nightlife

HAHAHA good one. so where are the real results? Cmon! Lemme see em! Veryyyyy funny

I was pretty disappointed by Avon and Carmel. Looking at Carmel’s rehearsal calendar from 2022, they rehearse an extra 15+ days for 6-8 hours in the summer. And then on regular rehearsal weeks they rehearse anywhere from 9 hours to 16 hours a week. This probably ends up being on average 5 more hours/ week than Texas groups are allowed to rehearse + the summer rehearsals. If we say the marching season is 10 weeks long that’s at least 120 extra hours of rehearsal compared to TX bands by end of season. This equates to 15 regular UIL-allowed 8hr rehearsal weeks. Make of that what you will. I, for one, would love to see what some TX bands would cook up with 15 extra weeks. Or what Indiana bands would look like under UIL rules.

This isn’t what their show shirts say.. not even close 👀

“Wood” be curious to see if Cy woods could overtake some perennial state/BOASA finals and really make a splash next year 👀

Super excited to get this season rolling. I know all the bands in this area will bring their A game, or should I say "I" game

Love paetow’s show reveal, could definitely see them in!

Interesting math, wonder what that number would be if we look back to 2018-19 too. If we go off the 2.5 place stat here's what I predict with the limited show intel I have: 1. Bridgeland (probably the next TWHS for Houston) 2. Cy Fair 3. Jordan 4. Tompkins 5. Cy Woods 6. Katy 7. 7L 8. Cy Ranch 9. JET 10. Paetow

Assuming they continue growing at a similar rate from 23-24 as they did 21-22-23 then I think it'll be hard to keep all the kids front of the FH. Honestly from a vis GE standpoint I could use some more visuals that read from the top of the stadium better. This would involve bigger changes in the body-lines and perhaps choreo that takes them (or their center of gravity) off their immediate dot in holds. Furthermore, they could absolutely benefit from taking a note out of some of the successful Dallas groups' books and put WW's or alternates on swing flags in big moments... I wholeheartedly agree. There’s no discerning a freshmen from an upperclassmen and that will continue I bet as the culture of the program solidifies (remember they only opened in 2020) and institutional knowledge increases. I already see that from a technique standpoint. I could easily see them winning the area in the next few years, if not this year... depending on the product they put out!

I think it really depends on what steps these programs take this coming year. Here's what I think could take each of last year's finalists to the next level: Bridgeland: I need more. I think they have maxed out the performance aspect of their design style. They could really benefit from a rounder, blended sound and a harder book and drill. Their choreography is very effective from a vis GE standpoint but they could use a deeper vocabulary to compete in top half BOASA finals and State finals. Cy-Fair: I like their rather unique designs of a more indoor style show. Their shows feels very cohesive (since the last big design change '21-'22) but I feel like design may have stagnated a bit going from '22 to '23. I think their show in '23 was performed better and was generally more effective than '22 but they're gonna have to jump again if they want to keep up/move to the next level. From their show announcement this year I can see that almost being the case depending on how well they convey their theme through the music and visual. Tompkins: The performance is THERE. Those kids are GREAT marchers and players and it's such a shame their design holds them back so much. With a well designed show they could easily be vying for top 15 at state. What will bring them to the next level is a more complex and sophisticated design. Cy woods: I have loved their designs since Seraphim. I seem to remember being told that this direction is largely influenced by the success and style of Vandegrift and I can see that being the case. It looks like they're carving out their own style which is really nice to see. Performance captions could be cleaned up a bit but overall their size is helping right now. They could benefit from a culture of mimicry, an emphasis on marching and dancing and playing exactly the same as their neighbor. Seven Lakes: Last year I fear they bit off more than they could chew music wise. They had timing and accuracy issues throughout the whole season. I did love the music book though, it was very engaging and exciting and matched their theme well. I think their visual and vis GE were a bit lackluster but their music being as fun as it was made up for that. I think addressing those issues will help them a lot. Jordan: These kids sound INCREDIBLE. Watching their area finals run from last year is a real treat musically. I felt for a lot of the season that their show was too hard but I think they peaked at the perfect moment. Visually, staging is my biggest qualm. Their design insists on having them in front of the front hash which, at their size now, is really not necessary. Vis GE is severely lacking and I think better drill and a more approachable design will help immensely. Those kids march and play like anyone else in that area, their training is evident. J.E.T: Design is really what's lacking here too. They design shows that would have done well at UIL in the mid 2010's. They march and play well, though depending on the season, it sometimes takes till the end of the season to reach that level. The music book is very unexciting typically in my opinion. It usually doesn't peak at the early season BOA's which could be a strategy if they're playing the long game. Cinco Ranch: I think they transitioned from guard to dance team too soon. They have a massive amount of kids in their auxiliary group but they're not as effective now as if they were a guard. Their designs are typically okay. I am excited to see what they do this year with the lemons. I could use more excitement and energy in the feet and music. Katy: Typically they have a pretty solid and fun design. '22 and '23 were some super fun shows to watch and listen to. They could really refine some of the performance captions and that would help a lot. I think their performance captions vary a lot year to year and building consistency there would be helpful. Cy Ranch: Design and performance just needs refinement. I think the kids are capable of more than they're given now and may almost seem bored with the shows they're performing. More sophistication and buy in would go a long way for them. I want to reiterate that none of these comments are digs in any way to the students, staff, or designers. Rather constructive criticism for the program to do with what they want, if at all. These are also just the opinion of me alone!

To highlight some of the volatility at this regional: (info taken from the BOA's held at Legacy stadium these years)

Interesting.. the show graphic and the video give two very different ideas

Wylie (Vis/GE tie) Clements (Music) Duncanville Tomball Memorial (GE tie) Berkner Cinco Ranch Del Valle Sachse Permian Del Valle Trinity Canton Pine Tree Chisholm Trail Clear Springs After a free afternoon, here's what we came up with

Thanks for the lists guys! We will get to it

A friend and I have decided to hold some faux regionals in the offseason to tide us over until the real season starts. These are a fun way for us to practice our judging skills and see how programs that don’t usually compete head to head compare. We take the latest videos of the previous season, randomize the list, and place them. Our first regional contained 12 bands: Pearland, Wylie, Cedar Park, Leander, MG Johnson, Klein Oak, Clear Brook, Keller Central, Burleson Centennial, TW College Park, Azle, and Bridgeland. The results were as follows: 1. Bridgeland (GE) (vis/tie) 2. Cedar Park (vis/tie) 3. Pearland (music) 4. Burleson Centennial 5. Leander 6. Keller Central 7. Wylie 8. College Park 9. Clear Brook 10. MG Johnson 11. Azle 12. Klein oak Would love to have recommendations of 10-15 groups you’d like us to compare

Seeing some of these show reveals, coupled with the shows I know of that haven’t been revealed, this area will probably be a bigger shock than usual. -cinco seems to have gone 180° on design, who knows if that’ll be good for them or not -bridgeland just isn’t clicking yet for me.. I’ll say that it took a while for last year’s to jive too though. I just hope they’re not biting off more than they can chew -cy fair seems to have found their niche and stuck with it. I like their creative ideas that haven’t really been seen before in that capacity in hs bands in their echelon. -Jordan has a much more approachable show this year that’s really going to set them up for success. If they can get their visual program up to 2022 standards when they beat 7L in vis, I could see them turning heads…

I agree, I’m leaning more towards >1 new Texas finalist this year. Directly comparing Friendswood to some of last year’s finalists has me pretty confident in them, furthermore Argyle did beat fwood soooo

Since I love rumors, I’d love to know more about the rumors of Pearland returning, Cyfair, Bridgeland, and Rouse going next year…

their check was too small

That other forum does think a lot don’t they

So does saucedo.

Call me spoiled with the Texas sound but I had to turn down the volume and at times step away from the computer during that show

Still though, do one or the other. I have a hard time believing that there is no one who doesn’t design for finalists that isn’t qualified to be head judge.

Also if Carmel was “technically best” how come they didn’t win music OR visual?

Are you kidding?! That explains a lot… If Wes Cartwright, the Ventos, or Harloff even said a word to a judge that would cause hellfire ?! But I guess since it’s Carmel…