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

[josephm15]

Been lurking for a while but we should absolutely stop underestimating Vista Ridge. I think this is the 4th time since 2018 that they place 4th/5th at BOA Austin, get predicted in the 8th - 11th range, and then end the season top 5. Vista is an elite program that is always forgotten but are honestly the best at late blooming.

[FaultLineBlues]

Glad the percussion scores are better in finals after being a little wacky in prelims imo

[itsstephenyo]

5 minutes ago, Frost said:

It is there prelims performance that made them win in prelims Vandegrift had the same score but in prelims Hebron had a score of 16 

Sorry but that's just not correct. Hebron received 3 1st places in the ordinals and won 4/7 of the judges head to head against Vandegrift 

[Band1234556]

3 minutes ago, FaultLineBlues said:

Glad the percussion scores are better in finals after being a little wacky in prelims imo

I agree, cedar ridge 2nd might be a little bit too far but other then that and Hebron I like where everybody is at, one thing I would like to see in the future is a front ensemble be battery score because there are some judges which just look at battery and that’s not really a percussion score

[Band2021]

....Cedar Ridge's percussion score is one of the best scores given in this finals sheet. They have one of the best percussion programs in the country.

[Iplaydadrum]

8 minutes ago, Band1234556 said:

I agree, cedar ridge 2nd might be a little bit too far but other then that and Hebron I like where everybody is at, one thing I would like to see in the future is a front ensemble be battery score because there are some judges which just look at battery and that’s not really a percussion score

I'm pretty sure the judge is pretty much restricted to the sideline just like in DCI so they're actually judging the pit more than they are the battery. There should be two perc judges, but there's no way UIL would hire an additional judge just for that. Hebron in 9th is kinda pushing it, but Cedar Ridge in 2nd is too far? I thought the music they played this year was pretty difficult and clean, and their pit is usually pretty killer. 

[fluteatute]

8 minutes ago, Band1234556 said:

I agree, cedar ridge 2nd might be a little bit too far but other then that and Hebron I like where everybody is at, one thing I would like to see in the future is a front ensemble be battery score because there are some judges which just look at battery and that’s not really a percussion score

I'd argue judges focusing on pit is what helped CR placed so high. Their pit book is no joke and those kids play it well. Plus, CR took 1st in perc in 2022. Their percussion is consistently shown to be very talented. 

[slowbrass]

Two state titles in four years is crazy, congrats to Hebron. Super fun year for marching band in Texas. 

[justabandkid94]

For some fun UIL trivia: this is now the 3rd time Vandegrift has been involved in a first place finals tie-breaker

2015 5A Finals: Vandegrift & Cedar Park (CP Wins)

2022 6A Vandegrift & Hebron (Vandegrift win)

2024 6A Vandegrift & Hebron (Hebron win)

After digging I don’t think there have been any other instances of ties in the top classification, maybe even the top 2, since 2000. 

[TXBAND24]

19 hours 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 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!

Duncanville 32nd? What did the other area C bands place?

[Band1234556]

17 minutes ago, fluteatute said:

I'd argue judges focusing on pit is what helped CR placed so high. Their pit book is no joke and those kids play it well. Plus, CR took 1st in perc in 2022. Their percussion is consistently shown to be very talented. 

Trust me I know what cedar ridge Perc is like, Rick rod knows exactly how but when I was talking about front ensemble I meant by prelims, I thought finals did a good job but there is just really no way to tell exactly what was the reason they were in second unless we see separate front and battery tapes, just my opinion though, cedar ridge is indeed very good at percussion. On the topic of percussion 2 percussion programs I would’ve liked to see and hope to see in the future are Westwood and McNeil. Both did very well in percussion at tmc and both are taught by directors who are currently teaching both wgi at rhythmic force and dci at blue stars and blue knights so lots of great stuff as far as percussion 

[drumline8]

53 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

HEBRON!!!! LETS GOOO🥳🥳🥳🥳

Gosh so close, don’t understand their percussion scores At all?? 7/14 on preds (I’m sorry Coppell 😭😭), but wow what a night, congratulations to everyone, and thank you all for your hard work and dedication to this activity, it’s been amazing watching y’all’s shows come to life!!! 

I can see why they got their percussion scores. At area, marcus prosper and flomo beat them in percussion (in order), and that kinda reflects here with these scores.

[Dallas Hobbs]

Does anyone have a prelims score sheet? The results are not yet updated on the smbc.uiltexas.org site for me

[sb2024]

10 hours 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

 

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

So because your favorite band couldn't compete in Area J, they should be moved to another area, like Area C?  Makes sense for you, I guess.

[Sideswiperr]

Congratulations to every single marching band this season, outstanding from every program, the level in Texas has just UPPED this past year, thank you to every program that has stepped foot on a football field for their dedication, and commitment. It’s a great day for band in Texas.

[MarchingMafia]

53 minutes ago, josephm15 said:

Been lurking for a while but we should absolutely stop underestimating Vista Ridge. I think this is the 4th time since 2018 that they place 4th/5th at BOA Austin, get predicted in the 8th - 11th range, and then end the season top 5. Vista is an elite program that is always forgotten but are honestly the best at late blooming.

I'm stoked for them! Loved their performance today, and think they often get ignored because all the attention is on Vandy. 

Talked to a couple kids from The Woodlands and Marcus after the show and they were really thrilled for VR.

[Hags CSHS TPT]

Here's the photo of the detailed results from prelims that got removed earlier today

[BbMarching]

30 minutes ago, sb2024 said:

So because your favorite band couldn't compete in Area J, they should be moved to another area, like Area C?  Makes sense for you, I guess.

1: definitely read this in the voice of Draco Malfoy

2: yeah if there was a way it could’ve been LISD 3 + Sachse + Waxahachie from C and Prosper + Braswell + Wylie from J that would definitely be better, considering Braswell and Wylie just had what was arguably both of their best seasons ever (certainly Braswell at least, my goodness), and had fan favorite shows, but just couldn’t crack the utter UIL gerrymandering

[Mike McBandiel]

Something ironic that I found was the 2 schools that make the 6A D1 Football State Championships every year (Duncanville & North Shore) tied here at the state marching contest, might be foreshadowing their likely matchup in Football this December lol

[qwertytb12]

Anybody have full finals recap? I know that scores are posted online but i would really like to see some of the judges and the in depth scores

[qwertytb12]

1 hour ago, sb2024 said:

So because your favorite band couldn't compete in Area J, they should be moved to another area, like Area C?  Makes sense for you, I guess.

Yeah, its obviously not gonna happen just because of competition but there are bands who could make finals or get really good scores at state who cant even make state due to there area. Take area D for example, westwood went to state last year and got 16th place, just 2 outside of finals also scoring 11th in percussion, the very next year cant even make state. Texas marching band, nothing else quite like it.  Ive said it before and ill say it again, any marching student who can in texas, go and audition for DCI, you can do it and if you just dont know where to start, lots of marching band directors in this state know each other and either teach DCI or knows somebody who teaches DCI. Just go to a camp, you might be pleasantly surprised

[sb2024]

25 minutes ago, qwertytb12 said:

Yeah, its obviously not gonna happen just because of competition but there are bands who could make finals or get really good scores at state who cant even make state due to there area. Take area D for example, westwood went to state last year and got 16th place, just 2 outside of finals also scoring 11th in percussion, the very next year cant even make state. Texas marching band, nothing else quite like it.  Ive said it before and ill say it again, any marching student who can in texas, go and audition for DCI, you can do it and if you just dont know where to start, lots of marching band directors in this state know each other and either teach DCI or knows somebody who teaches DCI. Just go to a camp, you might be pleasantly surprised

Totally agree, but I'm sure that any DCI organization is willing to part with your money regardless of your child's skills.  My kid is being recruited by a DCI organization on her second instrument that she's barely played for a year.  Maybe she's the next trumpet superstar, or maybe they need another $5,000.  Choose wisely.

[FEDude]

35 minutes ago, sb2024 said:

Totally agree, but I'm sure that any DCI organization is willing to part with your money regardless of your child's skills.  My kid is being recruited by a DCI organization on her second instrument that she's barely played for a year.  Maybe she's the next trumpet superstar, or maybe they need another $5,000.  Choose wisely.

I never did DCI but did go to an audition camp, and was satisfied with that experience. The full summer would've cost more than a semester of college, so I knew even if I made it I wouldn't be able to go.

I actually encourage any lurking band kids to look into a camp. It's about a $200-$300 investment. Just understand, the top 12 corps are very picky, especially with their percussionists and guard members. I do know some high schoolers that got into corps that consistently made finals. Most were college students, though, and the only ones I've met that marched top 5 were music majors. 
 

Unfortunately there were a few (including a major corp in Texas) that had a reputation of giving call backs to kids auditioning they knew were less than stellar, just so they could get their money for the next camp (and the next and next until the HAD to cut them). I don't know if this is still practiced. It just goes to show, DCI is a business at the end of the day. 

[MoBone]

14 hours 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

 

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

Heeeeck no we just got rid of the LISD 3 here in area C, they’re yalls problem now. Lol. Imagine you’re  basically fighting for 1-2 state spots every year, been there done that. Now all of our bands feel like we have a better chance at this thing! 

[Coolzo360]

13 hours ago, qwertytb12 said:

Nah there are better bands who didnt make state, its unfair to call mcneil, westwood, churchill, and Bowie worse then these bands. And thats just naming a few

Area D was wack lol