Unbelievable High School Band

[@Magicmudkip14]

Texas has the best high school marching bands EVER!

[@Shea_F1]

The first sing is called " kingfishers catch fire " by john mackey. It is one of my favorite compositions and i would really love to do it in marching band.

[@LuxAurumque02000]

I went to a Texas high school and the only thing we did not have to pay for was the transportation to games (provided by the school district). Us students even had to pay out of pocket for the annual band shirt, and there were only about 80 of us.

[@rvrpropertiesllc]

Incredible! Wow!

[@MrMertakhai]

Texas needs to share the amazing marching bands with the rest of the States...

[@DrummerMaine15]

Well There Is No Reason For This Band To Never Not Go To State!!! This Band And Marcus Are Pretty Fuckin Amazing!!!!!

[@gentrywalker]

You guys need to see Cedar Park HS, especially their 2011 program. I look up to them as if they were a corp.

[@xMinuet]

you guys are really big! and good!!!! Wow,

[@skunk96]

awesome!! whats the name of this music? Thats sounded cool.

[@whitacre271]

I miss this show!!!!! Im so glad I was in it!!!

[@technopath93]

*cries* I remember marching this show sophomore year... I'm gonna miss marching band :'(

[@brown5280]

Wow. You guys have an outstanding band program. We just got selected to represent the United States at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle. Our band program making great improvements and I hope it will be as good as yours. Funny that you go the University of Denver. Maybe you can come see us a our next state championships.

[@mrhandy100]

for only marching juniors and seniors, and bribing the judges every year, they're pretty good

[@mAsTeRsLiCk109]

Coppell has a pretty fearsome marching band

[@brown5280]

I'm from a band winning state championships in Colorado. I saw you guys in San Antonio and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. How do you do it?

[@ajohnston125]

Oh goodness, that band is huge!

[@soschadao]

Massachusetts is the home of music education theory and we dont even have money coming in for marching programs. music is IMPORTANT... Texas has the right idea.

[@technopath93]

@BigHeartedMan65 It's true, our Junior high band programs are great, but all drill and marching technique is taught sophomore year when we get to high school. Junior high band is solely for developing musical talent and starts in 7th grade (which means we have 1 less year of practice than most of our main competitors).

[@mikedaguy]

This is completely believable. The bands in Texas are stereo-typically fantastic, not to mention enormous.

[@KGLK62]

As a parent paying the bill for a Bell marcher, we pay less than a cheerleader pays for their uniform in junior high. We do massive amounts of fundraising, have tons of community support and try to be as thankful and gracious as we possibly can. As with everything in life, there are the have and have nots, and I guess we are in the middle somewhere. More blue collar, than anything, but we sure do enjoy our marching band season. Best of luck to you and yours too! God Bless.

[@LuxAurumque02000]

@IAMQUICKS I think the audio quality for the video is not the best. You should hear them live, omg can they play and fill up a stadium. Seeing their shows live gave me goosebumps.

[@KanazawaFTW]

My god Texas bands are just amazing. Nothing over here in California has a band the fraction of that skill. I mean there are some that go to grand nationals, but so few. We are the biggest in the Los Angeles area with only 130... which is considered massive to the average 35.

[@daydreambeliever37]

wow. this is amazing

[@piagetlegacy]

my high school bands is one of the best in the country Crestview High School band the went to the 2011 rose bowl.

[@zacharyp09]

@Tigertail1717 Well you have to consider that the BOA system and UIL are pretty different. The bands best bands in BOA may do relatively well in UIL, but may be the best in UIL and of course vice versa. Also, oneonetwosiz1126 brought the time restraints into consideration. I don't know what the Indiana restraints are, but if they're longer than Texas restraints, then if you subjected and Indiana band to the same restraints as a Texas band, would they do as well?

[@andrewfyip]

What you say is true. I volunteer at my alma mater high school's marching band and they spend 110k every year for 140 students. Most if not all of it comes from fundraising, students dues and sponsors.

[@SilasRickwood]

ok, so out of curiosity, did LD Bell play Kingfishers Catch Fire with Bb Trumpets? It's supposed to be C Trumpets, but it sounds fine :)

[@MrJofferson]

I've always wanted to march corps, but my school is military we placed 12th at Area(Area C, Region 4) this year, and hopefully 2014 will bring us closer to state, since that is my senior year.

[@chicostacos4]

If only they could march and play at the same time...

[@brown5280]

Correct. Where are you from?

[@Jeremy_White75]

Very nice! Its difficult even getting a small band to look and sound good... so this is quite an accomplishment producing something this solid with the level of depth and demand in its design. No apparent timing issues even with the band spread across the 100 yards. @2d181 - you may think its "just band" but these kids work extremely hard. Take it from someone that knows what it takes to put something this complex on a field and make it look this good! Its no small accomplishment.

[@Ahbooshasha]

Wow. Is that Kingfishers catch fire? That is sick.

[@KanazawaFTW]

@ravel111 Note i said Los Angeles area because yes, almost every single competition we've gone to we have been the biggest and best. And LAUSD championships is like 35 bands with 40 or less people, and us with 130. Most the large bands are off at WBA

[@dbookin]

2 words Freakin Awesome

[@technopath93]

@coakleycola Usually around 300 band members, in this particular show we had 52 girls in Guard alone.

[@ClearBlackWater]

@jared71322 Avon and Carmel for the most part. Florida has Tarpon Springs (look at their 2010 show) Illinois has Marian Catholic

[@coakleycola]

How many members???? Holy crap

[@zacharyp09]

@thestared I have no clue what this is in reply to, but I'm pretty sure Bell's shows have had "stories" since 2005, which was around the time Marcus started to become one of the major bands in Texas. It's kinda hard to say which one "started" this, maybe it wasn't either who started?

[@caddog0sugar]

I love that LD Bell uses the whole field. My band does too. It makes the show waaay more awesome. And wow Bell is amaaaazing! Can't wait to see them at state!

[@ZenithHeros]

I wish someone would record our marching band :( We just got best in class overall band at our last festival....

[@keenorange248]

I wouldn't really say size matters that much. I'm in The Spirit of Central, Lawrence Central's (Indianapolis, IN) band and we've competed in Grand Nats every year for years. The past few years we've been about half the size of our competitors, but we keep up(:

[@takigan]

@indcnut IN typically has 4-5 bands make GN Finals each year (Carmel, Avon, Lawrence Central, Center Grove and maybe Ben Davis on a good year). TX has 4 make it on a good year. However, there are usually 8-10 programs from Texas that are fully capable of being one of those 4, but not all of those 8-10 can afford to go every year. LD Bell Marcus The Woodlands Stephen F. Austin Cedar Park James Bowie Richland Hebron Berkner ...& more recently, Spring (Churchill and Ronald Reagan are out)

[@forrest822]

my friends payed around $600 to be in band there... i wish my school did that, it would keep out a lot of the people who are just there because they need a credit

[@biznock19]

how many all-staters did ld bell have last year?

[@khaderach19]

I was under the assumption that most extra-curricular activities are funded by booster programs. I dont think that schools would have a general "sports/arts" savings account to dictate money to - mainly it is a free for all fundraising scheme under the pervue of district admin. i think at most the school is required to maintain injury waivers and transportation - even then most big bands use coach buses.

[@Smith35hitman]

My band is 1400 a year and we are in Georgia

[@feathersax]

Fine band! Love the marching & musicianship....but the word "unbelievable" makes me want to scream! I see & hear it, okay....so I believe it! Auuuuugh.

[@player5758]

Spending 80,000 dollars on their show, it better be unbelievable...

[@jonathanst89]

They surely would win state.

[@KanazawaFTW]

@LuxAurumque02000 As in 2 hours after school? Another major thing: We march with Freshman in the show, we can't afford to lose that much more people. The budget cuts are killing us, from 6A for the last 20 years to 5A for 3 years, then a sudden drop to 3A, and up to 4A. ugh

[@crazyhornkid]

its also coming from the schools. every "good" band in Texas (Marcus, Bell, Coppel, Haltom, Hebron, Flower Mound, Richland Hills, Stephan F. Austin, Wakeland, Reagan) they all have school and district funding.....and I promise you...a trip to grand nats is more than $50 bucks per child

[@khaderach19]

Sorry never been to Chicago Heights but i make my point. The state doesn't help these programs, high fees and fundraising do. There are ways to reduce costs, (i.e. yellow subs, and sleeping on gym floors). Texas bands in general have more costs due to travel, Chicago height is a couple of hours away from indy, where as a bus ride from down south is at least 10-12 hours. Putting more fatigue on students isnt the best way to get the best performance.

[@ravel111]

@KanazawaFTW I know right? I was rooting for them all the way, but they did a great job anyway. I just don't know what is the difference between our bands and Texas/Indiana bands. It seems like the general level of marching bands in T/I is higher than what we have here. I don't think size has to do with it more than having good feeder programs.

[@AsianGreenMario]

What's the name of the show?? :3

[@bcmnoles]

No, as in Lassiter, Kennesaw Mountain, and Harrison High Schools. They pay nearly $2000 a year to be in the marching band

[@ZachAshcraft]

loveland?

[@GD37MW]

I like the concept, This is not high school band. Ther are more people on the field than most college bands. I guess the football team does nothing!

[@shayla6064]

James L yeah the football team is trash

[@markyochoa]

@@shayla6064 Welcome to Texas... where in some places, half-time is game time. (I can't believe I just stole that from that shitty ass movie)

[@KanazawaFTW]

@ravel111 I loved Ayala's show, especially seeing it live. I can't believe they didn't make it to finals....

[@112233jjooee]

thats why the Homestead Spartan alliance marching band couldnt go to and win BOA (cause they would have), their budget is likley a 4th of avon's or LD bell's and they have nearly as many members. from what i heard, they havent had enough to repair instruments like tubas for the past 2 years.

[@geocloser]

OH WOW HANKS HS IS PLAYING THIS SHOW

[@zacharyp09]

@geocloser I'd love to see their version. It's always nice to see how different bands interpret shows.

[@mikey_jr93]

omg at first i thought this was Phantom Regiment. this is insane!!!!

[@khaderach19]

well i wouldn't say it was all about money. I was in the first year of our school to go to BOA, we went with $30K for the entire season for 130 kids.we made a regional finals for our first try out and we were ecstatic.

[@KGLK62]

As the parent of a Bell marcher, I know we have used the same uniforms for three years. We try to keep close tabs on them and never make any permanent adjustments to lengths etc. Lots of community support in a district where median purchase price for homes is $120k. We love the marching band "cult" as we call it. Gr8 people throughout the country and a gr8 way to showcase all that is good about the USA! Enjoy it now it, all goes by way to fast! God Bless.

[@asax104GCHS]

Wow! Thats alot, my band fee each year is $125 I am tin he Gadsden City High School Titan Band. We march anywher efrom 300-320. Our fee includes everthing except food at games,and our trip each year. We have been to New York, The fiesta bowl,gatlinburg,San Antonio. We were invited to go to england this year to play in same parade as southereners but it was going to be over 3,000 a person.

[@SalvakaFainello]

its not as hard as it looks... just keep moving in time and everything will turn out great and dont forget the music

[@KanazawaFTW]

@ravel111 But the problem is, Bands are dying. I mean LAUSD bands used to be a pretty decent 6A size, Our band used to be 250, but the constant budget cuts are killing all these schools. Texas bands are greater mostly for the reason that there really isn't much else to do, so they revolve their time around it.

[@chaosdude14]

better visually than they are musically, at least from what I can see, i'm not exactly on the field

[@ZachAshcraft]

I actually went to bell. But ironcially I live in Colorado now and go to the university of Denver for music! haha

[@Hermisha432]

While L.D. bell is one of the best I wouldnt say they are unbelievable because their are lots of bands that are just as good like avon and laffayette.

[@huntbal123]

@drumpeteer12 also Phantom is white and they have no woodwinds

[@LuxAurumque02000]

@AlexHurstProd Year, you are right, Broken Arrow got first at GN (LD bell didn't go this year), but my comment clearly says "BOA Super Regional" of which Bell placed first. It's a simple mistake, don't worry about it.

[@hailmary1023]

HEB isnt a super rich district, some schools are even title 1

[@LuxAurumque02000]

@IAMQUICKS No i have not heard of it, but it sounds interesting. I think i am going to check it out. Thanks for the heads up. :)

[@ravel111]

@KanazawaFTW I think you're forgetting that Los Angeles county includes all the suburbs of the San Gabriel valley... which includes Chino, Ayala, Arcadia, etc. What's the point of the comparison of LA (a central core of 1 city) to Texas (a gigantic state)? A more fair comparison would be California vs. Texas in terms of band size, but even then I think SoCal has a decent number of large bands as it is.

[@randomletters567]

Absolutely love Kingfisher's Catch Fire, huge Mackey fan. Seeing it put on a marching field is incredible.

[@MrThedude456]

@MrMertakhai they only have amazing marching bands because their state actually funds marching bands.

[@MrTrompwn]

I would expect a group that size to be far louder...

[@chicostacos4]

@millkid9 It has five members, probably butthurt students of other schools that lost to Marcus. Even people in my band say how "simple" and "easy" their shows were. One of my friends even said Marcus only used the candelabra props to make their show look "deep and intricate."

[@KORUSOGOD]

pretty ammazzingg stufff. i looked up best dci whatever and this was 4th on the list... lol.

[@RighCairfhiadh]

it's great to see the legacy continue! Outstanding job :) (LD Bell band 90-93)

[@mtkizzlefoshizzle]

No hes actually pretty right, we get $0 in funding from the state now in AZ

[@NYTXhockey2219]

@MarchingBandVideos1 I was saying they're really good and that that's how good average bands are in Texas.

[@Temarisboy]

L.D. Bell isn't even the best, though one of the best! We got to see them live at the H.E.B marching contest this year! Of course, Marcus took first and we, Midland High, placed 12 out of 23. Being from a small town almost 1/4 the size of Dallas, I find that amazing! Plus, we traveled over six hours and only had ten minutes warm-up...

[@TrebleClefRobert]

@Quackilisush They're not there.

[@timgonzales29]

wow omg that was awesome.

[@MrThedude456]

I meant that the schools in Texas actually put money towards their arts programs, not that the state funds them through taxes or anything like that. If I still dont make sense to you then oh well, because I live in Michigan and many of our arts programs aren't the best because not a lot of our schools have a whole lot of money to fund our arts programs.

[@LixalLogue]

@technopath93 i agree, well, I'll be going into it but i remember watching the show progress. this was one of it's better points until Mathews screwed it up! it had fife and not the creepy lady, and a much better ending, not to mention it had no strange multicolored shrouds. but yes it was a beautiful show!

[@technopath93]

@technopath18 The lady wasn't creepy! It added a cultural dynamic to the show that was in the original designs... but I'll agree with you on the shrouds... those probably should have been something different. Reflective maybe....

[@LuxAurumque02000]

Their past 2 shows have been nothing compared to their other shows, IMO. Their shows from 200-2009 were absolutely amazing, but their 2010 and 2011 shows didn't live up to my expectations of them.

[@Fumbles9001]

KINGFISHERS CATCH FIREEEEEE

[@Tigertail1717]

zacharyp09, who knows about practice restraints and IF this or that band would do as well IF they had this or that amount of time to practice. It's a lot of IF's. The point is both Texas and Indiana have great bands, but I think it's unreasonable to think that Avon the grand national champs for the past two years would have a difficult time competing with any Texas bands. I think they have shown they would fair very well.

[@MrAwesomenesh]

is that a Mackey piece I hear?!?! x3333

[@dex21797]

lmao dude pit is like the size of drum corps

[@gackj]

@Complimentaries I assume you've never met anyone from Broken Arrow. I have never met anyone from there or other great bands like Avon, Woodlands, and Carmel who wasn't extremely kind to me.

[@TheRobear2010]

Great arrangement of Kingfishers! Very well done!

[@xCydezx]

@lilswagking1000 This is Hurst TEXAS LD BELL!!

[@RyanRishi]

Kingfishers!!! I love Mackey!

[@lilswagking1000]

Texas is the real deal for marching band this is just o.k

[@byakugan03]

what band are you from?