UIL 3A State Finals

[3Aobserver]

Let's get some 3A mojo going here! This is going to be a great contest. While not big, some of these performances are going to be mighty! I'd love to see some observations from others based on what they've seen -- not what they've heard. I'll kick it off with my observations from area B, as they are the only ones of seen.

 

- Princeton - large, big sound, not a difficult march, but some bold moments.

- Whitesboro - good program. Don't remember specifics but my notes were "very good"

- Wills Point - Very polished. Good music. Not a difficult program, but very good at what they are doing

- Argyle - Most difficult program in area B. Performed well, but not as polished as it can be. If they can hit it in the finals, look out! Very strong.

- Canton - Best total package at area B. Good program performed well. Not as difficult as Argyle marching or music, but best executed.

 

I know there are some great bands from other areas. Let's hear from one and all. I'd like to know what to look for in San Antonio this weekend. 3A, let's speak up and be heard!

[RobinsonSax07]

The band thats been to 18 of the 20 3A State Competitions (The other 2 were disqualifications due to time), been to the finals 12 times, 4 time State Champions

[whitewing09]

^ someones bragging alil...lol

 

 

 

umm from my area i saw that...

 

Rio Hondo- Had awesome execution personally i think theyll be the best coming from our area.

Port Isabel- Interesting show, very visual, but i did see some stuff sloppiness and all that.

Crystal City- Very unpredictable, saw them friday before area and theyre marching was some of the dirtiest ive ever seen, same thing happened for area prelims but they managed to make finals then somehow clean it up very well.

Medina Valley- Shouldnt be a threat to anyone... no offense

[THXJorge]

Best band in Area E is Hidalgo. Smoked competition in prelims and had a flat show at finals. Look out for them. Saw them in practice. Very clean, very fast, and lots of fun!

[whitewing09]

sorry i didnt want to seem like i was leaving them out or anything but... i didnt get to see them at all! i wanted to but they played earlier then us for both prelims and finals. i heard they make someone disapear? i really wanted to see that but i guess ill see on monday.

 

i still think rio hondo is one of the biggest threats

 

good luck everyone!!

 

 

GO ROBINSON!! lol

[rsb3]

Princeton had a really interesting show. I liked their "Titans" theme. The show was obviously loud and intense throughout. I admire the fact that they have staff who are so musically talented that they can write music like this (I'm almost positive that this was an 'in house' show, written by their directors). I know some may not think much of this band's show music, but I find it extremely impressive that a band has a young staff that can write like this. Anyone who can compose for band in my opinion deserves respect. While the judges were verifying results for finals competition, they handed out participation awards for every band. Princeton's drum major just moves forward for his award, pulls off his shako and **POOF** this huge afro pops out. It was awesome. Very funny.

 

Whitesboro almost didn't make it to the state marching contest from what I heard, but I can't confirm this either. I'd have to go back and look onto our Prelims ranking sheet of all the bands before finals. But I'm pretty sure they got hit with some inconsistency in the judging department. They apparently made a HUGE comeback during their finals run. I've never seen them perform, but I've heard some recordings... man, they can play very musically. I was impressed when listening.

 

Wills Point had a really nice show. It wasn't too over the top intense. I liked it, very refreshing. The thing that stood out most in the beginning was their huge color guard. Each guard member starts out weaved throughout the forms kind of, and immediately pick up these shiny pink, long flags whose poles only extend to about the wrist. It was just a cool effect. WP's marching was EXTREMELY clean. Every aspect of their forms had hardly any problems from what I could see. Their drill had many curves which just looked awesome. This show was executed so well. After watching WP perform, I really can only describe this show as classy, both visually and musically.

 

Argyle did have one of the hardest shows musically. But when you've got a large number of music majors from UNT dropping by to help the kids out after hours, they'd better be able to play like they do. It's really impressive actually to hear the winds to play these amazing musical runs during certain points of the field. Their music reminded me of a Ronald Reagan show. I remember it was arranged by Aaron Guidry if that helps anyone. Argyle's marching was probably the dirtiest of the top 5. Their marching drill was tough, and they did execute it very very well. There are several DCI moves found throughout this show. I just liked seeing this band perform, they're doing such a great job. I also noticed they didn't have a colorguard, which was interesting, although you really didn't notice it until the end of the show. You find yourself saying "Wow, that was a great show. That was just coo-- they didn't have a colorguard!"

 

Canton of course just had an amazing show. I only saw a short portion of it, but what I did see was very nice. These guys have been to the SMC since 1998. They know what it takes to get there. These kids just play and march the heck out of everything, and with great quality as well.

 

I havent' ever seen Hidalgo, but they used to be the guys to beat in 3A. From the stories I've heard about Hidalgo, they were apparently Canton times two, then something happened to their director. But these guys are back from the dead, which is really nice to see. Let's hope they can get themselves back to where they were years ago!

 

Sorry for the long post, but I was at this contest and saw 3 of the 5 bands in the top 5, so I couldn't help it!

[whitewing09]

sorry guys but i really think Rio Hondo is the band to beat coming from my area, Hidalgo might have smoked everyone in prelims but Rio Hondo kickd some in finals and i think Hidalgo dropped to 5th or something. its really hard to tell with these crazy judges prelims and finals didnt even look remotely simular

[Xenon]

  rsb3 said:

I havent' ever seen Hidalgo, but they used to be the guys to beat in 3A.  From the stories I've heard about Hidalgo, they were apparently Canton times two, then something happened to their director.  But these guys are back from the dead, which is really nice to see.  Let's hope they can get themselves back to where they were years ago!

Hidalgo's director from back then was Perry Dornbusch. I don't know why he left, but eventually he ended up owning a chain of instrument repair/supply shops and doing both music and drill arrangements for other bands.

 

I met Perry two years ago while standing in line at the 2004 BOA SA. We sat together at BOA SA and UIL State (both 3A and 5A), and again at the 2005 BOA SA. It seemed like everybody in the valley knew him as all of the valley directors kept coming over to talk and sit with them. Key Poulan (very cool guy) even came by and went to dinner with us Friday evening.

 

I was very saddened to hear that Perry died early this summer of a sudden unexpected heart attack. I know he will be missed throughout the community and especially in the valley.

 

Edit: Corrected my stupid Spiderman on the brain as pointed out by Pablofisco.

[pablofisco]

  Xenon said:

Hidalgo's director from back then was Perry White. I don't know why he left, but eventually he ended up owning a chain of instrument repair/supply shops and doing both music and drill arrangements for other bands.

 

I met Perry two years ago while standing in line at the 2004 BOA SA. We sat together at BOA SA and UIL State (both 3A and 5A), and again at the 2005 BOA SA. It seemed like everybody in the valley knew him as all of the valley directors kept coming over to talk and sit with them. Key Poulan (very cool guy) even came by and went to dinner with us Friday evening.

 

I was very saddened to hear that Perry died early this summer of a sudden unexpected heart attack. I know he will be missed throughout the community and especially in the valley.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Perry Dornbusch? I met him while he was still director at Hidalgo.

[Xenon]

Yes, that is actually who I meant. Too much Spiderman on the brain apparently.

[rsb3]

3A STATE MARCHING CONTEST PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

 

1. ARGYLE HS

2. Canton HS

3. Canyon HS

4. Wills Point HS

5. Rio Hondo HS

6. Crystal City HS

7. Pleasant Grove HS

8. Princeton HS

9. Whitesboro HS

10. Pittsburg HS

11. Hidalgo HS

12. Port Isabel HS

13. Medina Valley

14. Atlanta HS

15. Taylor HS

16. Glen Rose HS

17. Monahans HS

18. Robinson HS

19. Kennedale HS

20. Andrews HS

 

I can't believe that Argyle's going in first! This is a total surprise to me! Way to go Argyle! I realize that this is only prelims though, tons can happen in finals! Good luck everyone!

[trumpetman1288]

Ah...sooooo close for Hidalgo...I was rooting for them to make finals....I liked their opener when I had seen it (it was The Incredibles!!!).

 

The story with Hidalgo's former director was that there was an incident between him and a female student (I will leave it at that and not go into details, but that was why he lost his job and why he was unable to get another job in a school setting). Despite this, he was the best thing to happen to Hidalgo's band even though many students quit because...well, you know how it is when a good director comes into a band and tries to completely turn the program around for the better...not everyone bought into it. I bet a lot of them were kicking themselves after seeing he turned the band into two time state champs.

 

 

Even though he had a little run in with some problems, his death was extremely unfortunate and he is still greatly missed by many. All in all, he genuinely was a great guy.

[whitewing09]

i was rooting for Crystal City, Medina Valley,and Robinson

 

crystal city did right!! hope they kickd some in finals!

 

 

omg canton had someone fall! they were doing a few 4 to 5's and she went rollin.

 

i sat by some robinson folk in the morning so i was cheering them on. then they left and princeton people came... they were kinda mean they heard that the gurl fell then they started saying alot of people were falling and how Canton shouldnt get state this year and how they shouldnt have last year. i guess it was rivalry but still messed up

 

Good Job everyone!!!

[rsb3]

  trumpetman1288 said:

Ah...sooooo close for Hidalgo...I was rooting for them to make finals....I liked their opener when I had seen it (it was The Incredibles!!!). 

 

The story with Hidalgo's former director was that there was an incident between him and a female student (I will leave it at that and not go into details, but that was why he lost his job and why he was unable to get another job in a school setting).  Despite this, he was the best thing to happen to Hidalgo's band even though many students quit because...well, you know how it is when a good director comes into a band and tries to completely turn the program around for the better...not everyone bought into it.  I bet a lot of them were kicking themselves after seeing he turned the band into two time state champs.

 

 

Even though he had a little run in with some problems, his death was extremely unfortunate and he is still greatly missed by many.  All in all, he genuinely was a great guy.

That's what I wanted to say... but I didn't want to say anything that I couldn't confirm since it's such a personal subject. It's really is unfortunate that little incident happened, but it looks like things are really turning out for the better once again! It's just a testament to what students can do when they want something that bad. This has definitely been a great year of triumphs and comebacks (kind of an oxymoron in this case, but still lol)! Now for the bloodbath that WILL be the 5A State Marching Contest tomorrow!