longhornsax

2008 5A UIL State Fianls 1. Marcus HS 2. L.D. Bell HS 3. Coppell HS 4. Cedar Park HS 5. James Bowie HS 6. Duncanville HS 7. Richland HS 8. Winston Churchill HS 9. Westlake HS 10. Hebron HS 2008 BOA San Antonio Finals 1. L.D. Bell HS 2. Marcus HS 3. Cedar Park HS 4. James Bowie HS 5. Winston Churchill HS 6. Stephen F. Austin HS 7. Berkner HS 8. Hebron HS 9. Keller HS 10. Friendswood HS 11. Westlake HS Funny how many similarities there are between those lists, eh? They may have totally different rubrics for judging, but if it weren't for the discrepancies in the bands competing, these results would be strikingly similar. Truth is, you're gonna see great bands do well no matter what the rubric says. If the scoring put 80% emphasis on individual marching, you'd still see the same bands on these lists. why? because creativity breeds execution and vice versa. The UIL scoring sheet may not directly mention GE, but lets just admit it, what judge can honestly remain unaffected by originality? There is so much more I would like to say here, but I should really stop procrastinating.

Well if I'm not mistaken, BOA Houston falls on the same day as this contest, so that takes a way the usual favorite Cedar Park, Leander and Vandegrift. I would expect to see the usual Bowie, Akins, Dripping Springs, Round Rock, etc lineup though. Will be interesting to see if anyone can keep up with Bowie with no Cedar Park this year. Maybe Dripping Springs off their state championship?

ha, such a great show concept! and you knoooow that brass feature is gonna be amazing by the end of the year.

I like how when someone points out that no one's posting, everyone comes out from hiding and begins posting. I have also been lurking, waiting for things to pick up. Looking forward to an exciting season!

I'll agree with that comment to an extent. However I rarely find strength of middle school feeders to be a indicator of success at the high school level. I will however agree that there does seem to be something lost in translation between the middle school and high school over there. Getting back to Cedar Park, I don't see them getting knocked off any time soon. I do think Vandegrift will give them a run in a few years, something i TOTALLY look forward to seeing, but I think CP is just getting to the top of their game now. I have not heard of these "internal struggles," but do not think that they could possibly be anything a great staff (even with out Spicer) couldn't handle. Looking outward to area D in couple of years, this is gonna be a stacked competition. With the drop of CP, Conally and Vista, along with the rise of Vandegrift and an always strong Hendrickson, I'll make a daring prediction here and say that I wouldn't be surprised to see Dripping Springs not even make state in a couple of years. Yes, a defending state champ not making state...this area will be that scary. Not downing on Dripping Springs or anything, just saying there will be a lot of strong competition. Alright, my rambling is done.

Can't wait to see this...marching season needs to come faster

Seems like the usual Texas grand nationals lineup. Bell leads some good bands that will definitely make a solid run for finals. Really curious to see what these bands dish out, especially CP and SFA. I think CP has really peaked these last few years and I can't wait to see what they're putting together for a grand nationals year.

I think Cedar Park will do a pretty good job of that this year If they're still going?

Craziest combo...ever. Look forward to seeing this.

Playing in Jerry World is a very different experience, but if anything I'd say it's slightly better than the Alamodome...

I have actually never heard that rule, and find it kind of hard to believe...but I've been wrong before.

I can't see Cedar Park not winning state in a couple of years...barring a total collapse of the CP program, 4A state will be a fight for second. Area D will definitely be interesting though. Of course 4A will, but it'll be interesting to see who fills the slots left open by the 3 area finalists in 5A that moved down.

It's about time!! I can't wait to see what the CP staff is cooking for this show. This really has me looking forward to next year. And I seriously doubt CP would be considered 2A. A majority of UIL 4A bands were considered 3A this year.

Wow, that is some amazing drill...It obviously has its issues as it's very exposed, but there are some very innovative design ideas in there.

Just after a quick look through results, it looks like there wasn't to many discrepancies from prelims through finals, besides MC's jump. Avon seemed to have a pretty firm hold on first throughout. Also looks like Clear Brooke wasn't too far away from semi-finals. Congratz to all the Texas bands for strong showings!

So for those of you who are watching, does it look like it's gonna be hard to catch Avon? It looks like Bell will have to take the Visual caption if they want a shot.

The thought of a 4A Cedar Park truly is frightening. I know nothing is for sure in marching band, but I really can't see many, if any 4A bands competing with that. 4A area D may just as well be just as interesting as 5A area D.

Hays only had one judge with them in finals Lucky for them, that one judge had them 4th. Galena Park had a 5th and a 26th in music...Dawson had a 5th and 22nd. Scores were eveeeeeeeeerywhere in prelims.

Well no one else has said it, so I guess i will...Congratz to L.D. Bell!!! Once again your show left me speechless. This band always manages to express itself such a different way. At times, you forget it is a marching show, which is hardly a bad thing in my opinion. Can't wait to see what they do in these next three weeks for grand nationals. You know they've got something up their sleeves. Marcus consistently sounded like they were sitting down rather than marching...not to mention that what they were playing was hard enough sitting down. Such a clean and calm sound. There is SO much talent in this group, and for once, I don't think the storyline was too distracting this time. Hard to believe they still got quite a bit of show to add. I think the Woodlands is peaking at the right time. Their show is very challenging and I still think they can really clean it up and be a big threat and grand nationals. The chanting break is definitely a crowd pleaser! I had been looking forward to seeing Bowie's show since I missed it at Houston, and now I see why it made so much noise there. Their theme is very well portrayed and well thought out. Also noticed that the scores were a little low. Could the judges have been taking into account that these shows have a long way to go before they're perfected in three weeks? Maybe just leaving some room for improvement? Cedar Park blew me away once again! I could probably listen to this show all day. I may be biased, coming from this district, but I'm also a sucker for the huge chords. So balanced!! I feel like Churchill had a rough run in finals, especially the closer. It seemed to trudge on a bit at the end. The rowdy churchill fans behind me couldn't have helped too much... Also good to see Reagan in finals again. I love how they are able to display a highly creative theme through music and drill, without the fancy props. Their ideas are truly innovative. Also good to see their numbers growing. It won't be long before this band is back at the top. Dan Potter kept mentioning that it would be an amazing contest if the next 14 bands formed a finals block, and I can't really argue with that logic. A block consisting of Coppel, Brazoswood, Westlake, Westfield, and Haltom doesn't sound too bad to me. Just a lot of great bands at this contest. Good luck to the 5 going to G'nats. We will obviously be well represented!

I'm a little surprised by these scores. I know comparing contest scores is looked down upon, but Dripping Springs was way ahead of these other bands at Westlake. I was really thinking Dripping Springs would run away with this area and make a lot of noise at state. I'm not saying that they can't still do that, but I think it makes the rest of this area look really strong if they could keep up with what I saw with Dripping Springs. Also, I think we can all see that Vandegrift is gonna be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. Early success seems to be a theme with LISD schools.

Big congratz go out to Leander after going from 16th in Arlington to finals in San Antonio. Can't wait to see these great bands tonight!

The DDR show made us all fans. I just remember it receiving a standing ovation before the show was even over at BOA San Antonio that year. I can't wait to see their show this year, as it's making a lot of noise.

This would be a stunning accomplishment! I am also curious to the grounds this assumption is based off of.

I'd sat that's a pretty solid list, only I would include bands like Westlake and Akins if you're gonna have Leander on the list.

Looks like all the blocks are packed to me, lol. Can't wait to see finals!