mellopwn1

Report back later, will ya? I think the bigger story for the predictions world is UIL State. After these STL results, this will be the first time in over a decade that LD Bell is not a shoe-in for medal contention at the state contest. This is huge news for Bowie, Duncanville, Hebron, Johnson, Coppell, and The Woodlands who might take one of those top 3 spots on Election Day. Its too early to say how these bands who have only competed at BOA contests (minus Duncanville) will fare at UIL, but it is an exciting possibility that Marcus and Bell's stranglehold on Gold and Silver may finally be over. But I guess that's a topic for a whole other thread, isn't it?

Bell was lacking a lot of polish today. It might have been the venue/mic placements, but I thought the pit was totally overbalancing the band. I could hardly make out the brassline in a lot of sections. Visual and musical clarity was somewhat lacking, and there are some very un-Bell design moments at work. The guard is less intense and cut throat than in years past, and the drill design is a little muddy or trite (at least from what I saw, the video mainly focused on the very odd props). The floating guard girl was almost comical for me. I didn't "get" what she was about and her sheer size made it a little ridiculous. Overcriticalness aside, they were still very good, but not to level we might have expected (to echo the others above me). I think they will still win the title tonight, but by a smaller margin than we expected.

Does no one really think CTJ can pop into the top three? Their Denton performance was ON FIRE. I can't imagine what they will be like a month after. My mouth was on the ground the whole time I was watching the video. They look and sound soooo good (omg that oboe soloist) and the flow of the show is just so seamless. I feel like their show is going to be an absolute monster come San Antonio. I don't want to make any predictions until I see a good video of Bell from St Louis, but I think I CTJ is going to be in my Top 3. Heck, I think they might be able to WIN this competition.

Is that why Vandegrift wasn't penalized for its drum major solo? She did seem like she was in an awful hurry to finish it up before the announcement ended.

Totally agreed. I actually think they're a shoe-in. There will be riots if they don't make it into finals this time around. Riots started by me.

Geez, I don't care how easy you make it sound. I still would't want to be the booster in charge of all that! haha. Thanks for enlightening us.

Can someone answer a burning question? Say I am director of Band X in Area Z. My area takes 5 bands. I think my band may be in that group of 5 advancers, however it would be the first time and it is far from definite. How do I plan for an overnight trip to San Antonio when I'm not sure if my band is going to make it? What happens when a band that would never dream of making state somehow advances? Has this ever happened? For bands unsure whether they will advance or not, I feel like UIL state must be a logistical nightmare.

Do you really think CTJ can best Bowie? That would be huge and I'm not sure Johnson is quite ready for that, especially since Bowie is undoubtedly pulling out all stops in preparation for Nationals. I haven't seen either band live, so I'm asking your honest opinion.

Gosh, I think I'll save the long version of my answer for the San Antonio Predictions thread that is inevitably coming. There are just SO many great bands attending, and I truly, honestly believe that (almost) every band is improving in a tangible way every year. I don't know the exact number, but probably upwards of 20 bands attending have been finalists at this competition in the past 5 years. That makes it a tall order to make any predictions. Spring has the highest chance of finalist status. They are perennial finalists, and that means their directors know what it takes to get them a performance slot on Saturday night. I also see the most potential in them. Friendswood....I don't know. I have a terrible feeling that they might peak early before the Super Regional. Their music and drill are both pretty clean, which is good early on. However, that's often a sign that the performers may have maxed out their show's potential before the end of the season. There is a chance for finals, but with such stiff competition, they are definitely lower bubble. They could place anywhere from 13-25, really. Leander has a glimmer of hope for finals. Last year I had them in my finals list (I thought they sounded hot, hot, hot!), but turns out the judges disagreed. It very well could end up the same way, but they could MAYBE sneak in at the bottom. College Park is really the same. It will be close, very close. If they want finals, they really need to clean their drill like mad. None of these bands are bad....far from it. It's just that there are so many other good bands! Plop any of these shows into this super regional 4-5 years ago, and they'd probably be in finals. But San Antonio has gotten way more competitive.

Let me be 100% clear: no one has any beef with Round Rock. All those kids did was show up and perform, and they're obviously very good at it. The Westlake Marching Festival is run by adults, and I think those adults scored them in a disingenuous manner (from the perspective of a fan who is used to the BOA world). In the end, it doesn't really matter...it's just an arbitrary number put on paper, and the order of placements probably turned out how it should have, but you have to agree that scoring a 95 this weekend and then ending the season with an 86-91 (like RR probably will) in San Antonio doesn't make sense. Furthermore, I don't think the kids care much about what anyone says so long as they have the camaraderie and sense of accomplishment that is derived from winning and just being in band. Or at least they shouldn't care. Anyone that does might be in band for the wrong reasons.

Lol, in the BOA world a 95 is a score reserved only for Grand Nationals, a lot of times the National Champion. I don't know if Westlake uses BOA sheets (like some contests do), but a mid-October 95 is 100% score inflation. Not to knock Round Rock's accomplishment; I'm sure they were great. I just refuse to believe a school is 5 points away from a perfect score half-way through the competition season.

Geez that is a ridiculous score. Out of 100? Is Westlake run by USSBA now? haha.

Just a few things about this contest: Always a good way to spend a Saturday. The announcer is way above average (in comparison to most local competitions), the flow is always smooth, and the concessions never run out! All in all, Lone Star is probably the closest thing to a BOA contest there is out there when it comes to Scorings/rules, Judge quality, and retreats. So kudos to the organizers on that. -Brazoswood was MUCH improved from last week. Their BOA performance was a snoozefest compared to yesterday. The band sounds much better and is much more musical, and there were less issues with the soloists. Overall, the design is a bit tame in comparison to the last couple years (twirling snare drummers and dangling instruments are admittedly a tough act to follow), however there is nothing bad about "Up in the Air." It's a tad conventional, but a lot more refined. That's what has kept Brazoswood from scoring higher the past two years--a lack of refinement. -Morton Ranch completely came out of nowhere. Talk about a dark horse. I was taken aback at how these kids can play. Great, great things happening at this school. -TWCP continues to improve. Their visual could use some love, but they have a sound that might get them to State. -Pearland makes some great sounds, although the most impressive moments occurred when the brass was parked on top of platforms and belting it out. I think they can handle it while moving. C'mon directors! -I didn't catch Westfield, but they have new uniforms. They look a lot like their old 2003-era set. Mainly white and black. -Leander tore it up. These past two years have shown a huge uptick in performance for these guys. Some great sounding brass. -Friendswood was indeed impressive, but should NOT have run away with the contest like they did. No way there was a 3 point gap between them and Spring. Nevertheless, they sound and move like champions. The post-show is a little too drawn-out for my tastes, though. -Spring is performing great, but I will echo what others have said: WTF IS UP WITH THOSE TENTS. They could stand to lose the majority of them, in my opinion. A whole lot of Texas groups seem to performing last years concert rep. for their marching show (Marcus with the Bach, CTJ with Polvetsian Dances, Spring with Belkis), and it seems to be working well for all of them. Spring sounds much better than last year, and the show design is much less frantic. We'll be seeing them at the Alamodome on Election Day. -The Woodlands' exhibition was the cherry on top of the evening. They have added oodles of body movement since BOA and just sound tremendous. Such a gorgeous performance of Copland's "The Promise of Living." The high brass issues we heard in those early season videos are largely nonexistent now. These kids are going to make a splash in San Antonio, methinks. One problem with the contest: Is it me or are the Music Ensemble scores in finals disproportionately high? Friendswood and Spring with 18's? Those programs don't even achieve that kind of score at the END of the season in San Antonio. All in all though, a good competition.

Area F is always fun because they send so many! To State: (No order) The Woodlands (Almost definitely first) Spring Brazoswood Westfield Clear Brook The Woodlands College Park (I'm thinking they'll finally make it to state this year!) I'm pretty sure they sent 6 last time, at least. Other Finalists: Pearland, Northshore, Dickinson, Oak Ridge I'm really shaky on whether to include Pearland or not. They could easily knock out Clear Brook or Westfield. It's always difficult to translate BOA success to success at UIL.

I've seen all of the bands that were at BOA Conroe, and a few videos of other bands like Leander. I have no idea about Spring; I'm basing that purely off years past. Same with Westfield.

For the first time in a while I don't think Brazoswood is in contention for the top spot. Spring certainly ends the season near the top, but I don't know if they are clean enough to win. They're always so hush hush until the last week or so of competition. Nevertheless, I think they might pull it out. College Park is unquestionably having a great year, and if Dawson is anywhere near last year's level, they are a serious threat. Since it's a state year, Westfield might step it up again as well. The Top 5 is a really tight pack, but I have a gut feeling that it will end up like this (in order): Spring Dawson Leander College Park Westfield Every one of those 5 has potential for winning this contest, I think.

Well Bowie is going to Grand Nationals, which is a huge travel expense. They probably wanted to have a weekend off from competition to cut costs and stress. The same goes for Anderson who is going up to the St. Louis Super Regional this year.

Barring any surprises, definitively The Woodlands for the win with a chance of a caption sweep, but likely just Visual and GE. Cedar Park is the only band (unless SFA comes out of nowhere) that could possibly dethrone TW, but CP is more likely to sit at 2nd with the music caption. 3rd is a toss up between SFA, Dripping Springs, and (optimistically) Reagan. The part of me hoping for an upset puts Dripping Springs in third, but there's no way to tell. There's an outside chance that Brazoswood might dark horse their way into the top 5 (yes, I did just make dark horse a verb ).

I honestly believe that this seeming score inflation is increased level of performance. Maybe its just me, but a few years ago I was much less compelled to rewatch shows that place 6-10. Now those are some of my favorites. And at the top, Bowie, CP, and CTJ have been getting closer and closer to the elite level of performance that used to be reserved for only Marcus, Bell, and (in good years) The Woodlands. Texas has always been the best place for band, but I think that its getting even better (from top to bottom).

Really interested in seeing the recaps.

Two things: Wow -- Cedar Park with the music caption is a big, big deal. I really didn't see that coming. Not that they aren't outstanding players, but because Marcus, Bowie, and apparently CTJ are usually at the top of their game. I wonder if the weather tipped the scales in favor of CP. Who would have guessed Hebron would be back with such strength?! Kudos!

As a performer, rainy games and competitions were always the most fun and memorable! Slipping in mud, tripping in a puddle, and briefly catching the rain falling against the stadium lights as I performed were some of my favorite band experiences. Of course, the rain doesn't make for the best marching band performances, if that's what you care about. But it's definitely is a hoot for the kids. Just ask anyone who was 2002 5A State. Sounds like it was a riot!

After being so, so close to finals at 5A State in 2010, I think they might be looking for redemption this time around. Although it is beneficial, determination alone doesn't ensure success. 5A Honor Band has me hopeful, though. Last year the band had an overblown, rip-roaring quality to its sound that comes from allowing good players to recklessly play past their best sound. It was flat out blatty and uncontrolled in some spots. Their concert success will HOPEFULLY encourage students and directors to refine their sound this year and get back to the classic "big and bold" sound we have grown accustomed to hearing from Brazoswood in the past. You're right, they do have some lurking potential.

Agree 100%. When designing their show, it seems CP asks themselves "what awesome music should we play this year?" and chooses four loosely connected pieces. The transition between each can sometimes feel jerky and abrupt, and their drill is sometimes stale and uninspired. I can't even think of a show of theirs that is considered to have a coherent "theme" or story. Cedar Park is an A+ band that performs the snot out of B- shows, which is why they tend to do better in UIL than in BOA, and why CP tends to not score as high at SA and GN (limited GE). Give CP a Marcus/Bell/Bowie/Woodlands show, and I think the sky's the limit.

More and more I'm starting to think that Cedar Park will take this regional. As usual, it seems like The Woodlands is taking its own sweet time cleaning everything up. They have that fat, dark "Texas" sound to their brassline (albeit not in certain spots, it seems) that Cedar Park simply doesn't have (CP is very bright sounding to me), but TW just is nowhere near as clean musically or visually. At least in these videos. Who knows how they'll look next Saturday. I'm interested to see how CP stacks up against the competition in Denton this weekend.