2017 State Marching Contest (1A,2A,3A,5A)

[NETexasBandFan]

What are your predictions for who makes the state marching contest, along with rankings for this year? I don't have any personal opinions of my own, (just a high schooler who doesn't pay much attention to the bands outside my competition), but I'm interested to see what everyone thinks.

[takigan]

Moved to upcoming contests. Also renamed to broaden topic (we're not going to have a state thread for predictions, a contest day thread and a results thread.  It's all going in 1 thread).

 

[jevvell]

I could see Richland edging out Cedar Park for 5A champion this year!

[natertater21000]

  On 9/17/2017 at 4:59 PM, jevvell said:

 

I could see Richland edging out Cedar Park for 5A champion this year!

That would be the upset of the decade, I don't mean that in any negative way towards Richland they are a great program, but that would be an exciting outcome to watch unfold. I love seeing the old standard placements shattered!

[Metallica fan]

I could see that as well if im being honest.

[Anthony V]

You guys, I'm not going to say it's impossible that Richland take the championship, but I think it's way too early to make a judgment call on whether that's a realistic possibility. I've seen Richland a few times this year, and they are comparable in potential to last year, especially since they have a longer season this time. So, I think they have a very good shot at placing 2nd. But if Waxahachie or Prosper (or both) continue to step up their game this year, then maybe Richland will have some potential rivals for the silver. We'll see what happens.

 

I think this will be a very good contest with a lot of good bands in finals. Making the top 5 at this contest would be a real achievement. I know that Leander, Vista Ridge, and Vandegrift moved up, but maybe we should consider that this does not make this contest easy. Just off the top of my head, rough-and-ready with much potential to change, thinking about "tiers" for finals:

 

Tier 1

Cedar Park

 

T2

Richland

 

T3

Waxahachie

Prosper

Dripping Springs

 

T4

Wakeland

Aledo

Centennial

Southwest

 

T5 (I'm not as sure who would go here. Also, I'm not sure if finals will be top 10 or more than that. Someone let me know.)

McKinney?

Birdville?

Forney?

 

Lot's of exchange between those tiers could possibly happen. A slim chance -- at this point, anyway -- that either Richland or Waxahachie push Cedar Park out of first. More of a chance for swapping, I think, between Richland, Waxahachie, or Prosper. If Wakeland, Centennial, or Aledo has a really good year, maybe they could jump up to spar more directly with Dripping Springs, Prosper, or Waxahachie. Aledo tends to make those surprising jumps, but it tends to be early season that it happens. I would give Wakeland more of a shot for moving up. If I've seen Southwest, it's been a few years so I can't comment. Same for Forney. McKinney I've already mentioned on another thread; they have the power under the hood, but to my non-college-trained ears, there are consistency and cohesiveness issues. Birdville is kind of a foil to McKinney in that respect: few stick-outs, musically consistent, polished and respectable, but sometimes we're left wanting a bit more impact.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 9/17/2017 at 6:37 PM, Anthony V said:

 

I think this will be a very good contest with a lot of good bands in finals. Making the top 5 at this contest would be a real achievement. I know that Leander, Vista Ridge, and Vandegrift moved up, but maybe we should consider that this does not make this contest easy.

I miss us being 5A!

[SamuelCulper]

In betting terms, I would take Cedar Park vs the Field and feel good about my bet.

 

The battle is going to be for silver and bronze.

[NTxBandMom8]

I'm not sure about Prosper being that high. Everyone is predicting they will move up, but to Tier 3? Has anyone seen their show this year? I saw the show last year. It was good, but I'm not sure there is any indication of them being able to pass up others. If someone who has seen their show could provide feedback, I'd be more willing to buy into this prediction.

[bxOxAxUIL]

I believe the moment Leander and Vandegrift went to 6A, 5As fate was sealed, Cedar Park all the way. As for 3A you've got your usuals Whitesboro, Cameron and a strong Mineola group, but look out for Jourdanton who just came off of a TMEA State Honor band title. 2A, you have the war between Sundown and New Deal, but keep an eye out for Kerens. 1A is practically anyone's game.

[Anthony V]

  On 9/17/2017 at 8:30 PM, NTxBandMom8 said:

I'm not sure about Prosper being that high. Everyone is predicting they will move up, but to Tier 3? Has anyone seen their show this year? I saw the show last year. It was good, but I'm not sure there is any indication of them being able to pass up others. If someone who has seen their show could provide feedback, I'd be more willing to buy into this prediction.

 

People's expectations about Prosper have mostly come from their ability to compete with or be within striking range of Waxahachie last year at the BISD festival and, if I remember correctly, BOA Plano. You're right, there's not any indication from this season of whether they're at the same level as they were last season. But I think many people are expecting that they will be at that level because John Alstrin was hired on as head director -- which was the cause of their growth last year.

 

We'll see what develops though; you may very well be right.

[Percplayer19]

Though I feel Richland has turned a corner toward the upside im not quite ready to have them overtake Cedar Park. They have a great show but they also have a lot of young members that are growing up quickly. By the time UIL comes up I expect them to be peaking at the right time. If they can put this together like last years show I do have them making State and even will place them in the top 10 but as far as medaling they will have to have the best performance they have ever done to have a chance to possibly overtake Cedar Park. They have a culture of a winning performance and believing they will win. Richland is moving in the right direction in building a winning culture again, but I like the direction. 

[Band_dad_of_2]

  On 9/17/2017 at 6:50 PM, LeanderMomma said:

I miss us being 5A!

Other 5A schools don't!!!  :lol:

 

You guys are fantastic....best of luck to you in 6A!!

[LKendrick]

Regarding to Prosper, in terms of my own expectations I think they have the ability to strike pretty high for a few reasons.  

• Pretty steady but rapid improvement and growth as a program over the last few years, they're definitely not slowing down and if they keep the rate of improvement at the same level and improve off of last years very solid show that much again that could put them in some pretty great company.  
• They scored REALLY well in music at San Antonio in a pretty deep and crowded field last year at BOA, and it was well deserved.  Very powerful, balanced, and great ensemble sounds coming from that group (as well as an amazing percussion section).
• I know Grand Nationals doesn't automatically equate to a band being better or having a better season but going for their first time they must be very comfortable and excited about where the program is at to be embarking on an endeavor like that.  

I'm not predicting anything concrete or saying that will happen but I can certainly see an argument why they could potentially strike pretty high up the ladder at state.  I've really enjoyed watching theme emerge and I can't wait to see how they do this fall.  

[LeanderMomma]

  On 9/18/2017 at 1:00 AM, Band_dad_of_2 said:

Other 5A schools don't!!! :lol:

 

You guys are fantastic....best of luck to you in 6A!!

Ok, that made me laugh.

[NTxBandMom8]

I'm still in doubt about Prosper.  Looking at their competition season, they are doing nothing BOA until San Antonio.  I still have seen nothing from their show either.  It's just odd seeing predictions for them when they weren't really on my radar last year at all.

[herbaflerb]

  On 9/17/2017 at 9:18 PM, bxOxAxUIL said:

I believe the moment Leander and Vandegrift went to 6A, 5As fate was sealed, Cedar Park all the way. As for 3A you've got your usuals Whitesboro, Cameron and a strong Mineola group, but look out for Jourdanton who just came off of a TMEA State Honor band title. 2A, you have the war between Sundown and New Deal, but keep an eye out for Kerens. 1A is practically anyone's game.

 

I agree. Cedar Park is going to kill it this year.

[herbaflerb]

  On 9/18/2017 at 1:00 AM, Band_dad_of_2 said:

Other 5A schools don't!!!  :lol:

 

You guys are fantastic....best of luck to you in 6A!!

 

6A gets tougher every year... Leander's going to be great competition though!

[Sonic238]

  On 9/17/2017 at 6:37 PM, Anthony V said:

You guys, I'm not going to say it's impossible that Richland take the championship, but I think it's way too early to make a judgment call on whether that's a realistic possibility. I've seen Richland a few times this year, and they are comparable in potential to last year, especially since they have a longer season this time. So, I think they have a very good shot at placing 2nd. But if Waxahachie or Prosper (or both) continue to step up their game this year, then maybe Richland will have some potential rivals for the silver. We'll see what happens.

 

I think this will be a very good contest with a lot of good bands in finals. Making the top 5 at this contest would be a real achievement. I know that Leander, Vista Ridge, and Vandegrift moved up, but maybe we should consider that this does not make this contest easy. Just off the top of my head, rough-and-ready with much potential to change, thinking about "tiers" for finals:

 

Tier 1

Cedar Park

 

T2

Richland

 

T3

Waxahachie

Prosper

Dripping Springs

 

T4

Wakeland

Aledo

Centennial

Southwest

 

T5 (I'm not as sure who would go here. Also, I'm not sure if finals will be top 10 or more than that. Someone let me know.)

McKinney?

Birdville?

Forney?

 

Lot's of exchange between those tiers could possibly happen. A slim chance -- at this point, anyway -- that either Richland or Waxahachie push Cedar Park out of first. More of a chance for swapping, I think, between Richland, Waxahachie, or Prosper. If Wakeland, Centennial, or Aledo has a really good year, maybe they could jump up to spar more directly with Dripping Springs, Prosper, or Waxahachie. Aledo tends to make those surprising jumps, but it tends to be early season that it happens. I would give Wakeland more of a shot for moving up. If I've seen Southwest, it's been a few years so I can't comment. Same for Forney. McKinney I've already mentioned on another thread; they have the power under the hood, but to my non-college-trained ears, there are consistency and cohesiveness issues. Birdville is kind of a foil to McKinney in that respect: few stick-outs, musically consistent, polished and respectable, but sometimes we're left wanting a bit more impact.

 

 

lake ridge and summit?? both mansfield bands are definitely on the come up this year. i can see both advancing to state in the area b marching contest this year along with wakeland, frisco centennial, and southwest.

[Anthony V]

  On 10/1/2017 at 10:53 PM, Sonic238 said:

lake ridge and summit?? both mansfield bands are definitely on the come up this year. i can see both advancing to state in the area b marching contest this year along with wakeland, frisco centennial, and southwest.

I'm sure both bands have a great season ahead of them. Lake Ridge could very well make finals, since they beat Forney last night. Summit, I'm not sure yet because I haven't seen them.

[Guest]

  On 10/2/2017 at 12:46 AM, Anthony V said:

I'm sure both bands have a great season ahead of them. Lake Ridge could very well make finals, since they beat Forney last night. Summit, I'm not sure yet because I haven't seen them.

I saw summit this weekend at boa, and let me tell you, they can play. They have a few things to work out visually, but musically they were phenomenal.

[bingogooberman]

was able to catch pioneer at boa McAllen but not Roma, but judging from how strong pioneer was and the fact that Roma beat them pretty comfortably in both prelims and finals, any chance of them both slipping into finals here?

[principalagent]

  On 10/2/2017 at 4:58 PM, bingogooberman said:

was able to catch pioneer at boa McAllen but not Roma, but judging from how strong pioneer was and the fact that Roma beat them pretty comfortably in both prelims and finals, any chance of them both slipping into finals here?

I think they’re both contenders for state finals, for sure.

[Guest]

I could definitely see Roma in finals. Not sure about Pioneer yet.

[herbaflerb]

  On 10/2/2017 at 1:22 AM, Cityscapes said:

I saw summit this weekend at boa, and let me tell you, they can play. They have a few things to work out visually, but musically they were phenomenal.

 

Why didn't Summit do so hot at DFW? I heard they did very poorly musically in the score sheets.