mellopwn1 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 (edited) Yes, this has been a topic before, but the last one I remember was way back in...like....2007? Taking into account Marching Band's ever changing nature and the number of newcomers to finals in both UIL and BOA this year, I think this is a timely topic for these forums to discuss. So, that's that. What programs do you think are "on the rise?" and as long as it stays respectful and informative, what programs are in decline? Edited October 27, 2010 by mellopwn1
whitewing09 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 On the Rise.. Johnson (They've just been getting significantly better every year!) Vandegrift (As their numbers have grown so has their scores) Spring (Starting to come back to the BOA scene as well as UIL state) Haltom (I think they had hit a slump, but now they're coming back) Bowie ( I think they're taking small steps every year and becoming more of a threat discretely) On the Plateau... Marcus (so Marcus is in a pretty good position, it has plateaued as the 5A state champion, but I think it could stand more ascension (for lack of a better word) No band can be too good) Duncanville Coppell Westlake Brazoswood On the decline... Bell (While they're still an exceptional band, they seem to slowly be declining. I think even last year they were strong, but not quite as strong as the previous years.) Richland (I haven't really seen anything as strong as they used to be)
longhorn2190 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 (edited) Cedar Park. Since they're back in 4A, this band is absolutely on the rise again. This is going to be State 4A in 2011: Cedar Park is Anakin. Edited October 27, 2010 by longhorn2190
mrwood69 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 longhorn2190 said: Cedar Park. Since they're back in 4A, this band is absolutely on the rise again. This is going to be State 4A in 2011: Cedar Park is Anakin. Dripping Springs?
longhorn2190 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mrwood69 said: Dripping Springs? Yeah Dripping Springs is still great but Cedar Park is coming off of a long series of 5A state contests where the competition is overall tougher. Not to mention their consistent BOA regional & super-regional finalist finishes.
alinktothepresent Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 whitewing09 said: On the Plateau...Marcus (so Marcus is in a pretty good position, it has plateaued as the 5A state champion, but I think it could stand more ascension (for lack of a better word) No band can be too good) On the decline... Bell (While they're still an exceptional band, they seem to slowly be declining. I think even last year they were strong, but not quite as strong as the previous years.) Richland (I haven't really seen anything as strong as they used to be) I think that the next step for Marcus would be to try to win BOA Grand Nats in the coming years. Definitely a possibility for them. While I agree that L.D. isn't what they were in previous years, I think there's an arguement to be made about the change in direction that's going on for them right now. Overall, I wouldn't say they're on the decline -- in the short run... maybe a little bit. Richland's definitely on the decline, despite the fact that Tom Shine had some kind words for them (apparently). But, I think the change is due in large part to Bill Watson's absence as head director. The program will continue to grow, but I expect it to lag for a year or two.
mrwood69 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 longhorn2190 said: Yeah Dripping Springs is still great but Cedar Park is coming off of a long series of 5A state contests where the competition is overall tougher. Not to mention their consistent BOA regional & super-regional finalist finishes. So then how do you explain this year for them? Not to mention Vandegrift is taking in everything Cedar park once had... literally.
alinktothepresent Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 On the rise: Pflugerville Waxahachie Hebron Lopez On the decline: Richland Coppell
longhorn2190 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 mrwood69 said: So then how do you explain this year for them? Not to mention Vandegrift is taking in everything Cedar park once had... literally. Yeah that's why Cedar Park got 2nd at BOA Houston plus the Music caption and Vandegrift got 3rd...
takigan Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 On the rise: Vandegrift - It's exciting to wonder where these guys'll be at 2-3 years from now! This year was a regular David vs. Goliath story for them! Claudia Taylor Johnson - Everyone's been waiting for it, but their grace period has finally expired and they're in full force now. Pflugerville - Last year was a great breakout year for Pflugerville. This year was an even more impressive jump for them, especially in BOA. Berkner - Slow and steady improvements every year. We should see them back in State finals this time around if all goes well. Anderson - Been keeping my eye on these guys the past couple years....they're finally getting the recognition they deserve this year with what I believe is their first ever 5A State appearance. Mansfield Legacy - After a 4A Finals appearance last year, their first year in Class 5A UIL was a relatively rough, but they've still made it a habit of making finals at most invitationals. Making themselves a mainstay finalist at BOA Arlington is no small accomplishment either. Birdville - They've gone from being relatively unknown to making a name for themselves at BOA St. Louis last year to pulling off an Arlington finals finish as well as a strong finals placement at St. Louis again. Definitely a rising band. McNeil - A great breakout year for McNeil. BOA The Woodlands Finals and a State appearance. A great year for CenTex bands for sure! Cypress Woods - They came out of the gate strong during their opening year in 2005, and have improved every year til now, and this year they're going to State. Hopefully they'll continue to improve. Cy-Fair - Cy-Fair was very strong earlier this decade, though they died off up until last year where they started to make a comeback. I expected them to make Finals at Woodlands but it just wasn't in the cards for them this year it seems like. Clements - Clements has always had a great band (former TMEA Honor Band a long while back, among several SMBC appearances), but after a big win last year @ SHSU over the highly favored Duncanville, I was curious to see how far they would go with a State year on their plate this year. Landing a 1st place victory over many great bands, including storied programs like Langham Creek and Cy-Falls @ Area E definitely confirmed my hopes for them. They'll make a strong run for finals at State.
whitewing09 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 alinktothepresent said: I think that the next step for Marcus would be to try to win BOA Grand Nats in the coming years. Definitely a possibility for them. While I agree that L.D. isn't what they were in previous years, I think there's an arguement to be made about the change in direction that's going on for them right now. Overall, I wouldn't say they're on the decline -- in the short run... maybe a little bit. Richland's definitely on the decline, despite the fact that Tom Shine had some kind words for them (apparently). But, I think the change is due in large part to Bill Watson's absence as head director. The program will continue to grow, but I expect it to lag for a year or two. Marcus is an extraordinary band, but I remember when they used to give Bell serious competition in BOA and now they don't seem as strong BOA wise. In UIL they're still the beast, I think they'll own state. With Bell, they don't seem as impactful musically.
drummerjoe Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 takigan said: On the rise: Vandegrift - It's exciting to wonder where these guys'll be at 2-3 years from now! This year was a regular David vs. Goliath story for them! Claudia Taylor Johnson - Everyone's been waiting for it, but their grace period has finally expired and they're in full force now. Pflugerville - Last year was a great breakout year for Pflugerville. This year was an even more impressive jump for them, especially in BOA. Berkner - Slow and steady improvements every year. We should see them back in State finals this time around if all goes well. Anderson - Been keeping my eye on these guys the past couple years....they're finally getting the recognition they deserve this year with what I believe is their first ever 5A State appearance. Mansfield Legacy - After a 4A Finals appearance last year, their first year in Class 5A UIL was a relatively rough, but they've still made it a habit of making finals at most invitationals. Making themselves a mainstay finalist at BOA Arlington is no small accomplishment either. Birdville - They've gone from being relatively unknown to making a name for themselves at BOA St. Louis last year to pulling off an Arlington finals finish as well as a strong finals placement at St. Louis again. Definitely a rising band. McNeil - A great breakout year for McNeil. BOA The Woodlands Finals and a State appearance. A great year for CenTex bands for sure! Cypress Woods - They came out of the gate strong during their opening year in 2005, and have improved every year til now, and this year they're going to State. Hopefully they'll continue to improve. Cy-Fair - Cy-Fair was very strong earlier this decade, though they died off up until last year where they started to make a comeback. I expected them to make Finals at Woodlands but it just wasn't in the cards for them this year it seems like. Clements - Clements has always had a great band (former TMEA Honor Band a long while back, among several SMBC appearances), but after a big win last year @ SHSU over the highly favored Duncanville, I was curious to see how far they would go with a State year on their plate this year. Landing a 1st place victory over many great bands, including storied programs like Langham Creek and Cy-Falls @ Area E definitely confirmed my hopes for them. They'll make a strong run for finals at State. McNeil with a State appearance? Are you sure?
Rocktapus512 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 (edited) longhorn2190 said: Yeah Dripping Springs is still great but Cedar Park is coming off of a long series of 5A state contests where the competition is overall tougher. Not to mention their consistent BOA regional & super-regional finalist finishes. How is the competition in 5a "tougher"? just cause the bands are bigger and louder doesn't mean they are better. now don't get me wrong there are some very top notch programs in 5a but there are some 4a bands that could give them a run for their money. i'm just saying there is a lot of time between now and 4a state. a lot can change over the course of a year. so nothing is certain. CP may slaughter everyone like younglings, or they could get slaughtered themselves (though it is unlikely for the ladder to happen). again nothing is certain in the band world. Edited October 27, 2010 by Rocktapus512
takigan Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 drummerjoe said: McNeil with a State appearance? Are you sure? Guh! You're right....juggling around things in my head I got them confused with another band. It was McNeil that I was thinking of as the rising band, though.
mrt0106 Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 (edited) On the rise Cy-Woods (area E)- Have been getting better ever since they opened Hebron (Area Johnson- did really well at boa woodlands Spring (Area F) Vandegrift McNeil North Shore (Area F)-kind of a mini rise, they went from a band 6 years ago making 2's and 3's and now they have advanced to the state marching contest in '08 and now in '10 Haltom Edited October 27, 2010 by mrt0106
mrwood69 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 longhorn2190 said: Yeah that's why Cedar Park got 2nd at BOA Houston plus the Music caption and Vandegrift got 3rd... BOA Houston did not have much competition honestly. And in case you've forgotten, Vandegrift has been around for 2 years... Cedar Park like 10 or 11. Vandegrift will start beating CP in everything everywhere they go starting next year.
mellopwn1 Posted October 28, 2010 Author Posted October 28, 2010 (edited) I disagree with that... mrwood69 said: BOA Houston did not have much competition honestly. Edited October 28, 2010 by mellopwn1
mrwood69 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 (edited) mellopwn1 said: I disagree with that... Okay p.s. I'm trolling for a sec Edited October 28, 2010 by mrwood69
takigan Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 Houston and Arlington have a tendency to pass off which one is the more competitive Regional each year, but this year I felt they were pretty much equal. The Woodlands 1. SFA 2. Cedar Park 3. Vandegrift 4. Reagan 5. The Woodlands 6. Churchill 7. McNeil 8. Spring 9. Johnson 10. Westfield Arlington 1. Bell 2. Marcus 3. Berkner 4. Pflugerville 5. Keller 6. Richland 7. Hebron 8. Colleyville Heritage 9. Legacy 10. Birdville I think if you merged the 2 sets of finalists into 1 contest it would probably come out something along these lines: 1. Bell 2. Marcus 3. SFA 4. Cedar Park 5. Berkner 6. Vandegrift 7. Reagan 8. The Woodlands 9. Pflugerville 10. Churchill 11. Keller 12. Richland 13. Hebron 14. McNeil 15. Spring 16. Colleyville Heritage 17. Johnson 18. Westfield 19. Legacy 20. Birdville Pretty equal, I'd say.
Jesterg1 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 longhorn2190 said: Yeah that's why Cedar Park got 2nd at BOA Houston plus the Music caption and Vandegrift got 3rd... Yeah I think that guy was being literal man, we literately took their marching director and percussion director(the one from the year they won pasic) I went to CP as a freshman and am now attending Vandegriftas a junior so I witnessed the theivery
mrwood69 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 Jesterg1 said: Yeah I think that guy was being literal man, we literately took their marching director and percussion director(the one from the year they won pasic) I went to CP as a freshman and am now attending Vandegriftas a junior so I witnessed the theivery Yeah, those guys will tend to do that. Sometime in the not near future when Vandegrift starts getting smaller or worse because of some new school addition, they'll just go over there to start up a program... and then leave again after the same thing happens.
KlarinetteRed_64 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 alinktothepresent said: I think that the next step for Marcus would be to try to win BOA Grand Nats in the coming years. Definitely a possibility for them. While I agree that L.D. isn't what they were in previous years, I think there's an arguement to be made about the change in direction that's going on for them right now. Overall, I wouldn't say they're on the decline -- in the short run... maybe a little bit. Richland's definitely on the decline, despite the fact that Tom Shine had some kind words for them (apparently). But, I think the change is due in large part to Bill Watson's absence as head director. The program will continue to grow, but I expect it to lag for a year or two.
whitewing09 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 mrwood69 said: Yeah, those guys will tend to do that. Sometime in the not near future when Vandegrift starts getting smaller or worse because of some new school addition, they'll just go over there to start up a program... and then leave again after the same thing happens. I don't think that will happen until the 5 schools filled up. It seems like the schools are smaller 5A's and regular 4A's so they have room to grow.
whitewing09 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 Rocktapus512 said: How is the competition in 5a "tougher"? just cause the bands are bigger and louder doesn't mean they are better. now don't get me wrong there are some very top notch programs in 5a but there are some 4a bands that could give them a run for their money. i'm just saying there is a lot of time between now and 4a state. a lot can change over the course of a year. so nothing is certain. CP may slaughter everyone like younglings, or they could get slaughtered themselves (though it is unlikely for the ladder to happen). again nothing is certain in the band world. Nothing is probable, but a lot is plausible. I think it's plausible to say that the top 5A bands are significantly stronger than the top bands from other divisions. I'm not trying to be mean, but let's be realistic.
aaron067 Posted October 28, 2010 Posted October 28, 2010 mrwood69 said: Yeah, those guys will tend to do that. Sometime in the not near future when Vandegrift starts getting smaller or worse because of some new school addition, they'll just go over there to start up a program... and then leave again after the same thing happens. Vandegrift will not get smaller, and no school will ever split off of them. They are land-locked into 4A and are in the southwestern most corner of Leander ISD. Any further development in that district will be in the northern region (pulling from Leander and Rouse High Schools), as the southern half is filled out with Cedar Park, Vista Ridge, and Vandegrift.
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