Classifications have changed as enrollments have grown as well. We don't need ATSSMRAUB (Small school rural and understaffed bands) just like we don't need a separate all-state band just for inner city kids and schools, which have the SAME STAFFING ISSUES and student commitment issues yet are forced to compete in the 5A/6A track most of the time. And no one speaks up for them at all at the state level. There is literally ZERO push for an All-State Show Band contest, for example.

I also firmly believe that out of our state's regions, a hundred 3A/4A/5A/6A all-region bands (first, second, and in some cases third+ bands) would outperform a 1A/2A all-state band. The ensemble isn't worth considering until the product it could create is comparable. It's about the kids - but if the kids aren't putting a quality performance together and having a positive experience, then it's not about the kids, it's about the ego of the director wanting to take "their kid to state."