seafoodbuffet

While I always love first time finalists, I’m worried that there strength of the existing former finalists will make that a really tough goal to achieve. Anything is possible, but I kinda feel like we’re going to see 14 programs who’ve all made finals in the past few years make finals again. Everyone seems to be bringing their A game this year.

Schedule has been updated https://www.uilmusicregion11.org/uploads/1/3/5/3/13535811/final_6a_area_h_mbc_schedule_2024_updated_8-27-24_use.pdf

Or maybe the “bad judge rule” could send a 5th? I remember reading that Area might go to the 7 judge system used at state too? That would be interesting… Just feels like a tall order to get so many additional judges.

It USED to work that way but the rule was updated to that all 1’s at region counted towards state qualifier slots. Non-varsity bands confuse this somewhat but otherwise, 5A area H is taking 5 bands to state this year. Strong chance that 3 of them will be in state finals.

Oh I didn’t realize there was even an NV designation. My mistake.

despite what the other poster said, I believe getting a 1 at region automatically adds to the count of bands for purposes of state advancement regardless of if that band competes at area. this is as recent change for UIL

yeah no Vista seems wrong. That’s just how competitive this contest is going to be, sooo many great bands won’t make finals, which is a huge shame.

All bands in 5A received at 1 at region 32

All bands received a 1 at region 32

I can’t imagine BOA will ever want to detract from the prestige that is Grand Nats even if the reality is that SA just as competitive, if not more so pretty much every year.

geeze I feel for those kids. I hope they can get Sat prelims slots for BOA SA so they don’t have to make so many trips, and miss so much school. I’m starting to regret the effect that state every year has had on these programs.

omg that’s astonishing. what year was that? imagine the heartbreak of cracking 90 and not making finals…

yeah, every time Bowie wasn’t called for a placement, you could see the Bowie parents looking at each other in shock. I heard one of them mutter “maybe we’re beating Vandy tonight” 🤣🤣🤣

sorry but this made me laugh… how would this work?

That seems equally exaggerated. Using only data from bands who competed at both San Antonio and Grand Nats in the same year, I can't come up with any bands who both finished top 6 in San Antonio but then failed to make finals at GN (I'm struggling to find one who finished outside of the top six in finals at GN). I tend to agree with the other poster, cracking top 6 at GN is hard, probably harder than cracking top half at San Antonio. But to claim that the bottom six at GN would definitely be competitive for top six at San Antonio just isn't supported by any historical data.

I saw McNeil's show at halftime during the last football game and it was pretty great. I'd love to see them make finals (which I'm confident they will) and see if they can finish in the top half of finals like last year (which I think they have a legitimate shot at doing). That said, I'm not sure how likely they are to beat: Reagan, Rouse, Vista, Vandy, Dripping Springs, or Bowie. (beating Bowie might be their best shot to make top half) For not being an "official BOA" contest, this has to be one of the most stacked contests all year, and probably as competitive as almost any BOA regional.

With the rather wild results from south Houston this past weekend, I'm wondering how that changes the TMC outlook. Reagan going from up almost three points in prelims to down by a point in finals to Pearland was bizarre and unexpected. I wonder if this will provide added motivation for them at this contest for redemption.

I think the beauty of marching band is the "any given Saturday" aspect of it. I wouldn't be surprised if flomo or Hebron or any one of four or five bands won it all.

Idk, I mean at least BOA Austin happens at a facility whose mailing address is Austin not Buda? 🙄

better watch that quick, Hebron is aggressive about taking down show videos during the season.

oops that was supposed to be 5th, Vista Ridge

It is really kinda nuts that within a single event, you've got: * The reigning UIL 5A 1st, 2nd, and 4th place finishers * The reigning UIL 6A 1st and 5th place finishers * 80% of the programs you'll see were finalists in last year's BOA SA * This year's reigning BOA Austin AAA 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, AAAA 1st and 3rd place finishers I can't imagine any other event where you get this density of pedigreed programs all on the same night. Plus tickets are like $8. The's some crazy-good value...

never count out Vista Ridge to win area. i mean it when i say they get a bit buff at area contest, esp at DW Rutledge

TWHS in next five? Weren’t they silver medalists for the last two years? Possible but seems unlikely. That just shows how crazy this contest is this year. Many deserving bands, bands that could make GN finals, medal at other super regionals, etc aren’t going to perform in finals here.

Having just watched finals retreat, Leander should win “Outstanding Drum Major Salute”