longhornsax

The past few weeks have brought about, or maybe exaggerated an interesting development in the marching band world. It seems that the top bands in both the state of Texas and the country have figured the system out. Look at UIL state and BOA San Antonio for the past 4 years. You have to go back to 2006 to find a state contest that LD Bell and Marcus didn't place 1-2, and even in 2006 they were 1-3. Not only are these two bands consistently finishing at the top, but they are often dominating these contests score-wise. For me personally it has removed the excitement in hearing results knowing that these two bands are simply in a league of their own. Marcus has now won 3 state contests in a row. Avon has now won 3 Grand Nationals in a row. So I will ask this, for the sake of discussion in the off season. Have we come to an era in marching band in which the system is this predictable? Are these 4 years of domination by these two bands just the beginning of a long run of predictable gold/silver results? Barring a change of director, or a split in schools (both unlikely in the near future) I don't see either of these bands slowing down or any other band catching up in the near future. Is this the beginning of a dynasty?

Joey brings up an interesting point here. Yes, there are discrepancies between judges, but if we really expected all the judges to be exactly the same, then why have multiple judges? The point of having multiple judges is to offer a variety of perspectives. Marching band isn't basketball, or football. It's a subjective art that has recently blossomed into a very complex form. You can compare it something like gymnastics, but you won't find this kind of complexity in any other contest in this world. We all have our perspectives on marching bands that have been influenced by the shows we've marched in, the shows we've had ties to and the many shows we've witnessed over the years. It's a little funny that some of us (myself included) have attempted to make something so subjective into something so scientific. There is no exact science to making a show or judging a show. It is an art that is slowly being lost in this world of constant competition. I understand that this forum is made to discuss this kind of thing, but Texas girl has helped me to remember to take a step back every once and a while and appreciate what's happening here. Congratz to Marcus, congratz to the finalists, heck congratz to the 14 piece bands that don't even dream of this level, you've all created something a majority of this world doesn't get the pleasure of being involved with. The very fact that this debate rolls on is a tribute to our passion for this art. Gotta love it.

*applause*

Guess I read it wrong. But yes, in that sense it was slightly surprising, but I feel like Westlake has always been one of those bands that peaks at just the right time.

that's a pretty low blow...

would anyone happen to know the name of the song in this last movement?

Marcus wins the biggest contests in the state, along with a 3-peat of UIL and people still aren't satisfied? What does it take? People want them to change what has them dominating Texas marching band at the moment? I think it was said before - don't fix what isn't broken.

Might as well get back to military style while we're at it

A big difference, but even with a 9/9 from the visual judges, Keller still would've missed finals. So no one got screwed over in the sense that if one judge hadn't been so off, they would've made finals.

And as always, looks like prelims results were everywhere!! Won't complain though, as I think it's a pretty solid finals lineup. And before everyone complains about these results, it looks like no one was really "screwed over" by the system. Looks like Marcus is pretty set to win this thing again, although I think there will be a pretty big mix up of the rest of the placements. Should be exciting as always! On a side note, I will never understand how Westlake manages to draw such amazing slots. 3rd to last in prelims and 3rd to last in finals. Same story in '08 if I remember correctly.

Not particularly confident in Texas bands this year at Grand Nationals. I know a lot can change in 2 weeks, but it doesn't look like the strongest army of TXbands. Bell will as always be a threat, but I'm not sure if their show has what it takes to take it all this year. Maybe its because I haven't seen it live, but it just doesn't seem to have that trademark Bell awe to it. I think they'll definitely be in medal contention, but don't think they'll threaten Avon for the top spot. CP and Churchill went from what I thought would be for sure finalists earlier in the year, to hopeful finalists. Churchill doesn't seem to be having the best year, although maybe they were aiming for G'nats? Cedar Park has a great show, but I don't think they're nearly as powerful as years past. Haven't seen SFA so can't say much about them. Interesting that they passed up on BOA San Antonio. Maybe they have something of they're sleeve? What does everyone think of their finals chances?

this just made my day

Ha, I love this week. Dozens of posts congratulating bands, dozens of posts questioning the system, and dozens of first time posters who think they have everything figured out. I will say congratulations to all the finalists bands, especially those advancing. Big props to Anderson, who I was rooting for this year. Also good to see Reagan back, along with newcomer Johnson. Not only did they just advance, they almost got second! Looks like the NEISD is back at full force, besides Churchill missing. Looks kind of like the Leander ISD of 2008? Moving past the controversy here (although I see little to complain about, as these scores are pretty consistent compared to many years in the past) What does everyone think about these bands heading into state? I don't think Area D will have 4 in finals again like it did 2 years ago, but I could be wrong. Just don't think it's the strongest group of advancers. Definitely think the top 3 will make solid finals runs. Bowie could threaten for a medal too.

I think that's something to be pretty proud of. Saw your band last year (my girlfriend went there) and it seems like yall came a long way just to make finals.

Alright I'll put my take. 4 locks Bowie Round Rock Reagan Churchill In my opinion the two best bands from the San Antonio and the two best bands from Austin. Don't see any of these 4 missing state, although stranger things have happened. I do think Bowie will win with ease. Round Rock does tend to top out early in my opinion, and although they look better than ever, I don't see them improving as much as I'm sure Bowie has since Westlake. Round Rock has also consistently been the beneficiary of the Westlake scoring system, so I hardly think results there will be useful in this format. Will they advance? Yes. Will they win? Don't think so. Can't even remember the last time Churchill didn't advance, so I don't see them missing. And from what I've heard, Reagan is on it's way back to the top. Pretty confident about these 4. Then it gets fun. 6 Bubble bands Westlake McNeil Anderson Akins Pflugerville Johnson What a mess. This section is honestly a toss up. It really is gonna come down to who has the better show tomorrow night. I waaaaant to say Anderson will take one of the final two spots, simply because I love their show this year. Akins did not impress me at all at Westlake, and neither did Westlake in their exhibition that night. It's always really hard to place Westlake simply because they don't compete until the end of the year. Based on what I saw in their exhibition, I don't see them advancing. Just way too messy at that point in the season, but I won't count them out. McNeil and Pflugerville have a lot of momentum this year, but I think P-ville also topped out early. Haven't seen Johnson, so I can't say much about them. Leander and Westwood may also make finals appearances, but here's how i see it going down - Advancing (rough order) Bowie Round Rock Reagan Churchill Anderson (Mcneil) Rest of Finals Westlake Akins Johnson Pflugerville That was insanely hard. Just way too many good bands. I will guarantee that a band that has never been to 5A state will advance. Should be an amazing contest.

Round Rock is so good that they'll take two spots?

yes, i will call you biased

does the breakdown of scores for this contest exist somewhere?

Finally have some time to put a few of my thoughts on this contest- Would like to start by saying - Where did Anderson come from??! This is a band that consistently finishes just outside the top 10 of this contest, and yet they finished 4th here, 3rd in prelims? And rightfully so. They may have had my favorite show. Best ballad of the night in my opinion, and I'm curious as to what piece this was? The guard added soooo much to this show in expressing the water theme, and they rightfully took the guard caption. Pflugerville was supposed to be the darkhorse this year in Area D, after their BOA Arlington result, but I think Anderson really stole that spotlight. Really liking what's suddenly coming out of Anderson. Dripping Springs was unbelievably clean as always. The white uniforms only exaggerate this cleanliness. Such a reserved, yet polished sound. I didn't get to see them last year, but it now seems pretty obvious why they were the defending 4A state champ. Conally also sounded impressive as usual. They look a little smaller this year, but still have that amazing brass sound. For a small(er) band it is great to hear such a powerful brass line. As for Bowie and Round Rock, they were obviously a level above the rest of the bands. I think the results turned out as expected, with Bowie taking the visual/music captions, but being out muscled by what I'm sure was a through the roof Round Rock GE score. I would say that Round Rock would be a solid BOA finals contender, if they were actually going? They will definitely be a force to be reckoned with at Area and State. Bowie's show concept totally missed me, but the music was a few notches above all the bands at Westlake. Give this show a few more weeks of development and Bowie will once again be a top 5 State contender. Pretty much sums up my thoughts. A lot of reeeeally strong performances despite what I thought was a weaker Westlake lineup than usual. I was wrong Looking forward to the chaos of area D in a few weeks.

I'll make a long term prediction here. 4A area D will take 4 of the top 5 spots at UIL state next year. Maybe getting ahead of myself, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

So I'm sure we'd all like to hear a few words from Mr. Danpod about this season. I don't know about yall, but I miss that voice. I know life gets in the way, but I'm sure your adoring fans would love to get some input. Anyone agree?

A few years ago at BOA SA, I sat next to some SFA parents that told me "UIL judges don't like their style." I see that that the results in 2004 are probably a source of that comment, but I'm curious as to how SFA's "style" is so different that causes such variation in results? When I watch SFA I don't see/hear anything in particular that make them so vulnerable to this variation. Anyone care to explain?

I believe you missed Pflugerville, straight off their 4th place BOA Arlington finish. Don't see them missing finals here. Replace Anderson with them and I'd say that's a solid list. Interesting to see who gets that 10th spot, since I'm not sure if it will be Hays. Also interested in seeing how these results compare to Cap City. We'll see how good Round Rock really is. Looking forward to it!

I've always felt like Pflugerville has been one of the most under-appreciated bands in central texas. I feel like they've always had great shows and they play with soooo much energy. I think cleanliness has been a problem in the past, but maybe this will be a break out year for them?

I don't know, I kind of liked the 300+ O'Connor. Blew my mind the first time I saw a band that big. Good to see them back in finals last year though. No sched up yet that I can see, even though the event's in a little over a week. Anyone gonna be watching?