Mr. Ingram thank you for these new ones! My mother marched during these years. REALLY love watching these Longview bands. I'm a senior music major at SFA and these videos are one of the main reasons I decided to major in music. Thank you.
did you notice that this performance included 3 full-band to-the-rears? best i could tell from the video all perfectly executed, not a single miss. haven't seen another of mr. kunkel's bands do that outside this year.
Randy, I love your evaluation. It's fascinating to see the evolution of the Kunkel "style" from 1969-onward. It was a total different look 10 years later. The total 6th-12th grade program, depth of quality and high school band enrollment grew exponentially in his first 10 years and, marching band styles were changing across Texas. He was innovative in that he retained the 6 to 5 military style but increased the tempo, played harder marches (music), insisted on a bigger sound, exaggerated the individual execution of marching fundamentals with this idea of "popping turns" and looked for more "shock value" in the drill design by incorporating more silence following huge, aggressive marching and playing moments. It was EXTREMELY effective. The 1976 (Fall) was the first year contest was hosted at the "new" Lobo Stadium so, the "home" crowd response certainly helps create the palpable excitement. With that said, every giant, whether an Athletic program, band, pop star, or you-name-it, has its growth, Zenith period and eventual "decline". It's hard to follow the legend and not be compared to it or them. The Longview and Lufkin bands are still of superior quality and led by talented, capable teachers (that happen to be friends of mine). But, Texas has grown in different directions (moved to the middle--Austin, San Antonio Houston, Dallas) and East and West aren't the money and population centers they once were. It's in no way meant to sound as if there aren't wonderfully talented students and teachers in those districts, but most people involved would agree that those communities and school districts are not the same as they used to be. It's no ones fault, it just is.
DavidAIngram It grew so great because all the cool people wanted to be in band. PLUS it offered various free trips. Mexico. Florida. Oklahoma. These kids in this vid won a Gold Medal in Florida ? Only Band to ever do so, at that time- '76. They were invited to Florida from their Mexico performance as I remember it happening. I can't remember the name of the Music Contest. Their performance in "Concert" mode won, while everyone in band thought the Marching was the best.
DavidAIngram Band had it's own Sun afternoon football team and we whooped up on everyone from Pinetree and Hallsville. Except for Derek Biggs who got the CRAPOLA knocked out of him against Hallsville, running back a kick off. ahahaha As I said, all the cool people were in band.
Brandon that means a lot. If your like me, I became a band director to try to create great memories and instill a love for music in kids like my teachers created for me. Best of luck!
My first music teacher was at Mozelle, Mr Martin. Don't know his first name. He was a Marine in ww2 I think. The first song he taught was ...... The Marine Corp Hymn. I can play it on 5 instruments and piano.
Stellar Longview Bands, back in the day - even through the eighties. Seems like both Longview and Lufkin have lost their pop, crisp turns and to-the-rears - perhaps even their sound. We hated when Longview would march first, because they tore up the field! Lol.
While video quality may deteriorate over time, the audio doesn't! The epitome of march style and outstanding individual marching execution. The last 16 bars of the trio of "Boy's of old Brigade", intro of "Double Eagle" , "Sinfonians" and top half of "Trombone Section" are particular highlights. (Lynn Cooper is the announcer) I was 8 years old and in the stadium that night. It was the first year of the "New" Longview High School. I knew I wanted to be a part of that one day.
Trombone Section--Chambers (Trio) Boys of the old brigade--Chambers Under the Double Eagle--Wagner Boys of the old brigade (top 1/2) Battle Hymn of the Republic--Anon
Truly, a lost art.
Definitely gonna try my best to march as sharply as these folks did
Mr. Ingram thank you for these new ones! My mother marched during these years. REALLY love watching these Longview bands. I'm a senior music major at SFA and these videos are one of the main reasons I decided to major in music. Thank you.
did you notice that this performance included 3 full-band to-the-rears? best i could tell from the video all perfectly executed, not a single miss. haven't seen another of mr. kunkel's bands do that outside this year.
Randy, I love your evaluation.
It's fascinating to see the evolution of the Kunkel "style" from 1969-onward. It was a total different look 10 years later.
The total 6th-12th grade program, depth of quality and high school band enrollment grew exponentially in his first 10 years and, marching band styles were changing across Texas. He was innovative in that he retained the 6 to 5 military style but increased the tempo, played harder marches (music), insisted on a bigger sound, exaggerated the individual execution of marching fundamentals with this idea of "popping turns" and looked for more "shock value" in the drill design by incorporating more silence following huge, aggressive marching and playing moments. It was EXTREMELY effective. The 1976 (Fall) was the first year contest was hosted at the "new" Lobo Stadium so, the "home" crowd response certainly helps create the palpable excitement.
With that said, every giant, whether an Athletic program, band, pop star, or you-name-it, has its growth, Zenith period and eventual "decline". It's hard to follow the legend and not be compared to it or them. The Longview and Lufkin bands are still of superior quality and led by talented, capable teachers (that happen to be friends of mine). But, Texas has grown in different directions (moved to the middle--Austin, San Antonio Houston, Dallas) and East and West aren't the money and population centers they once were. It's in no way meant to sound as if there aren't wonderfully talented students and teachers in those districts, but most people involved would agree that those communities and school districts are not the same as they used to be. It's no ones fault, it just is.
DavidAIngram It grew so great because all the cool people wanted to be in band. PLUS it offered various free trips. Mexico. Florida. Oklahoma.
These kids in this vid won a Gold Medal in Florida ?
Only Band to ever do so, at that time- '76.
They were invited to Florida from their Mexico performance as I remember it happening.
I can't remember the name of the Music Contest. Their performance in "Concert" mode won, while everyone in band thought the Marching was the best.
DavidAIngram Band had it's own Sun afternoon football team and we whooped up on everyone from Pinetree and Hallsville.
Except for Derek Biggs who got the CRAPOLA knocked out of him against Hallsville, running back a kick off. ahahaha
As I said, all the cool people were in band.
mr. ingram, appreciate you posting videos of the LHS band. i was a senior on the field for this one. great memories
I love that snap! In both their maneuvers and music
Brandon that means a lot. If your like me, I became a band director to try to create great memories and instill a love for music in kids like my teachers created for me. Best of luck!
My first music teacher was at Mozelle, Mr Martin. Don't know his first name.
He was a Marine in ww2 I think.
The first song he taught was ...... The Marine Corp Hymn. I can play it on 5 instruments and piano.
Stellar Longview Bands, back in the day - even through the eighties. Seems like both Longview and Lufkin have lost their pop, crisp turns and to-the-rears - perhaps even their sound. We hated when Longview would march first, because they tore up the field! Lol.
All the East Texas bands have lost snap and articulate run 🏃 playing ability....sorry but today's ET bands don't compare to those years! FACTS
True. But it's great that they are upholding the tradition.
part of the SNAP is Knunkle played his marches a tad faster than standard. So it has a narural snp, compare to Texas A&M
Wow...just wow!
Thanks Randy! Glad you enjoyed it
While video quality may deteriorate over time, the audio doesn't!
The epitome of march style and outstanding individual marching execution.
The last 16 bars of the trio of "Boy's of old Brigade", intro of "Double Eagle" , "Sinfonians" and top half of "Trombone Section" are particular highlights.
(Lynn Cooper is the announcer)
I was 8 years old and in the stadium that night. It was the first year of the "New" Longview High School. I knew I wanted to be a part of that one day.
Trombone Section--Chambers
(Trio) Boys of the old brigade--Chambers
Under the Double Eagle--Wagner
Boys of the old brigade (top 1/2)
Battle Hymn of the Republic--Anon