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Posted
  On 4/18/2024 at 3:11 PM, nightlife said:

Seeing some of these show reveals, coupled with the shows I know of that haven’t been revealed, this area will probably be a bigger shock than usual. 
-cinco seems to have gone 180° on design, who knows if that’ll be good for them or not

-bridgeland just isn’t clicking yet for me.. I’ll say that it took a while for last year’s to jive too though. I just hope they’re not biting off more than they can chew 

-cy fair seems to have found their niche and stuck with it. I like their creative ideas that haven’t really been seen before in that capacity in hs bands in their echelon.

-Jordan has a much more approachable show this year that’s really going to set them up for success. If they can get their visual program up to 2022 standards when they beat 7L in vis, I could see them turning heads… 

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I can’t really say I’m sold on Cinco’s show this year? It all depends on how they handle it. 

Posted
  On 4/19/2024 at 12:47 AM, Sideswiperr said:

I can’t really say I’m sold on Cinco’s show this year? It all depends on how they handle it. 

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I’m guessing this unpredictable area is coming true. We have some really interesting shows that could shock us in the end. 

Posted
  On 4/19/2024 at 3:39 AM, ruben_f said:

I’m guessing this unpredictable area is coming true. We have some really interesting shows that could shock us in the end. 

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I’d really like to see some changes, also a certain favorite to make state who could possibly pull an upset and make history for their program, Atleast in the time they’ve been in 6A.

Posted
  On 4/19/2024 at 4:48 AM, Sideswiperr said:

I’d really like to see some changes, also a certain favorite to make state who could possibly pull an upset and make history for their program, Atleast in the time they’ve been in 6A.

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Such as Jordan… 

I would love to see some new finalist too. It almost been the same finalist since 2020. 

Posted
  On 4/19/2024 at 12:16 PM, ruben_f said:

Such as Jordan… 

I would love to see some new finalist too. It almost been the same finalist since 2020. 

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I think we’re going to see a new wave of finalists this upcoming year, I think Cinco Ranch could be in/out with finals depending on how well this show goes, but I’ll bet on them being in finals. I’m mainly looking at Paetow and Langham Creek to break into finals. I’m just not sure who gets pushed out of finals.

Posted
  On 4/19/2024 at 12:55 PM, Sideswiperr said:

I think we’re going to see a new wave of finalists this upcoming year, I think Cinco Ranch could be in/out with finals depending on how well this show goes, but I’ll bet on them being in finals. I’m mainly looking at Paetow and Langham Creek to break into finals. I’m just not sure who gets pushed out of finals.

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Paetow has been growing steadily over the past few years so it possible. 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  On 5/6/2024 at 2:06 PM, Sideswiperr said:

With schools starting their freshman camps and marching camps now, any last minute predictions before I sit on my couch the entire summer eating chips?  

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I think it really depends on what steps these programs take this coming year. Here's what I think could take each of last year's finalists to the next level: 

Bridgeland: I need more. I think they have maxed out the performance aspect of their design style. They could really benefit from a rounder, blended sound and a harder book and drill. Their choreography is very effective from a vis GE standpoint but they could use a deeper vocabulary to compete in top half BOASA finals and State finals.

Cy-Fair: I like their rather unique designs of a more indoor style show. Their shows feels very cohesive (since the last big design change '21-'22) but I feel like design may have stagnated a bit going from '22 to '23. I think their show in '23 was performed better and was generally more effective than '22 but they're gonna have to jump again if they want to keep up/move to the next level. From their show announcement this year I can see that almost being the case depending on how well they convey their theme through the music and visual. 

Tompkins: The performance is THERE. Those kids are GREAT marchers and players and it's such a shame their design holds them back so much. With a well designed show they could easily be vying for top 15 at state. What will bring them to the next level is a more complex and sophisticated design. 

Cy woods: I have loved their designs since Seraphim. I seem to remember being told that this direction is largely influenced by the success and style of Vandegrift and I can see that being the case. It looks like they're carving out their own style which is really nice to see. Performance captions could be cleaned up a bit but overall their size is helping right now. They could benefit from a culture of mimicry, an emphasis on marching and dancing and playing exactly the same as their neighbor. 

Seven Lakes: Last year I fear they bit off more than they could chew music wise. They had timing and accuracy issues throughout the whole season. I did love the music book though, it was very engaging and exciting and matched their theme well. I think their visual and vis GE were a bit lackluster but their music being as fun as it was made up for that. I think addressing those issues will help them a lot. 

Jordan: These kids sound INCREDIBLE. Watching their area finals run from last year is a real treat musically. I felt for a lot of the season that their show was too hard but I think they peaked at the perfect moment. Visually, staging is my biggest qualm. Their design insists on having them in front of the front hash which, at their size now, is really not necessary. Vis GE is severely lacking and I think better drill and a more approachable design will help immensely. Those kids march and play like anyone else in that area, their training is evident. 

J.E.T: Design is really what's lacking here too. They design shows that would have done well at UIL in the mid 2010's. They march and play well, though depending on the season, it sometimes takes till the end of the season to reach that level. The music book is very unexciting typically in my opinion. It usually doesn't peak at the early season BOA's which could be a strategy if they're playing the long game. 

Cinco Ranch: I think they transitioned from guard to dance team too soon. They have a massive amount of kids in their auxiliary group but they're not as effective now as if they were a guard. Their designs are typically okay. I am excited to see what they do this year with the lemons. I could use more excitement and energy in the feet and music.

Katy: Typically they have a pretty solid and fun design. '22 and '23 were some super fun shows to watch and listen to. They could really refine some of the performance captions and that would help a lot. I think their performance captions vary a lot year to year and building consistency there would be helpful. 

Cy Ranch: Design and performance just needs refinement. I think the kids are capable of more than they're given now and may almost seem bored with the shows they're performing. More sophistication and buy in would go a long way for them. 

 

I want to reiterate that none of these comments are digs in any way to the students, staff, or designers. Rather constructive criticism for the program to do with what they want, if at all. These are also just the opinion of me alone!

Posted
  On 5/12/2024 at 3:01 PM, nightlife said:

Jordan: These kids sound INCREDIBLE. Watching their area finals run from last year is a real treat musically. I felt for a lot of the season that their show was too hard but I think they peaked at the perfect moment. Visually, staging is my biggest qualm. Their design insists on having them in front of the front hash which, at their size now, is really not necessary. Vis GE is severely lacking and I think better drill and a more approachable design will help immensely. Those kids march and play like anyone else in that area, their training is evident. 

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I totally get what you mean about the staging. Luckily, it’s such an easy fix. I’m wondering if it’s even a nonissue as the band program continues to grow in quality and size. I’m willing to bet that in the next couple of years they’ll be a powerhouse in this area. Musically, they are so unique and I’m quite partial to their sound. I’m excited to see how this group grows in the near future!

Posted
  On 5/13/2024 at 12:03 AM, crunchycookie3 said:

I totally get what you mean about the staging. Luckily, it’s such an easy fix. I’m wondering if it’s even a nonissue as the band program continues to grow in quality and size. I’m willing to bet that in the next couple of years they’ll be a powerhouse in this area. Musically, they are so unique and I’m quite partial to their sound. I’m excited to see how this group grows in the near future!

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It’s the way that they move on the field that really sells it for me, something about it is just so “dominating”?

Posted
  On 5/13/2024 at 12:03 AM, crunchycookie3 said:

I totally get what you mean about the staging. Luckily, it’s such an easy fix. I’m wondering if it’s even a nonissue as the band program continues to grow in quality and size. I’m willing to bet that in the next couple of years they’ll be a powerhouse in this area. Musically, they are so unique and I’m quite partial to their sound. I’m excited to see how this group grows in the near future!

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Assuming they continue growing at a similar rate from 23-24 as they did 21-22-23 then I think it'll be hard to keep all the kids front of the FH. Honestly from a vis GE standpoint I could use some more visuals that read from the top of the stadium better. This would involve bigger changes in the body-lines and perhaps choreo that takes them (or their center of gravity) off their immediate dot in holds. Furthermore, they could absolutely benefit from taking a note out of some of the successful Dallas groups' books and put WW's or alternates on swing flags in big moments... 

  On 5/13/2024 at 1:28 AM, Sideswiperr said:

It’s the way that they move on the field that really sells it for me, something about it is just so “dominating”?

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I wholeheartedly agree. There’s no discerning a freshmen from an upperclassmen and that will continue I bet as the culture of the program solidifies (remember they only opened in 2020) and institutional knowledge increases. I already see that from a technique standpoint. I could easily see them winning the area in the next few years, if not this year... depending on the product they put out!

Posted

If we apply shifts from 21 going into 22 to 23-24 we get the following order: 

1. JET

2. Tompkins

3. Bridgeland

4. Cy Fair

5. Jordan

6. Katy

7. 7L

8. Cy Woods

9. Cy Ranch

10. ???

 

Similarly applying shifts from 22 going into 21 to 23-24 we get the following order: 

1. Tompkins

2. Bridgeland

3. Katy

4. Cy Woods

5. Cy Fair

6. Cy Ranch

7. 7L

8. Cinco Ranch

9. Jordan

10. ???

 

Bands shift an average of 2.5 places per year in this area, which seems rather high!

Posted
  On 5/13/2024 at 3:58 PM, ChristopherRoden said:

Bands shift an average of 2.5 places per year in this area, which seems rather high!

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Interesting math, wonder what that number would be if we look back to 2018-19 too. 

If we go off the 2.5 place stat here's what I predict with the limited show intel I have:

1. Bridgeland (probably the next TWHS for Houston)

2. Cy Fair

3. Jordan

4. Tompkins

5. Cy Woods

6. Katy

7. 7L

8. Cy Ranch

9. JET

10. Paetow

 

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