Leaderboard

I absolutely love this area and I can talk for hours about this area alone. Coming out of 2024 and going into the 2025 season there is a lot to say and a lot of unanswered questions we will not know until the next season starts. Bridgeland: I'm going to flat out say that they are the best band in this area. I don't think that can be challenged and beat at this point. They are the most consistent band that get the results of a great band in the state. They've been consistent state qualifiers since 2020, won the area three times now, two time state finalists, and they are a super regional and grand national finalists. I might even say they are the third best band in Houston behind TWHS and Pearland without a doubt. I think in order for them to move higher as finalists is to get harder drill and book similar to those of Coppell, Pearland, or Marcus. But I think they have what they need to be consistent finalists in these big contests for a long time. Cypress Woods: Theyre a good band that I think doesn't always get what they deserve. 29th at state this year was rough and I expected them to be at least in the teens but there was something that the majority of the judges saw that made them believe they deserved that placement. I believe their book is more complex and difficult than BL's however their drill doesn't compare. Cypress Woods has progressively gotten dangerously close to BOA SA finals but I feel like they need something extraordinary to push them into a finalist position. I honestly don't see them making state finals in a long time but they are very close to BOA SA finals. Cy- Fair: The main thought that comes mind when I think of Cy-Fair was "what happened"? They just came out of a great season in 2023 being the BOA Conroe Champion and state finalist. However, their 2024 show wasn't scored very high in comparison. I feel like their drill and book was limited despite obviously having great brass and woodwind players. they have an amazing balance in the brass that is super powerful but their book this year didn't help compliment that. I don't know what 2025 is going to look like for this band. Cy-Fair could easily be reintroduced to state finals or not. They have the players to be state finalists, but I think it comes down to the drill and book. Seven Lakes: Wow. talk about come back season. This band didn't do extraordinary with scoring and placements at the beginning of the season ( 9th at Webster, 6th at Waco, 4th at Area) but managed to place 14th at BOA SA and State earning them finalist spots at both major contests. Their sound was phenomenal and so impactful. But the question becomes: will they stay in this position in 2025 or will they lose their finalist spot? At the beginning of the season, everyone thought Jordan would steal that 4th area spot but boy was that proven wrong this season. I believe if SL can improve the difficulty in their drill, then they can potentially keep their finalist spots. Jordan: This band had a lot of hype at the beginning of the season and as they should. This young band has been growing very consistently and progressively similar to Bridgeland's growth. Jordan managed to beat Seven Lakes at the Katy Invitational. I think this band has a very high chance at making state in 2025 if 5 spots are open because I don't think the top 4 are moving down anytime soon. I was a bit disappointed with their area placement this year as I thought they would secure the 5th spot but without finals, I don't think the placements were super accurate in my opinion. Cinco Ranch: This is their second time being one spot shy of being an state qualifier (2021 when they got 5th). Cinco Ranch has great shows and a powerful brass but I think they need more cleaning in order to snatch a state spot and of course harder drill that I am sure they can execute. I think their brass needs to be better balanced and blend more with each other to compare with the Area I top 4. James E Taylor: Another bubble band for state that I could see taking the 5th spot as they have done it before in 2022 I believe. This band sounds pretty good by the time area comes along it is just a matter of how they execute their drill and book and how difficult it is to compare with the big 4 of the area. Tompkins: Another band that has made state and last year they managed to beat Cypress Woods and Seven Lakes at area finals. They also made state in 2020. It seems like this band isn't very consistent with placements as they placed 8, I believe, right after placing 3rd the previous year. It depends on their drill and book once again. I believe all these bubble bands have the talent to make state if there is a 5th spot but it comes down to how hard their production is and how well they can execute it. Once again, it is too soon to tell what 2025 will look like but I think it's safe to say BL, CW, CF, and SL are guarantee state qualifiers and the 5th spot is up for grabs if the required amount of bands qualify for area and allows for a 5th spot to open which is definitely possible.