FEDude

I think Brandeis is more likely than O'Connor to win it. Brandeis cleans up really well, especially early season. O'Connor is really good at pacing themselves and is often the strongest performing band in Northside at the tail end of the season. I think New Braunfels, Weiss, and Churchill are likely to be up there in finals. If Del Rio does go, I think they'll get top 5 or 6. Taft might slip into finals depending on how they clean up early season. That would put all 3 NISD bands in finals.

I'd say somewhere along the top 15-30 the bands would stop making GN semis.

I'd maybe agree if it weren't for the amazing growth we're seeing from all the bands. A few years ago, Lake Travis was around the same caliber as those now in the bottom half of finals (by no means bad). They've since really grown into this area. We're seeing this growth most notably in Brandeis, but O'Connor and Stevens are also stepping up to the plate. This isn't even mentioning the beautiful growth from Del Rio. Even those not in finals we're putting on shows that would've made the cut a few years ago. Despite the placement, Marshall put on a gorgeous show and is looking like they're gonna have a great winter season. NISD and Del Rio will survive without state for now. They'll one day dominate at area and even State and BOA, but right now they're working up to it.

Brandeis getting hit with that timeslot 😪. It's pretty razor thin though, and it's not like LT has a much better slot either. It could happen. It seems like the judges are resoundingly saying Brandeis music-wise stacks up with the very best in the state. It seems like visual (which is still very clean) isn't quite there. Maybe a harder visual show is what's missing for Brandeis to really become the next star of San Antonio. Good for Taft. First finals appearance since 2014. Also good for NISD, taking up 1/2 of finals. It's a coin flip away! (Just kidding, I'm well aware that's not how competitions work)

As good as the NISD bands are getting, I just don't see Lake Travis losing it. They're growing exponentially. Brandeis is probably the only band that could knock them out, but I don't see it happening this cycle. I think now that Del Rio, Stevens, and O'Connor will be in finals. The other 2 spots I haven't the faintest of clues.

Still think Brandeis will be 5th and Del Rio will for sure be in finals. After this week, I'm just not sure about anything after that. The truth will probably look way different Other bands to look at are O'Connor, Steele, and Taft. All are putting out great sounds this season. Also Marshall's show is really fun. Ever since they moved their front ensemble to the front, their timing and visual has really improved.

Not a single NISD band in finals! Oh well, that's how the game is sometimes. Awesome showing for Churchill, showing they are safely back into the flow they've been establishing since 2019. Awesome for Westwood. Y'all are right. It wasn't close at all.

Saw John Marshall's performance. Much improved in timing and marching. Great woodwinds too.

Well after BOA Austin, I have to admit, Lake Travis may even be as high as 3rd. Nice job ya'll! Lots of bands with potential for finals. My predictions would have to be: 1. Vandergrift 2. Vista Ridge 3. Westlake 4. Lake Travis 5. Brandeis 6. Del Rio 7. Stevens 8. Harlan 9. Judson 10. Brennan I think 1-2 could flip, 3-4 could flip, 5 is pretty set, Del Rio and Stevens will for sure be in finals, and after that I'm kinda guessing. Also saw Marshall's show and it made me very happy. Color guard is performing beautifully as are their low brass and woodwinds. When Marshall did Phantom in 1990 it was something really special and I'm glad to see it again.

If both bands still use Carol Britton Chambers, then yes. My high school used her for a couple years. She is very good at writing powerful final movements.

I do think it'll be that way. That being said, I don't think that 4th spot is as safe as some would claim it is. Brandeis seems to be the most ready to take that spot. O'Connor, Del Rio, and also Stevens each sound pretty good from the recordings I've heard, and you never know what might happen later on in the season.

I predict Brandeis will slide into finals.

Harlingen always makes it. Is this the longest streak of state appearances?

Haha yes! I remember that. It is sad to be just a bit off. What's really cool to see is that NISD is almost half of area finals. It's not the same bands as always either, Brennan and Harlan are rising up.

Oh wow, Harlan! That's a surprise, but I'm very happy for them. 2nd ever area competition. Steele is another old percussion dynasty that I'm glad to see doing well. Can't say I'm happy to not see Taft, especially after the relatively stronger season they've been having, but other bands are progressing nicely and it looks like they did better when it mattered. Hopefully we can get some San Antonio inclusion with the 4 advancing bands!

Considering how often LISD schools hop between 5A and 6A, I don't think any "collusion" could be happening. If there was collusion, I'm sure they would've coordinated for Leander or CP to be 6A and had every LISD school have a high chance at moving on. As we know, though, school numbers aren't dictated by 1 extra curricular (except maybe football, that one can get pretty corrupt). One day LISD might not be a powerhouse anymore. Maybe area G will be the next super competitive area that produces national level bands and UIL will redraw the maps to ensure the best bands aren't all lumped together.

What the directors explained to us back then was that Area G was too large and relatively uncompetitive and Area D was holding back great programs. Now they formed an area out of a bit of old G and a bit of old D. It did make me sad at the time since my band was for sure not making state anymore. It is what's best for the bands though. The improvement in certain NISD bands has been undeniable in the last years.

That's what I always thought too. They're always 1st or 2nd at area. I haven't heard from them this year. Maybe something is different

Yes. I don't think people out of band realize how much prep time a show needs before a performance time. And that's if the performance is at a nearby venue. It's at least 3-4 hours before hand it will be an early early morning for Clark and Taft I forgot where area was. I think it's in Judson this time. Not at all that nearby. It's like the opposite tip of San Antonio.

I haven't seen much from Westlake this year. I'd need to see it to believe it though if Brandeis were to beat them. I'd be all for it. It'd be huge for NISD. This feels like a stronger season for Del Río and a weaker season for most other NISD schools that normally do well in finals. That's why I personally think Del Río will come out around 6th.

Looks like a good list. I would probably switch Del Río and Stevens. But they're both for sure gonna be in finals. I also have a hunch about Warren. But 10th could really go to anyone.

Normally Region competitions are free (or very very low cost), area competitions cost a little bit more, and State is fairly expensive.

I do believe a Texas band will win. I'm hoping it's Reagan because It'd be great for them to finally get one after barely missing out in 03 and 05. Im still not entirely convinced this is a stronger group than 2019. It is still UIL Region week though. I'm not sure this year will play out too differently with respect to the visual caption though. I just don't see it going to a Texas band yet. Hopefully I'm wrong on all accounts.

No. But they were close. Closer than some bands people are predicting in finals now. They have a new director and new show style I feel fits them a little better. There are lots of parts of the show that need work, but it's a HUGE improvement from 2019. I really wish I could be there for área finals. Out of state until December. It'll be fun though.

Taft actually did pretty well this week. They might end up higher than expected come area time. Still a lot to improve, but I think area finals are firmly within reach. That being said, I'm still convinced that Stevens is in the race for that last state spot between LT and Brandeis. Stevens tends to peak pretty late, but when they peak, they peak.