UIL 6A Area J 2024

[Samuel Culper]

44 minutes ago, BassBone_2024 said:

Personally, I think they should adjust the entire system. 
Caveat: Judging is always subjective

First method: Record the performances at Area competition. Give the judges at each Area one (or two) alternate slots to submit to a panel at the State selection level. The State selection level can judge all of the presented alternates and invite x number to the State competition.
Second method: Rather than decide x number of bands from each Area advance, provide the total number of bands for each Division (1A, 2A, 3A, etc) will advance. Then use a point system to judge each band. Highest point totals advance until all slots are filled. Ties would have to be dealt with. 

They won't adjust the areas any time soon, unfortunately. 
If I were a director in this Area, I would highly consider not marching in the UIL contests and only go to BOA or USBands contests. 3 or 4 bands in this Area take this approach, only the 3 would ever advance. That would highlight the problem. 

At any rate, looking forward to the Area competition.

First method - Judging marching band off of recordings is a terrible idea. This isn't concert band. Conditions aren't controlled. And there is no way that a video can communicate the impact, let alone show the whole field AND allow for focus on details. A video camera just doesn't allow for dynamic change of focus like the human eye/mind.

 

Second method - Now you are asking all bands to be evaluated on the same scale by many, many different judging panels. This is precisely why there is so much angst over having two panels at BOA-SA and no semifinals. Advancement to Finals is based off of scores from two different panels and thrown in a pot together. I am about 90% certain there is an overall judge (or judges) who has the job of "managing" those scores, but it's also somebody who is likely present for all the performances and can impart informed guidance.  When you are looking at 10 or so Areas across the state, that becomes impossible.

I think the current advancement setup is imperfect, certainly, but it does succeed in getting all of the very best bands to State. The UIL and TMEA have a tough job in balancing the Region/Area alignments and I believe they do it very thoughtfully.

[ChristopherRoden]

41 minutes ago, Samuel Culper said:

I think the current advancement setup is imperfect, certainly, but it does succeed in getting all of the very best bands to State. The UIL and TMEA have a tough job in balancing the Region/Area alignments and I believe they do it very thoughtfully.

I have to disagree. The current system does not succeed in getting the best bands to state. 

[BassBone_2024]

27 minutes ago, ChristopherRoden said:

I have to disagree. The current system does not succeed in getting the best bands to state. 

This is my point. The current system does NOT get ALL of the very best bands to State. That's exactly my point. 

As stated, creating the points system could inch closer to that. 

Also stated, judging is subjective. So, very difficult. 
Who's going to be the first judge to adjudicate that one of the 3 Lewisville bands doesn't advance because there were 4 that were better? 

[Samuel Culper]

39 minutes ago, ChristopherRoden said:

I have to disagree. The current system does not succeed in getting the best bands to state. 

My guess is that you are referring to the judging itself. I have ZERO interest in adjudicating that old argument. I am referring to the process by which advancement takes place. It is a completely separate argument.

 

20 minutes ago, BassBone_2024 said:

This is my point. The current system does NOT get ALL of the very best bands to State. That's exactly my point. 

As stated, creating the points system could inch closer to that. 

Also stated, judging is subjective. So, very difficult. 
Who's going to be the first judge to adjudicate that one of the 3 Lewisville bands doesn't advance because there were 4 that were better? 

I am not claiming that the 40ish bands that make State are the 40 best bands in the state. I am referring to the very top tier - the bands that should be in Finals or even in contention for medals.

I think you would be hard-pressed to argue that there is a band left out of the State contest that is legitimately one of the top 10 in the state.

[Tubalord11]

Not much to say about this area other than it's an absolute bloodbath. The depth here is just insane, and so many of these programs are worthy of state. My final guess for this one. So many surprises could happen here, especially who gets that last spot, but here's my final take: 

1st. Flowermound 

2nd. Hebron 

3rd. Marcus 

4th. Wylie/Prosper 

5th. Prosper/Wylie 

 

6th. Braswell 

7th. Mckinney 

8th. Rock Hill 

9th Wyle East

10th. Mckinney Boyd 

 

6th-10th could honestly be in any order, but best of luck to everyone competing here, finals is going to be such an amazing show!! 

[MarchingMafia]

With high chances of rain in the forecast, what happens if it rains both Saturday and the makeup day? 

[BassBone_2024]

1 hour ago, MarchingMafia said:

With high chances of rain in the forecast, what happens if it rains both Saturday and the makeup day? 

They advance Marcus and Flower Mound and Hebron twice.

[JFNDOWBFAN]

6 hours ago, MarchingMafia said:

With high chances of rain in the forecast, what happens if it rains both Saturday and the makeup day? 

We open Jerry World for a SUPER AREA with J and C….

4 J advance 4 C advance 😂 

[thejitfromband]

Wylie wants that spot super bad. They did pretty good duncanville. Lock in people

[db5454]

On 10/23/2024 at 9:17 PM, MarchingMafia said:

I don't think they're done with the show. They historically don't debut the full show with props until UIL Area. I was at Region 2 last weekend and it was the same ending as BoA Prosper. Definitely abrupt and kind of a "Huh?" moment. The folks in front of me with Marcus shirts were talking about looking forward to seeing the full show so I'm anticipating there will be more at Area J.

Marcus parent here.  The full show, music and props, has not been rolled out yet as of last performance at Prosper.  

[LostChoirGuy]

I'm really hoping that we get a tie for fourth place here because there are too many bands that deserve to make state. 

[BassBone_2024]

I saw this on a 3A post. What's up with this rule? 

In contests advancing three or more bands, any band that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the visual judges shall also advance to the state contest. 

[RhythmicTuba]

1 hour ago, BassBone_2024 said:

I saw this on a 3A post. What's up with this rule? 

In contests advancing three or more bands, any band that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the visual judges shall also advance to the state contest. 

I think it makes perfect sense. This activity is subjective and if half of the judges decide a band is at a high enough caliber to be a state marching band, there should be no circumstance where they don't advance.

[BandNerd07]

Well, it looks like this area will be an absolute bloodbath this year, but here's my prediction of every band this area:

1. Marcus

2. Hebron

3. Flower Mound 

4. Wylie

5. Prosper

6. Mckinney 

7. Wylie East

8. Braswell

9. Mckinney Boyd 

10. Byron Nelson

11. Rock Hill

12. Lewisville 

13. Allen

14. Little Elm 

15. Plano East

16. V.R. Eaton

17. Guyer

18. Plano Sr

19. Plano West

20. Princeton

21. Northwest

[pillowzzz]

20 hours ago, BassBone_2024 said:

I saw this on a 3A post. What's up with this rule? 

In contests advancing three or more bands, any band that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the visual judges shall also advance to the state contest. 

Could you find something that says this? Do you know if its true?

[RhythmicTuba]

13 minutes ago, pillowzzz said:

Could you find something that says this? Do you know if its true?

https://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/marching-band-scoring-and-advancement-procedure

In the section titled “Advancement from Area Contest to State Contest”

here is the excerpt-

“3. In addition, in area contests advancing two bands, any band that receives a ranking of two or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the visual judges shall also advance to the state contest.  In contests advancing three or more bands, any band that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the visual judges shall also advance to the state contest.”

[rouseglazer1]

15 minutes ago, pillowzzz said:

Could you find something that says this? Do you know if its true?

this rule is true. found here: under "area certification to state" https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/constitution/music/area-marching-band 

[WanderingTraveler]

Does anyone who has seen the shows for Wiley/Prosper/McKinney/etc live have any insight to who has the edge for the 4 spot?

[TrenBS]

9 minutes ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Does anyone who has seen the shows for Wiley/Prosper/McKinney/etc live have any insight to who has the edge for the 4 spot?

Saw them at BOA Prosper, I think Boyds getting predicted a little low given that they didn’t have the closer on the field, but I dont see them above 6th tbh

Wylie and Prosper are the contenders for 4th tbh, I would like them to tie so they both advance but for now I think Prosper is cleaner than Wylie with more marching and playing demand, but it could go either way and it wouldnt be surprising

Braswell I think is getting placed a little high because of BOA success, even in 2023 when they beat Mustang at Midland they beat none of the McKinney schools at area, and even placed 16th at area which even with the argument of UIL funkiness (which does exist), being that far off of finals is telling. But I think they've made major improvements this year and is contending for finals, but they definitely have some dirt that UIL is going to punish

Otherwise, I think McKinney High will likely be 6th, and Boyd/WEast will fight for 7th, and Braswell/Rock Hill/Little Elm are my personal contenders for 9/10, but thats more of a shot in the dark

[Anonymous9038]

1 hour ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Does anyone who has seen the shows for Wiley/Prosper/McKinney/etc live have any insight to who has the edge for the 4 spot?

McKinney Boyd is being placed a little low in all of these predictions. They just got all of their 4th movement on the field which makes a completely different show. They just performed the full show at the McKinney Crosstown Showdown game. Theres a recording on youtube but they aren't in their show uniform. I'll link it below. 

Tbh I think after a little cleaning they can do pretty good. 

This is for everyone wondering about them! Theres videos of McKinney High also on Youtube.

 

[RhythmicTuba]

1 hour ago, Anonymous9038 said:

Tbh I think after a little cleaning they can do pretty good. 

They're gonna have to be fast if they want to clean it by Saturday.

[TrenBS]

11 minutes ago, RhythmicTuba said:

They're gonna have to be fast if they want to clean it by Saturday.

Honestly given where the shows at theres not a whole lot they need to clean  in regards to their current level, its mostly just music stuff and some individual moments, but again I dont see them having the time to reach the 4-5 area in regards to cleanliness, but can easily end up being 6th, the same way they can easily be 8th

[Hello123454321]

Wylie beat Hebron in the caption award for best Colorguard and Show design and concept in Prelims and Best Colorguard in Finals at DMI. Wylie is definitely getting cleaner and better. I'm shocked that they beat Waxahachie and Keller at DMI. Wylie is definitely going for that 4th spot at Area.

[Band Nerd 360]

2 hours ago, Hello123454321 said:

Wylie beat Hebron in the caption award for best Colorguard and Show design and concept in Prelims and Best Colorguard in Finals at DMI. Wylie is definitely getting cleaner and better. I'm shocked that they beat Waxahachie and Keller at DMI. Wylie is definitely going for that 4th spot at Area.

I’m from Wylie and we are definitely getting a whole lot cleaner. We have been lacking on the visual content so we have been adding more visuals which should add to our score. Beating waxahatchie and Keller was a huge surprise of how well we can actually do and gives us hope for that state spot at area!

[Tubalord11]

4 minutes ago, Band Nerd 360 said:

I’m from Wylie and we are definitely getting a whole lot cleaner. We have been lacking on the visual content so we have been adding more visuals which should add to our score. Beating waxahatchie and Keller was a huge surprise of how well we can actually do and gives us hope for that state spot at area!

I’m hoping for a 3 way tie between y’all, prosper and someone else so we send 6 to state from this area 🙏🙏