CC Winn Mav band

[Eldude]

Have they already hired the band directors for the Maverick band? Are the band directors from EP or from out of town? Have they already designed their uniforms?

[torrito_04]

Aww, the good ole days...I remember when I was a member of the Mighty Eagle Band (ooo I love how that sounds). It's gonna be interesting to see which band out-marches and out-plays the other. Eagle Pass is widely known for it's marching band (hint* 02's Hey Pachuco show :D ) so now both will have to live up to the expectations.Ya'll check out their perfomances this year, heard it's gonna be a rockin' show (music from Cirque du Soleil).

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

They already hired two new directors both of which are former members of the Mighty Eagle Band and from what I hear, they're still going hire at least two or three more before the school splits next year. They already got their new uniforms and I don't really make much of them. I too was a proud member of the band and we were supposed to get new uniforms last year, my senior year, but due to some conflicts, we weren't abe to ge them so the seniors this year were lucky enough to get them. When they came in this year, I got to see them and in my opinion, they should have stayed with the same uniforms they had. They're still black but they have a very generic looking EP on the chest and they now have very poorly designed eagles on the sleeves. They also went from using burnt orange (which is a real nice color if you get permission to use it from UT) on their uniforms to using this weird shade of orange. It looks almost like neon. I don't want to be mean but seeing those uniforms made me cringe. Some people like them but I don't. All my memories of band include the one uniform that we used. I mean yeah they were old and the sequence would fall off if you got one of the lucky uniforms but I took pride in knowing that everytime we wore that uniform, we'd play like winners. Whether it was here at home, people liked us more than a certain other group on the field (and I'm not talking about the opposing team or band) or in San Antonio getting first divisions and winning first place trophies, we took off those uniforms knowing we always did our best. We never got as much recognitions as some of the or team sports in EP but we didn't care. There was never a headline dedicated to us or a whole page on our stats with play by play analysis. We just did wat we were told to do by our directors and whether people noticed us or not, we had fun doing what we had to do.

Hey torrito I'm almost positive I know who you are and while yes the group is better known for those two words don't expect it to be like that any time soon. This past year at area, all the drum majors from from all over Houston and San Antonio would come up to us and ask us if we were the school that wore the pachuco outfits. When we said yes, they would all tell us how much they liked it and our show. It goes to show that even schools from Houston know who Eagle Pass is. Not for it's athletics program but for the music program. It really did make us feel a lot better on the way back considering we got something like 28th place that day :D . Getting back to the music, the music this year is alright and fun if you're a musician or former musician because you understand everything that's going on but if you're just a regular average joe in the audience, you might not catch as much stuff as somebody who is/was in band. At the end of last year when it came time to pick the music for this year, they passed out the music from the movie The Incredibles and believe it or not, it was A LOT of fun to play but at the start of this year, they passed out the stuff they're playing now. Maybe it's a lot better than the other stuff but I don't know I haven't had a decent chance to hear he music from Quidam (which is the show they'll be playing the music from). The one time I did hear them play, they had more trouble playing it than when we played West Side Story last year. Long story short, they're doing good so far they already started drilling the first song, Atmadja, outside on the practice pad. The groups will continue to do fine while Mr. Solis is here. While there are times that I wish I could grab a horn and play with them, I know I can't. My time's up and the only thing I can do is watch from the stands. I'll be sure to go see them and support them when they're in the San Antonio area since I'm going to be at San Marcos.

[torrito_04]

Yea, I see wut you mean John. The expectations of the band vary from year to year, judging by the musical talent that still lies amongst the group. When my class left, I was a little iffy about the stability of the group for the coming year. Needless to say, you guys did an awesome job. My sister's in the band so she keeps me updated on what they're doin and what not. I haven't heard the band play at all this year, but I'm sure they'll blow us away. I mean, we are talking about the Mighty Eagle Band here ;). I feel ya on that one, sometimes I get the urge to strap on a drum and jam out just like I used to. Oh what I would give to hear Eagle War Cry right about now....haha

[spursfan12]

no one really cares about that band, because football makes all the money

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

Well that may be so but keep in mind, all the people that pay to go to watch the football team are the people who also pay for our bills whenever we travel.You haven't noticed that the football team and band are the only two groups that travel in charter buses? If you're in any other sport at CC Winn, you get the luxary of going everywhere in a yellowhound. Plus last year (or any year in the past) when the Eagles were getting beat pretty bad, who do you think it was that kept all the people in attendance from leaving in disgust?

[spursfan12]

i think people would go to the games because theres nothing else to do in ep

[eagle4ever]

no one really cares about that band, because football makes all the money


OF COURSE WE CARE ABOUT THE BAND. WHATSA MATTER WIT YA. ARE U SICK OR SUMTIN???

[eagle4ever]

U go to the games cuz theres nothing better to do. so u go get felt up under the bleachers. get a room geez!!!!

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

:eek: ...I couldn't have said it better myself :D thanks eagle :p

[EagleCitizen]

I used to go to the games in ep to watch the band . It was great. I do not go to the games since I no longer live in EP. But, i'm assuming they are better then back in the 80's.

Who are the Music directors now? The high school has a new name? Mavericks? new mascot comes with it? how bout school colors?

somone bring me up to date

[torrito_04]

hmmmm.....

[torrito_04]

no one really cares about that band, because football makes all the money

Some ppl just don't know how to appreciate the importance of music or the talent that musicians have.

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

I want to share something with you guys so you can see how much of a big deal the music program is...in all the years of Eagle Pass football, how many have gotten full paid scholarships to go play for a university? Give up? Only ONE PERSON!!! There have been other people that have gotten scouted but never recruited. I know Nick Serrano-Piche got scouted by Notre Dame two years ago but was never officially recruited. With the music program on the other hand, we have at least one person every year make the all state band. This past year we had one person make it on trumpet. In the whole state, they only pick thirty-five. When we go audition for region in San Antonio, we're in a room for two days with 85 people from S.A. If you make it there, you go to area again in S.A. except this time you compete with all of the best players Houston and Dallas has to offer. If you're one of he lucky seven that get picked, you make the all state band. Those guys from Eagle Pass that have made it all get full paid scholarships to wherever they want to go. I'm not trying to put football down or anything but they win one mediocre game and the whole newpaper is dedicated to them yet, we have people in this town that spend hours and hours practicing so they can be the best at their instrument in he whole state of Texas and they never once get recognized for their accomplishment. Do YOU think that's right?

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

I used to go to the games in ep to watch the band . It was great. I do not go to the games since I no longer live in EP. But, i'm assuming they are better then back in the 80's.

Who are the Music directors now? The high school has a new name? Mavericks? new mascot comes with it? how bout school colors?

somone bring me up to date

The staff is still pretty much the same wit a few new faces here and here. You still have Mr. Lugo, Mr. Garza, Mr. Rodriguez, Mrs. Morin, Mr. Solis, Mr. Marinez and Mr. Castañeda and the two new guys Mr. Muñoz and Mr. Cavasos (I think that's how you spell it), both former members of the group. The school is still going to be called CC Winn and their mascot is the Maverick. I got a chance to see the new mascot the other day I was at CC Winn and I must admit, it looked real nice. I think they said Mr. Diaz came up with the whole thing. If you compare it to what a maverick really is, its a little off but I don't think people will mind. It looks like a cow with horns and has the CC Winn logo branded on its rear-end. Its kind of the exact opposite of what a maverick is but I like he way it came out. The school colors are still silver and black. Last year, the students got to pick the mascot and colors but the board didn't like the idea of silver and black because they were "gang colors" cough***Spurs***cough. So they made us vote again and silver and black came out on top again.

Hope this helps you out :)

[spursfan12]

OF COURSE WE CARE ABOUT THE BAND. WHATSA MATTER WIT YA. ARE U SICK OR SUMTIN???


i dont understand what you mean? i'm telling it how it is

[EagleCitizen]

johnnyjohnjohn25. I was not aware of the ccwinn school name was Mavericks and the school colors were not the typical orange and white.

Thanks for making me aware. Boy, Where have I been:confused: .

Music is all around us and we enjoy it in eighter rap, salsa, rock etc.... Band music is very well enjoyed by many. Not all of us have the same taste but I have to agree. I was damn proud to have one of the best Highs School Bands in the 80's they always got 1st division. I used to Love seeing the DRUMMERS:D the brothers fito and orly.

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

Well EagleCitizen your welcome. The four years I was in band in high school were the absolute best for me. You could ask just about any former members and they'll all tell you there's nothing that compares to it. Right, torrito? :p Though music isn't anywhere in my future, I'm always going to remember how proud I was to be part of this group, meeting all the people I did. I'm never going to forget being outside in the sun for six hours every single day in the summer, staying aferschool at CC Winn until 8 at night once school started, getting up at 5:30 a.m. to be at CC Winn before 7 to go out of town for a contest or game, getting back at midnight or one in the morning and sleeping until noon the following day, or the times we had to be at CC Winn on Monday at 4 a.m. to leave for Area Marching Contest, travel six hours, change into our uniforms, sweat up a storm just standing waiting for our turn to take the field, performing, crying when we heard the results, getting back at 4:30 in the morning the following day and showing back up to school three hours later just to fall asleep in class the first chance you got. :D Ahhh memories

[torrito_04]

Most definately right Johnny. Being in a marching or concert band, takes upmost dedication, heart and soul. I too remember the feeling of playing in front of large crowds, hearing the awe-inspiring chants and cheers from the stands. I think everyone should know what it's like to be in a marching band. The agonies an athlete endures, can be attributed to the very same obstacles musicians face. Practice, sweat, blood, tears, and PRIDE...where lies the difference? Harnessing a heavy drum, carrying a horn in the same position for for a prolonged period of time, memorizing playing techniques, memorizing musical compositions......I tell you band has an equal magnitude to any sport out there. We all have a unique idealism on what music is. Take the time to appreciate the significance of music and those that create it. Music is a craft, not pointless.

[cotton]

Yeah I can see how hard it is to be in band. memorizing lines, carrying a horn for a long time, getting up early, going to sleep late, going to class sleepy as all hell....but i dont think that you can compare it to what an athlete goes through especially the athletes that play football or basketball. All in all i give credit to both activities but a bit more towards athletes just because of all the physical activity they have to endure.

[Eagle_Chick_5]

Man trust me band also has physical activity. In Summer Band all those exercises and aerobics and painful motorcycles and arm circles and not to forget the laps they added this year.And marching can be painful too. Yeah Its not like what atheletes go through but we also do stuff like that too. Plus burning our brains out memorizing the music and learning our sets.

[EagleCitizen]

I used to love hearing the band practice. My sister used to live right behind the Old HS and that was awsome. both my children (now married ) used to belong to the Band where I now live. It was great keeps them busy, healty and they have to pass al their classes to participate. For all those who have been in band. My hat off to u.

[eagle4ever]

Maricela,,, I Have To Agree With U There. I Would Love To Go See/hear The Band Practice. We Would Go Sit Up On The Hill Against The Building And Enjoy It.

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

You guys can still go watch if you want. There are people there almost everyday they have practice. If its not the parents of the kids on the field, its "alumni" of the group or people that don't have any relation to the group (no kids/relatives etc) that just want to see them play without having to wait until September.

[EagleCitizen]

I wish I could johnnyjohnjohn25. But, I no longer live in EP. I visit about 3-4 times a year.

[torrito_04]

. For all those who have been in band. My hat off to u.

Thank you much.... :)

[miawallace]

I have some relatives living in SA, so we heard the Eagles were playing the "Billies" tonight so we decided to go to the game, besides the football team being pathetic, so was the band! I was very disappointed, the music they chose was horrible, just like last years. Not impressive, not impressive at all.:mad:

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

Yeah I heard about how bad everything was and I'm not surprised. I think I mentioned on one of my first posts that I really wasn't too fond of the music they were playing and well mia, you just found out what I meant. Everybody is making such a big deal about this being the "last united team/group" etc. Frankly, the people that say that are the ones that are putting more pressure on the kids. Its bad enough they have to put up with the expectations of teachers and coaches, but a whole town thats going to remember them by what they did this one year in particular? I mean cut the kids some slack I know that they're probably trying to do their best at the moment. I don't want to get anybody mad, the last thing I want to do is have an arguement errupt from this comment but it's just the way I see things from my point of view. I'm not trying to put down any group in particular or anyting...I want to see them all succeed just as much as you do. I always did when I was a student in EP and I probably always will for years to come until I grow old and senile.

And I know this is a shameless promotion but what the hell :p...if you want to see a good group come watch the Texas State University Bobcat Band this Friday here in San Marcos. We'll be playing Delta State at 7 p.m. I promise it'll me something to remember ;) That I know of, there's only two people from EP that made the group here...me and a friend that graduated with me last year. So yea go check us out :)

[Evie]

I have some relatives living in SA, so we heard the Eagles were playing the "Billies" tonight so we decided to go to the game, besides the football team being pathetic, so was the band! I was very disappointed, the music they chose was horrible, just like last years. Not impressive, not impressive at all.:mad:

I'm not surprised about the music. It has always been like that even when I was in the band way back in the 70's. I remember the other schools always played music that was in and we always played some crappy music from along time ago. Don't know why the band directors always insisted on picking such crappy music for the band to play. Get with it Mr. S.--people want something that will get them excited and moving. If the team is not doing good well hell at least have the band play something to lift the spirits!!!

[miawallace]

I'm not surprised about the music. It has always been like that even when I was in the band way back in the 70's. I remember the other schools always played music that was in and we always played some crappy music from along time ago. Don't know why the band directors always insisted on picking such crappy music for the band to play. Get with it Mr. S.--people want something that will get them excited and moving. If the team is not doing good well hell at least have the band play something to lift the spirits!!!

I TOTALLY agree with you evie, can you believe that they were playing slow, CIRCUS music! Boring, I remember the only good band was the band with "Hey Pachuco" that's about it, I say hire some hip, new band directors.

[torrito_04]

Yes, I heard how Eagle Pass had a terrible night yesterday. I spoke with my sister last night and she said the band's performance was a mess. Only thing I can say is, when I was in the band, we would plee that the directors select music that is exciting and driven. Unfortunately, Eagle Pass's ethnic background is dominantly hispanic and they base their selections on that. They prefer not to risk choosing a show that has no latin influence in it. Why they chose this music, quien sabe, but I guess my prediction was wrong....Oh well, maybe the parents of the students should suggest to the music dept. what type of music they are willing to hear.

[miawallace]

Yes, it was HORRIBLE! No one from Fre. clapped, you know in movies when a crowd is suppose to laugh or clap and you then hear a cricket, well that happened to the Eagle "band" on Friday night.

[torrito_04]

Wow...thats sad. This was the first game, so there's always room for improvement. Practice ALWAYS helps. I'm sure both the football team and band will take it up a notch. Once the band includes visuals and such, it shouldn't be too bad anymore. Have a little faith in them, I'm sure they won't allow for Eagle Pass's reputation to crumble.

[monsterkittie]

I TOTALLY agree with you evie, can you believe that they were playing slow, CIRCUS music! Boring, I remember the only good band was the band with "Hey Pachuco" that's about it, I say hire some hip, new band directors.

Sorry...Cirque du Soliel is hardly just "circus" music. Never heard of them? Look it up. It's been around since the 80's with world-wide tours and sold-out performances every year.

As for the music not being good or exciting, this type of music is what the "big" schools in San Antonio and Houston and Dallas, you know, the ones that GO to state, play in their shows. While it's nice to be entertaining at half-time, we have a UIL contest to think about. And the judges are hardly impressed by "La Macarena" or "Hey Baby".

As for the band's performance, well, the only way to go now is up. At least that is what I am hoping. BTW, hip new directors does not mean a more exciting show. It means less experience. But, to make you happy, 5 of the 9 directors out there on Friday nights are under the age of 35. And if you add in the consultant, that makes 6. Hip enough for you?

[miawallace]

Sorry...Cirque du Soliel is hardly just "circus" music. Never heard of them? Look it up. It's been around since the 80's with world-wide tours and sold-out performances every year.

As for the music not being good or exciting, this type of music is what the "big" schools in San Antonio and Houston and Dallas, you know, the ones that GO to state, play in their shows. While it's nice to be entertaining at half-time, we have a UIL contest to think about. And the judges are hardly impressed by "La Macarena" or "Hey Baby".

As for the band's performance, well, the only way to go now is up. At least that is what I am hoping. BTW, hip new directors does not mean a more exciting show. It means less experience. But, to make you happy, 5 of the 9 directors out there on Friday nights are under the age of 35. And if you add in the consultant, that makes 6. Hip enough for you?

No it's not hip enough. If it was HIP I wouldn't be saying the show sucked. You say that the schools in SA and Houston play that music, but I'm pretty sure the music sounds a whole lot better than this band, and I'm sure the music makes sense and the formations are better, that's why they win competitions unlike EP. If I'm not mistaken the Eagle "band" placed pretty low last year in their marching competition, am I right?

[sifuzhenz]

Orale Raza loca,
Vengo con gana

Little Joe

[Eagle_Chick_5]

Well Excuse me,I am a memeber of this year's band and i accept we did bad but hey its our first game! And as for the music i think its cool all we played were the two first songs and well we havent finished adding visuals and stuff. And the reason we placed low last year wasnt cuz of the music or cuz we sucked its just that we didnt march fast enough like how we played the music but hey dont people learn from mistakes?well thats what we're doing now. improving so we dont make the same mistake as last year

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

You have to take into consideration that the schools from Houston and Dallas play somewhat better than the school here because they have MONEY. The state marching contest here is biased to a certain extent. When we went to area this past year, there were maybe two school from the S.A. area that made it to the finals. In the end, they were eliminated and the only four that were left were either from Houston or Dallas. Those same groups were the ones that spent thousands of dollars on music and equipment EP doesn't own. Those schools too, bought brand new uniforms to match with the theme of their show that I'm pretty sure they're not going to use again. It was one of those one time things. They only picked groups that performed music like the one that EP is playing now. Why? Because it doesn't look right to have a finalist playing latin music. For whatever reason, I don't know it's just been like that as long as I can remember. My band director always talked to us in class about why these schools do better than us and sometimes it doesn't even have to do with the band at all. Sometimes, it all has to do with the people judging the whole thing. He told us this story one time that a survey was conducted by UTSA on a few music directors. They had them sit down and tell them that they were going to listen to two groups and they wanted to compare them one to another. When they put on the first recording, they told him that it was an honors band from the Dallas area, the majority of the group was white and they all owned their own professional horn. When the recording finished, the guys had nothing to say. According to them, the group was perfect. Then they put on the second recording and told them it was an honors group but from the valley and they majority of the group was hispanic and owned nothing but beginner horns. At the conclusion they made this big ol list of how and why the first recording was better than the second. When the whole thing was said and done, they told them that they had played the same recording twice and it had been the same group the whole time. So sometimes it has nothing to do with playing ability at all it just depends on who the judges are. As far as critisizing music goes let me put it to you this way...I want you to think of your favorite song. I want you to think about it and really have it in your head. Now the interesting part...if that really is your favorite song, sing the bass part without referring to the recording. Tell me what the drummer is doing and in what time signature he's playing in. Ohh. What's that, you can't do that? You only pay attention to the lyrics? My point is, it's easy for one to say ohh yea this song is nice or damn this song blows but do you really hear everything that makes up the final product? Everything that makes it sound the way it does? I'm going to say this because somebody mentioned Hey Pachuco earlier. Why is it that you remember that song most as opposed to any other of the last 30 years? Why is it that you don't remember the music the group played ten years ago when they almost made state for the first time in EP's history. They got third place that year at area and they only took the first two groups. But do you know why that song is remembered most maybe even more over the other two we played that year? Because the song was easy. In a couple of years, you're going to hear the group play that song and you're going to cringe and say "I can't believe they still play that." Yet in refference to what I was saying about thinking about a song, you obviously know how the song goes since you brought it up and if you do, I want you to sing what the tubas (the bass part I asked about) were playing the whole time throughout. If you don't know, you're the type of person that only pays attention to the main melody or if it was any other song without brass instrumentation, the lyrics. You can't say that a song or group sucks if you don't open up and listen to everything that makes a song they play sound a way it does. Now, the music that they're playing this year is just like that. You can't just focus on what comes out of the trumpet bells you have to hear every single section and what they contribute. I had mentioned earlier on one of my previous posts that this music would be hard for some people to understand even more so if you never had experience in a band. Case in point, right now.

I'll let you in on a secret that not a lot of people outside of band know...you know why groups are starting to play better than EP? Because they force people here to participate and show up. Simple as that. There are people that don't want to be outside in the sun so they just show up and do a half assed job. Hence the reason the group was four beats off last night. They dont care at all; at least, not anymore. In other schools, the people that didn't want to be there bought their gym shorts long ago and are having fun chasing the ball with everybody else. Here, the dedication people used to have and the pride that went with it is gone. They think that just because they're in the group they're automatically going to get the same recognition the groups that worked their butts off in the past did but they're not. They're just hanging on to their coattails trying to milk it for all its worth. When stuff like this is going on, it's the student's fault and NOT the directors. The majority of the directors here are experienced and know what it takes to get this group to succeed. Why haven't they? The students don't care anymore and they don't want to play or practice. The music they're playing this year isn't the type of stuff you can just learn from class to class. You actually have to take your horn home and go over it. Who would have guessed that you actually have to practice to be able to play something right? Hence the reason it sounded the way it did at the game (those of you that went know what I'm talking about). Like somebody said earlier, the directors that are (correction, they're actually over 40) over forty are excellent directors. I had each and every one of them for at least one year and they really improved me. I went from being a person that didn't even make the marching band my freshman year to being second chair here in the university band. But do you know what separates me from the people in the group back home? I HAVE pride in what I do and I always try my best even when I don't want to. There were times this past year that I would play so much at practice that I would show up to school the following day with cuts on my lips. It hurt like hell to play but I kept on going I never stopped. When we had practice, there were people that marched next to me that never played a single note. 10 min on the field and nothing. Yet those same people are the ones that I described that make the group sound bad when they finally DO decide to play because more than likely they don't know the music. Don't get me wrong I know there are lots of people that try hard and have moe than enough pride in them because, well, I played with them last year. I wasn't the only one there were others that had the same drive as me. For some reason, people's heart just isn't into it as much as the people of yesterday. There was a time when being in band meant that you were part of a successful group but the times have changed and so have the kids and their attitudes. It's up to them to prove that they're the best like we did when I was in the group. No more of that whole "well I don't know my music so I'll just let pepe next to me play the whole time while I walk around the field holding a piece of pipe to my face." This group at one point was the best there was in the region and they still have the potential to be that. To quote Edward James Olmos in the movie "Stand and Deliver"...they need "mas ganas"

I have to appologize for running this so long. If you read it from beginning to end, thank you very much. This is just something I had to say for everybody to read :)

[miawallace]

Well Excuse me,I am a memeber of this year's band and i accept we did bad but hey its our first game! And as for the music i think its cool all we played were the two first songs and well we havent finished adding visuals and stuff. And the reason we placed low last year wasnt cuz of the music or cuz we sucked its just that we didnt march fast enough like how we played the music but hey dont people learn from mistakes?well thats what we're doing now. improving so we dont make the same mistake as last year

Well I say chop chop on improving, so that way, you won't make this year a disaster as well.

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

What do you mean "as well"? Last year we got first place at two of the pre competitions we went to and also brought home best in section trophies. It was far from being a disaster. You don't seem to understand how the music selection works here. The directors have a hard time because they have to pick music that is challenging to the student and meets the expectations of judges and also at the same time, be something that the people in attendance in Eagle Pass will enjoy since their first priority is the fans. They've tried playing slow stuff, the kind of stuff you play with an orchestra but it has yet to work out. Its a very delicate game of balance. That's why the last couple of years they've stuck with latin charts because people seem to like it more. Unfortunately for EP, the judges at area don't like that type of music, hence the reason we got the place we did last year. Our performance at area last year was without a doubt, the best we had all year because we all tried our best. But like I said, money plays a factor and the schools from Houston and Dallas who have money, buy all this equipment for the pit we don't use and extras for thier colorguard. It just so happens, they came out on top. When we go play, we fill the bottom of A bus (NOT buses but A bus) with xylophones and marimbas...the essentials. School from over there take 18-wheelers FULL of equipment they use throughout their whole show. Some of which, EP doesn't even own.

As for that whole cricket thing, that is FAR FAR F A R from the truth. The people there applauded generously and NOT out of pity. I was there myself, I know.

[cotton]

What do you mean "as well"? Last year we got first place at two of the pre competitions we went to and also brought home best in section trophies. It was far from being a disaster

Pre? What about the other competitions that really matter? And yes, the half time show was a disaster too.

[miawallace]

What do you mean "as well"? Last year we got first place at two of the pre competitions we went to and also brought home best in section trophies. It was far from being a disaster
Well I wish the band ALL THE LUCK they can get

[Evie]

Well johnnyjohnjohn I know where your coming from. It takes alittle bit of all the instruments to make music, but I remember when the other bands would play really cool music and we always played the same thing over and over again at the games just so we could practice for the competition. Well hearing them and hearing us can bring the "ganas" down. People at the football games want to hear something lively to lift the spirits especially when the team is sucky. If the fans spirits are up well maybe it will lift the team's spirits also. I do have to give credit to the drum section-their cadence has always been uplifting. And they keep getting better and better as the years go by. YEA!! DRUMS!!! :D
The reason people remember Pachuco is not because it is easy but because it's a popular song. Just look at the crowd when they play that song. Their faces are lit up and the spirit is coming back into them. You have to admit that the music at the football games has almost always been B-O-R-I-N-G!! Save the "circus" music for the competition.
You say people in the band are forced to participate and show up. Well hell kick them out of the band. If they aren't giving their 100% it is time to put those shorts on and start running. Why have people doing a crappy job stay in the band. Shape up or ship out!!!

[miawallace]

Well johnnyjohnjohn I know where your coming from. It takes alittle bit of all the instruments to make music, but I remember when the other bands would play really cool music and we always played the same thing over and over again at the games just so we could practice for the competition. Well hearing them and hearing us can bring the "ganas" down. People at the football games want to hear something lively to lift the spirits especially when the team is sucky. If the fans spirits are up well maybe it will lift the team's spirits also. I do have to give credit to the drum section-their cadence has always been uplifting. And they keep getting better and better as the years go by. YEA!! DRUMS!!! :D
The reason people remember Pachuco is not because it is easy but because it's a popular song. Just look at the crowd when they play that song. Their faces are lit up and the spirit is coming back into them. You have to admit that the music at the football games has almost always been B-O-R-I-N-G!! Save the "circus" music for the competition.
You say people in the band are forced to participate and show up. Well hell kick them out of the band. If they aren't giving their 100% it is time to put those shorts on and start running. Why have people doing a crappy job stay in the band. Shape up or ship out!!!


Well said Evie, maybe that's how I should have responded earlier. I mean hearing circus music sounds boring, it's not fun to hear during halftime, that's why everyone goes down stairs because the music is a drag. And that's why people from Houston, Dallas, SA, win competitions because they are DEDICATED. It takes DEDICATION and HARD WORK to win, I mean if you don't feel like practicing or trying to get better, the end results are disappointing. Maybe having "money" for buying instruments does "help" I don't know, I'm not a bandie, but if you have dedication and the will to win, you'll do as well as other schools do with the "expensive" instruments.

[eagle78]

To understand all the hard work and the outcomes in competitions you have to be part of the band. I was in band some years ago. We were also very upset with the decisions of the judges. Most judges had us in the top five bands in the area contest and guess what, one had us in the 22nd place. It is all about the money as some already said. One of the bands there from the valley had dancers on platforms with expensive dresses and guess what, they were in the top 3. I went to see the Eagle band last year and they were great, music great, marching great, everything was great. Please understand that everybody, of any profession, has their bad days. Do not base a judgement in one performance. I know the band can improve, I am very confident of that. I also had a first game each season and the performance sucked too. It requires time and practice, and most of all, it requires positive attitudes from students.
I will very honest of what I have seen lately, a lack of spirit, many students do not have that spirit of competition anymore. All these kids need as somebody already mentioned is GANAS!

[torrito_04]

I understand how one can immediately say, oh the show sucked and the music is "boring" this year and what not; but more than anything, show this organization some love and support, they are out there representing YOU. I was in the band for 4 years, I know what I'm saying. How do you anticipate improvement, with such a negative attitude and crude remarks? Ask any of these former/current band members, it damages your pride to hear someone say "ya'll sucked".Yes I know that there are those few who take to marching band lightly and don't put forth their best effort...but the majority of the kids out there marching DO. Putting on a show, every Friday night, requires strenuous practice and intense endurance. While some of you are inside the comfort of your homes, enjoying the nice cold air, watching your favorite shows...GUESS WHAT, there are hundreds of kids out there in the blistering 110° heat, busting their butts off for you. Not to mention, some of them encounter heat strokes and fatigue. But oh wait, who am I kidding? Nothing to it right???? And how are you going to tell me that getting 1st place in a pre-UIL competition twice doesn't matter. When did 1st place lose it's value..can somebody tell me please...? The band placed close to last the previous year because of it's music selection, economic standing and ethnicity. Welcome to the real world. I personally witnessed their performance at Area..I was impressed none the less. Fantastic job. Sure, the band doesn't march at lightning speed, or have spectacular outfits and memerizing equipment like some of those other bands do. DEAL WITH IT...the band does what it can do. We all know money runs scarce in Eagle Pass. Time and patience is what it takes. This band will get better, whether the music selection appeals to you or not. When you watch this halftime show again, don't limit yourselves to just listening to the loudest instrument on the field, analyze how ugly the formations looked or how none of the color guard members were together. If you look close enough, you'll see the heart and drive of those kids. If not, have the balls to stare one of them in the face and tell them they did a sh*tty job....

*And yes, Evie the drums are awesome. I was section leader for the drumline 03-04* ;)

[Eagle_Chick_5]

Wow thanks for writing that because that is how these remarks made me feel. Lot of us do put effort but i guess people dont understand that it was the first game and well alot of people were nervous like the freshmen and upper classmen that havent marched before. And we have been working really hard since july and we've had some people fainting or not feeling well because of the sun

[monsterkittie]

Pre? What about the other competitions that really matter? And yes, the half time show was a disaster too.

FYI....
The only "real" contest that Texas bands have to worry about in the fall is UIL Marching Contest. Anything beyond that is extra. Advancing to Area and then State Marching Contest is a feat in and of itself. Just like football. Advancing to the playoffs is above and beyond the regular season. Just because you don't make it past one or two rounds of playoffs doesn't mean you "totally suck".

And, thank you, the Mighty Eagle Band has been receiving First Division ratings at UIL Marching contest EVERY YEAR SINCE 1984. I promise you that there are not many bands in the state of Texas who can boast that claim. Our neighbors to the north (no offense) can't.

IMHO, halftime was not a disaster. Sucked, but not a disaster. It is fixable. And I know that many of the students are going to fix it. Running out of gas sucks. Crashing into an 18-wheeler on the interstate going 70 mph is a disaster.

Also, just out of curiousity, and not really meaning to belittle them as I know several members personally, but, why all the harsh criticisms on the band and hardly any on the 57-10 final score?????

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

Correction, they've been getting first divisions since 1980...twenty-four years and counting

[Evie]

Also, just out of curiousity, and not really meaning to belittle them as I know several members personally, but, why all the harsh criticisms on the band and hardly any on the 57-10 final score?????

Well probably because people were kinda expecting the team to do bad but they weren't expecting anything like that from the band. As a former bandie I wish the Band the best of luck-I know they can put on a good show for the next game. Show some GANAS BANDIES!!!!

P.S. Alot of people go to the games just for the band anyway!!! :D

[Eagle_Chick_5]

Hahaha my mom says that too...

[johnnyjohnjohn25]

For anybody that is interested, they're showing Cirque du Soleil right now on the channel 'Bravo'. As of this posting, they're showing Alegria, one of their shows and at 1:30, they'll be showing Quidam, which for those of you keeping score, is where the music the band is playing this year comes from. It's a very nice show. I recommend you guys watch it so you can understand what the music is about :)

[monsterkittie]

Competitions round One: Drums Along the Medina Marching Invitational

Caption: Best Marching

Award: Second Place, AAAAA Division


Not too bad. Still got lots to work on, though. At least it's a step in the right direction.

Round Two Next Saturday, Harlandale Marching Invitational.

[torrito_04]

Congrats on the awards. I made the trip to Southwest to see you guys, and ya'll did great. I think a few more visuals would boost the energy of the show though. Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work band!

[vwinsect]

woooooohoooooo Gooooo Bandies


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