6a Area D Marching Contest

[Donezo]

  On 10/26/2014 at 6:06 PM, BlackJesus said:

I don't think it's the UIL judging system that is as bad as the judges themselves. Judges who obviously put other aspects into their judging other than how well it was performed (and personally I feel like difficulty should be a small factor) should be under a list of people who can't judge UIL period. There are judges in UIL that very obviously love the idea of incorporating a theme and using props with your show, well news flash guys, not every band does that. Some just march and play the heck out of their show, others use visual aspects to help their GE and Visual scores in BOA and other competitions.

A 4 spot difference in a bands placement is the border of normal and suspicious, 5 and higher is just crazy at that point. You could argue that the judge might have noticed different things which could be possible, but once it's practically every other band they're definitely not fit to judge UIL.

 

I have a lot of qualms with the "not fit to judge" line of thinking. Check the resumes of those guys who judged this contest. All of them have had success in the UIL system. The argument does not hold up. Who do you propose should take their place?

[BlackJesus]

I never said it's everyone and I never said judging period, I said UIL judging, which is meant to be only on how well your marching and music is performed. And as for take their place, I honestly have no idea, but other people would be found.

But explain to me the 22 spot margin (9th and 31st) with Smithson Valley who ended up getting 23rd. I'm not saying they're bad b/c I've actually never even heard of them before, but I'm pretty sure someone in that panel prefers one type of show more than the others.

[Lynn]

How many of you guys were at finals last night? The one thing I pointed out while I was there is that every one of those bands last night were on par with the bands that made semi finals last year at grand nationals. I wouldn't want to be a judge. I know daniel s. Was supposed to be there last night but his battery died. Can you give us your honest thoughts on finals?

[whitewing09]

Initially I was shocked that Hendrickson fell so far, but then I thought, "oh look, who beat them." We can complain all we want about how bad the system is or how horrible the judges are. Fact is, Some of the most contentious results happened in situations where the bands all execute at very high levels. Like when everyone is beast in 6A area D, how do you really compare them. If you look at the top 8, they've all been at the top of BOA or UIL in the recent years. Having such a cluster of high quality will probably yield weird results.

[mh1031]

I made sure to watch just about all the predicted "top 10" in prelims, I was even there for Bowie as the second band of the day. I can honestly say that Hendrickson was the cleanest marching wise on the field from prelims. That band has come so far and they, to me, sounded and looked like a state worthy band, and I don't disagree with the placement of first at all. If they were the best band in prelims then they deserved to be first. I was in fact shocked to see such a large drop. I could see moving down 2 or 3 placements but all the way to 8th? This just baffles me especially when bands such as Westlake did not have such a superior run in finals....

[Mellorips]

There were also bands that stayed relatively the same Ex: CTJ and Reagan switched places from prelims to finals and RR and Cedar Ridge didn't move much from prelims to finals

[lasvegasmonkey]

I agree. I can tell you that all 10 of the finalist bands deserved to be there. They were all neck and neck. It could have gone either way. (Although I am quite surprised Westwood moved on, but anyways congrats to them). Some people call Bowie's show "boring". Although I can say in my opinion it's not very exciting it is played and marched WONDERFLY.

[Lynn]

  On 10/26/2014 at 7:50 PM, mh1031 said:

I made sure to watch just about all the predicted "top 10" in prelims, I was even there for Bowie as the second band of the day. I can honestly say that Hendrickson was the cleanest marching wise on the field from prelims. That band has come so far and they, to me, sounded and looked like a state worthy band, and I don't disagree with the placement of first at all. If they were the best band in prelims then they deserved to be first. I was in fact shocked to see such a large drop. I could see moving down 2 or 3 placements but all the way to 8th? This just baffles me especially when bands such as Westlake did not have such a superior run in finals....

 

I have to agree on this - the placement of Westlake baffles me - no disrespect intended but there were some obvious musical challenges that occurred. 

[mh1031]

Here is Hendricksons prelims performance. I think it speaks for itself

 

[mh1031]

[LKendrick]

That crowd reaction at the end is what it's all about people!  That's pretty neat.   What a cool show too, the guard is especially stunning.  Kinda reminds me of the Hawthorne Caballero's DCA show from 2013.  Excited to see how they do at BOA San Antonio!  

[Pear]

  On 10/26/2014 at 9:36 PM, mh1031 said:

That run was something else. It would have easily been a state finals worthy run. It was too bad they were unable to advance.

[ZombieRaptor]

Was it Bowie that was playing music from Pat Metheny? Man, some of that was the first thing I've heard in DCI, performed by the Crossmen.

[Mellorips]

In case anyone is interested, that's Reagan's run from finals

[LKendrick]

  On 10/27/2014 at 4:15 AM, Mellorips said:

In case anyone is interested, that's Reagan's run from finals

 

Consider my opinion on them changed, they sound fantastic.  

[Mellorips]

  On 10/27/2014 at 4:19 AM, LKendrick said:

 

Consider my opinion on them changed, they sound fantastic.

Yes it's no wonder they won music in finals.

[jmj]

Wow on Reagan!  I liked the show when I saw it at BOA Austin, but it is truly stunning now.  They are performing at an extremely high level now.  I find the marching to be quite fantastic - body carriage, spacing, sets locking - terrific. Love the contracting multi-ring circle right before the ballad and some of those helix passthroughs. Very excited to see this in person again at BOA SA!