Fwguard17

Pretty hard to be underrated when you're winning Honor Band and placing in finals at SMC and BOA Regionals..

I can't imagine they aren't. With the competitive nature of this activity I'm sure that all of the directors at the top of their games are tailoring specifically for judges that will score them later in seasons. I know that BOA releases judge information shortly before competitions (I imagine for this exact reason), not sure how TMC operates though.

Perhaps. Vandegrift is excellent as usual, but the margin isn't comparable as there is a difference t set of sheets and criteria

My directors often talk about the feedback from judges and I know that we have often times tweaked or in some cases completely changed entire movements of a show based on what judges have said. Something that might also come into play is consistency of judges. Looking it up, this event has two of the same judges as Conroe. My guess is that it both Vandegrift and Reagan are using the feedback from those two to plan their rehearsals this week. This could be put in the category of good for Vandegrift since both Nola Jones and Austin Greene had Vandegrift ahead last weekend, or good for Reagan if the feedback they got was as you said above, more "actionable"

I kind of agree... Vandegrift is great, but their show didn't impact me as much as Reagan did in Conroe. I totally understand why VHS would win Music but I'll never understand how they beat Reagan in effect. Also something to consider is that Vandegrift got feedback from BOA judges in Austin and seemsd to improve dramatically. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Reagan had the same improvement this week and pulled out a win at TMC

Also curious

Lots of great bands tonight. I waited to make any predictions until after I saw everything. Here is what I thought: 1. CTJ 2. Leander 3. Vandy 4. Cedar Park 5 Round Rock 6. Hendrickson 7. Cedar Ridge 8. Bowie 9. Churchill 10. Vista Ridge CTJ Sweeps Captions Will comeback with analysis later...

Anyone know the judging panel for tonight's finals?

Why does it have to be drawn? This is supposed to be an art form first. Artistic creativity shouldn't be hampered for competition sake. If anything, we should stop ranking bands and come together to enjoy the aristry of the productions. Not that any of this will ever happen, but while we're making pie in the sky wishes I'd rather celebrate the creative process than restrict it.

Who do we think has a legitimate shot at taking the title? Here's my rundown of the players at the top. From Texas? Reagan and maybe Leander? I find it hard to believe Leander would NOT win the Austin Regional and go on the win nationals. I understand the difference in time, but it's rare for groups to bounce back to win a national championship. Reagan is rolling with their second year director, capturing back to back wins at BOA Houston. BOA SA results will be a big window into how they will fair at nationals. Tarpon? They appear vulnerable after their narrow win in Atlanta Avon with the late push? Carmel beat Avon early in the season at the non-BOA Fisher's Invitational, but Avon has since beat Carmel in 2 (maybe 3?) ISSMA State Championships. It will be interesting to see if they win the Indy Super Regional Mason? After a dominating win in a less-than-stacked regional, Mason looks like they might be set to improve on their 4th place finish at last years Nationals.

Reagan Flowermound Vandergrift Hebron Marcus Leander CTJ Cedar Park Round Rock Keller LD Bell The Woodlands Vista Ridge Winston Churchill Music: Flomo Visual: Reagan GE: Reagan

The most surprising thing in my mind is the fact that Ronald Reagan and CTJ are in the same district, both attending nationals, and seem to be taking completely different approaches to UIL. I just can not for the life of me understand why anyone would choose not to participate in the greatest state marching championship in the country. Let alone the reigning bronze medalist

I definitely agree with the political angle. This is pretty evident by the fact that they've consistently placed higher in semifinals than in prelims/finals. I simply think this is shaping up to be the "perfect storm" year for them. The number of Texas bands, the growth of union and owasso and the fact that they've been slipping over the last few years. I also heard that they're playing some of the same music as Tarpon, though I can't confirm that. Besides, predictions are more fun if they're bold!

To Clarify the Above The first surprising thing about my prediction is Mason being so high.. Ahead of CTJ and Bowie???!! Yes. Mason has consistently been a strong finalist, has an awesome show that won a regional by 3+ points and (I've heard) has the full attention of one Wes Cartwright. Watch out everyone. The next surprising thing for most people will be me leaving Marion Catholic out of finals. This would be a massive upset as they've been a finalist for my entire life. However, the number of quality bands attending from afar (Texas) and the fact that this is there most recent performance: Means unless they have some late season magic, their in trouble to miss finals.

I thought I had read somewhere that finals this year would be a top 6/next 6 draw instead of the usual random draw for finals (poor Hebron...). Can anyone confirm this? Obviously we will have more info afte the Supers, but here are my tiers for Nationals after all the regionals we've seen: Fighting for Gold Tarpon Springs Ronald Reagan Carmel Top Six Probables Leander Avon William Mason Definite Finalists CTJ Bowie Cedar Park My Pick for the Last Three Union Owasso Ayala Could replace any of the above: Marion Catholic Dobyns-Bennett Wando

I believe the guard is amazing. from the color palette of the dresses to the integration in the drill. I won't give it away if you haven't seen it, but the "trick" is beautiful (visually). I think the way they have incorporated that many girls makes them stand out in a huge way. I also know that they've won visual at BOA SA last year with the same visual team, so it wouldn't surprise me if they add a lot of visuals to the wind players. I think this could be a show that we as fans visually overlook but stands out to judges

Respectfully, I could not disagree more. I think Leanders show is great, but I could easily see Reagan catching flomo. The Reagan ballad is by far the best moment of the season for me so far and their vocalist is INSANE. I would venture that she is the best vocalist I've hear in a marching show, that include Avon, Bell, Woodlands and Cedar Ridge (all known one time or another for their vocalists). The Reagan vocalist is incredible, and adds so much depth to the music. They've also got an insane visual package (look at last year when the won visual at SA. I think they've definitely got the ability in this show to catch Flomo. Leander is also great, and have some insane musical licks to clean up in order to bump their score. I wish they would have been able to compete in SA last year so that we had some way to compare them to Flomo! I also think CTJ has a shot. They're visual is NUTS and they still won the caption in Prelims at Conroe while they were super messy. I think if they can get it cleaned, they have a shot at the visual caption at Nationals. Just my two cents, I love Flower Mound, but I certainly don't think theyre untouchable after one show, and definitely not ONLY by one or two groups.

Wireless mics are extremely tricky in the dome. My director is always afraid to use them because the frequency's get mixed up in the dome semi-frequently. Especially when you are far away (like that soprano sax was) from the board.

Wow. WOW! Not a judge, but if Cedar Park didn't just sew up a state championship I'll be shocked. WOAH....

Vista throwing down! I thought that out did both of their LISD brethren so far... Side note: What are the odds that Vista and Reagan BOTH use that tune for their ballad? Isn't it rather obscure? I definitely prefer Reagan's version, but what great source material!

Does UIL give out actual gold, silver and bronze medals to all students in the top three bands? I know that BOA Regional Champions and Class Champions get medals but 2nd and 3rd place don't get anything even though we all them "medalists".

Not going to lie, I'm a little disappointed in Leander. Can anyone tell me if their state finals run was sub-par for them? It was the first time I was seeing them this year. Not that it was poor by any means, but it was definitely below the standard they set for me with Color Study. Color study was intriguing from beginning to end and during Choral Works I was definitely feeling my mind wander. Certainly not the same level of engagement I would have associated with a regional champion.

And they WON the Visual Caption... nuts!

In what way could this hurt?! I can't imagine how anyone would think (overthink) that ending. The emotions I felt when they brought that girl back out in red and them surrounded her.... amazing. Those emotional connections, bringing the show full circle, demonstrating the beauty of the performance... that's want this activity is supposed to be all about. Count me among those that were jaw dropped to miss the band completely disappearing. Incredible. I wouldn't put them on any bubble... as far as I'm concerned theyre in! Huge sounds, beautiful guard. Great show Vandegrift!

OMG THE END OF REAGAN'S SHOW!!! &!?"*#*+$@&