Tubafather26

Even though it’s WAY too early, these are my thoughts going into this new year Wakeland is going to be on fire after being knocked off the podium at state and I’m confident that they’ll have a great bounce back especially now that they’ve had time to settle in with their new director Lone Star will also be taking large leaps this year I can assume. Last year they put together an expertly executed show and I can bet you that this year will be even better. They’re going for Wakeland’s first place title and the race is definitely getting closer and closer every year McKinney North is the jazziest band in almost all of Texas and I’m 90% sure they’re confirmed to be doing a jazz show once again next year. They have a recipe for greatness and I have no doubt that it will create another amazing production. I’m curious if their placement might change this year but I’m not too sure. I’ve never fully understood how UIL judges score Jazzy and unique shows Argyle in contrast to MN has been calm, mellow, and clean for the past years and it finally booked them a ticket to state last year. They know what they’re doing and exactly how to do it so It wouldn’t shock me if they took steps up to create a show that still can be cleaned incredibly well but also something heads can be turned at for difficulty Lebanon Trail has fire in their eyes after being beat to state. The kids at LT are incredibly talented and their band is giant. They’ve got the skill, the numbers, the sound, the staff, and the creativity to make something even more fascinating than ever done before. Reedy is my coin toss band, I know very little about them and I know they’re on year 3 of their new director. They had great placements all year this past season and I can assume they’ll be doing a lot more in the visual aspect of playing now that their full band sound has filled out. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the reedy band show and I can’t wait to see what next year has in store. Memorial, Heritage, and Liberty are all really small for their 5A division. We’ll see this year how they’ll continue to grow with numbers but there’s no doubt that these programs are talented. They know what’s up and their placements show it. I wouldn’t count them out of the final conversation due to size and I’m curious to how these bands will continue to size up to the bigger schools in this area Walnut Grove is most likely ready to bring it. After 2 years of “shelf” shows they seem like they might be ready to test the waters of a stronger show. They’re also on their 2nd year with a new director much like reedy was last year. I’ve heard quite a bit of how their director led Highland Park to a 1st placement at 5A state in 2019. Prosper schools are notoriously fast growing and really great at band so I’m beyond curious on what WG has in store for this upcoming year. Heritage is crazy with their train and I’m looking forward to seeing if they’ll keep it for one more year. I personally have loved their past two shows and the performances they’ve made with each have been quite the enjoyment. Another Frisco school will definitely bring the heat next year. Emerson, Melissa, The Colony, Etc… didn’t get the results they may have wanted last year but they are by no means out of the conversation. It’s an incredibly deep area and any of those bands could make a feel finals run. Every year’s a new year and these bands are the ones who have the most to prove.

From watching prelims it was mentioned that Walnut Grove High School is in its second year of existence! I know some people there and with the head director swap this year I’m seeing them start to show signs that they’re settling in competitively and that sparks my curiosity of where they will continue to go in the competitive arena!

I believe for UIL it’s done in random order and BOA it’s top 6 bottom six

I feel like Independence and or Walnut Grove should be on here somewhere. I’ve seen different videos and while looking at other predictions they seem to be present. Did you get a chance to see either of them because I do know they were pretty late at region?

Marcus is good this year but watching them at BOA prosper was a little underwhelming, they’re very clean and I love their music but it felt like it was missing quite a bit and I wasn’t sure if they had even finished their show or not.

I think these placements could very well be what ends up happening later this month but with this area being so rich in talent it’s very difficult to know. I’m sure Argyle and Lebanon Trail are going to focus a large amounts of time on cleaning and it’ll come down to what the other bands do to compete with that. We’re reaching the part in the season where there’s only so much that can be fixed and changed so the bands starting late might be a little too late. Overall I’m so hyped to watch these bands and it’s sure to be salty!

Does anyone have a recording from Pearce, Emerson, or Walnut Grove?

Great competition and a lot of openings in finals without the Wylie’s present this year! I think Rockwall will come away with a win this year but Louisville might take it! 1. Lewisville/Rockwal! 2. Rockwall/Lewisville 3. Pearce 4. Emerson: I had a chance to go to one of their football games, and they sound amazing! They've definitely improved and i'm all here for it. Also a huge fan of the theme. I’m enjoying their music as well and they’re building this year’s show very well! 5. Walnut Grove: This is a hot take but I personally believe that this year they’ve filled into their shoes as a program and after watching them at their football game vs Emerson I’m confident they can make top 5 6. Independence: Great guard and overall musicality and visuals throughout every year so I’m sure this year their priorities will be no different. 7. Plano East: I got a chance to see them last year and there was much to enjoy about their band and this year I’m sure they’ve built and continued to grow from that. I’m looking forward to hearing them this year! 8. Memorial: I got a chance to listen to them at the Frisco Marching Band Showcase and they’re on really good pace this year. They could be higher but this is where I see them in my mind. I’m also in love with their props! 9. Highland Park: I’ve also yet to hear Highland Parks show but I have a feeling they’re going to start a climb back to the top like in 2019 and 2021 and I’m curious to where the program will find itself this year 10. Boswell: I know very little about this band so I can’t accurately rank them but it’ll be great to listen to what they’ve got

Walnut Grove this year is also looking pretty promising and I wouldn’t write them out of the finals (possibly state) debate just yet.