Closing the Gap. What Gap?

So where is the gap which is keeping our band's score down? Is it the gap during the Lindenhurst show, where all the judges consistently had us down by 1 to 3 tenths? Is it the Copiague show, where the GE Music judge had us down by 1.6 points in his caption, burying us while the field visual judge had us up? Is it the gap where the GE Visual judge had us down at Brentwood by 1.6 points in his caption, while field music had us up by .65? Or is it the gap yesterday where we were down in music and up in Ensemble visual? Honestly, the staff and myself are entirely baffled. The judging this year is clearly unusual and hard to understand.

Our band performs a very difficult, championship level drill, constantly moving to 63 sets with excellent lower and upper body technique and totally in step. Are we getting credit for it? No. Our band has an incredible drum line, blowing everyone away in every way, performing a difficult book, marching proficiently, and energizing the entire stadium. Are we getting credit for it? No. Our winds are amazing and powerful, attacks and releases are proficient, in tune, and with a great dynamic range. Are we getting credit for it? No. Our guard is the best it has ever been. Are we getting credit for it? No. Our show is difficult, musically, with many tempo changes, mixed time meters, and a high level of technique is clearly required and being met. Are we getting credit for it? No.

What are we getting credit for? Not much. This year, our band is exponentially better than last year, yet the scores are consistent with our scores of our past two years. It just doesn't make any sense.

Judging is subjective, I've been saying it for weeks, but to be totally honest, this has become a real mystery.

I am very proud of how the band is totally accepting and understanding of the subjectivity involved in this activity. Yesterday, they clearly performed with the confidence of a championship band. Yesterday they were a championship band.

I can sum it up in a few things that happened yesterday. For one, a parent came up to me as we walked off the field and said "they nailed it." Yes, they did! Then the drum majors told me that not one person asked them how we did. That is incredible. Think about that. The entire band knows how great they are! They don't need to ask anyone!

Hopefully, soon, we will get the judging community to acknowledge the band we are becoming.....no.....have become!