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Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by New to ATSSB on 4/26/2022, 1:13 pm

In a non-state year I'm trying to figure out how/where to give my kids appropriate competitive experience(s). Any 3A or below directors have contests in DFW they've been to that they really liked? I'm unfamiliar with how organizations like USBands and BoA adjudicate smaller groups. Obviously they recognize "Best in Class" and whatnot but I'm unsure how "worth it" those experiences are for non-elite groups. Any advice from experienced ATSSB folks? Thanks!

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by been there on 4/27/2022, 8:54 pm, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Aubrey and Celina have the best contests for 3a bands. It's very competitive, but well run contests.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Dublin on 4/27/2022, 9:21 am, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Dublin hosted a small school contest last year, and I believe they are again next fall. Not a terribly long way from the Ft. Worth side of the metroplex.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Contest run down on 4/27/2022, 7:46 am, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

***Check USBands carefully, their judges are really top notch and will help with design and how your show flows- but you might be going up against some 4A & 5A band that are your size but have resources more that any 3AA and match.
*** good luck with BOA, they have a point system to even get in and they will keep your entry fee and tell you you didn't have the points because you haven't done BOA before- then they will refund you eventually while you scramble to find some place to go.
***Tolar- nice people but small stadium - grass-mud, you will have to clean everything - difficult to get on and off the field over a gravel road.
***Whitney- nice stadium- parking is the problem- and jumping curbs to get equipment from a small warm-up area to the field is an issue.
*** Glen Rose- warm-up in an ally behind the school with bands passing through your warm-up, small rock stadium with a large gym in one end zone that creates some interesting echoes, extra wide track area so if your band is at the back hash they will be over the mid field hump and a long way to the judges..
Not saying these aren't great contests, just know ahead of time what you getting into.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by past experience on 4/27/2022, 10:32 am, in reply to "Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

I disagree about Glen Rose. They used to have UIL Marching Contest there before the Region split and schools were assigned to other regions. The warm up areas, travel, stadium and track worked for us. We had no bands passing through us as we warmed up. If you were referring to bands passing by, that's correct. They passed by to get to whatever area. They didn't march by or use cadence. They just passed by, but not through our band. I don't see how this is a problem.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Glen Rose on 4/27/2022, 12:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

went there for UIL (old region) and pre-UIL we were told we were too load in warm-up-WE bothered other band in the ally warming-up, and when you are warming up in a drive way a passing band within feet is a distraction. And the end zone echo was just not helpful.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by past experience on 4/29/2022, 1:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Okay, maybe you're right. We made 1's each and every year that we had marching contest there. I guess it never bothered my kids.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Jason Bird on 4/26/2022, 9:49 pm, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Aubrey, Ponder, and Celina all have contests that are well attended by 3A schools.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Boost on 4/27/2022, 9:27 am, in reply to "Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Heavily endorse Celina. We went there last year, very nice stadium, very well run contest. Vast majority of bands were 3A.

(the hike from the trailers to the warmup site though... whew boy)

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Aaron Noland on 4/26/2022, 2:49 pm, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

We are hosting a Small School (1A-4A only) at Tolar on October 8th.

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Whitney on 4/26/2022, 2:22 pm, in reply to "Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Check out Whitney....they usually have alot of small school bands there

Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)

Posted by Stephanie on 4/26/2022, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Potential Fall 2022 marching contests for 3A group (DFW)"

Madisonville hosts a USBands clinic contest early.. September 24

Great time to meet with the judges and get ideas for your show as you start contest season.

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