I have a legitimate question that is sure to stir the hornet’s nest. Should a school from say Area G 6A, even bother with area or state marching contest? Why not buy a stock show, save the money, and put what is left towards clinicians, master classes, or limited lessons from retired directors in the area? Area G schools will never have the pockets to hang in with Flower Mound, Hebron, and Vandegrift. I posit putting the money towards improving individual student outcomes, like the all state process, where students could potentially receive a scholarship offer. It has not felt like TMEA and UIL even want certain schools appearing at state level events as evidenced by apportionment and area realignment. So quit feeding a system that you have no chance to compete in, and appears to not even want you represented in the first place. For the record, I believe the students and directors from area G schools work very hard and produce great results. This is not a slight to them by any means. They are merely an example of a group of schools that I feel does not gain from a system that seems designed to exclude them. Flame away!!!