NickRC

The reason Area G tends to struggle at the SMC or even BOA, if they attend, goes to the old saying "Money buys you Championships." Now I absolutely hate to say it that way because every band at the SMC has a tremendous amount of talent but when you compare Area G bands to the bigger more affluent bands such as LD Bell, they don't have the resources to bring out major props or LED screens. Just looking at the demographic of the schools that are in Area G, outside of Bexar County, they come from less affluent areas than those of the other bands at the SMC. Now in the end I don't think this is the major contributing factor to the under representation of Area G in the Finals but it is something worth comparing. All of the bands that were at State were amazing and it is truly awesome the product Texas puts out. there!

It's very possible for Queen City to maintain its dominance but they were beat a couple of times this season. I would watch Cameron Yoe they basically swept Area D. I picked them as my dark horse and I'm sticking with that!

Once Clifton got away from playing Cirque Du Soleil shows, they have been on a downward path. (But they are still a strong band program). Look for CH Yoe to be the dark horse and maybe finally de-throne Queen City from it's throne!

My assumption is that you got screwed over because UIL doesn't have GE in it's rubric, which would explain your passion for GE. And I'm pretty sure you contradicted yourself by saying false and then giving why BOA and UIL have different standards! The different standard is that UIL cares more about music, which is important after all we are playing music! Music gets shoved to the back seat at BOA, even though there is a Music GE. The Rubric heavily favors the Visual/Marching GE over Music, which again is wrong!

I disagree! What you are trying to do is make UIL more like BOA and I think this is wrong! UIL is a different sanctioning body and has different standards, (ie. UIL 60%music 40%marching and BOA 60%GE and 40%Music) and keeps GE out of its judging rubric because it causes a lot of questions. I think UIL has worked and needs no changes, if a band wants to be rewarded for GE they can go compete in BOA.

I'm not going to slam your opinion but I am going to ask why you wouldn't want to see dripping springs advance to state?...their show is fantastic Back to the subject, I think Connally has just as much of a shot as any other school this Saturday, they have to be spot on, though in order to keep up with Cedar Park, Vandegrift, and Dripping Springs!

I think that Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, and Vandegrift are locks. But 4th is up to grabs. Lake Travis is having a fantastic season and they have a lot of momentum going into saturday Hays and Hendrickson have state finals experience, and LBJohnson has state experience. All of the above mentioned, "Finalists," have the potential to make it to state!

If a band is capable of contending for Honor Band, it shows musically they are capable of winning a state marching title. By UIL Standards 60% is music and 40% marching. And if a band has an excellence in music, I'm sure their directors push them to be excellent in marching.

Now I didn't say that. But there is no denying that reputation plays a role in some contests maybe not all but some!

I always find general effect a little biased. Not all the time but for the most part I believe this. I think its a reputation thing, if you have a reputation for pushing the envelope general effect wise, then that band will score high in GE. Just look at the bands who are constantly the top at BOA, not saying that they aren't already the best of the best but they are constantly receiving high GE scores because they have a rep. for producing the best GE shows. (Go Ahead Slam My Opinion!)

After the Vista Ridge Competition, I'm going to say that Vandegrift is fully capable of taking down Cedar Park!

As much as I would love to see someone knock off Queen City, and I do believe that it is very possible. They won honor band last year and they've got a good thing going. If I were to pick a few bands that might upset them they would be: Clifton, Holiday or Anahuac.

They were really good in 2009 when they were under the direction of Micheal Cox but he has since moved to Burleson Centennial. Burleson Centennial is now scary good for the size that they are!

You are correct BOA SA is Nov. 4th-5th then State is on the 7th-8th

I'd like to see Dripping Springs repeat. I started to follow them after their state championship performance in 09 and I like the direction they're headed in. I'm a huge fan of Shastakovich so that is a plus. And I would like to see them overcome the whole Cedar Park is going to destroy everybody and become the next 4A dynasty. In a side note my next two would be Waxahacie and then Frisco Wakeland!

Yeah back to crowd noise, when I was a freshman nobody really cared about our band but now, our home crowd really likes us and its great, they're actually quiet when we have a performance. Now away games are always a little different, some crowds are loud and curse us and others are really respectful... just goes to show you the towns that care and those who don't!

I'm going to assume that you are taking that out of context, but why would you complain about his comment when you made that comment, just saying!

Yep this is my dark horse pick at state. Although after winning Honor Band I don't know how much of a dark horse they maybe but I think they'll be one of the top bands in the state!

Uh oh my bad I forgot to say that was just for AREA D, Well I'll agree for the most part with your overall ranking.

In my opinion Area D is the most competitive, that being said I could see them taking 5 bands this year! I don't think that area d lost any bands but they sure did pick up some big time competitors. My Early AREA D top 5 (in no particular order) Cedar Park Dripping Springs Vandegrift Henderickson Hays Remember that this is just my opinion and it's still very early!

Yeah I noticed that after I posted that, so thanks for the better example! But I find the explanation for why they dumb drill down for BOA and go difficult for UIL more ironic.

Maybe I have alot of faith in Dripping Springs but I don't think it will be as much of a runaway for Cedar Park. But i'll disagree with the previous statement. Although CP may have been a Grand National Finalist, that doesn't always translate to UIL standards. LD Bell won Bronze last year at Grand Nationals but didn't win State. Now I'm interested to know who will be this years dark horse!

So Basically this is going to be one big showdown to the death! Cedar Park vs Dripping Springs Vs Rest of Area D and state!

Yeah I still think Dripping Springs is going to be the better band, but that's just my opinion. I just disagree that Cedar Park is going slaughter everybody. They still have to work just as hard as the other bands. I think Area D and State will be extremely competitive.

Sweet another Shostakovich Production. I always love a good Shostakovich show!