TacosNSalsa

We will always be a tad bit dirty on the visual end - but - thankful for our “efficiency rule” that prevents marching band from taking over our lives.

Twisted - it’s definitely White Rabbit 🐇

Agreed - this was terrific! What a representation of the very best of our state.

Tarpon is exceptional - the guard, the visual, the design… it’s all hitting this year. Not saying it isn’t with the others, I just think Tarpon is special even if I don’t love everything about how they play. They have it figured it out this year. Top 4-5 bands are truly magical.

How it might go — 1. Tarpon 2. Avon 3. Cedar Park 4. Carmel 5. BA Cedar Park outplays almost all of the bands at GN. There are other issues visually and design wise that will prevent them from probably scoring even this high, but - to be clear - the performers are exceptional. They had a terrific run in semis and could build on that momentum. DB pretty colors. Castle loved the opening hit when Blue Devils did it two years ago, and it works again. Leander what a groovy show. Best trumpet soloist of the year. Dang! Prosper is prospering and American Fork is very American. Bridgeland plays with a full throated sound. Mason’s peek-a-boo is a little bit odd - but, the kids really sell what they’ve been given. Heres to another GN Finals with exceptional performances from all the bands. Proud of the students, teachers, and designers who work so hard!

Heh - you noticed that too 🤭🫣

Westlake looks outstanding for so early -- saw the video on another thread! The opening woodwind feature is beautiful, and this show is very engaging. I love how beautiful the sounds are. Vandegrift is off to a great start as well, the drill is so exciting and wow the opening features!! So excited for this season.

Texas will have a strong showing - expect Hebron and Woodlands to be top 4. The Woodlands will compete for best effect and best visual, Hebron will compete for best music and best effect. We’ll see Pearland top 8, with a tremendous possibility of top 5. We’ll see Round Rock top 10, though I expect top 7. We’ll see Keller and CTJ in finals, likely 7-11. We’ll see Dripping and Bowie making a strong statement in semis, with an outstanding chance of making finals. Go Team Texas!!

I agree with leniency - I wish that had been afforded to several bands who were DQ at Area in recent years. I take issue with the lack of consistency, and what is the standard that was applied to those groups vs. the ones at state.

Also true, I used the term "if" specifically because I am reacting and responding to what is coming from the board and people who were attending the event yesterday.

They are two different issues. Agree completely. The biggest concern is that if a timing penalty was ignored for one band, but it was upheld for several other schools - what is the factor used to make this decision? I don't want to see kids disqualified - that said, if Wax went over, they should have been DQ, and the next band in line (whoever it is) moves up. Those are the rules. In the past, UIL has been clear about things like this at Area and Region - bands who go even one second over, whether its clock operator error, director error, or whatever, have been disqualified. If we are going to show leniency at state, then that should be in the rules. Personally, I do not think the 8:00 thing is worth the stress it creates, but that's neither here nor there it is the rule on the books and others have been held to it. UIL has so many rules that are restrictive and stressful, that all of the bands who stayed within 8:00 yesterday made necessary accommodations to do so. But, the message communicated when rules are not enforced evenly is that they apply to some, not all. The solution yesterday could have been to advance the 14 bands who earned it playing by the rules, and a special accommodation made for Wax. But, if that precedent is set, then it should be adhered to going forward. Sorry for everyone dealing with this. Cooler heads will prevail. Be kind to one another. Kids read this stuff.

I've watched a lot of state marching contests 😄 And a lot of area contests! This is a forum for posting opinions and sharing thoughts respectfully. So I will continue to share that I think Pieper looks like a state-caliber band, with respect to many other great bands at the contest.

I have Pieper in the top 2-3, I think they'll do great. Not trying to compare or interpret results across contests because I don't think that works well. I just base my view on seeing the different groups and having a pretty good sense of what a state-caliber band looks like.

At Karma_Savior - these are great observations. I do think Pieper marches and plays a lot, and I think that in moments they do not add visuals - it is simply because they do not need to interrupt the musical moment or the color guard is so strong that they don't need to distract. Ultimately, Pieper is clean and entertaining. Hendrickson takes many risks - and they are also incredible. I could see either group on top, and I am happy to see both at state. Just sharing my thoughts!

I wish I could say I was surprised that CR did not make it - but with the improvement across the board in Area D - this was a VERY tough contest. I hate that students feel like failures. That said, disappointment is a part of caring so much. Kids are resilient. And so are directors. The finalist bands are all working tirelessly to improve - design teams, staffs, kids - it has been a collective effort of so many. And, for a band to move up, someone else has to get bumped. I get a sense there will be a lot of those surprises at State and BOA in the weeks to come. It's not that "something bad happened" to a program - it's that another program has improved that much. I think it is very important that programs do not see placements year to year as the measure of "progress." Different contest dynamics, different judges - it just doesn't work that way. Our programs in Area D are STRONGER than they have been in a long time. I hope all of the bands who competed at our Area contest are proud of their work and proud to be a part of such an incredible culture of bands in Texas. I am blown away by what is happening on the field right now.

I think Carmel, Woodlands, Avon, Hebron, Pearland, Mason, CTJ, and Round Rock will be the top 8. After that, I see a toss-up that could include many (or all) of our Texas bands.

The Woodlands show is so exciting! I know they will do great this weekend. Good luck to all the bands.

Go Vista! Go Vandy!

Exciting weekend ahead for the Area D bands. I expect to see Reagan, CTJ, Cedar Ridge, and Round Rock as solid locks for the UIL State Marching Contest. After that, I would strongly consider Bowie, Westwood, and Dripping Springs. All fabulous! Churchill, Weiss, New Braunfels, McNeil are also great. Good luck to all these teams!

This should be an outstanding contest. At the moment, I would see Pieper, Hendrickson, Hays, Lake Belton, MacArthur, and McAllum battling it out for the state spots. Because of the judging panel, I would say the order is a toss-up. All of these bands have strengths and areas to improve. The panel will be unpredictable because of their backgrounds, experience judging, and historical tastes. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of these groups not make the cut - but I am going to take a best guess here. I will put Pieper at the top right now based on the confidence of the performers and the overall show design. I see Hendrickson, Hays, and McAllum battling for 2-4. And then after that. Pieper's overall package is fantastic. They play aggressively but with a high level of detail, and the color guard is fabulous. Love the Hendrickson show as well. These are such great bands!