drummerdad

Spring has been left out of this discussion. But they were the next least likely group to make finals in the prediction analysis, other that Westlake, and had the greatest spread on placements of all bands who made finals. I think that makes them very fortunate and helped out by this system.

Yes, Yes, Yes...I support a band that has a very similiar approach to their show design as RR, and it played very well at regional contests and BOA, but they got chewed up this year at Area. These shows look great, sound great, and get great crowd response, but you have to refer back to the UIL Area and State marching rubrics to understand where these judges are coming from. http://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/area-m...-descriptor.pdf http://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/area-m...-descriptor.pdf Though there are examples of inconsistent judging at UIL, I tend to view the bigger challenge to a program to be designing a show that both meets UIL Rubrics and can play well to a crowd with all the GE and accessory participation that creates success at BOA and most regional competitions. Haltom's show, as an example, had all the elements covered in the UIL Rubrics, almost to a science, and the music was compelling and well played. But I would not say it met as high of a standard in terms of GE, use of guard, percussion and field presentation, which was evident in how they ranked at San Antonio BOA. If I were a judge coming into this state to judge UIL, and was handed these Rubrics, I would probably watch a band like RR and say..."great show, really like the execution, love that the crowd responded...but there are some critical elements missing according to the Rubrics. Consider this element in the UIL State music rubrics:

Looking at 5a preliminary results, Marcus way out in front, but Hebron had strongest average placement after Marcus, though they were 4th in total score. It will be interesting to see how the new judges view these bands. Silver and bronze are totally up for grabs.

You are so right. Pflugerville was awesome at BOA Arlington. It seems, by experience, that being an early season surprise doesn't always translate to being a late season contender when it comes to UIL Area. Once again, judging at area, especially 5A, is remarkably unpredictable. I am shocked and sorry that Pflugerville did not make state, much less area finals. I truly thought they were a shoe-in.

Agreed...and age isn't necessarily the correct guide for suitability. But it only takes one "out-of-date" judge to completely skew a contest like UIL area or state. I realize for some this adds to the excitement, but I also think it takes away from it's credibility.

No...it just reflects on the kind of person you are...

Quite frankly, I disagree with this assessment. The true, unpredictable variable, is UIL judging...especially at area. The fact that all area contests are held on the same weekend, and that most of the most "up-to-date" judges are either directing bands or assisting bands in competition, means you end up with a lot of folks who have been out of the activity for awhile trying to judge an art that had changed and progressed. I also realize that UIL rubrics make it hard for a program like Churchill, who thrives on GE, to impress judges looking at criteria that does not reward many of the efforts programs like Churchill and SFA (Sugarland)...and others attempt to put on the field.

I think you have to include Mansfield in the "on the rise" category. TOC champs and two straight alternate finishes in the bloodbath that is Area B.

I am curious to find out if anyone knows what UIL rules are for conducting contests in the rain. Could an Area contest be "rained out" and if so how would it be rescheduled?

Looks like 4 bands from area B to state. Two bands did not make ones in 5a. But all performed great.

Let's help Statebound out here. Just to be clear, Marcus is the TWO time defending state 5a UIL marching champion. Using the exact formula they are using this year. Saw them at Birdville Saturday, they will definately be in the hunt again this year.

Finals Results: 1. Marcus 2. Hebron 3. Legacy 4. Wakeland 5. Summit 6. Saginaw 7. Keller Central 8. Byron Nelson 9. Holliday 10. Cisco Note: Cooper and Carroll chose not to perform in finals All finals captions went to Marcus 5A Prelims: 1. Marcus 2. Hebron 3. Legacy 4. Saginaw 5. Carroll 4A Prelims: 1. Wakeland 2. Summit 3. Byron Nelson 2A Prelims: 1. Holliday 2. Cisco Best Drum Major Salute: Cisco...Legendary!

Okay, at the risk of showing my age, let me say that I've had one kid go through a very successful and talented...and lets say more conventional style high school program; and now have one getting ready to graduate from a different and newer school (one you probably saw Saturday night) whose approach is along the lines of what you have expressed concerns about. I absolutely think both are fantastic in their own ways. I will also say that I am a major follower and fan of DCI and go to multiple events each year. That said, I can specifically declare that the kids I've seen in both styles of programs work equally hard, are equally talented and have equally ambitious goals toward success. So I am a fan because not only do I appreciate the musicians and directors and designers of the shows, but know how much work it takes to make them come together. I believe that at the high school level, where unlike DCI (with its very small number of corps with very elite talent) it is flooded with hundreds of schools with tons of talent, and at some point some directors and designers decided that they had to do things differently to set themselves apart from what has been the conventional (yet somewhat evolving) approach to marching band/corp style shows. Shows like L D Bell, Richland, Marcus and many, many others (Carmel (Indiana), Avon (Indiana), Broken Arrow (Oklahoma) put on the field today transcend the music into telling a story, usually with an introduction, content, and a conclusion. The music carries the story line and many times the props, the drill and the guard help push the story adding more emotion and meaning. I like to think of watching a movie that uses a song I know in it and suddenly the music has more meaning to me. Or how if I've seen a movie or show I really like, that I want the music so I can relive what I experienced while watching the movie...the production added to the musical experience and vise versa. I initially resisted this idea when first facing this phenomenon, but now that I've watched a program first hand work so hard to learn, execute and deliver the show, I have more appreciation for it. That said, when I watch a program like Mesquite Poteet, or Duncanville, and many others just go out there and march great and play great, I think it is fantastic.

...Thank you! You're self control is admirable...I'm sure this is merely the effect of weeks of practice on hot asphalt and the desire to actually play for a full audience of people who really want to watch a marching band show. Humility should always be advocated here.

This is a great topic... 1) I like the Alamodome in particular because it is pretty well dampened for a dome acoustically. Having watched a few college games in the new Cowboy Stadium, I can say there may not be a worse dome stadium for bands anywhere. The rebound of sound is excessive and you hear very little clarity. I believe that Reliant Stadium may be a good venue also. Problem with both these venues is cost, and as previously noted, location. 2) I'm good with the Alamodome as long as you are sitting inside the 30 yard lines and no higher than the second level. Past either of those locations, I feel the reverb of sound starts to break down the clarity and you lose the punch of big hits and phrasing of softer parts, especially in woodwinds. I agree that if you can be in the right spot, you get a great experience of both clarity and a perfect reverb effect. This is critical if your band does use extensive electronics, as the speaker locations don't seem to be as critical. I also like that there is a pretty healthy distance from the field to the stands. 3) Obviously, being in the right spot is critical regardless of where a band is playing, yet I feel that if you can guaranty 75 degree, 30% humidity, no wind conditions everytime that an outdoor venue is always a more enjoyable experience.