Area D 2018

[MadisonBandMan1]

Continuing what Lemondude started... Thoughts?

[Dog885]

Bound to be interesting, very curious to see who the finalists will be. Will McNeil, Belton, or Lehman be able to snag a finalists spot instead of Anderson or New Braunfels?

[abtwitch]

  On 8/12/2018 at 4:29 AM, Dog885 said:

Bound to be interesting, very curious to see who the finalists will be. Will McNeil, Belton, or Lehman be able to snag a finalists spot instead of Anderson or New Braunfels?

 

I honestly don't see Anderson making it this year, so much competition and they just haven't proven their up to the same level that they used to be. I personally see McNeil and New Braunfels, possibly a sneak-in from Belton.

[MadisonBandMan1]

Any new thoughts? (bump

[principalagent]

This is Reagan's to lose. Bowie in second, and Round Rock in third, I imagine.

[GreedyGreen]

I feel like Henny has a chance to medal here. Not sure what to expect from RR or Bowie though

[Drum major]

Saw RR at last football game - looks like a reset and regrouping for this band:  Same director, but New drill writer plus a New guard director plus a New big sound plus New and improved uniforms (yet to be unveiled)  and a great percussion section -  equals a great show.    That first hit is reminiscent of the "Raven" and the ballad is soulful...  and that is the just the first 2 sets.  Can't believe these are just  teenagers putting this kind of sound out.   Looking forward to Austin BOA.

[scoobydoo]

  On 9/14/2018 at 1:01 AM, Drum major said:

Saw RR at last football game - looks like a reset and regrouping for this band:  Same director, but New drill writer plus a New guard director plus a New big sound plus New and improved uniforms (yet to be unveiled)  and a great percussion section -  equals a great show.    That first hit is reminiscent of the "Raven" and the ballad is soulful...  and that is the just the first 2 sets.  Can't believe these are just  teenagers putting this kind of sound out.   Looking forward to Austin BOA.

Wait until you hear the trumpet/saxophone's/and drumline together..

[herbaflerb]

  On 9/14/2018 at 1:01 AM, Drum major said:

Saw RR at last football game - looks like a reset and regrouping for this band:  Same director, but New drill writer plus a New guard director plus a New big sound plus New and improved uniforms (yet to be unveiled)  and a great percussion section -  equals a great show.    That first hit is reminiscent of the "Raven" and the ballad is soulful...  and that is the just the first 2 sets.  Can't believe these are just  teenagers putting this kind of sound out.   Looking forward to Austin BOA.

 

Round Rock kind of blew me away. They've definitely recovered.

[MadisonBandMan1]

Time to revive this thread! Now that we have seen most of the bands here what are your thoughts so far?

[principalagent]

Reagan, Bowie, Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge all seem set to advance. I'm pretty sure CTJ will advance, but there are some more old school UIL judges who I could see tanking them. UIL is more raw execution focused versus achievement like BOA, so that'll play into the calculus.

[Dog885]

I'm surprised how little attention this area has been getting. It's basically BOA Austin without the Leander schools.

[FaultLineBlues]

  On 10/3/2018 at 3:08 AM, principalagent said:

Reagan, Bowie, Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge all seem set to advance. I'm pretty sure CTJ will advance, but there are some more old school UIL judges who I could see tanking them. UIL is more raw execution focused versus achievement like BOA, so that'll play into the calculus.

While some of their visual at Austin wasn't phenomenal, their music alone will get them to advance, and by that point in the season, I bet the visual execution will have been stepped up. Those kids are monsters at cleaning.

 

If I'm remembering correctly Area D had 6 bands move on to State two years ago? If I'm right in that, I'm predicting Cedar Ridge, Bowie, Hendrickson, Reagan, CTJ and Round Rock.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/3/2018 at 3:08 AM, principalagent said:

Reagan, Bowie, Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge all seem set to advance. I'm pretty sure CTJ will advance, but there are some more old school UIL judges who I could see tanking them. UIL is more raw execution focused versus achievement like BOA, so that'll play into the calculus.

CTJ opened in 2008 and has been advanced to the state event every year since 2010 - I do not expect this year to be any different - I do see Reagan, Bowie and Henderickson advancing as well to state

[principalagent]

They didn't advance in 2016, albeit by choice, but were slated to be the last band advancing from Area D. This year has a better executed show, but I still don't think it's made for UIL eyes and ears much in the same vein as Flashdance.

[Band2013]

Advances to State: 

CTJ > If they decide to perform in finals, which they will. 

Reagan 

Bowie 

Cedar Ridge 

Hendrickson 

Round Rock 

 

Possible Surprises: Churchill knocks off Round Rock  

 

Other Possibilities (However, it would be hard to see this happening.)  

Westwood 

New Braunfels 

Pflugerville 

[Nny14]

  On 10/3/2018 at 9:45 PM, Band2013 said:

Advances to State:

CTJ > If they decide to perform in finals, which they will.

Reagan

Bowie

Cedar Ridge

Hendrickson

Round Rock

 

Possible Surprises: Churchill knocks off Round Rock

 

Other Possibilities (However, it would be hard to see this happening.)

Westwood

New Braunfels

Pflugerville

I don't think it'd be a crazy thing to see Westwood advance. They're performing it at a pretty high level even if it's not the most exciting show, and the music is very good. Personally I think they're ahead of their district rivals in UIL standards.

[FaultLineBlues]

  On 10/3/2018 at 10:45 PM, Nny14 said:

I don't think it'd be a crazy thing to see Westwood advance. They're performing it at a pretty high level even if it's not the most exciting show, and the music is very good. Personally I think they're ahead of their district rivals in UIL standards.

And if I'm remembering correctly, in 2014 they did advance over Round Rock.

[Dog885]

  On 10/3/2018 at 9:45 PM, Band2013 said:

Advances to State: 

CTJ > If they decide to perform in finals, which they will. 

Reagan 

Bowie 

Cedar Ridge 

Hendrickson 

Round Rock 

 

Possible Surprises: Churchill knocks off Round Rock  

 

Other Possibilities (However, it would be hard to see this happening.)  

Westwood 

New Braunfels 

Pflugerville 

Pflugerville is 5A now

[jmj]

Agreed on Westwood- I think they’ve got a great shot to move on. I really like the show and actually had them a good bit ahead of RR in my personal rankings from Sat.

[Band2013]

  On 10/4/2018 at 2:37 AM, jmj said:

Agreed on Westwood- I think they’ve got a great shot to move on. I really like the show and actually had them a good bit ahead of RR in my personal rankings from Sat.

I also agree with everyone, Westwood has beaten RR in the past and they do tend to do uil standard shows. However, I am only going off what I am seeing right now. It's hard for me to Knock off RR without giving them some time to clean their show a little. This is one of the most competitive areas in all of Texas every band will bring their A game for sure. 

[FaultLineBlues]

I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been more discussion on what I consider to be one of the more challenging and entertaining Areas.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/11/2018 at 8:47 PM, FaultLineBlues said:

I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been more discussion on what I consider to be one of the more challenging and entertaining Areas.

it all starts this weekend - working at the Region 12 event in SA and hoping the rain stays away - next weekend is area and it should be a great event

[principalagent]

  On 10/11/2018 at 8:47 PM, FaultLineBlues said:

I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been more discussion on what I consider to be one of the more challenging and entertaining Areas.

It’s just because the Area isn’t really much of a tossup. It’s 5 spots for maybe 7 or 8 bands. And even then, there’s a little bit of a gap between 5 and 6 based on how the season is progressing. The only Area really getting a ton of conversation is B because it’s both (1) consequential and (2) not a foregone conclusion. Versus C and H which are consequential but basically decided, or any of the areas which aren’t necessarily consequential for state finals (minus, notably, Area F - but that area has some breathing room for the two bands people are looking at). D isn’t completely a foregone conclusion, but it isn’t anywhere near as crazy as B is looking right now.

[Dog885]

  On 10/17/2018 at 3:11 PM, principalagent said:

It’s just because the Area isn’t really much of a tossup. It’s 5 spots for maybe 7 or 8 bands. And even then, there’s a little bit of a gap between 5 and 6 based on how the season is progressing. The only Area really getting a ton of conversation is B because it’s both (1) consequential and (2) not a foregone conclusion. Versus C and H which are consequential but basically decided, or any of the areas which aren’t necessarily consequential for state finals (minus, notably, Area F - but that area has some breathing room for the two bands people are looking at). D isn’t completely a foregone conclusion, but it isn’t anywhere near as crazy as B is looking right now.

I agree with you, the only real contention I can see is for the last couple of state spots and those bottom 2 finalists spots.