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

[PiccMan]

General Thoughts:

 

TX Bands continue to improve year after year. The performers are having us experience new levels of musicality and visual artistry in their execution of the productions.

Designs felt a little lacking though from some groups. like 3 or 4 random pieces of music and just slapped a title on the show and made the props to reflect the title

FINALS Predictions:

1st Hebron

2nd FloMo

3rd Vandy

 

Bands making waves:

Cy-Woods!----Not much to say here that has not already been said but this is a band to watch for. Logical they could make finals in 1-2 years

Keller----glad they made finals after missing BOA SR finals. They sound so clean to my ears.

Alexander----I'm not sure I have seen a band that has made my emotions come up to the surface in the way they did. Band needs some work but they had one of the few shows from prelims that I wish I could see again.

7 Lakes----They really did it!  2x!

Carroll Senior----Quite the fun show. Best program they have had ever loved it!

[TheBandFan]

2 hours ago, utee94 said:

For CP it was just the long commute affecting the need for rest, and the need for kids to have some time for doing schoolwork.  I can't speak for Vandegrift but it wouldn't surprise me if it were something similar.

Ha.  Or probably this, knowing Vandy.

 

Seemed like Vandys music was so complex it is near impossible to do as clean as they’d want it. 
 

it’s a technical showcase of power. And impressive. 
 

but to me lacks the emotional storytelling and the “oh wow” moments from them in the past. 

[FaultLineBlues]

Maybe the real Pendulum Effect is Cedar Ridge's ability to swing back after a rough season? 🤔

[utee94]

1 minute ago, TheBandFan said:

Seemed like Vandys music was so complex it is near impossible to do as clean as they’d want it. 
 

it’s a technical showcase of power. And impressive. 
 

but to me lacks the emotional storytelling and the “oh wow” moments from them in the past. 

That's fair, but honestly I like their show this year better than last year.

[FwefewF]

As they say, Cedar Freaking Ridge.

[Tubalord11]

Fantastic performance from Cedar Ridge to get finals going!!! Have really enjoyed watching this show over the season, SOO much visual Ge in this show, such smart writing, and it was very clean today. The big moving pendulum is so cool, and how the trombone soloist is able to move inside the circle while doing so bodywork and play that well is super impressive!! Love the Wrecking ball ballad, fits so well with this show (and the actual wrecking ball), great job flute duet and that closer is so cool, love the moment with the brass going in circles. Just such a super well design, and these kids have been executing so well all season long, super entertaining show, oh and that guard and percussion, CLEAN, amazing job Raider Band!! 

[BoaBetter]

1 minute ago, utee94 said:

That's fair, but honestly I like their show this year better than last year.

Seems like they made it too hard to execute well unfortunately 

[Moiety]

3 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

Fantastic performance from Cedar Ridge to get finals going!!! Have really enjoyed watching this show over the season, SOO much visual Ge in this show, such smart writing, and it was very clean today. The big moving pendulum is so cool, and how the trombone soloist is able to move inside the circle while doing so bodywork and play that well is super impressive!! Love the Wrecking ball ballad, fits so well with this show (and the actual wrecking ball), great job flute duet and that closer is so cool, love the moment with the brass going in circles. Just such a super well design, and these kids have been executing so well all season long, super entertaining show, oh and that guard and percussion, CLEAN, amazing job Raider Band!! 

Our directors have been patting the wrecking ball for luck 🍀🍀🍀

[utee94]

1 minute ago, BoaBetter said:

Seems like they made it too hard to execute well unfortunately 

They look good to me, and apparently to the prelim judges as well-- at least, good enough to take 2nd in prelims.  I think you might have a blind spot here.

[FwefewF]

Contrast and organs, part of a notorious breakfast.

The trombones sacrificed the rest of the low brass and multiplied in the process and it was really cool

[utee94]

9 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

Fantastic performance from Cedar Ridge to get finals going!!! Have really enjoyed watching this show over the season, SOO much visual Ge in this show, such smart writing, and it was very clean today. The big moving pendulum is so cool, and how the trombone soloist is able to move inside the circle while doing so bodywork and play that well is super impressive!! Love the Wrecking ball ballad, fits so well with this show (and the actual wrecking ball), great job flute duet and that closer is so cool, love the moment with the brass going in circles. Just such a super well design, and these kids have been executing so well all season long, super entertaining show, oh and that guard and percussion, CLEAN, amazing job Raider Band!! 

I remember unloading our trucks next to theirs in the parking lot of the KRAC back on that hot September Saturday, and looking over at those props, and wondering WTH is going on over there?

I've had a chance to see their show a few times over the months and it really has grown and impressed, it's a lot of fun.  Anybody using Wrecking Ball as a ballad is obviously thinking outside the box, and we can always count on Cedar Ridge to do something quirky and unusual.  I think they're such a great part of the fabric of Central Texas marching, I don't ever want to see them change.

[Tubalord11]

Coppell brining it this afternoon with that killer run!! Such a strong brass line they have, and from start to finish it shows. Great control and mature sounds in the opening with the WW's doing some super cool bodywork to get the show started, and then immediately go into ripping through some very challenging licks, but they nailed it!! One of my favorite ballads of the season, again the big curve set with the bodywork popping in and out with the brass playing back field is so smart. AMAZING Trombone feature, was such a treat to hear at Bedford, great job WW quartet going into the crazy closer. Really strong performance, and it's great to see this program really solidify themselves post-covid as one of the best the state has to offer, awesome job Coppell!! 

[Samuel Culper]

My first time seeing Round Rock this year. LOVED their show!

[Tubalord11]

Way to go Round Rock Dragons!!! My goodness, it's so impressive seeing how these kids really clean up over the season. Going from 9th to Boa Austin to SA and state finalist, is something that you only see the best being able to do, but for Round Rock, it's just natural. Lovely sounds from the Sax soloist going into the grand opening hit. Good work from the percussion going into the brass trio, which by the way, ya'll are awesome and soo good, love the little fist bump at the end. Great mature sounds from the brass in the ballad, and what a powerful closer, my goodness Trombones. Some great visual moments, that last set really just shows you how massive they are, yet their sound never gets the best of them. Amazing job Rock band!! 

Also, love the new uniforms, and while I understand others wishing they had their other ones, remember...Change is Everything 😉

[tubapop]

Good grief seven lakes. Wow. Going to be dominating area I pretty soon. 

[itsstephenyo]

That first Angels hit from Seven Lakes in the closer was so so good!! This band is going to stay at the top for a long time

[Keenoid]

Wow, Seven Lakes! Amazing, especially the flute section!

[BandMom75]

I really enjoyed Seven Lakes show! Loved the Metallica hit! Idk how these judges are going to pick a winner. 

[Bbowman615]

I think it would be cool to see all different class bands compete at state at the same times that way you would really know what you place as far as the best bands in Texas instead of just your own class even thought it’s probably not gonna happen cause that would require keeping all the bands at state for 3-4 days until they announce finals 

[Samuel Culper]

Pardon me for a moment... 7 Lakes just melted my face. 🫠

[Cy-fairTUBA]

Seven Lakes had in my personal opinion a pretty bad first couple of weeks to good greif what did they feed those kids mid year

[itsstephenyo]

1 minute ago, Bbowman615 said:

I think it would be cool to see all different class bands compete at state at the same times that way you would really know what you place as far as the best bands in Texas instead of just your own class even thought it’s probably not gonna happen cause that would require keeping all the bands at state for 3-4 days until they announce finals 

You just described San Antonio Super Regional 

[Tubalord11]

Seven Lakes brining the heat!!! Amazing work trumpet and WW's going into that massive opening hit, my GOODNESS what a powerful sound!!! Lovely work tuba solo, really mature sound going into the very up-tempo second movement, some very challenging musical moments the nailed. Never thought I'd hear Metallica on the field, but that flute solo just makes it their own thing, such great effect as well with the rising bell. Amazing job WW"s going into Angles, such a pretty ensemble sound and wow what a strong ending. Congratulations on ya'lls historic season, I see 7L only going upward from here, but boy what a season they've had, fantastic job Spartans!!! 

[Bbowman615]

6 minutes ago, itsstephenyo said:

You just described San Antonio Super Regional 

That’s not all the bands that made state like lone star and Aledo and some other bands

[Tubalord11]

YES BRIDGELAND!!! Wow, such a stronger performance today. Great work soloists going into the big opener. WW’s going through those licks with ease, my goodness. Such a beautiful ballad, just such rich, emotional sounds. Wow percussion, boy can they play and what a glorious ending to bring that emotional  show together. Visually stunning, some really big sets they are nailing, crazy to think this school is 8 years old and they’re already doing some really big things, can’t wait to see them at Nats (hopefully 3 times), fantastic performance Bridgeland!!!