FYI, I was in high school in 2001 and saw Union do this show at Bands of America. Now, 8 years later I still watch this show from time to time on youtube. I did college marching band for 6 years and do ARMY band now, this is still one of my favorite shows of all time, if not THE favorite.
Actually, Lafayette did parts of this show in 2001 symphonic impressions, Paul Laurence Dunbar of Lexington Kentucky also delivered an impressive version of this show in 2002. But Westfield of texas was the original in 1995.
Lafayette DID perform some arrangement of a piece in Into the Unknown(Union '01), not Distorted Reality. Mark Higginbotham, composer/arranger, assisted. Watch the videos; they were on Lafayette's web page a while back, not sure if they still are.
The pressure was high on the band as our practice started at 5am and weeks before school, but I think our colorguard had it worse. They often practiced before we did. Yes there was a lot of pressure on the band before school even started: you had to march perfectly or you might be out if someone else didn't fix you (and often, that someone else was someone else in the band) but I did hear colorguard members being yelled at for not catching a flag in time, etc.
After watching Westfield's performance in 96, I will agree that it was performed better, but Westfield has been on another level for Union for quite some time. The arrangement was different as well. A few things I liked better about Union's program: The guard is outstanding(not that Westfield's wasn't), some crazy elements in the guard designs and work. Also, I think Union's front ensemble improved the show's concept and vibe - all of the percussion elements were needed.
Impressive show! To compare to another program at UA-cam fidelity levelsis really impossible. Recording set ups were probably completely different. Professional? vs. Amateur? Filtered vs. unfiltered? Look at the different stadium configurations...totally different acoustic environs. Love the looped effect at ~7 minutes.
Parts of this arrangement were also performed by Lafayette HS Band in 02 or 03, I believe... The quality of THIS video isn't the best... I was at this contest and it's impossible to even get a feel of what this show produced by watching it.
Firstly markram96, your comment is subjective. For one band or another to perform it better is complete opinion. Union High School worked with Mark H. exclusively to change parts of the arrangement, to thin it out or beef it up in different places. They did, however, perform a powerful show written with the 96 band in mind. However, it seems that you are doing nothing but cutting down another performance which is just as powerful and placed just as high in their relative state, as well as BOA.
i saw this show at bands of america when i was a senior in high school. one of my favorite shows ever.
FYI, I was in high school in 2001 and saw Union do this show at Bands of America. Now, 8 years later I still watch this show from time to time on youtube. I did college marching band for 6 years and do ARMY band now, this is still one of my favorite shows of all time, if not THE favorite.
I was there! I was in Guthrie, we won our class. Couldn't compete with any TULSA band though...ROCK
Actually, Lafayette did parts of this show in 2001 symphonic impressions, Paul Laurence Dunbar of Lexington Kentucky also delivered an impressive version of this show in 2002. But Westfield of texas was the original in 1995.
Lafayette DID perform some arrangement of a piece in Into the Unknown(Union '01), not Distorted Reality. Mark Higginbotham, composer/arranger, assisted. Watch the videos; they were on Lafayette's web page a while back, not sure if they still are.
I was in the woodwinds this year. I want to get a proper compilation of 2000-2002 if I can just for fun. This show was super fun to perform!
The pressure was high on the band as our practice started at 5am and weeks before school, but I think our colorguard had it worse. They often practiced before we did. Yes there was a lot of pressure on the band before school even started: you had to march perfectly or you might be out if someone else didn't fix you (and often, that someone else was someone else in the band) but I did hear colorguard members being yelled at for not catching a flag in time, etc.
Ahhh 10th grade. I was top bass that year!
We lost to feathers lol
BTW, I'm speaking about Lafayette, Louisiana HS Band
After watching Westfield's performance in 96, I will agree that it was performed better, but Westfield has been on another level for Union for quite some time. The arrangement was different as well. A few things I liked better about Union's program: The guard is outstanding(not that Westfield's wasn't), some crazy elements in the guard designs and work. Also, I think Union's front ensemble improved the show's concept and vibe - all of the percussion elements were needed.
6:30 - 7:20 is my favorate part!
Impressive show! To compare to another program at UA-cam fidelity levelsis really impossible. Recording set ups were probably completely different. Professional? vs. Amateur? Filtered vs. unfiltered? Look at the different stadium configurations...totally different acoustic environs. Love the looped effect at ~7 minutes.
Parts of this arrangement were also performed by Lafayette HS Band in 02 or 03, I believe... The quality of THIS video isn't the best... I was at this contest and it's impossible to even get a feel of what this show produced by watching it.
Lafayette never preformed this, PLD did in 2002.
Lafayette did preform a very alterd peice of the Union 2000 show though.
Oops I meant Westfield 96
Firstly markram96, your comment is subjective. For one band or another to perform it better is complete opinion. Union High School worked with Mark H. exclusively to change parts of the arrangement, to thin it out or beef it up in different places. They did, however, perform a powerful show written with the 96 band in mind. However, it seems that you are doing nothing but cutting down another performance which is just as powerful and placed just as high in their relative state, as well as BOA.
are those japanese flags?
when TX Churchill did it it was better