The Federal Funding March

domonique said:

hey there I'm from cheyenne h.s and just wanted to say that you guys did an amayzing job! :)

Carol Luecke said:

The LIVE taping of the Cy-Fair video was done very well, I'll admit. So well, that I can see how it has thrown some of you off. But, if you weren't present for the LIVE taping, you are really only making second-hand assessments. If you're hung up on that, I'm sad for you. It seems to me you're missing the point of a really fabulous video.

But since the official judging phase has not yet begun, (and I have not been asked to be a judge), my comments are for ALL the bands. I've watched EACH of your videos and every one is unique in it's approach. It's evident that anyone who ventured to take on this project has a passion to see their band program thrive and grow. I wish you only the best. GOOD LUCK!

Finally, I also want use this space to say a HUGE THANKS to CAKE, USSBA, and all the sponsors involved. YOU GET IT! You see the need for funding the arts in schools and YOU STEPPED up to DO SOMETHING! I am GRATEFUL for your VISION and this CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY! May others follow your EXCELLENT example.

Bill Madden said:

So, to those people who complained that she wasn't playing in the video.... "SHE CAN PLAY!"

John Nelson said:

Our flute soloist in the beginning (also a drum major) just made 3rd chair 5A all-state!

John Nelson said:

Our flute soloist in the beginning (also a drum major) just made 3rd chair 5A all-state!

Mindy Chokpapone said:

Glad that we seem rich to people! :D But the truth is that we do lots of fundraising and all that stuff to get the funds we need so please don't assume that we are a rich school just because of how things looked in this 4 min. video because truth be told our band is very talented and we all worked hard for this! :)

Stephanie said:

Isn't it ironic that so many say it looks like Cy Fair is professional and rich but district funding for the music program has dropped significantly over the past few years? Testament to the outstanding student musicians and staff for their hard work and dedication.

Stephanie said:

Isn't it ironic that so many say it looks like Cy Fair is professional and rich but district funding for the music program has dropped significantly over the past few years? Testament to the outstanding student musicians and staff for their hard work and dedication.

tiffany said:

Wow this is a very large marching band and seems like you guys have a lot of new instruments :/ you guys seem rich:/

DocHopper said:

I was on the field. I can guarantee you that it was most definitely live. I helped attach the camera to the little stand on the drummers cart. I am constantly amazed by the level of professionalism our band shows. Sure they have fun in practice, but when it's time to play, it's all about the game face ;-)

Vickie Pace said:

My congratulations go out to this terrific group of kids. I've viewed all entries and am not affiliated with any school in this competition. Although there are clearly some great creativity of presentation Cy-Fair ROCKS! I caught myself smiling with this group while watching them perform and clearly they are the best. For all you who posted nasty little comments about this group shame on you.

paula fox said:

I am so proud of all the members of the band-they did an awesome job--I have attended some football games to watch them and they are always great!!!!

Derek Volkmann said:

Come on guys we can't lose this! Ours is by far the best. We got this!
Btw: We really need new instruments (baris!)

Karen Stiewert said:

Great Job!!
I will miss all of you...BFND

Kathy Hoover said:

TO all the Bobcat APUSHites who were part of the video! (and you know who you are) Awesome job! With everything else going in at the time-marching contests, playoff games, school--it's amazing that you found the time to put it all together so professionally. Sad that all the critics do not have the the full and rewarding life that you all do and so spend much time "trolling" the internet. (And if I look hard enough, I can see myself in the stands at that colder-than-a-polar-bear game, during the LIVE performance)

Bill said:

FANTASTIC!!!

cecilia said:

it would have been better if he didnt sing

Laura Doubek-Kraft said:

Beautifully done.....very professional. I'm a West Campus mom, by the way, one of your competitors! I like Anthony V's comment: let's be one big band family.

Rita said:

You guys did a good job, i've noticed some rude things, don't take 'em to heart. However, Tatijana wasn't being rude, she was merely asking you need for flip-folders and I also noticed someone from your school, saying "don't be hateing on Cy-Fair just because we put some effort into it". My school did nothing but work hard, and so did my director.

will said:

Can't stop watching our band

Eileen said:

Singer Dude, you are amazing! The rest of the band, you are freaking awewome, but I keep watching this video and voting daily because of the energy, the musicality, and the look on Singer Dude's face as he's falling back into your arms at the end. So glad you didn't drop him! Boy, that would have been a bummer! :-D

Joyce Evans said:

Great job CyFair Band!

Briana said:

Great job, guys! As a marching band member myself I think it could have used a lot more actual drill, but I can imagine that being a stretch for a limited amount of practice time.

S.Kimberling said:

Hey, I'm one of these grandmommy-kinds--and I get chill-bumps every time I hear and see these kids perform! I was there (I don't miss many things they do)when this was made and it is for real! And trust me they need their 80's equip updated. Some of us just finished putting some percussion equip back together but I don't know if it will last another 30 years.

Anthony V. said:

someone said this wasn't a live take? have you seen an eye doctor lately?

Sue mclean said:

Band parents, please vote, too!

Alma CAntu said:

we need much more votes band vote everyday and get as many friends to vote also.
BFND

Jessi said:

I love are Band soo much:D! don't take those rude comments! cause we don't deserve them!:) <3 BFND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gordon Fields said:

this band has too much swagg to handle

Joanna McAnulty said:

Awesome job...way to go Cy-Fair...BFND!!!

Josephine said:

Absolutely rocking! You kids deserve to win. An amazing video, professional quality.

Eric Luecke said:

To the naysayers of the Cy-Fair video, criticism is only beneficial when it is constructive. Otherwise, it is just passing judgment. To the band members, directors, techs, boosters and parents, you are TOP NOTCH. You make BEAUTIFUL music on old equipment with severe district cutbacks. I wish only the best for you!

Tatijana said:

Definitely a unique approach. However, being that this obviously wasn't a live take, I don't understand the use of liars and flip folders. Regardless, I think your editing crew did an amazing job and you all definitely deserve all of the views you've received thus far.

Tatiana Miranda said:

I love Cy-Fair Band and we did freakin amazing on this video, Amazing job!

John Ousley said:

Hey , nice job band. good concept., good mix with the vocalist.

Samantha Boffa said:

I love this video, i get goose bumps when i hear it ... and i am so proud to be apart of this band !

Alex Fagan said:

Hey guys I'm the a tuba player from the Patapsco band and I just wanted to say that I am extremely jelly of of the ability of whoever edited this video great job guys that was awesome.

ajuante said:

Hey im part of the Patapsco high school band entry and i wanted to say that im very impressed with the video (the ending was the best, that was very creative). We had three days and three takes and you guys looked like you look alot of time, money, and effort into it. I give you guys 5 stars!!!!

Christy Harlan said:

It was INCREDILBLE. Well put together and the musicians are all very talented. You are one rockin' teacher and have shown you "go the distance" Although I like to pull for the underdog in most sitches I have to vote for this group.

John Nelson said:

We selected the crown from the cover of Fashion Nugget as it was the most familiar icon from Cake that could be displayed by a band on a football field. The cover of "Showroom" did not really lend itself to football field graphics displayable by a marching band. Too bad the stadium we performed at that weekend did not have a very high vantage point or the crown form might have been more readable. The graphic overlay at the end was an aid to help distinguish the form the band was in, rather than to reference what album the song was released on. I can point out details in our submission that are less than optimal, but I tend to just enjoy watching it and am glad our program got to be a part of the promotion. We are allowed one submission. No updates, edits, or do-overs are allowed, no matter how many times the deadline gets extended.

Cake had a great idea and purpose with this promotion beyond the results of the contest. I think each submission will offer something unique to the original song that makes everyone's viewing experience positive in some way! The marching band community is generally positive and supportive > our sensitivity to public comments.

Christine Crowley said:

I love our band. that's all. :) We take rude comments into NO consideration. We worked extremely hard this past season, and placed very well in everything we did. So we all know how much we deserve this.

Elaine said:

amazing. people be jealous.

Ann Lane said:

Tusk!

Peter said:

Btw, that was Guillermo, I'm on my cousins account xD

Peter said:

Oh and Patti, our district cut out some funding for our music department. So please don't be a hypocrite and tell us to research information, while you didn't.

Peter said:

Guys! DON'T LISTEN TO PATTI BELL. She clearly doesn't understand how much Mr. Nelson put his effort into this. We did an amazing job. And Patti, its not cool for a mom from another band to come here and critique out band, when yours clearly didnt put effort into theirs. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all. I'm sure YOU have heard that before.

Anthony V. said:

Can't we all just join together and be one big band family?

Hayden Passon said:

Also, I just want to remind other students who are moved to comment to remember that they are representing not only our band program but our entire school with whatever they choose to say, so, be smart about it. Be respectful.

Hayden Passon said:

Just because I don't want any of the members of my band to get discouraged, I'd like to encourage them to veer away from the comment section. If you wish to read the criticism, remember to take it with a grain of salt. None of these people know the current state of the funding issues in our district and therefore aren't in any way qualified to pass judgement on our program. I would like to inform the people who are negatively commenting on our submission that the director who organized and put together the majority of this video lost sleep for several days in order to make this look as great as possible for a high school group. There are bound to be minor mistakes. Please remember high school aged kids are seeing your comments passing judgement on them and accussing them of not actually playing the music they had performed. It would be appreciated if you limited your comments to constructive criticism and took your negativity elsewhere. Thank you.

Gillian Crowley said:

Oh! And on funding comment...Cy-Fair is broke. We get virtually nothing from the District worth mentioning for this 260 +/- band. As the parent who runs fundraising, I can attest to the fact that our funds come from parents busting their rears to help these kids raise money they need. Some of their instruments are over a decade old and we are still waiting.... Yet, true talent, drive, disclipline and commitment overrule any lack of funding these kids are challenged by. Again, CY-FAIR BAND... You ROCK!

Gillian Crowley said:

Band babies ROCK OUT! You never cease to amaze me. So proud!!! To the nay-sayers I simply say, "Come see them perform for yourselves..." All doubts will be quashed immediately. I'm so proud to call the Cy-Fair Band my "babies!" You just added theatrical abilities to your constantly growing list of awesome talents and gifts! BFND! Mama Crowley

Ryan said:

I am sorry that you feel this way about our submission, Patti. I would like you to note that we did perform this song and the recording is entirely ours. I wonder, however, if you are aware of what a music video is? Most music videos use a wide range of styles of film making techniques, including animation, live action filming, documentaries, and non-narrative approaches such as abstract film, and do not necessarily have to be a live performance (all of our musicians are musicians, thank you very much). I hope you don't mind if I ask, but is every band that makes a studio recording unauthentic because they used tools available to everyone as a way to achieve greater sound quality? The Beatles, one of the most beloved bands of all time, advanced many innovations in recording techniques, while the band Queen pretty much created the modern music video with "Bohemian Rhapsody". Would you call these bands unauthentic? Surely not. In answer to your question of asking us to research "authenticity", I submit that you research "objectivity". Also, I would like to thank you for your input on behalf of the rest of us. We will take your thoughts into consideration for the future, I am sure.

Patti Ball said:

Clearly this band great funding and community support. In typical American high school fashion, you feel you deserve that you to be rewarded for the "three days" that you crammed for this, admittedly, well produced video. Even one tiny google search would have saved you the embarrassment of asking for funding from a generous group of musicians, for whom you mistitled your entry. Clearly, you also have "musicians" not playing their instruments. As a long time CAKE fan, I find this akin to being caught cheating on your SAT's. When these ommisions are caught you call observers, "Haters". Authenticity and chagrin: research the those terms.

Claudia said:

AWESOME JOB BAND!!!!!!!!!!

Guillermo said:

Don't be hating on Cy-Fair just cause we put some effort into it! This is a HIGH SCHOOL music video, not a professional one! #BFND

Tmriesmeyer@gmail.com said:

Thanks patti I had to watch the end to see it for myself. At least you all are consistent with your disappointment. Fashion nugget? Honestly? I hate this with a passion. You shiuld win what you know about the band, nothing.

Patti Ball said:

Amazing job. One BIG problem, WRONG album featured at the conclusion. You DO know that song is from Showroom of Compassion right? Ouch! If only you had done a tiny bit of research on CAKE and not just featured an over the top performance, you might have completely nailed it.

Tmriesmeyer@gmail.com said:

Well, I'm kinda happy I stoped watching when I did. couple things, the girl with the flute (or whatever) standing outside in the beginning of this (when everything drops and she is highlighted) isn't even playing I mean really just standing there with it to her mouth? Who made this. Also it doesn't look like their really hurting for this funding that's some nice equipment, all of it really. And Jesus christ who is singing? Really? Really? I'm a mixture of angry embarrassed and disgusted. Where did he come from and why, god why, did he get the job.

Jack said:

This is so legit! Mind blown!!!

_BFND_ said:

This so lagit so B0$$

bob the builder said:

BBBBBBBBBBFFFFFFFFFFFFFNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD

Shannon Tompkins said:

so cool! bfnd!!!!

Mr. Campbell said:

ROCKIN'!

bill tommaney said:

WOW! Great job. That IS Awesome!! Go Bobcats.

Pat Sivin said:

This was great - looks very professional! Loved it!

John Nelson said:

Vincent Di Fiore=Trumpet player for Cake!

Soyo Awosika-Olumo said:

we're so awesome.

Guillermo said:

:D THIS IS AWESOME!

Vince Di Fiore said:

This is amazing and inspiring. Well done! You have an excellent and unique program at your school.

Destiny Lindhardt said:

This. is. awesome. :D

Luke Mendoza said:

*tam-tam

Mikell Rogers said:

Great job Nelson! With the prize money we can get a new gong!

Mindy Chokpapone said:

Amazingly good video!!

tim lebalnc said:

This is SO kool. I love it. Awesome Job Nelson !!!!! Great Band, Great Guard, Great Kids. THANKS !!!!

Iris is sharin' the Drink of the Day! said:

What an amazing, inspiring, and very professional looking video. You guys did a fantastic job. The singer is terrific and has a bright future in the music world. The band is fantastic. Cy-Fair High School Band program has been a class act for decades! You guys are doing amazing work, John Nelson, Mark Veenstra and Alma Cantu! Great color guard and percussion work also. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Hope you win because I know you guys could use the money for new instruments. I will definitely share this video with ALL my Facebook friends.

Carol McMillan said:

Fantastic!!!

JFox said:

Heck yea!!!! Nice job yall!

Kathryn Hannah said:

OMG, you all make beautiful music together...Hi Zach

Jane Kimberling said:

Great Job!!!! Love the video!

Maria Ochoa said:

this is great!

Alex Wells said:

we be awesome

Alma CAntu said:

This is awesome thanks band and John Nelson

Margaret Christensen said:

You all make great music together.

megan said:

love it! amazing job! <3

Matt Wargo said:

great job guys, hello from Chicago btw!

User said:

FANTASTIC job! BFND!!

Joanna Bonds said:

amazing job band!

cece love said:

love it

Bob said:

This is awesome