FROM THE BOX: SIGNS
Incarnation, three stars Delivering signs and dusting from their eyes
Editor’s Note: Thank you for following along with us this year! This is the final part of the 2022 Edition of FROM THE BOX, our Fall Wrap-Up articles, where our writers look back at the year that was and give you a little insight into their experiences over the course of the Marching Band season. If you missed the first article, There And Back Again by Hattie Bartlett, it’s available right HERE, the second article, Expect the Unexpected by Aaron Blackley, is available HERE, the third article, For the First Time by Dre Barlow, is available HERE, and the fourth edition, Crossroads by Josh Hines, is available HERE!
This has been a wild and wonderful season, full of every bit of weirdness it could cram in, while still turning out pretty much according to expectations. For as much of the chaos as we saw during the early season, the order at the end of the year turned out almost exactly as you would have expected, looking at where these programs finished last year. So let’s talk about some of the experiences that made it one to remember.
Texas Marching Classic
How do you feel?
I feel wonderful
From the mornings you ease
To the evenings you quiet
I'm always thinking of you
I'm always dreaming of youBurn for You - Barlow and Bear
Being around this activity, you hear a LOT about Texas Bands™. They’re dominant at most competitions they go to, the support from the community is more substantial than in most places outside of Texas, and they are BIG. Both in volume and sheer size. These ensembles have a powerful sense of a unified approach to the instrument, and they have similar methods at all levels of instruction, which contributes significantly to their success.
You see videos of these groups, live streams from BOA San Antonio, and occasionally in person whenever one ventures out to a local regional or Grand Nationals. These tend to be the top tier of groups, the ones that would make the UIL State competition—going there in person? That’s a whole separate ball game. There’s excellence from top to bottom. Even the groups that don’t sniff finals at a local show in Austin would be able to medal at most competitions around the country. The Texas Marching Classic isn’t just any local show.
TMC has been held consistently since 2012 and is hosted by Cedar Ridge (TX), one of the outstanding programs in the state. This year’s show featured 6 of the 14 bands who would go on to make San Antonio Finals and 9 of the top 25 overall programs at BOA San Antonio. Not a competition for the faint of heart.
I’ve been to some spectacular shows before. Nothing yet compared to this. No band I saw wouldn’t dominate at most local shows I’ve attended. Every group brought that signature approach to sound in a way that most directors around the country dream of. No matter whether I was up high or on the field, each group came out and brought something special. From Winston Churchill’s delightful Mr. Rogers show to Cedar Park (TX)’‘s superb visual training to Vandegrift’s blistering performance of Bolcom’s Machine that would go on to impress just a few judges later on in the season, every show was something to behold and had unforgettable moments.
Beyond that, it was such an authentic and lovely celebration of all things great about high school band. Every student I spoke to, fan I chatted with, or director I bumped into was delighted to be there in the presence of so much entertainment and excellence. Being able to walk around the field during retreat and seeing each of the bands intermingling with the others, getting to know new friends, or celebrating their success with old friends is just an unparalleled delight, and knowing the love that is being fostered in these students for their craft and the people working on it with them is just second to none.
BOA Orlando Regional
I'm a survivor
I'm not gon' give up
I'm not gon' stop, oh
I'm gon' work harder
I'm the survivor
I'm gonna make it
I will survive
Keep on survivin'Survivor - Destiny’s Child
Two weeks after TMC, I headed out to Orlando for what was supposed to be the second contest I attended in my home state (thanks, Ian). This is a contest and a venue I’m very familiar with, as I have had the pleasure of attending every BOA competition held here since Music for All resumed the Orlando Regional in 2018. Additionally, this was the site of my first DCI Contest, as my parents took me to the 1997 DCI Finals here when I was not even six weeks old. So this is a show that is near and dear to my heart.
Additionally, it’s a very attractive show for out-of-state bands to come to, as the weather is (generally) nice, if a little on the warm side, and the proximity to theme parks gives bands a great experience to have on top of their performance. This has led bands in the past, like Cleveland (NC), Brownsburg (IN), and famously in 2019, Broken Arrow (OK), to come down to the Sunshine State for this competition. This year’s vacationing bands included Washington (OK), Wando (SC) on a repeat trip following their appearance in 2019, and also, unexpectedly, James Bowie (TX), taking a trip to the southeast for the first time in 11 years, as they also attended the dearly departed Atlanta Super Regional in 2011.
We only get to see two of the strongest programs in the southeast at the same show once or twice a year (depending on GN cycles), so getting the chance to watch Tarpon Springs (FL) and Wando at the same show is not a privilege to be taken lightly. When you put James Bowie, a program that has contended at the highest levels in the state of Texas, in the mix, you knew going into the show that it would be a feast for eyes and ears alike. Not to mention the visual delight of watching so many of the great programs in Florida, a state known throughout the pageantry arts for their excellence in color guard.
We were treated to a fantastic show, with many excellent performances. Everything from high flying (OneWheeling?) organized chaos that is Tarpon Springs to the refinement and gorgeous sounds James Bowie brought to the table, to Wando's visual excellence (performing Beyonce of all artists!), the top groups had anything you could want. Many groups also delighted and surprised, with Class A having three schools claiming at least a share of a caption and the 3A medalists from prelims reversing the order in finals. As great as a lot of these on-field productions were, I treated myself to many of these ensembles in the Warm-Up lot, as that not only gave me a chance to reacquaint myself with people that I hadn’t gotten to see in a few years but also provided a little reminder of what that process and experience are like for those still marching. I also just love getting my face blasted off by these fantastic musicians. One highlight worth mentioning was that Wando has started to use the “End Credits from Castaway,” a well-loved piece they performed as their ballad in 2013 and 2014, as a warm-up tune. The musicality I heard from just that piece was unmatched by anything else I heard all weekend. Did it make me cry? Why yes, yes, it did.
This has quickly become one of the premiere shows in the southeast, and it makes you wonder why this show was canceled in the first place (and then you take a look at the weather reports, and it makes more sense.)
UIL State Open Marching Contest
Scared? Don't worry
We'll be there to hold your hand and guide you through this painless transition
But what's the rush?
Just relax and enjoy another hour of commercial free yourself music on 103.5 Dawn FM
Stay tunedDawn FM - The Weeknd
So, let’s go back to the subject of Texas Bands. If you’ve heard about the mystique surrounding them, you probably know that their State Marching Championships go every other year, depending on class (for now). This is for various reasons and is in the process of potentially shifting. That said, this year was a state year for classes 2A, 4A, and 6A. Texas only goes up to 6A. So, I was in for some damn good band.
Last year, bands were on the comeback from COVID, but this is the first time that most of these programs were at full operating capacity. Everyone brought their A-game this year. The preceding weekend was dominance from Hebron at the BOA San Antonio Super Regional, and everyone was expecting more of the same. Monday comes, along with 6A Prelims, and every group is fantastic, even though many that were expected to contend for the title did not have their best runs of the weekend then. It was this evening that I made the acquaintance of an older gentleman who was hanging around the press box, watching all of the excellent programs and making the occasional insightful comment.
The following day was 2A Prelims, bright and early. With it came bands that were still very good compared to other bands around their size around the country, and quite frankly, it was a nice change of pace from the massive scale I had seen for the entire previous day. I got to chatting on and off with the older gentleman and figured out that he was a former band director in the state and certainly knew what he was talking about. As we moved into the afternoon, slowly, the stands, and the press box, filled up. Finally, it was time for the main event. 6A State Finals.
Think about the best competition you’ve ever been to. Think about all the excellence you’ve had the chance to see.
Dear reader, as fantastic as I’m sure that show was, there has never been a show quite like this. The seven best bands in Class 6A went back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back.
I cannot remotely describe the atmosphere inside the stadium other than electricity. Even the bands faced with challenges, such as Ronald Reagan (TX), still managed to put on insane performances. Remember how I mentioned Vandegrift a while back? Yeah, they were pretty alright. Hebron (TX)? Wow. I was sitting just a couple of seats down from Joni Perez, former Grand National Champion director of The Woodlands (TX), and she was just in awe of what the Hebron kids were doing. Everyone in that stadium knew with that performance and that energy, they’d locked the title down for a second straight year.
Until.
Retreat started, and things were going about as expected. A couple of groups were higher, a few lower, but nothing out of the realm of possibility. And then, over the PA came the announcement.
“Receiving the trophy for second place, your 2022 Texas UIL Conference 6A Silver Medalist.
.
.
.
Please congratulate the Hebron High School Marching Band!”
The shock from every person in those stands was palpable.
Vandegrift was awarded a very deserving UIL Championship. Still, no one knew just how close it was until recaps revealed that not only had Hebron and Vandegrift tied in prelims, with Hebron getting the victory there due to judges’ preference, they tied AGAIN in finals, this time with judges’ preference going to Vandegrift.
After this, the stadium and press box cleared out, with many directors having flights to Indianapolis to catch. I, however, didn’t fly out until Thursday morning, as there was more band to see.
That evening was the 2A Finals contest, as well as my and my colleagues’ own personal episode of the hit Netflix show “Somebody Feed Phil.”
I tracked down some chicken fingers for the press box during the brief intermission after the 6A contest and before the 2A show. Too many chicken fingers even. With most directors having left, the press box had been abandoned, with maybe two other people there other than the reporters covering this show. One of them was the lovely gentleman who I’d chatted with prior. We offered him a nice little meal in the hopes he would sit with us and we could learn more about who he was. After a delightful dinner and conversation, we finally put a name to the face: legendary Texas Band Director, and Grand National Champion director, Phil Geiger. One of the most significant forces in Texas band from the 80s to 2000s, and the cause of many a UIL rule change, Phil still likes to find himself at band shows and is very generous with his stories (though I have been sworn to secrecy on the particulars of some…)
The final day of this epic competition was a delightful blend of 4A programs, some with programs that almost reminded you of 6A shows from years prior, and others that wouldn’t be out of place at a competition 20-30 years in the past, but again, all were fantastic. I have never been to a show this BIG with so much excellence, and if you ever have the chance to go, I implore you to do so.
BOA Grand Nationals
But Thou hast told the troubled mind
Who does her sins lament,
The timely tribute of her tears
Shall endless woe prevent.“When Rising from the Bed of Death” - Joseph Addison
Next up, the biggest show on the national calendar, the Bands of America Grand National Championships. In addition to seeing some fantastic bands for the second, third, or fourth time, I also got to finally see some shows I had looked forward to for the entire year. One program that I was especially looking to see was American Fork (UT). I had been able to work closely with that program doing a collaboration covering their journey throughout the season on the road to Grand Nationals. So I was looking to see a few of the people I’d been working with in person. Another was Tarpon Springs, as there was much hype around my alma mater, which had an absolutely bonkers show.
However, the band who stole the show was Southlake Carroll (TX), one of four groups that would make the trip up from Texas. They finished off the day for Thursday's Prelims. As their show was “House of Glass,” taking inspiration from many of the middle eastern traditions, as part of the big finale, smoke bombs were set off in each of the bottle props on the field, filling the air with color and generally being effective. However, many wondered how this might affect their score as the smoke continuously lingered, and some could see it hanging in the air the following morning.
The next day would provide a different scoring intrigue as semifinalists were announced. However, before we get into that, I’m going to highlight a few of the shows that stuck out to me and didn’t make the Saturday show.
Let’s start with one of the two most fun shows to be performed in Lucas Oil that weekend. Most are already familiar with Archbishop Alter (OH), but my personal favorite “fun” show was from Lake Hamilton (AR). They brought “The Power Band Country Music Jamboree” up to Indy and put on a genuinely heart-racing, foot-stomping, good time! And there was even a fiddle! The aesthetics used were reminiscent of Tarpon Springs’ 2014 Winter Guard production, “The Farmer,” another show near and dear to my heart.
Another that captured my heart was Marian Catholic (IL). This former finals mainstay dropped out of semis for the first time in living memory. Still, if you missed their show, it was the most sublime blend of their 2008 and 2012 productions from a musical perspective, but wholly reframed into a program called “The Shadows of Things.” So many changes over the past few years regarding feeder schools, director turnover, and all the things that affect modern marching ensembles have affected them, but man, can Greg Bimm still write a show that hits you right in the chest.
There are very few aspects of semi-finals and finals that haven’t been discussed ad nauseam yet so forgive me if you’ve heard this before. As someone who saw American Fork's semi-final performance on the field level, it’s very tough to find 12 other bands at this competition that I would have put them behind. The night show was full of outstanding performances by all in the top 5, though my order differed from the announced order. That will be something that can and will be debated for years, though, let’s be honest. Very few years do we have this many ensembles coming in that have a shot at taking Kevin home for the winter and spring. Oh! I can’t forget the #HennyTrain. I had the pleasure of seeing many shows towards the beginning and end of their seasons, and few grew as much as Hendrickson (TX). A very deserving Finalist indeed.
FMBC State Championships
From the trembling walls. It's a great idea!
Everything you want. It's a great idea!
It's a great idea
It's a great ideaOh Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!) - Sufjan Stevens
*quick disclaimer here, I’ve been going to FMBC as a spectator for a decade now, and since then, I have been associated with them in different ways, some years as a volunteer and others as a sponsor.
Hey! We’re not done yet! The last competition weekend in the southeast is the Florida Marching Band Championships, the weekend following Grand Nationals. Almost all of the top programs in Florida come down, get one or two final performances in, and finish their season in front of an adoring crowd. Though most associate it with Tropicana Field, the baseball stadium where the Tampa Bay Rays play, this competition has been in quite a few places. In 2019, it was moved to Daytona Stadium due to a prior engagement in the Trop. In 2021, it was held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, a new venue primarily aimed at well, equestrian sports. Importantly though, they have been making a significant push to expand their reach to not only the pageantry arts, playing host to FMBC last year as well as a drum corps camp, but also rumors of a bid to bring the State Football Championship games into town, as well as the possibility of getting Marching Music’s Major League down for a show in a few years.
This year, due to a fascinating series of events worth an article on its own, FMBC was held in multiple venues, which they are no strangers to. In order to get every band looking to perform in, prelims are split venue, with all of the finalists generally descending onto the primary site, this year’s being Broward County Stadium, one of the only internationally recognized Cricket Stadiums in the USA. Despite less-than-ideal sightlines, the first day of competition was excellent, and the results were about as expected.
The second day, however, was very interesting. In 48 hours, the Florida forecast shifted from expecting rain late at night into the following day, to mainly in the afternoon and evening, to starting early and never stopping. Of course, those of us who’ve been around this state are rarely surprised by this sort of thing, and as a rain plan, FMBC had pre-emptively booked the Performing Arts Center right next to the stadium as a possible substitute finals venue.
The rain came down, starting early in the morning, and before long, the field was damp, and members were covering their instruments with ponchos. One of the programs to perform and persevere through these less-than-ideal conditions was Seminole (FL), long a power in the state. This Seminole program had the unique experience of making finals for the first time since 2019 and going on to win 3A’s marching division! Going into last year, they’d been finalists every year they’d attended for over a decade, but on the drive to Ocala, their equipment trailer blew a tire. By the time it was up and running again, there was little to do but offer the band an exhibition performance before finals, which the band gratefully accepted. This is a slight reversal of fortunes and certainly one of the many impressive stories from this show.
As the conditions got worse, the call was made to give all bands that wanted to give their students one last taste of the field show the opportunity to do so, and those who wanted to perform in the controlled environment a chance for the alternate venue. It was far from an ideal situation, and certainly one of the most surreal shows I’ve ever attended. Even so, I appreciate the work and consideration put in by the FMBC staff to make this a positive experience regardless.
HOME
I ain't been around the world
Ain't nobody else
That can do it like us
With nobody help
When the chips about to fall
And our back against the wall
Know it's only one place I goAll roads lead home
All Roads Lead Home - Ohana Bam
It has been a long, interesting, weird, fun season. There have been so many firsts, but there have also been many times where it’s felt like I’ve seen this episode before. What it all comes down to, though, is knowing you’re home. Whether in a specific stadium or at your home watching one of the year’s fantastic shows, nothing can compare to knowing you’re where you belong, where you feel things are proper and correct. I had the privilege of seeing so many new places, meeting so many new people, hanging out with old friends and mentors, and visiting places I hadn’t been to in years.
There’s nowhere I feel quite at home as much as the pageantry arts community, and I can’t express my thanks enough for that. This activity will provide joy, frustration, pain, and so so so many opportunities for love and appreciation. I can’t wait to see where 2023 takes us. I have no clue where it’ll go, but I know it’ll be special because this activity and everyone in it is special.
I’m ready. Are you?
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his partner and their two dogs.
Brilliant article, I must say!!