...TO TALK OF MANY THINGS...

SEE ALSO "THE TIME HAS COME THE WALRUS SAID.... "

At UIL State Championship we again met a Band that I have watched all year and predicted they would be the ones to beat at some point. That proved true Tuesday evening at the Alamodome, where Marcus High Scholl struck gold with one of the finest (and cutest) shows you will ever see. The above link will take you to my rather bizarre description of this show from 3 weeks ago.
It is apparent my admiration for all those connected with the shows and I want you all to know what a great bunch of parents they have over at Marcus. The props I have described before, (the Crab Claws, Seahorses and Starfish) are made by the parents and from what I understand each had its own personality given by its builder(s).
The part of the show I did not describe was the opening of huge clamshells that revealed members of the Color Guard inside, presenting for the Audience, huge pearls.
This may sound very much like a gimmick, but it is done with exquisite taste.
a part of the show I had not noticed before was the Band formations of Fish Waves and even a Huge Octopus formed in the center of the field. I know the kids are fired up about this show.
Shows like this, and lD Bell's, generally fare best in the BOA Competition, where there is a category for 'General Effect".
To the credit of Marcus, the UIL competition is judged on Musicianship and Technical marching criteria, so the cuteness of the show did not figure in. The second place band from BOA Saturday, The Woodlands, did not advance to finals on Tuesday.
Marcus placed 3rd Saturday in BOA. it is very difficult to do well in both Competitions.
I have since learned that this is Marcus second trip to state Competition which makes them very strong newcomers. This speaks very well for their Designer, Directors and District. They have obviously dedicated themselves to a very worthwhile endeavor.
But back to the Marcus Parents.... they all wore seashell/seahorse necklaces and many sported Crab Claw Antenna from thier heads!!!
And ya'll think I am nuts!
I love 'em!
It was great!
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/110906dnmetuilband.19f4cda1.html

Before I forget... I must mention that while Marcus placed first,
MY VERY OWN L.D. BELL MARCHING BAND TOOK 2ND PLACE IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

....quite a week end...
FIRST PLACE IN BOA FOLLOWED BY 2ND PLACE AT STATE
and as I write this LD Bell arrives in Indianapolis for
BOA GRAND NATIONALS
120 other bands will be there from around the Country.
I will not be surprised to Place first there... not one little bit!

Marcus....
you must try to get to Indy...you defintly have the stuff!!!

I do intend to write more about Bands even though the Season is almost over... there are a number of posts I just did not have time to do. I am also hoping for some comments from Marcus as I have given this blog address to one of the parents.
Gutsy move, I know!