UIL 6A State Marching Contest 2024 (Nov 11-12)

[Asaiah]

I think all the finalists are legit state finalist contenders every year, but one look at the next 15 bands who missed finals and there's legit contenders there too. Insane depth here.

[CosmicLimbo]

Darn I really like Alexander’s show. Didn’t think they’d make finals or anything but wasn’t expecting last. Also a little surprised about Carroll, North Shore, Cypress Woods and all the Area C bands. I thought at least maybe Forney would be closer to that finals spot especially with their performance time. side tangent but as an alumni I’m a little bummed out about Dville at 32nd. I know scores aren’t everything but dang that one kinda stung a little bit. Regardless, that trumpet screamer and trombone duet is easily my favorite thing Dville has put on the field this decade and those kids should be super proud of the season and show they put on! I think all the right bands are in finals and just goes to show the level of depth here in Texas. And lastly big shoutout to Seven Lakes. Is this their first time in 6A finals? Someone feel free to correct me if it is or isn’t but huge congrats again to them regardless 👏🏽can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

[Houston213]

10 minutes ago, CosmicLimbo said:

Darn I really like Alexander’s show. Didn’t think they’d make finals or anything but wasn’t expecting last. Also a little surprised about Carroll, North Shore, Cypress Woods and all the Area C bands. I thought at least maybe Forney would be closer to that finals spot especially with their time. Finally side tangent but as an alumni I’m a little bummed out about Dville at 32nd. I know scores aren’t everything but dang that one kinda stung a little bit. Regardless, that trumpet screamer and trombone duet is easily my favorite thing Dville has put on the field this decade and those kids should be super proud of the season and show they put on! I think all the right bands are in finals and just goes to show the level of depth here in Texas. And lastly big shoutout to Seven Lakes. Is this their first time in 6A finals? Someone feel free to correct me if it is or isn’t but huge congrats again to them regardless 👏🏽can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Yes, this is Seven Lakes first 6A finals appearance (not counting 2020 since all 20 bands were considered finalists according to the UIL archives but only top 10 got  awards) but this is the first time they made normal state finals. They did place 14th in 2021 but back then only 12 made finals. 

[Fez76]

37 minutes ago, qwertytb12 said:

^. Maybe time affected them a little but the main  2 reasons are percussion, and ge

That would make sense for a little movement but 11 slots? Still think this is dumbfounding. 

[Bbowman615]

Still bummed about Sachse 😔felt like they could’ve been higher but can’t be mad when expectations have already been met for them and are already moving up quick every year 

[11BandMan11]

YES SEVEN LAKES!!! Way tor represent H-Town and earn that Finals slot!!! The new-ish addition to their staff of the former Woodlands director to their already stellar staff has definitely pushed them into hopefully being perennial BOA and State finalists!!! 

This years finalist grouping is STACKED! Can't wait to watch Finals in person! #WorthTakingTheDayOff 

[natertater21000]

8 hours ago, lost said:

Am I crazy if I say I like these sheets better than BOA?

No, I would have argued the exact opposite with the old UIL sheets but these are much better. The BOA sheets putting GE as 60% and giving three judges full unaveraged say on 20% of a bands score is something I have never liked much. Leander this year is a good example as to why, 10th in music, 14th in visual, but that 28th in vis GE dashed any hope of a finals appearance. I actually think that TMC and state marching have the better sheets at the moment. 

I think if BOA added three more GE judges and averaged the scores for each sub caption (maybe at supers and nats only?) that could help.

[tubapop]

1 hour ago, 11BandMan11 said:

YES SEVEN LAKES!!! Way tor represent H-Town and earn that Finals slot!!! The new-ish addition to their staff of the former Woodlands director to their already stellar staff has definitely pushed them into hopefully being perennial BOA and State finalists!!! 

This years finalist grouping is STACKED! Can't wait to watch Finals in person! #WorthTakingTheDayOff 

Eh? Which woodlands director? 

[Band1234556]

7 hours ago, BandMom06 said:

I thought their ge was good, I’m sure a little more percussion would have helped. Can you explain how timing would have effected them?

Yeah that’s exactly why, if ge is good then they would obviously place higher at a boa competition, in all honesty at state what time you go doesn’t really effect you that much, that’s more of a boa super regional thing

[cheeto2401]

2 hours ago, 11BandMan11 said:

YES SEVEN LAKES!!! Way tor represent H-Town and earn that Finals slot!!! The new-ish addition to their staff of the former Woodlands director to their already stellar staff has definitely pushed them into hopefully being perennial BOA and State finalists!!! 

This years finalist grouping is STACKED! Can't wait to watch Finals in person! #WorthTakingTheDayOff 

100% sure Seven Lakes will be consistent state finalists from here!!

[klkflute]

does anyone know what hebron got in prelims last year?

[qwertytb12]

9 hours ago, lost said:

I wouldn't be shocked to see Vista Ridge medal tomorrow night. I don't think they'd had issues with their ensemble scores until tonight. Although I'm unsure if their percussion will still score 1st overall with their terrible slotting.

What is bad about there time slot, If anything it plays to their advantage because once they hear Vista perc, every group will get compared to them, if none are better, easy first

[qwertytb12]

10 minutes ago, cheeto2401 said:

100% sure Seven Lakes will be consistent state finalists from here!!

I dont think so, unless you are always a top half group, its hard to be a consistent state finlaist, epecially withj the area like Area D who never send the same 5 bands to state every year

[TypicalBandNerd]

8 hours ago, BandMom06 said:

Congrats to everyone that competed today and to though’s who made finals. I will say I am completely shocked in Cy woods placement. Their show is so fun and they looked amazing today, not worth a 29 place finish at all. 

As a Woods Alum, I’m a bit bummed that they keep placing low at state. I genuinely thought they would’ve been at least in the top 20. I think they’re just more of a BOA band than UIL which that’s perfectly fine. Regardless of the results, I hope that the kids don’t let this one placement diminish the incredible season that they’ve had and had a show that truly resonated with people. This is probably the most consistent I’ve ever seen the program be. Their future is very bright and I know that they’re going to keep improving from here.

[WoodlandsMom4ever]

1 hour ago, tubapop said:

Eh? Which woodlands director? 

Kyle Witty was The Woodlands assistant director that left in 2022.  He took a year off and started with Seven Lakes in fall 2023.  He’s fantastic! 

[slowbrass]

42 minutes ago, klkflute said:

does anyone know what hebron got in prelims last year?

Third

[TrenBS]

For anyone who has the sheets, I think UIL has to discuss alignment changes to area J, cause in regards to average placements they are a horrendous outlier compared to every other area including area H and B who even a few years ago H was definitely better overall but didnt have this level of top heaviness with their groups

 

Im getting to the point to where I wouldnt mind moving LISD to area C and make that one 5 slots to state and have J be 3 slots to state, and if you can see the sheets you would really understand why

[personofaperson]

WHAT A LONG DAY YALL!!! Congrats to the Cedar Ridge band for making it back into finals and the Seven Lakes band for FINALLY getting to the State Finals! This day was filled with many exciting bands from 40 of the best. I congratulate every band here for giving their best show!
Although, with this, I have some things to say, and I may get a little negative here.

For some of the bands that placed in 20th or below, I am so sorry for what scores you had to go through. Some of the scores down there do not make any sense at all. It seems some the bands who also went in the first block got hit with the worst of these scores.
Even then, a lot of these bands got hit with what felt like random numbers to place them on a leaderboard. And I just feel so sad for these kids who worked so hard and probably had some of their best runs just for them to be placed somewhere they did not expect

I would like to list some bands that I thought were hit with the worst judging:

1. Woods in 29th?! I did not have this on my bucket list but I am sure one person made a lot of money if they bet this would happen. While I do note that UIL differs from BOA judging, they still do not add up with this. I just feel like something happened and I really want to know what the judges saw for this since I did not see this show as a 29th-place show. Especially after rewatching all shows at midnight. (Do not worry I got sleep)

2. John B Alexander IN LAST?!?!? Like I said previously, that show hit me like a truck! The amount of emotions I was feeling during that show, and the storytelling they had. I am glad their content and design were a bit higher than the other scores but this show was nowhere NEAR last place. 

3. Dawson I felt got really hosed as well. Those kids looked and sounded spectacular, especially sounded! But the judges gave them lower music scores for what they had. I really thought these kids would be higher but I guess not...

4. Duncanville placement shocked me. I did not expect that, that's all.

5. Pebble Hills had such extreme difficulty in their music and I was hoping that would reward them in the end, but some aspects did not give them the rewards. It sucks, this band was one of my favorites of the night.

OTHER MENTIONS:

Dripping Springs
Waxahachie
Sachse
CTJ


For the kids who did not make finals this year, know this. It may now be the end of your first or last marching season, but do not let these scores bring you down in any way. Do not let your whole marching season be remembered by bad scores of any kind. It is not about the scores, it's about having fun with your band and other bands along with you. Just making it to the State Finals is amazing enough! You guys made so many new memories with friends and other bands, and you got to perform here, in the dome.

Make lifelong memories that you will never forget.

That's it for me! I may comment for Grand Nats, but other than that, see yall next year!
Love you all!
❤️

[Samuel Culper]

3 minutes ago, TrenBS said:

For anyone who has the sheets, I think UIL has to discuss alignment changes to area J, cause in regards to average placements they are a horrendous outlier compared to every other area including area H and B who even a few years ago H was definitely better overall but didnt have this level of top heaviness with their groups

Realignment results in a domino effect, so it's a tough process to initiate. The #4 qualifier from J narrowly missed Finals, but still missed. So at least we know the Finalist level bands all advanced to State, which to my mind is the first aim of Area.

[TrenBS]

3 minutes ago, Samuel Culper said:

Realignment results in a domino effect, so it's a tough process to initiate. The #4 qualifier from J narrowly missed Finals, but still missed. So at least we know the Finalist level bands all advanced to State, which to my mind is the first aim of Area.

I would be inclined to agree with you, but zero area C bands made finals, and in my opinion, areas shouldnt be restricting any new faces to state just so 4 bands who are grand nats finals or UIL finals bands have an easy time going to state, in my opinion

 

And plus, Wylie and Braswell wouldve most likely placed above most if not all of the C bands given the UIL sheets, area J is horrendously too dense right now and leaves zero give on that front

[Fez76]

1 hour ago, TypicalBandNerd said:

As a Woods Alum, I’m a bit bummed that they keep placing low at state. I genuinely thought they would’ve been at least in the top 20. I think they’re just more of a BOA band than UIL which that’s perfectly fine. Regardless of the results, I hope that the kids don’t let this one placement diminish the incredible season that they’ve had and had a show that truly resonated with people. This is probably the most consistent I’ve ever seen the program be. Their future is very bright and I know that they’re going to keep improving from here.

Woods is slightly more BOA-oriented for sure, but it’s not like they can’t perform with UIL. People on this board are saying that the TMC and State score sheets are the same, and Woods did very well at TMC. Also, they took first place at Area, which is also UIL. 

[LeanderMomma]

16 hours ago, RouseCasa said:

Cedar Ridge color guard member tossed her rifle so high I don’t think it’s come down yet 🤯 

That was Robert. He’s magnificent!!! 

[Yacob]

18 minutes ago, personofaperson said:

WHAT A LONG DAY YALL!!! Congrats to the Cedar Ridge band for making it back into finals and the Seven Lakes band for FINALLY getting to the State Finals! This day was filled with many exciting bands from 40 of the best. I congratulate every band here for giving their best show!
Although, with this, I have some things to say, and I may get a little negative here.

For some of the bands that placed in 20th or below, I am so sorry for what scores you had to go through. Some of the scores down there do not make any sense at all. It seems some the bands who also went in the first block got hit with the worst of these scores.
Even then, a lot of these bands got hit with what felt like random numbers to place them on a leaderboard. And I just feel so sad for these kids who worked so hard and probably had some of their best runs just for them to be placed somewhere they did not expect

I would like to list some bands that I thought were hit with the worst judging:

1. Woods in 29th?! I did not have this on my bucket list but I am sure one person made a lot of money if they bet this would happen. While I do note that UIL differs from BOA judging, they still do not add up with this. I just feel like something happened and I really want to know what the judges saw for this since I did not see this show as a 29th-place show. Especially after rewatching all shows at midnight. (Do not worry I got sleep)

2. John B Alexander IN LAST?!?!? Like I said previously, that show hit me like a truck! The amount of emotions I was feeling during that show, and the storytelling they had. I am glad their content and design were a bit higher than the other scores but this show was nowhere NEAR last place. 

3. Dawson I felt got really hosed as well. Those kids looked and sounded spectacular, especially sounded! But the judges gave them lower music scores for what they had. I really thought these kids would be higher but I guess not...

4. Duncanville placement shocked me. I did not expect that, that's all.

5. Pebble Hills had such extreme difficulty in their music and I was hoping that would reward them in the end, but some aspects did not give them the rewards. It sucks, this band was one of my favorites of the night.

OTHER MENTIONS:

Dripping Springs
Waxahachie
Sachse
CTJ


For the kids who did not make finals this year, know this. It may now be the end of your first or last marching season, but do not let these scores bring you down in any way. Do not let your whole marching season be remembered by bad scores of any kind. It is not about the scores, it's about having fun with your band and other bands along with you. Just making it to the State Finals is amazing enough! You guys made so many new memories with friends and other bands, and you got to perform here, in the dome.

Make lifelong memories that you will never forget.

That's it for me! I may comment for Grand Nats, but other than that, see yall next year!
Love you all!
❤️

thank you for those words!

as a Dickinson kid- we didn’t make finals, in fact we made 35th…. So for any outsiders that watched our show (the candy show), Do y’all think we deserved that placement? 
 

we thought we had a great run, was it not as great as we thought?

 

 

[TrenBS]

Not trying to flood this, but I think in regards to individual placements below 19ish, anyone from 20 and below shouldnt worry about their placement too much since the judging as a whole is… interesting, obviously wont spoil anything right now but I personally thought all these bands did amazing, and if all the performers came off that field feeling fantastic about the run and the experience, thats all that matters in regards to the SMBC, these individual placements dont define a band objectively (weird as that sounds, but the judging was pretty wack as a whole, percussion caption felt like just a battery judge), and this is probably the most skilled SMBC in regards to the students talent

[TexasEx]

9 minutes ago, Yacob said:

thank you for those words!

as a Dickinson kid- we didn’t make finals, in fact we made 35th…. So for any outsiders that watched our show (the candy show), Do y’all think we deserved that placement? 
 

we thought we had a great run, was it not as great as we thought?

 

 

You’re in the TOP 40 bands of 250ish across the state. That’s basically the top 16% of 6A bands in the state. While easier  said than understood in the moment, these placements do not subtract from what an accomplishment your program has achieved. Congrats on a great season!