
Oct. 10 Dallas/Fort Worth — Vernon Newsom Stadium (Mansfield ISD) Houston — University of Houston
Nov. 7 San Antonio — Alamodome
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Post by cinnamonpromenade on Mar 22, 2020 17:47:30 GMT -6
Interesting... It looks like Director's Choice is a travel consultancy for music ensembles: www.directorschoice.com/why-directors-choiceSo this feels like an event series created to make money for this travel agency. The judges they've solicited thus far (a couple Texas band directors) are by no means unqualified, but it feels more like an experience-centric than education- or competition-centric endeavor.
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Mar 22, 2020 19:41:56 GMT -6
This is interesting. Mayyyybe even a bit risky? The Texas heavy hitters seem to have their schedules pretty well established between BOA and UIL/non-BOA shows so I would maybe be a bit surprised if very many big names participate in this. But it could end up being good for some of the Texas groups who don't do well in BOA or don't do BOA at all.
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Post by thewho on Mar 22, 2020 20:42:34 GMT -6
This is interesting. Mayyyybe even a bit risky? The Texas heavy hitters seem to have their schedules pretty well established between BOA and UIL/non-BOA shows so I would maybe be a bit surprised if very many big names participate in this. But it could end up being good for some of the Texas groups who don't do well in BOA or don't do BOA at all. I believe that was the intention of the circuit. I think the circuit is catering mostly to military-style bands, not something like BOA. Don't quote me on this because I don't remember the exact details, but I believe that's the gist of it.
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Post by principalagent on Mar 23, 2020 18:22:04 GMT -6
This is interesting. Mayyyybe even a bit risky? The Texas heavy hitters seem to have their schedules pretty well established between BOA and UIL/non-BOA shows so I would maybe be a bit surprised if very many big names participate in this. But it could end up being good for some of the Texas groups who don't do well in BOA or don't do BOA at all. I believe that was the intention of the circuit. I think the circuit is catering mostly to military-style bands, not something like BOA. Don't quote me on this because I don't remember the exact details, but I believe that's the gist of it. This is supposed to be an endeavor designed to compete with BOA using just the UIL sheets. We’ll see what happens.
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Post by marimba11 on Mar 23, 2020 18:54:32 GMT -6
I believe that was the intention of the circuit. I think the circuit is catering mostly to military-style bands, not something like BOA. Don't quote me on this because I don't remember the exact details, but I believe that's the gist of it. This is supposed to be an endeavor designed to compete with BOA using just the UIL sheets. We’ll see what happens. Lol I’m no expert, but having been around the activity for 10+ years that doesn’t seem like the way to approach this. If anyone wants to compete with boa they should do it purposefully
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Post by abtwitch on Mar 23, 2020 19:34:32 GMT -6
It already doesn't seem to be going their way since one school is doing BOA on the same day as the DC regional, Mansfield on October 10th. Funnily enough, the DC contest is at their stadium, yet they're still partial enough to BOA to participate.
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Post by abtwitch on May 3, 2020 20:10:44 GMT -6
Director's Choice website has put up participant lists once again, it's still very sparse participation as I expected.
10/3: DC San Antonio: Del Valle H.S., TX (the one from the Austin area) Johnson H.S., TX (Buda)
DC Denton: Callisburg H.S., TX Guyer H.S., TX (Host?) Memorial H.S., TX (Frisco) Rick Reedy H.S., TX Ryan H.S., TX
10/10: DC Mansfield: Denison H.S., TX Highland Park H.S., TX Lake Ridge H.S., TX Mansfield H.S., TX (Host?)
DC Houston: Shadow Creek H.S., TX
11/7: DC National Championships (San Antonio): Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX (they're back, I guess) Jack C. Hays H.S., TX Johnson H.S., TX (Buda) Mission H.S., TX Porter H.S., TX
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on May 3, 2020 20:45:13 GMT -6
DC National Championships (San Antonio): Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX (they're back, I guess) Well that's surprising. Not just that they would do it at all, but also that they would do this contest after BOA San Antonio and UIL State Championships. Seems like an anticlimactic way to end their season.
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Post by turfday on May 3, 2020 21:57:37 GMT -6
No offense to the other bands but Claudia will win that contest no doubts about unless another big band signs up which I doubt will happen I guess Claudia wants the title of "Directors Choice Grand National Champion"
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Post by turfday on May 3, 2020 21:58:46 GMT -6
Weird note their version of "Grand Nats" is in San Antonio if they pull enough strings and I mean pull a lot of strings they could somehow bring an out of stater to that contest so that's interesting
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Post by LeanderMomma on May 3, 2020 23:53:44 GMT -6
Yeah, I’m totally confused as to what this is. How can they afford to run a contest with so few participants?
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Post by Allohak on May 4, 2020 5:36:28 GMT -6
Yeah, I’m totally confused as to what this is. How can they afford to run a contest with so few participants? They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events.
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Post by srv1084 on May 4, 2020 5:53:22 GMT -6
Yeah, I’m totally confused as to what this is. How can they afford to run a contest with so few participants? They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events. Somehow this strategy worked for US Bands, which meant 12 bands were running around claiming to be "national champions" every year when the reality is that the circuit was barely able to sustain participation from five states all within five hour driving distance.
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Post by LeanderMomma on May 4, 2020 7:38:45 GMT -6
Yeah, I’m totally confused as to what this is. How can they afford to run a contest with so few participants? They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events. It looks like it’s a travel site anyway. And they’re running band competitions on the side? Bizarre. Yeah, I don’t see this one going anywhere but who knows. 🤷🏻♀️
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Post by turfday on May 4, 2020 9:57:32 GMT -6
They somehow managed to get to rent out the alamodome
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Post by Allohak on May 4, 2020 10:01:37 GMT -6
They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events. Somehow this strategy worked for US Bands, which meant 12 bands were running around claiming to be "national champions" every year when the reality is that the circuit was barely able to sustain participation from five states all within five hour driving distance. The difference there is USB was backed by an arts education organization dedicated to the part of the country in which (most of) their events were held
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Post by Samuel Culper on May 4, 2020 11:01:38 GMT -6
They somehow managed to get to rent out the alamodome Purely speculation, but I bet it is more of a reservation secured by a relatively small deposit and cancelable.
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Post by turfday on May 4, 2020 11:08:16 GMT -6
They somehow managed to get to rent out the alamodome Purely speculation, but I bet it is more of a reservation secured by a relatively small deposit and cancelable. Makes much more sense
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Post by marimba11 on May 4, 2020 15:39:07 GMT -6
Yeah, I’m totally confused as to what this is. How can they afford to run a contest with so few participants? They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events. But Norwin (for example) wasn’t really running around saying this “oh we’re the nat champion.” Then the next year they didn’t even make finals at the Indy Regional. They knew it wasn’t accurate. CTJ knows this too but they tend to like to support new shows in Texas, (they always attended the new Texas regionals these past few years).
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Post by srv1084 on May 4, 2020 19:32:45 GMT -6
They're probably banking on the "national" championship moniker getting a lot of interest. I'm willing to bet that this circuit folds before a single band takes the field at one of their events. But Norwin (for example) wasn’t really running around saying this “oh we’re the nat champion.” Then the next year they didn’t even make finals at the Indy Regional. They knew it wasn’t accurate. CTJ knows this too but they tend to like to support new shows in Texas, (they always attended the new Texas regionals these past few years). I don't think Norwin ever competed in it. To your point, I'm sure they knew better even if they did. There have been a number of bands that have won a "national championship" with US Bands and then either didn't make an easy Northeast regional or placed low in finals. The "national champion" appeal for circuits like this are for the bands that either don't know better, live in a bubble, or need the validation from something that's handed out as liberally as a participation ribbon.
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Post by secret on May 4, 2020 19:44:22 GMT -6
But Norwin (for example) wasn’t really running around saying this “oh we’re the nat champion.” Then the next year they didn’t even make finals at the Indy Regional. They knew it wasn’t accurate. CTJ knows this too but they tend to like to support new shows in Texas, (they always attended the new Texas regionals these past few years). I don't think Norwin ever competed in it. To your point, I'm sure they knew better even if they did. There have been a number of bands that have won a "national championship" with US Bands and then either didn't make an easy Northeast regional or placed low in finals. The "national champion" appeal for circuits like this are for the bands that either don't know better, live in a bubble, or need the validation from something that's handed out as liberally as a participation ribbon. Norwin and Trumbull have both won the USBands National Championship in recent history (If memory serves correctly, Norwin in 2015 & Trumbull in 2016?). I believe Trumbull in 2016 did win the North-East BOA regional, but Norwin did not in 2015. But yes, both of those bands, thanks to their involvement in the BOA circuit, were probably aware that the title of "National Champions" was a little bit of a stretch. However, they are both very, very good bands.
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Post by marimba11 on May 5, 2020 9:08:42 GMT -6
I don't think Norwin ever competed in it. To your point, I'm sure they knew better even if they did. There have been a number of bands that have won a "national championship" with US Bands and then either didn't make an easy Northeast regional or placed low in finals. The "national champion" appeal for circuits like this are for the bands that either don't know better, live in a bubble, or need the validation from something that's handed out as liberally as a participation ribbon. And I’m supposed to believe that there’s not any disrespect shown to small bands here? Please. Just let us kids at small schools have our band and enjoy what it is. If the National championship title validates the kids, just let them have it. As we’ve discussed on other threads, BOA is obviously where the best bands go, but there is so much more out there that is more about the experience than competition. And when there’s 20+ bands in a USBands class at a show, I wouldn’t say that getting first is a “participation ribbon” No need to blow this out of proportion. BOA is about the student experience and learning to be competitive healthily. Much more too but those are at the forefront of this conversation. If Norwin is going to US bands just for a trophy than that is wrong (yet this plagues so much of our activity). But I highly doubt Norwin was. It’s easy to get to NYC and I’m sure it was a fun experience for their students. Also the small school argument is extremely false. Look at Marian, Tarpon, even Farmington out in Utah this past year. I don’t buy it. It might be easier with big bands but nothing is impossible.
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Post by paddy on May 5, 2020 11:26:20 GMT -6
And I’m supposed to believe that there’s not any disrespect shown to small bands here? Please. Just let us kids at small schools have our band and enjoy what it is. If the National championship title validates the kids, just let them have it. As we’ve discussed on other threads, BOA is obviously where the best bands go, but there is so much more out there that is more about the experience than competition. And when there’s 20+ bands in a USBands class at a show, I wouldn’t say that getting first is a “participation ribbon” No need to blow this out of proportion. BOA is about the student experience and learning to be competitive in a healthily. Much more too but those are at the forefront of this conversation. If Norwin is going to US bands just for a trophy than that is wrong (yet this plagues so much of our activity). But I highly doubt Norwin was. It’s easy to get to NYC and I’m sure it was a fun experience for their students. Also the small school argument is extremely false. Look at Marian, Tarpon, even Farmington out in Utah this past year. I don’t buy it. It might be easier with big bands but nothing is impossible. I don't know anything about Farmington, but Marian Catholic and Tarpon have some advantages over other AA schools like Camdenton, North Hardin, etc that let them compete with the AAAA schools.
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Post by turfday on May 5, 2020 11:47:14 GMT -6
North Hardin is a strong consistent National bubble band
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Post by paddy on May 5, 2020 11:59:07 GMT -6
North Hardin is a strong consistent National bubble band Yes and MC and Tarpon have been consistent top of finals in the conversation for the Eagle type bands. Of course MC less so recently. And that doesn't invalidate my statement that they enjoy advantages that North Hardin doesn't.
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Post by marimba11 on May 5, 2020 12:14:02 GMT -6
All above is true. Yet my point stands. If a bands wants it bad enough anything is possible. All it takes is community involvement, director ambition, ect. Yes I admit Tarpon and MC have advantages other smaller schools don’t have, but like I said nothing is impossible.
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Post by srv1084 on May 5, 2020 13:40:46 GMT -6
And I’m supposed to believe that there’s not any disrespect shown to small bands here? Please. Just let us kids at small schools have our band and enjoy what it is. If the National championship title validates the kids, just let them have it. As we’ve discussed on other threads, BOA is obviously where the best bands go, but there is so much more out there that is more about the experience than competition. And when there’s 20+ bands in a USBands class at a show, I wouldn’t say that getting first is a “participation ribbon” Disrespect to the bands? No. I participated in one of the "small schools" you mention. Disrespect to the circuit for misleading level of achievement, all while providing some of the most questionable (and on many occasions, unqualified) adjudication imaginable? If you want to call it that, absolutely. I wouldn't be surprised if that circuit disappears eventually. I like the fact that bands of all sizes have an opportunity, but there is such a thing as going overboard. Even having participated in the circuit, my opinion is unchanged. The name of "national" champion is absurd when the large majority of participants at the event come from a roughly 200 mile radius. If validation for the kids comes from the fact that they chose to use that title, we have another problem altogether. I don't know anything about Farmington, but Marian Catholic and Tarpon have some advantages over other AA schools like Camdenton, North Hardin, etc that let them compete with the AAAA schools. Tarpon absolutely, but I'd say Marian has always done more with less, both in terms of staff and lack of feeder programs.
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Post by paddy on May 5, 2020 13:54:05 GMT -6
I don't know anything about Farmington, but Marian Catholic and Tarpon have some advantages over other AA schools like Camdenton, North Hardin, etc that let them compete with the AAAA schools. Tarpon absolutely, but I'd say Marian has always done more with less, both in terms of staff and lack of feeder programs. MC, being a private school, typically will have a higher level of parental support and student buy-in. Also, advantages aren't always resources and MC benefits from the fact that they established their "street cred" in the activity at time when it wasn't quite as competitive. Doesn't mean they aren't good, or didn't deserve the accolades, but momentum matters.
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