BassoonSOLO5456

Yeah, I agree with your top 5, but this area actually only sends 4 bands to state, anyways here’s my 6-10
6. The Colony
7. Lovejoy
8. Walnut Grove
9. Centennial 
10. Anna

I thought the numbers were the same as last year, but maybe I’m wrong. Idk, I did a top 5 just in case 😭

In my humble opinion, here’s my top 4 / 5 predictions (depending on area numbers, but I’m not knowledgeable in that department):
 
1. Wakeland
2. Lone Star
3. Argyle
4. Lebanon Trail
5 (if they send 5). McKinney North

Yeah Lone Star for sure got a better time in prelims which really boosted them prelims. Wakeland got a better time being 2nd to last (performance time) in finals and they are on a whole new level, especially finals which helped them earn a judge’s sweep and an area championship. I do think that Lone Star and McKinney North will eventually reach the levels that Wakeland has been at since their results have been for sure getting better year over year.

I did see that Lone star did win in prelims this last year but I have heard that is becuase of the scheduling and because lone star had one of the latest times it put them much more easy to compare to othe programs compared to wakeland which had a earlier perfomance time. This is a such competative top 5 that it will probably always be wakeland to win but the effort that the programs like lone star and mckinney north put in could some day in the far future get them to the level that wakeland puts out year after year.

Great breakdown! I think your predictions are spot on, and with programs on the rise, it will be very fun to see how things shake up, but my predictions are in line with yours 

This area is a bloodbath and with the same regions in this area this year, all signs point to it being a bloodbath again this year. There are legit 5, maybe even 6 bands that could make state finals from this area, but only 4 can make it. There will be many interesting storylines in this area this year. Northwest and Princeton are going up to 6A, Lake Dallas is going down to 4A, and Anna is moving up to 5A which means they will be joining this area. The top 6 scores last year were EXTREMELY close last year (Also I know that it's very late to ask lol but does anyone has the raw scores from this area competition last year? I've looked everywhere but can't find them lol, hopefully the UIL starts posting raw scores again this year) and I would imagine the same is gonna happen this year. Also bands like Emerson, Walnut Grove, and Memorial have been getting better and better and I'm very intrigued to see what things they could do this year. Also Lone Star beat Wakeland in prelims last year and if it would've rained more and finals getting canceled, Lone Star would've won area so I'm very interested to see if Lone Star can build on that momentum and potentially take the area crown away from Wakeland. Here would be my WAY too early predictions:
1. Wakeland (one of the best bands in the nation and could win state this year)
2. Lone Star (this band just keeps on getting better and better and always had one the funnest shows last year)
3-7. Argyle/Lebanon Trail/McKinney North/The Colony/Lovejoy
Argyle has been one of the most impressive bands to come up from 4A over the past few years and were very close to making state after being 4th in prelims but then coming in a close 5th in finals. Their success in UIL competition has been very impressive with 8 state championships (currently the state record even though Cedar Park could tie with them this year if they win state again) and once their size gets bigger, they could potentially be a force to be reckoned with if they keep their momentum up. They will also be going to Grand Nationals for the 1st time ever so that'll very exciting for that program. 
McKinney North had one of the funnest shows last year which had them make state for the 1st time in a while. Many people were expecting them to move up to 6A for the next realignment but missed the cutoff by literally 2 students which makes them the biggest 5A school in the state with Aledo and Leander being around their size as well. If they have another amazing season this year, they will easily be in that mix to get into state and maybe even make state finals if they qualify for state.
Lebanon Trail has always been very consistent in this area. They dodged a bullet last season with area finals potentially getting canceled which would've had them come up just short behind Argyle and miss state but area finals ended up happening which led to them getting a redemption from prelims and making state by passing up Argyle in finals for that final state spot which led to them making state finals and getting 12th. I'm very interested to see what Lebanon Trail does this season and if they can run it back to state.
The Colony has been on the rise lately and had one their best seasons to date last season. They went from being 1 spot short of finals to a threat to make state all in the span of a year. Based their momentum lately, they could certainly make state which would be a huge accomplishment for that amazing band program.
Lovejoy has always been a consistent area finalist and have been very to making state a few times. They had a rough end to their season last year with getting a 2 at region by a timing penalty which led to a very unplanned to the end of their season. I think Lovejoy is due for redemption year this year and if they have a great season like they had in 2022, they could easily be amongst the bands that could make state.
8-10. Memorial/Centennial/Emerson/Walnut Grove/Reedy/Independence/Liberty/Frisco (it could honestly be any of these bands)

Boswell HS 2024: envIRONment 

Crowley HS 2024: Metamorphosis 

Trinity HS 2024: A Color in a Crowd

Richland HS 2024: String Theory

Godley HS 2024: Upon Reflection
Musical Selections include:
Dance: 1. First Movement by Oliver Davis
Day of the River by Joe Hisaishi
Javelin by Michael Torke

L.D. Bell HS 2024: Color Theory

(Would post the show poster but TXBands is not allowing me 😂)
Porter HS 2024: in the Light of Day
Selections are:
Where the Streets Have No Name by U2
Helios: Dawn of New Age by Jordan Sterk
Fields of Gold by Sting
New Era by Bruce Broughton
-------
Iowa Colony HS 2024: Nostalgic 
Musical Selections are:
"I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" by Sesame Street
Once Upon Another Time by Sara Bareilles 
Horn Concerto No. 1 by Mozart
Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey
 

Wakeland HS 2024: …where the heart is

Lebanon Trail HS 
“Fascinating People”

I know.  😬  I have been out of town for a month practically!!  But I’m so excited about this show!!

Forney H.S. 2024: Johann Sebastian Rock
 
Musical Selections include:
Toccata and Fugue - Bach
Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin 
Black Dog - Led Zeppelin
Well Tempered Klavier - Bach
Sweet Child o Mine - Guns n Roses
 
There is more music, and more that was revealed, but I would rather that be a surprise. I am so happy for this show and I know it’ll be wonderful! I may not be marching, but please show love to my soon to be alma mater next season!

Arlington HS 2024: Valhalla Rises

Forgot to link the actual reveal and I am too lazy to edit the post rn, so here you go!
 

Lakeview Centinneal HS 2024: Flame Eternal
 

seven lakes: “for whom the bells tolls”

Yup selections from Sweeney Todd, plus excerpts of Samuel Barber Symphonies No.1 and 2, and Adagio for Strings.

I heard parts 1-3 at the show reveal, and all I can say is, I'm in love with the arrangement.  The ballad is very, very special.  It's going to be quite memorable.

I remember in 2016 those poor Leander kids rode the bus straight from UIL state on Wednesday afternoon back to the Austin airport and literally flew overnight to Indy. It was definitely a whirlwind and a lot of the kids were dealing with injuries by that point, but they had a blast!  I’m hopeful they will be a little more rested this time. 🥴😊