Allen High School Band at Area Finals

[@luckeedog101]

I will never forget coming off the field after this performance. - I, along with many other people, was near tears in happiness and pride of our performance. It's a shame we didn't make it to state, but in the judges' opinions we weren't what they wanted. I'm not saying that Allen has the best band around..if anything I'd say that title belongs to the L.D. Bell band, but I will say that we definitely know how to entertain the show in a performance. (Post continued on next comment)

[@luckeedog101]

(Post continued) Yes; I agree that a show needs to be both musically and fundamentally sound, but it is still a SHOW. - Entertainment should be high on the list of what makes a good marching band a good marching band. I have made memories that will last a life time: a trip to the Tournament of Roses parade in January of 2006, a trip to Hawaii to march in a St. Patrick's day festival, etc. From the bottom of my heart: thank you, Allen Band. Zachary Adams (Trombone) - Class of 2009

[@allisonlynn22]

i was a proud member of the colorguard from 2000-2003, this is great to watch, thank you!

[@notes2go]

This video is very good. My reply earlier was to NSidemarcher only. I love the band and thought it was great! It is true that at times it is hard to coordinate, but we did superb that night! Thanks for posting!

[@becker8595]

AMAZING!!! I come from a town with deep band traditions. SEVERAL years of State Championships.. (including the last 5 years!) But we compete have always competed 1A or 2A. When I was in high school we had 130-150 kids (which was a lot for a school with only about 400 TOTAL)! This year we had about 80. I would travel to see this band! My kids would love it!!!

[@SAXYGIDDS14]

Wow, I stumbled upon this video and I'm glad I did! In Utah we don't have bands even a third of this size! I bet one of your sections is slightly smaller than our whole band... This is so cool!

[@chaosofares]

@keithalllen you have no idea how much we do move lol. I marched this show my sophmore year and I went from the 15 yrd line on the left to the 20 on the right. We're just are so big we blend half the time.

[@TheMuta71]

@SPARTANB174 we have 20 buses this year, it takes us about 20-30 min to get everyone into the stands

[@mlkcrtnz]

Boy, I remember plenty of years competing against this band! I'm glad to see some vids on here. I went to Gregory-Portland, one of Allen's biggest 4A State rivals in the 80's and early 90's. Check out some of my vids. I remember back when we competed against Allen in 4A(80s and early 90s), and Allen had 220. I thought then that they were pretty big! I hope to see more Allen Band vids on here soon! That is insane!

[@boydbronco94]

very large band... I am in the McKinney Boyd High School Band and you probably know that we did not advance to finals at Area (for anyone who knows our band, I think that they all know that we should have placed higher...)Congrats on coming close to State... I really liked that you all played "Mars." =D Very nice and full of impact!

[@blogs10]

Man I wish I could've been thare to see this show, it looked amazing

[@Merkwerkee]

@Strudelsim Mainly the Planets by Gustav Holst, but there is some of the air force song in there as well.

[@AskaRain]

The show is called "The Right Stuff" The first song (i think) is called "Yeager's Charge", the second is "Journey to Jupiter", and the last I don't know...sorry. The music is from an actual movie by the same name :)

[@Kiahsobyk]

How did they make the "jet flyby" sound at the end of the first number?? That was amazing!

[@AskaRain]

your welcome. ^^ i was in marching band. I still can only imagine the true chaos that goes on in working with such large numbers. I did have the pleasure of working directly with Allen's drum majors one game. They mistook me for a Plano drum major since i had gloves on XD but I know at the time in Allen, only the drum majors got gloves, since i was standing next to pit, who doesn't wear them, it was a logical assumption.

[@aggietubaplyr92]

@ivancopperfield Actually we do perform a military style drill for the first two or three football games where everyone marches the show and we do straight lines, to the rears, and all that fun stuff. It is pretty awesome to watch! :D

[@AskaRain]

Yup they got bigger. It was always just insane to look across the football field whenever Plano played Allen and see a band that big. Now I am wondering if their woodwind section was as big as the Plano band. XD

[@hysteria544]

@Kiahsobyk probably a synthesizer or an electronic keyboard

[@pat55458]

MISS THIS!!!

[@ih4t3su]

@AskaRain your wrong. Our band may as well have put Allen on the map. Our size does count, because Allen is one of the few cities where the band almost has as many fans as the football team.

[@cstahl24]

I would hate to be the arranger and drill constructor for this band. I live in sulphur springs and you know how small our bands get if you live in texas, but you guys are like the pinnacle of large bands. and another thing what is the name of this show?

[@cstahl24]

This looks like Mesquite's football stadium. Correct me if I'm wrong. We competed in Mesquite for Area contest and placed 10th intially but went up to 9th because Mesquite Poteet got disqualified

[@jelo895]

as a current member of the escadrille (and I actually marched in this show) and I would just like to say that we are well aware that with more people comes more mistakes. if each person makes only one mistake in a show, you suddenly have 600 things to fix. we always wish to perform the best show possible but it is near impossible to have a perfect show. interestingly enough, this year we are only marching upperclassmen and it will be interesting to see how this changes our contest performance

[@AskaRain]

I'm aware. Judges may determine where you place, but a good crowd reaction is always enjoyed and welcomed. SO both are important i their own right.

[@cstahl24]

oh ok I didn't know that the back stands looks similar from a distance. But yes we were at the Area C contest and as I said before we got 9th

[@whycrynow123]

the band im in has around 215 people... and we thought WE were big. haha... then when we saw Kennedy high school coming with 300+ ppl, we thought they were HUGE.... but this band is so big that its hard to keep track of the forms O.O hmm with this many people... the music award should be no problem ;)

[@AskaRain]

yay! my first comment! lol. Allen is cool. I'll admit I'm more drawn to PSHS though (I'll also admit a bias seeing as I graduated PSHS and was in band there). It's a shame Allen band can't march more, but their sound is generally very good.

[@someidiot8393]

i knew everything was bigger in Texas but GOD DAMN! in the Kingston high school marching band in New York and i think we're the biggest in the state with about 220

[@boydbronco94]

well... I overlooked that you were busy the day of Area Competition! If you were in the Allen Band, you would have been there! XD lol

[@aggietubaplyr92]

A pre-game show would be cool, as would having a varsity and jv marching band, but I actually like having everyone in one band, not just because it gives us the title of biggest high school marching band in Texas (although that is pretty awesome in itself) but because this way it gives almost everyone the chance to march. Marching is why some people are even in band, and not marching during half time would probably make them lose interest completely, which I don't see as being a good thing.

[@Yellowcardfan1]

Btw, do you guys do state championships at the dome? If so, how do you usually place?

[@millkid9]

wow the fact that they are that good and that big is amazing! its hard to have a big band and sound good

[@Patbad73]

Also, how many miles long are they in a parade?

[@AskaRain]

Fair Enough. I also think that thay have gained a fair amount of pride as being the largest high schoool marching band.

[@ChrysalisChrazy]

With so many marchers, it's hard to be clean, both visually and musically. No doubt, they've got a huge sound, but they've also got a huge challenge in maintaining precision.

[@FSUfanOFtheBAND]

I just wanna know how many trumpets and clarinets do they have, cause those are always the biggest sections lol.

[@ThatBunsGuy]

That is two timed the size of Richland High School and we still got 5th! We need a better sound like yours (which will never happen) because that's what made us get 5th.

[@lyssaruiz]

i wonder how big their band room is.

[@AskaRain]

fortunately for that lady it was my mom filming and not me XD. I was unable to attend. I was busy the day of competition. And your welcome ^^.

[@papajohn5656]

lol you forgot "Mars", by Gustav Holst, from the Planets Suite

[@MichaelFrancis526]

wow...how many band directors do they have???

[@wilsonkm]

Oh I believe you. Holy s***, that band is just a monster.

[@marchingdavids]

What are the songs played?

[@Strudelsim]

What music is used in this show?

[@Alavistaven2012]

You said second largest? who's first now? And how big is Allen this year?

[@ih4t3su]

WOOH GO ALLEN!!! btw I am in the band :3 however i did not get to march the competition because of shadowing and i am not going to explain that...but freshmens luck eh?

[@mileywaffle]

@thedrummaboy68 its cuz the school itself has alotta ppl so it wouldnt be fair if every band was the same size despite the number of available students

[@mileywaffle]

@thedrummaboy68 since theres a lot of students, the band has to take on a larger amount of members

[@2135matt]

Gulf Coast High School: My band has 355 people and it takes some time to move all 10 buses and r gear. How the hell do u guys go anywhere!!

[@AskaRain]

Actually they could probably form a few complete bands. ^^ I am also willing to be that the marching quality and everything else would shoot up if there were fewer people, as they are, it is just really difficult to give every group of marches all the attention that may be necessary. (oh and, not all their possible marchers are on the field. they are already reduced ^^)

[@AskaRain]

finally got someone critiquing lol. Bout time. Allen get a strong sound but large numbers doesn't always mean better. They have a whole lot more people to coordinate and not all that much room to move on the field. And on the crowd, I think my mom was standing among other Plano people so the crowd you hear might just be them. Meaning they came to see Plano, therefore it might take more to get them to be energetic. Just a possibility. ^^

[@boydbronco94]

hey, thanks!! btw, are you in the Allen Band??

[@avatarundertaker123]

wow... how many kids are in this band? i go to madison and we have about 520 kids including color gaurd but this is rediculous!!!

[@Yellowcardfan1]

This is really cool! love the part at 2:15

[@pat55458]

haha its not really 18 busses for all of us, its 16 for band and color guard and 3 for tallenets

[@coolcooja]

If you guys only kept the best of the best in the marching band so like 200 remain, you guys would be like gods!

[@XfallXoutX]

mistakes from playing will most likely happen but movement of the feet are less cuz its such a big band not alot of movement going on as the small bands thats why big bands have more advantage of placing first than the small bands

[@zharston]

But each mistake affects less of the overall product. In a band of 50, each mistake is essentially 2% of the overall product. In a band of 500, each mistake is only .2%.

[@AskaRain]

Umm, PSHS band during the '05-'06 school year was around the same size as it is now, and that is way smaller than Allen. We helped spur on the football team despite our size. Size isn't what does it. It's the energy and spirit that the band, no matter how many people make it up, put out. Another thing, if your refering to being made fun of for going to football games, you aren't made fun of if you go to PSHS games either.

[@Kiahsobyk]

Ah, I see the guy on the synthesizer just in front of the conductor.

[@drummerdude7318]

Go Drumline!!! I was 3rd snare :)

[@ih4t3su]

are you serious? the allstate players in my section are totally appreciated though we also have a medium section (go mellophones) but it is true the worst players are covered up and thats were numbers counts... however to coordinate this band is hard and wish pennington would spend time on one march for two years so we could have an amazing show

[@agentzchango]

Wow... Pretty much enough people to fill the whole field at 4 step spacing.

[@TheRcKnieval]

well hey man i beleive i can speak among the mcgavock marching band and say that our band dosent diss at you guys shoot we students want to play that type of music and have that amount of numbers on the feild so keep up the good work man

[@boydbronco94]

oh, my bad. Ur not in the Allen band, right?

[@Alavistaven2012]

700, really? I thought that new school would channel all the Allen kids... I'm confused. So is that new school not growing or what? lol.

[@fosho78901]

there band camo must be BANANAS!! :P

[@AskaRain]

Allen is indeed large XD and they do have some nice points of impact. Oh, and your band is not alone. Plano should have placed higher as well.

[@xHuntedGunzPCGx]

I expected a power chord after 2:20....oh well, lol...and approximately how many people did they have marching in this video? For me....there are too many people....seriously there should be 2 marching bands at the high school...so much more freedom...and the color guard would actually have a purpose on the field...it's so amazing to have such a large group but when it comes to drill...I think it could've utilized more field...and the music is less than great for that sized group.

[@johnnyblu56]

Im sure the Allen ISD has something to do with that. They could split the district like Plano and Plano East. Allen could really have a top notch Marching Band if they brought the #'s down so the show can be more entertaining. The drills more precise and tight. Right now the Directors only have a WOW factor going for the band. Im sure the band has great times but as for the Marching, no contest.

[@jaco4c]

i live right next to allen.....in plano

[@IQuanaCentersnare]

sound effect on the speakers ;)

[@blogs10]

Lol, I could hear the color guard counting at 5:10

[@natemaster2083]

You guys should seriously consider limiting the size of your band ten fold. I'm willing to bet that you could obtain an incredibly decent band, way more so than now, if you had tryouts that kept it at around 200. With this many players, there must be enough to make up the majority of a smaller band.

[@b3yourself91]

and I thought a 320 piece marching band wa sbig. everything is bigger in texas lol

[@notes2go]

Excuse me! That is untrue! It was almost completely clean and was NOT, I repeat, NOT a mess!!! This was just not the best quality of video so it throws a few things out of proportion. I am in the Allen band and saw what it looks like and sounds like from the higher view and it was as close to perfect as you can get. My band never looked better or sounded better than that night! Do not judge until you have seen the whole and clear picture.

[@natemaster2083]

Your football team winning is determined by the size of your band... right. Correlation does not imply causation.

[@AskaRain]

naw, not really. there wasn't anything i wrote in the description that would have told you any of that. So, I would call it logical to assume that I am possibly apart of the Allen band. ^^

[@boydbronco94]

Come on... they have only 1 high school in allen and 1 high school marching band. :/ It's not their fault.

[@boydbronco94]

oh... my question must have sounded pretty stupid XD. rofl

[@Patbad73]

Dude wtf? My school's purple and white.

[@tootmyhorn8295]

I think there is a reason that there aren't more programs this size. You simply can't clean this amount of kids and keeping their playing together and accurate is a challenge I would never even think about undertaking. I really think it's a disservice to the kids by not limiting the size...they could be an incredibly successful band if they were a still big 300 member program. I don't think any of the kids would complain about winning vs. this mediocrity. Jus' Sayin'

[@pat55458]

the big bad and the blue i belive? haha i dont remember honestly

[@AskaRain]

Their size does inhibit their marching, but I wouldn't say it's "made them suck". When they are marching they have their strong points and their weak points, Just like any band.

[@AskaRain]

I have also thought they could benefit from having a varsity and junior varsity band. But I guess then they woul have run into people noit getting a chance to preform at the games more people having a tendency to go to. On top of other problems.

[@johnnyblu56]

LD BELL is one of the best band in STATE. Allen does entertain. When you bring 600 or more band members on to a field, it is a WOW FACTOR, but it looses precision and tightness that bands like LD bell have. I wished your director would get another marching coordinator. You guys have no room to march. You need someone to coordinate a routine where your marching has more cohesiveness. Good luck to you guys.

[@AskaRain]

naw, your not a loser. I see nothing wrong loving something to do with your roots, so to speak. High school is a big part of life, and there is nothing e=wrong with still having an attachment like that to your high school. ^^

[@keithalllen]

I don't know they still look pretty good to me. they don't move around much becasue there isn't much to do with everybody but still pretty dang spiffy.

[@thedrummaboy68]

they need to cut some people cuz though there huge it limits there sound and movement

[@millzkid12]

I

[@luckeedog101]

I don't see how you're qualified to make those types of critiques

[@AskaRain]

No, I'm not. XD I graduated '07 from Plano but I have a brother at Plano.

[@samsterrx3dare]

omg. lol :D

[@millzkid12]

Yeah I'm an alumnus of Allen. :) (and their biggest fan) and a total loser.

[@TheYankeeman09]

Y'all are way to big to have really good drill

[@skyguy9500]

I played against Allen in comp. They not good just so big u forget what Ur doing!

[@thedrummaboy68]

@mileywaffle restate cuz this doesnt make sense

[@lilro205]

they can arely move lol

[@NSidemarcher]

Big Band , Big MESS. Trumpets are not clean and the reaction of the crowd is lethargic.

[@blogs10]

lol, the irony