inmysights31

Looking at the prelims scores I have to ask two questions: what did they hear and what the were they thinking? It is literally all over the place. If I were to make a graph of the data it would be in no pattern whatsoever when it clearly should be.

I’m not denying anything your saying but I think the deal was sealed when CP got 8th at BOA San Antonio.

Thank you so much for the support. I was hoping to perform tonight and hear that ring for a third time.

I know you are not familiar with our director, but his hype is the usual. He does that at every single contest and practice. The difference being that he doesn’t come down from the tower. I don’t have the best listening environment as a performer, yet I didn’t hear anything egregiously wrong with the ballence other than the usual trumpet and trombone stuck out that comes out of the texture It is true we had issues. The clarinet soloist’s mic didn’t work and one of the trumpet soloist’s valves stuck during the solo. However, our electronics did not work for half of the show in area and we did better in area finals. On a final note I am very disappointed in a 21st finish, but what can you do. One judge for a certain caption gave us a 740 and another an 880 so....

Ummm what?

Pretty sure my 7-10 is completely wrong now

I was very impressed by Tomball as well as Waxahachie!

Two questions: When would be a convenient time to come and find you to say hello on Wednesday? Do you think performing in the first or second block of this contest would hurt your scores in any way?

Was that you repin that Montoya Music tee

I have to agree with everything said. Their BOA San Antonio performances were on fire and I feel about 100% sure they will take the title on Wednesday.

In preparation for state my director wanted us to get rest and do homework. Plus it was our only weekend off this season. I would have been at the marching contest any day but that was his decision.

It hurts me inside that my director pulled us out of this contest because I feel confident G-Town would have medaled.

Honestly, the Verdi theme and the end of CP's show in 2014 made me cry it was so good... and I never cry. CP in 15...I have just blown away with the entire show. What else do I have to say. Leander 2015 was a favorite for me. From the props to the drill to the music and the choir just OMG. Centennial-Frisco 2015 was wow. That trumpet feature and ending were spectacular!

Since others are doing it I will as well. G-Town will have a state send-off performance at our stadium at 7:00 pm tomorrow night. Just putting it out there if anyone was interested. If anyone goes come find me afterward (I'm Grayson). I would enjoy meeting you all.

I sorry but WHAT WAS CP DOING THIS WEEK!!! The improvement from Area to now was incredible! I knew that they had a really good week in rehearsal but oh my that was 10x better than any of their other performances this year!

Yes.... you are correct. I am so surprised by the gap in placement, or how much their opinion varied.

What I want to know is how did Leander fall so far and Keller rise so high??? Did anyone see the performances or have any theories?

I have got to find a way to either perform in or watch this contest next year.

Does anyone feel like it is insane that pretty much every finalist group's music book is of a DCI caliber? They still have some work to do in the marching department but holy crap this is indescribable. I mean the conclusion to Hebron's opener sounds drumcorps esque!

Honestly, WTF just happened... I can't believe Cedar Ridge and Keller overtook either Round Rock, Westwood, or LD Bell. Just WOW

AAAA captions for prelims: Visual-Avon Music-Claudia Taylor Johnson GE-Hebron I freaking knew CTJ would somehow win this caption...

I don’t know dude... I think the judges will find a way to put them in the top 3 even though I think that would be absurd. It just always seems to happen. I idolize Mat Harloff and his teaching skills, but this isn’t crown, and Non-Texas bands just don’t do it for me. The visual might be great, but the music is no match. Though in the end just like Carmel they will find a way to place well.

Final predictions/thoughts before Wednesday's contest. This year's contest will be insane as always. These are my predictions based on live performance, recent activity, Youtube, and what I have seen on this site. I will break the groups into tiers and discuss how I made these conclusions. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it really anything can happen on Wednesday and it all depends on how the judges feel that day. Please don't take these too seriously because I'm as clueless as everyone else. T1- Cedar Park They have been on fire in rehearsal the last few days and seem to have had a strong BOA San Antonio prelims performance. It is really theirs to lose and it would be hard to see anyone pass a previous 5th place GN finalist. T2- Dripping Springs I would place Dripping here based on their finish at area D plus their rendition of October which in my opinion envokes so much emotion. Not to mention a very well executed visual book. Waxahachie Even though this show can become a bit sleep-inducing at times (for me) I think the ensemble sounds are very good and the marching as well. In addition, I really like the simple design of their props and the soloists. Wakeland This band seems to have it all! A great, powerful ensemble sound, great colorguard(Rifles!), good marching/visuals. I love how they marry some interesting musical selections to create an exciting show. Richland I feel that this band's music is a bit cliche( Vista 14, G-Town 15 and others). However, they are very powerful! The soloist were good and I feel like the Battery is very strong, though maybe the visual could be a bit better. Oh and the lead trumpet... props to you my friend. T3- Prosper Nice show with moments to hear the woodwinds, brass, and the ensemble. I was a big fan of the guard and the props which create a good backdrop. I just feel like a more challenging visual program is needed to make this show really shine. Aledo I am a fan of the prop, but feel like I have heard of this show concept before. Nevertheless, Nice sounds throughout coupled with nice marching. I really need to watch this band some more though to get a good determination. Southwest I really like the large props as well as the intriguing visual design. I also like the well-timed woodwind solos. My only complaint is that the band sounds a little restricted, like a lid over a pot of boiling water. This causes little dynamic contrast and leaves me wanting more. Lonestar Just like Southwest I think the band is a bit too controlled but has a good show nevertheless. Roma Their show seems to have a lot of hype around them and I'm not sure if the hype is real. I have never seen this group before this year or live so I am not the best authority on them. However, I really like the show theme and they seem to be solid overall. Birdville They have a very interesting prop and a solid show overall, but I do have some issues. One, the guard wasn't that well integrated. Two, there were some talented players going for it, but the majority was not creating lots of stick-outs. On a final note, the soloists were pretty good though. T4- Georgetown Being in this program I am biased but... I am a fan of the strong ensemble sound and contrast created by the opener, ballad, and closer. The guard is very good and the trumpet duet is solid. However, the marching at times is not the greatest and the bold color palette is striking at first. Forney I'm just not sure about this band. The show design is interesting, but not my favorite. I thought the band sound was ok with only a few stick-outs and the visual performance was well done. Rouse Nice prop and starting visuals with super tasty mellophones. The ensemble sounds very good, but at times lacks the power to make moments flourish in my opinion. Overall, I really don't know where to put this program. Sharyland I don't know enough about these bands to give comments but I have heard they are respectable programs and are most likely on the bubble. Bel Air The Colony Poteet Austin Sharyland Pioneer Hanks McCallum Tomball Memorial Highland Park Favorites List: Cedar Park Wakeland Dripping Springs Georgetown Richland Southwest Rouse Waxahachie Prosper Aledo Prediction for Finals: Cedar Park Dripping Springs Waxahachie Richland Wakeland Prosper Southwest Aledo Lonestar Georgetown/Rouse/Birdville??? If you have any better information, differing opinions, etc please respond! I would love to hear your feedback!

I remember seeing this show live at TMC when I was a freshman and recording it on my phone because I was like WHAT!?!? Definitely in my top 5 favorite hs shows of all time. -( I also have a fantasy of playing lead trumpet in this show Such a fun and challenging part in this program)

Sorry for pulling up something old, but I feel you guys and New Braunfels REALLY got the short end of the stick this season. Both of you guys didn't make it into finals at TMC, especially New Braunfels? And Hutto placed 16 in Area D prelims? I thought Hutto's show was much more dynamic this year than previous years and really should have made it to finals in Area D. I'm not saying you guys were the greatest thing ever though I am sure you deserved better results.