Because apparently the marching arts needed another way to extract money from parents
Box 5 TV feels like the technological embodiment of everything that frustrates me about the marching arts ecosystem: pay more, expect less, and somehow convince ourselves this is all perfectly normal because “it’s for the kids.”
Parents already spend a small fortune supporting their kids in the performing arts. Then comes the competition fees, travel, tickets, concessions, merchandise, streaming services, scheduling services, and apparently every other conceivable opportunity to insert another cash register between a parent and watching their kid perform.
And what do we get for all that monetization? An app and viewing experience that feels remarkably unimpressive for something attached to an ecosystem that has become remarkably good at collecting money.
Maybe the technology is perfectly innocent and I’m just cynical. But after watching the same small ecosystem of organizations, vendors, schools, judges, travel providers, and service companies continually feed business back into itself, it’s difficult not to wonder: Who actually benefits from these arrangements, and why are parents expected to keep funding them without demanding better?
It has the same charming energy as watching members of Congress trade stocks: I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything, but you’ll forgive me if I don’t immediately reach for my wallet.
And here’s the part where my rant becomes constructive.
Parents: why do we assume these organizations are indispensable?
Why does it have to be Bands of America?
Why does it have to be DCI?
Why does it have to be whatever organization or vendor your local school has always used?
Why do we accept mediocre products simply because somebody already owns the relationship?
These organizations exist because performers, parents, educators, volunteers, and fans give them value—not the other way around.
So build something better.
Build a better streaming platform. Build a better competition. Build a better scheduling service. Hell, build a better marching-band organization.
Competition supposedly makes everybody better.
Maybe it’s time the marching arts experienced some.
Parents already spend a small fortune supporting their kids in the performing arts. Then comes the competition fees, travel, tickets, concessions, merchandise, streaming services, scheduling services, and apparently every other conceivable opportunity to insert another cash register between a parent and watching their kid perform.
And what do we get for all that monetization? An app and viewing experience that feels remarkably unimpressive for something attached to an ecosystem that has become remarkably good at collecting money.
Maybe the technology is perfectly innocent and I’m just cynical. But after watching the same small ecosystem of organizations, vendors, schools, judges, travel providers, and service companies continually feed business back into itself, it’s difficult not to wonder: Who actually benefits from these arrangements, and why are parents expected to keep funding them without demanding better?
It has the same charming energy as watching members of Congress trade stocks: I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything, but you’ll forgive me if I don’t immediately reach for my wallet.
And here’s the part where my rant becomes constructive.
Parents: why do we assume these organizations are indispensable?
Why does it have to be Bands of America?
Why does it have to be DCI?
Why does it have to be whatever organization or vendor your local school has always used?
Why do we accept mediocre products simply because somebody already owns the relationship?
These organizations exist because performers, parents, educators, volunteers, and fans give them value—not the other way around.
So build something better.
Build a better streaming platform. Build a better competition. Build a better scheduling service. Hell, build a better marching-band organization.
Competition supposedly makes everybody better.
Maybe it’s time the marching arts experienced some.
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Unreliable app and customer service
I hosted a watch party for my family who were unable to make it in person. It was fine all day until the awards ceremony. It crashed. I was told there were no refunds because it worked most of the day. It’s like watching a movie up to the climax then cutting to the credits. Such a waste of time and money. Very disappointed.
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Terrible app
Really bad app! It does the bare minimum the developers need to do better
Worst camera direction ever
Tried to watch ISSMA Finals. There was no high cam option. Multicam consisted of lingering closeups of random players. Soloists who didn’t move and often weren’t playing. Terrible
technical issues
The sheer amount of technical issues with their site and app are supported through your generous PPV donations. don’t worry though, if you have a problem, they’ll solve it after the fact. no refunds!
