2024 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 8 & 9)

[lost]

I think those Pearland kids are outperforming the design they’ve been given. I can’t imagine the GE bubble is high with it.

[FwefewF]

Early predictions:

1. Vandegrift

2. Marcus 

3. The Woodlands

4. Hebron

5. Flower Mound

6. Pearland

7. Cedar Park

8. Ronald Reagan

9. Cedar Ridge

10. Vista Ridge

11. Rouse

12. Coppell

13. Keller

13. James Bowie

14. Leander 

MUSIC: Vandegrift

VISUAL: The Woodlands

GE: Vandegrift

[packwick]

  On 10/17/2024 at 8:14 PM, FwefewF said:

Early predictions:

1. Vandegrift

2. Marcus 

3. The Woodlands

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well ofc *i* would love woodlands in top 3 again. trends are kinda against it tho. no band has placed in the top 3 at 3 consecutive BOA SAs since 2013, when the top kinda crumbled. Texas is waaaay too competitive!! hebron's trend resets methinks bc they didn't go last yr. tw is also a bit... behind... again.... and has a lousy prelims perf time that they'll be zombified for. think the show is there tho, esp the music book w/ its shifting moods/styles/meters paced quite seamlessly, lots of textural stuff, lots of color, fits well w/ the theme, w/ some big moments too. we shalllll seeee.

[Tubalord11]

  On 10/17/2024 at 9:14 PM, packwick said:

well ofc *i* would love woodlands in top 3 again. trends are kinda against it tho. no band has placed in the top 3 at 3 consecutive BOA SAs since 2013, when the top kinda crumbled. Texas is waaaay too competitive!! hebron's trend resets methinks bc they didn't go last yr. tw is also a bit... behind... again.... and has a lousy prelims perf time that they'll be zombified for. think the show is there tho, esp the music book w/ its shifting moods/styles/meters paced quite seamlessly, lots of textural stuff, lots of color, fits well w/ the theme, w/ some big moments too. we shalllll seeee.

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My biggest hope here is to see Pearland comfortably in the top half!! Love their show this year and that they are achieving these new levels of success makes me so happy! I do also think CP could shock some people here 

[tubapop]

  On 10/17/2024 at 9:48 PM, Tubalord11 said:

My biggest hope here is to see Pearland comfortably in the top half!! Love their show this year and that they are achieving these new levels of success makes me so happy! I do also think CP could shock some people here 

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is there a vid of pearland anywhere? can't seem to find one. i was at boa webster but missed them in both prelims and finals.

[Sk23]

  On 10/17/2024 at 10:02 PM, tubapop said:

is there a vid of pearland anywhere? can't seem to find one. i was at boa webster but missed them in both prelims and finals.

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https://youtu.be/4pKC0Wxjt24?si=v13sVZgbO6YO5pYq

[packwick]

  On 10/17/2024 at 9:48 PM, Tubalord11 said:

My biggest hope here is to see Pearland comfortably in the top half!! Love their show this year and that they are achieving these new levels of success makes me so happy!

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we'll have to wait and see how everyone looks and sounds in a few weeks, but methinks the chances of that are prob pretty high.

[bandnerd1231231234123]

anybody for rockhill 🤫 

seems like their show is very liked as they made finals in bedford 

honestly they got robbed in prosper but i feel like they are still a strong competeter for in sat

[seafoodbuffet]

While I always love first time finalists, I’m worried that there strength of the existing former finalists will make that a really tough goal to achieve. Anything is possible, but I kinda feel like we’re going to see 14 programs who’ve all made finals in the past few years make finals again. Everyone seems to be bringing their A game this year.

[Rubisco]

  On 10/21/2024 at 9:06 PM, seafoodbuffet said:

While I always love first time finalists, I’m worried that there strength of the existing former finalists will make that a really tough goal to achieve. Anything is possible, but I kinda feel like we’re going to see 14 programs who’ve all made finals in the past few years make finals again. Everyone seems to be bringing their A game this year.

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Yes, it's highly likely that the vast majority of the finalists here will be familiar ones. That said, I think there's a bit of wiggle room on panel 2, which could provide an opening for a new finalist to slip in -- perhaps at the expense of a frequent finalist on panel 1.

Now that all the regular regionals in Texas are finished, I've taken a closer look at the panel imbalance at this event. Of the 18 bands attending BOA-SA that placed in the top 3 at a regular regional this season, 12 are on panel 1 and 6 are on panel 2. Of the 7 regional champions that are attending BOA-SA, 6 are on panel 1 and only 1 is on panel 2. That's quite an imbalance, and it may force some interesting results here after preliminary competition.

I've been trying to adjust my own rankings to try to take into account the contest dynamics, because at first I was quite panel 1 heavy, and I now see that as being unlikely.

Top 5 Panel 1: Vandegrift, Flower Mound, The Woodlands, Pearland, and Marcus

Top 5 Panel 2: Hebron, Cedar Park, Rouse, Vista Ridge, and... Westlake? (See, I'm already struggling here.)

Next 4: Coppell, Cedar Ridge, Ronald Reagan, and... Leander?

Pretty much from Westlake through (some of) the next 4 I'm not sure about. Keller and Round Rock are the hardest ones for me to omit, because they both have made finals here in recent years and were straight-up national finalists just last year. Keller may have the better chance being on panel 2. Round Rock, I'm a little concerned for, since they're on panel 1. 

I also really enjoy Southlake Carroll, Cy-Fair, James Bowie, LD Bell, and Dripping Springs. I think most of those would be first-time finalists, although I'd have to go back and check the historical results. Obviously, LD Bell and James Bowie are not first-timers.

I mean, what it comes down to is this: You need to make it absolutely clear that you belong in finals here. It can't be a wishy-washy maybe. You can't leave it up to luck. You have to deliver.

Happy cleaning, everyone!

[BlaStoFf22]

This one is so hard to predict, but here we go:

Finalists (Panel):

Vandegrift (1)

Marcus(1)

TWHS (1)

FloMo(1)

Pearland(1)

Cedar Park (2)

Rouse (2)

Vista Ridge (2)

Hebron (2)

Westlake (2) - more on them later

Coppell (1-next 4)

Reagan (1-next 4)

Cedar Ridge (1-next 4)

Bowie (1-next 4)

 

Who Gets Left Out (among others)

Round Rock (1)

Waxahachie (2)

Leander (2)

CTJ (2)

Keller (2)

LD Bell (2)

Southlake (2)

MG Johnson (2)

 

I think there are nine bands on Panel 1 that stand out as clear finalists. This is the most lopsided seeding we've ever seen at the Super Regional. It might just be luck of the draw, but it really puts the Panel 2 bands at a disadvantage. While it might seem unlikely for all four "next highest scores" to come from the same panel, I just can't see any of those groups being left out.

Panel 2 is harder to predict, but even then, the first four bands I listed are almost guaranteed finalists. I chose Westlake as my last "top five" band in Panel 2 because their GE scores at BOA Waco were higher than anyone's except CR. Since GE is weighted so heavily, that gave them the edge for me. Plus, Westlake consistently marches and plays at a high level year in and year out.

It was tough to leave Round Rock out of the finals because I think their show is solid and will continue to improve through the State Marching Band Contest. If they were in Panel 2, they’d have a strong case to make finals over Westlake.

Leander and Southlake also have entertaining shows, but I don't see them overtaking Westlake for that last spot in Panel 2. CTJ has been middle of the pack at their two regionals, so I’m curious to see how much they’ve grown since then. If they’re hitting their stride, they could sneak into that final Panel 2 spot. Waxahachie plays incredibly well but is still trying to get their GE to match.

Keller has been a finalist here every year since 2015, with one of the best brass sections in the country during that run. However, based on the videos I’ve seen, they don’t seem to have the same sound quality or difficulty in their wind writing as other finalists. Their guard has also had lower scores at their first two shows, which has historically been a major factor at BOASA.

The same goes for LD Bell. While their guard is still fantastic, their show isn’t hitting the GE benchmarks like past productions. There’s potential for growth, but at this stage in the season, it may be tough for them to secure a finalist spot.

There's a 100% chance that I'm wrong, but all of this is just for fun anyway.  The only thing that is for sure is that there will be a lot of great performances by a lot of great bands!

 

[Cy-fairTUBA]

  On 10/22/2024 at 1:40 AM, BlaStoFf22 said:

This one is so hard to predict, but here we go:

Finalists (Panel):

Vandegrift (1)

Marcus(1)

TWHS (1)

FloMo(1)

Pearland(1)

Cedar Park (2)

Rouse (2)

Vista Ridge (2)

Hebron (2)

Westlake (2) - more on them later

Coppell (1-next 4)

Reagan (1-next 4)

Cedar Ridge (1-next 4)

Bowie (1-next 4)

 

Who Gets Left Out (among others)

Round Rock (1)

Waxahachie (2)

Leander (2)

CTJ (2)

Keller (2)

LD Bell (2)

Southlake (2)

MG Johnson (2)

 

I think there are nine bands on Panel 1 that stand out as clear finalists. This is the most lopsided seeding we've ever seen at the Super Regional. It might just be luck of the draw, but it really puts the Panel 2 bands at a disadvantage. While it might seem unlikely for all four "next highest scores" to come from the same panel, I just can't see any of those groups being left out.

Panel 2 is harder to predict, but even then, the first four bands I listed are almost guaranteed finalists. I chose Westlake as my last "top five" band in Panel 2 because their GE scores at BOA Waco were higher than anyone's except CR. Since GE is weighted so heavily, that gave them the edge for me. Plus, Westlake consistently marches and plays at a high level year in and year out.

It was tough to leave Round Rock out of the finals because I think their show is solid and will continue to improve through the State Marching Band Contest. If they were in Panel 2, they’d have a strong case to make finals over Westlake.

Leander and Southlake also have entertaining shows, but I don't see them overtaking Westlake for that last spot in Panel 2. CTJ has been middle of the pack at their two regionals, so I’m curious to see how much they’ve grown since then. If they’re hitting their stride, they could sneak into that final Panel 2 spot. Waxahachie plays incredibly well but is still trying to get their GE to match.

Keller has been a finalist here every year since 2015, with one of the best brass sections in the country during that run. However, based on the videos I’ve seen, they don’t seem to have the same sound quality or difficulty in their wind writing as other finalists. Their guard has also had lower scores at their first two shows, which has historically been a major factor at BOASA.

The same goes for LD Bell. While their guard is still fantastic, their show isn’t hitting the GE benchmarks like past productions. There’s potential for growth, but at this stage in the season, it may be tough for them to secure a finalist spot.

There's a 100% chance that I'm wrong, but all of this is just for fun anyway.  The only thing that is for sure is that there will be a lot of great performances by a lot of great bands!

 

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Why is cy fair not even mentioned 

[quenslays]

This contest is literally impossible to predict but I will give it a shot

Finalists w/Panel

Vandegrift (1)

Pearland (1)

Marcus (1)

The Woodlands (1)

Flower Mound (1)

Hebron (2)

Vista Ridge (2)

Rouse (2)

Cedar Park (2)

Leander (2)

Coppell (1-next 4)

Reagan (1-next 4)

Cedar Ridge (1-next 4)

kinda crazy prediction here but

TIE Dripping Springs and James Bowie (1-next 4)

I think they could take more then 14 into finals with how many ties and close scores there have been this season.

[seafoodbuffet]

  On 10/22/2024 at 2:40 AM, quenslays said:

 

kinda crazy prediction here but

TIE Dripping Springs and James Bowie (1-next 4)

I think they could take more than 14 into finals with how many ties and close scores there have been this season.

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in case anyone was wondering, I looked this up. while tie breaker rules do exist, they aren’t used when there’s a tie in prelims. If a tie is for the last advancement position, all bands tied will advance. ditto if the overall winner is a tie, tied scores will all be named as champions.

 

 while this would be exciting, I’ve never seen it happen, but this competition is so stacked, it’s going to be heartbreaking to leave deserving bands out.

[fluteatute]

  On 10/22/2024 at 2:40 AM, quenslays said:

Rouse (2)

Cedar Park (2)

Leander (2)

Coppell (1-next 4)

Reagan (1-next 4)

Cedar Ridge (1-next 4)

kinda crazy prediction here but

TIE Dripping Springs and James Bowie (1-next 4)

I think they could take more then 14 into finals with how many ties and close scores there have been this season.

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A tie would really be a crazy way to close the TX season but it's already been so weird. I would hate to be a judge for this years BOASA.

 

I think I'd swap Leander for Bowie given their upward trajectory since BOA San Marcos and getting silver at Waco. It'll have been awhile since Leander competed but they had a .15 gap at TMC to Bowie so I could see them in contention for taking that final spot or Westlake, or Round Rock, or... 😵‍💫 it might just come down to GE between shows. 

[Hannah W.]

Hi y'all, new to the band world. We are wanting to attend on Saturday- do we need to buy separate tickets for the prelims in the morning and finals in the evening? Also, do tickets for the finals ever sell out?

[Miyazuu]

  On 10/22/2024 at 12:57 PM, Hannah W. said:

Hi y'all, new to the band world. We are wanting to attend on Saturday- do we need to buy separate tickets for the prelims in the morning and finals in the evening? Also, do tickets for the finals ever sell out?

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Prelims & Finals are available as separate tickets, so yes you'd need to purchase both. I've found buying the tickets for BOASA specifically is cheaper at the Alamodome. BOASA tickets are sold through Ticketmaster so there's additional fees added to the cost. Buying on-site avoids those fees.

 

I've never seen tickets sell out so it's very unlikely, the Alamodome has a loot of seating. 

 

Welcome to the band world!!

[Hannah W.]

  On 10/22/2024 at 1:02 PM, Miyazuu said:

Prelims & Finals are available as separate tickets, so yes you'd need to purchase both. I've found buying the tickets for BOASA specifically is cheaper at the Alamodome. BOASA tickets are sold through Ticketmaster so there's additional fees added to the cost. Buying on-site avoids those fees.

 

I've never seen tickets sell out so it's very unlikely, the Alamodome has a loot of seating. 

 

Welcome to the band world!!

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Perfect- thank you!! Those fees were exactly what I was hoping to avoid. Appreciate it!

[Bandguy0761]

Thoughts on southlake making finals? They have a lot of potential with their show. Not their best run at Duncanville finals this past weekend dropping from 2nd to 5th…. However I think there is a major upset alert 

[Origin]

  On 10/28/2024 at 10:51 PM, Bandguy0761 said:

Thoughts on southlake making finals? They have a lot of potential with their show. Not their best run at Duncanville finals this past weekend dropping from 2nd to 5th…. However I think there is a major upset alert 

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They were 5th in prelims and finals. 

[lost]

  On 10/28/2024 at 10:51 PM, Bandguy0761 said:

Thoughts on southlake making finals? They have a lot of potential with their show. Not their best run at Duncanville finals this past weekend dropping from 2nd to 5th…. However I think there is a major upset alert 

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I mean even if they did make it it wouldn’t really be an upset. They’re one of like 10 bubble bands in the running.

[WanderingTraveler]

I’ll be in San Antonio for SMBC…I think I’m going to need to extend the trip. This lineup is insane.

[LKendrick]

Cypress Woods is my dark horse. 

Or, cat.  

[Gopackers123]

this lineup is actually crazy

heres a spreadsheet of hornrankers and 2023 smbc/ finalists I put together (it might have a few misses in there but its just something I threw together)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WNgrCXu-xbG0ZUCIQ7JWTTOqMJP411UYVWmD9N9qDs8/edit?usp=sharing

[natertater21000]

  On 10/22/2024 at 1:40 AM, BlaStoFf22 said:

 

Leander and Southlake also have entertaining shows, but I don't see them overtaking Westlake for that last spot in Panel 2. CTJ has been middle of the pack at their two regionals, so I’m curious to see how much they’ve grown since then. If they’re hitting their stride, they could sneak into that final Panel 2 spot. Waxahachie plays incredibly well but is still trying to get their GE to match.

 

 

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Just some food for thought, Westlake has not outplaced Leander at BOA SA since 2013. Even including 2022 when Leander missed finals, they were still 3 places ahead of them. If there is any band you can count on improving enough to make it into one of those last four spots, it would be Leander just based on past results and scoring trends. This is a stronger Westlake show than the past couple years, but the same could be said for Leander as well.