As Bands of America makes its rounds across the country bands will be dealing with different stadiums for every performance. No stadium is designed exactly the same. Although the dimensions of the field will be the same, distance to the press box, angle to the press box, turf condition, and high walls all play factors into the bands ability to perform at its finest. On the eve of the 2016 season, we take a closer look at a beautiful stadium in South Texas that will be the site of the Bands of America McAllen Regional.

Meet McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium

The turf feels like a new turf and is in great condition. It is firm and has plenty of traction. The field does not have a pronounced crown which can cause issues when changing directions moving towards and away from the sidelines. This field is pretty flat so moving should be just fine. There is an 8-lane wide track that circles the entire field. The track is level with the field so no need to worry about a curb jumping from the track to the field. Moving in an out of the stadium should be smooth as there is plenty of room all the way around. 



There is a small press box on top of the home side that will provide an easy target to project sound. Standing on the fifty at mid field, the box is not really high so if you have a horn move to the box the performers will only need about a 25-degree angle to point their horns at the press box. The stands are set at about a 45-degree angle and are more deep than high. So sound projection will be key to get the sound to the box. It isn't really that high, but it is set back away from the field. If performers just aim for the giant C at the box they should be just fine.



There is a concrete wall at the base of the stadium that stands about 5-6 feet tall. This could produce a little bit of sound reverb back at the front ensemble but since this is an open aired stadium it should not really be an issue. For Staff members wanting to get up to the top of the stadium quickly, there is not a way over the wall other than climbing. The only way to get around the wall would be to walk around the bottom of the stadium at either end of the stands. 

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