George Blackwell

I think the top 3 are def RR, DRPS, O'Connor. But the rest is kinda in for grabs. There is some great bands that I'm exited to see though

2017 Competing Bands BAND. CLASS Gonzales HS. 4a Saledo HS. 4a Alamo Heights HS. 5a Cedar Creek HS. 5a Connally HS. 5a Dripping Springs HS. 5a Hutto HS. 5a McCallum HS. 5a Del Valle HS. 6a O'Connor HS. 6a ROund Rock HS. 6a Shoemaker HS. 6a Tom C. Clark HS. 6a United HS. 6a W. Charles Akins HS. 6a William H. Taft HS. 6a Great schedule this year. Can't wait for it!

My Predictions 1. Leander Hs 2. Claudia T. Johnson Hs 3. Vandegrift Hs 4. Round Rock Hs 5. Cedar Park Hs 6. Bowie Hs 7. Winston Churchill Hs 8. Westlake Hs 9. Hendrickson Hs 10. Vista Ridge/ Cedar Ridge Why? 1. Leander was on fire last year placing in finals at Grand Nats last year. They also have been improving every year and I believe that this year will really be big for them and I can't wait to see what they do. I mean their whole brass section is coming along really well. 2. CTJ had a rough start placing 3rd last year at boa Austin, which is not where they want to be but I think with a lot of new faces and talents, they can really strive and b a front runner this year. They have such great guard members who always perform with great emotion. 3. Coming off of a 1st place finish at finals last year and a good senior class last year, I think Vandy will generate a lot of good energy to keep this going. There percussion have been extraordinary this year from videos and I expect good things. with such a huge and great senior class last year I wonder how they are filling in those spots? 4. Round Rock High school had a kinda slow year last year but they are expected to compete in Grand Nats this year so I'm assuming for a great first show at boa Austin this year and their guard have gotten really good in the last year or two. 5. Cedar Park is coming off from an amazing show that placed them in finals of grand Nats last year and they have been improving on their sounds and I think it will really come along this year. I'm hoping for. A great show from the students and a great crowd of fans. Not to mention their percussion is amazing. 6. Bowie High schools pop show last year was so intriguing and it placed them into semi finals at last years grand Nats. I can't wait to see there show this year and their guard is world renowned and perform at one of the highest levels. 7. Winston Churchill band went to every single Texas regional last year expept for McAllen and they placed in finals every time. That is huge for a band in arguably the toughest state for marching band. They are also expected to perform at grand Nats this year and I'm exited to see their show this year. 8. Westlake High School is one of only 15 schools across the nation to receive the sudlers flag and the sudlers shield by the John Phillips Sousa foundation. That is an amazing award and they made finals last year at boa Austin beating consistent schools such as Cedar ridge, Dripping Springs, and even beat Hendrickson during prelims. They have an amazing group of front ensemble players and battery players this year. Not to mention they beat amazing bands such as Vandegrift, Leander, and vista ridge for marching at area. I exited to see what they have to bring to the field this year. 9. Hendrickson is one of those schools that is expected to make finals most every time because of their excellence in music ability. They often perform with high levels of energy and they have really good battery this year that I'm real exited to see a boa this this year. 10. Now I couldn't decide between vista and cedar ridge because they have always been real close with each other during prelims and finals. It really depends on how fast each band is moving no how clean their drill can be. Vista always has an amazing low brass section and cedar ridge is always performing with high energy and beautiful ballads. So I'm still undecided at the moment. That is my rundown this year. In my opinion of course