Omega

Probably listening to different things/wanting a different balance. Also with rouse their 10th place score came from a visual judge and those are seated on the 30s so they really do see quite different things from each other.

Cedar Park is a dynasty like no other. In the last 5 cycles Cedar Park has one silver medal and FOUR gold medals. There's something about LISD as I think all of us also have to be on our toes as Rouse and Glenn are on their way. Maybe we will see another LISD medal sweep in 5A in the coming years...

I would not use numbers so much as I would use margins as they tell the real story. Also, with the 2 panel format you can't compare scores between panels.

Just as quick note: for the second year in a row the finalists are all 6A bands. Not a single 5A band will get to perform tonight in finals so you'll have to wait for Monday to see any of them in the alamodome.

On the note of Glenn: they have an incredible team of directors that opened that school. This being their second year with four grades, I would start to expect really really exciting things to come out of that program as they aren't to grow into their own and ramp up competitively. I mean just a look at their staff should show the big things coming out of GHS soon.

Well then I have completely misread the rule book. I guess I was trying to make BOA a bit too much like UIL haha.

No I mean BOA reassigning bands to divisions. According to the adjudication handbook BOA will not reclassify bands till the fall of 2021.

but don't forget BOA realignment is every three years and idk when the next one is.

I'm willing to admit I likely forgot about a large amount of the 5a schools, but I'm still willing have DS be the most likely 5A medalist with CP and Rouse. However I'm also from Central Texas so my bias might show in that assessment.

We may be looking at another LISD 5A medal sweep at state if this area is strong across the board. The only band that could spoil that (in my opinion) is Dripping Springs. Of course it is UIL and anything can happen BUT LISD (south) seems to be strong across the board and a 5A medal sweep would likely further solidify that. Idk what they are doing in Cedar Park and Leander (maybe it’s in the water) but all of these LISD programs are strong. I saw Glenn for the first time this year and I was pleasantly surprised at how far they have come. Those directors and kids have set up a SOLID foundation for that program. In 3 years they will be knocking on the door of SA finals, if they aren’t in it.

Vandy will run into problems with their guard. If they don't toss anything or use weapons, when you compare to the two best color guards in the country (Avond and Carmel) I don't see how you can keep a high VGE or VPE score as both are modestly dependent on guard.

Except in 1A and 2A. For these programs there is much more depth at GN compared to BOA SA. However if SA has semis with the same formula as GN there might be more incentive for more 1A and 2A programs to go...

Having seen BA, Carmel and Tarpon all next to each other I’m still going to put BA on top. That show just gives you all the feels that America is. Tarpons screens going out WILL hurt their scores, that’s just what happens when an integral part of effect doesn’t work. Tarpon has a good show, don’t get me wrong but I don’t think a win is in the cards for them tonight.

Grand Nats prelims start tomorrow! I’m super excited and I think we might see Blue Springs beat one of the “top four”.

The vista ridge band disappearing is awesome! Reminds me of 5A last year when Rouse kids ran across the field to find Cedar Park.

Looking at the judges for all the days the only one that I know has never done BOA or DCI is Steve Wessels. Yet he has been head director at Cedar Park for God knows how long and is responsible for training all marching band judges in the state. These judges are all highly qualified, yet UIL gives judges a large amount of room to allow their tastes to dictate what wins. When you asked who sounds better, it depends on what a judge likes in their own sound. Marching the only way I can ever explain those oddities is the fact that the judges are put on the 30s so they really do see completely different shows.

If there was ever a time slot for Vista to win state with, that one is it. Late enough after all the other medalists to leave a strong impression of being much better than them, yet before CTJ and TW in order to seal the deal and make sure the judges just keep thinking "Vista is a state champion".

I'll be in the Alamodome tomorrow for my first time watching a highschool contest there! Can't wait to meet some of y'all there!

It's easy to say LISD (South) will take the gold and silver with Dripping springs and Wiess right behind fighting for bronze.

I'm gonna guess right now, and possibly be wrong because it's November 4th, that Bowie will be back with a vengeance next year. CP maybe not in 2019 (is a state year after all) but in 2020, assuming they keep the GN every four years plan, those Freshman and Sophomores will be hungry to kick butt at this thing.

Interesting note on the CP GE score: the music score went up by about .2 from Dallas. None of those scores were box 5 or even close. It seems like three people just didn't like the show Friday night. Yet I think that you can make a strong case that BOA needs to look at changing GE to being 40% of score and performance captions to being 60%. (I've been saying that for several months now for the record. And I also still think UIL needs an effect judge as well as field judges but that's another conversation) After all, it's about moving and playing well because it marching band. Just to note that still would not have gotten CP in finals but that's not what this is about in my mind. It's much more about what we value in the marching arts.

Well looking at recaps for the two probably surprise bands out of finals for me (Bowie and Cedar Park) it looks like for Bowie they simply didn't quite get there across the board. They were close but just needed a little extra. Cedar Park seems to tell a different story as the performance captions are strong and would have them in finals but GE was just low. Like really low. Like 21st overall low while Music and Visual were 11th and 12th respectively.

I'd say that we see ten of tonight's bands plus Bowie and Waxahachie in state finals. Which ten? My gut says in no particular order: Hebron Flower Mound Vista Ridge Reagan Vandy CTJ Leander Keller Woodlands Hendriskon

Vista ridge blew me away and I am in love with their closer!

I'll be watching Vista on Flo bright and early tomorrow! Can't wait to see what may be a first time class champion.