Area B 2018

[meursault]

  On 10/21/2018 at 6:38 AM, Brassy said:

Waxahachie was on fire tonight at DMI. We band parents always love our kid’s shows, but most of the audience gave them a standing ovation. Let Area B commence...

I think they'll definitely turn some heads at Area. I'll be shocked if they don't advance.

[TXMarchingMadness87654]

  On 10/20/2018 at 7:14 PM, BandFriendzz said:

Yeah I really couldn’t hear much. I just kinda watched the movement lol . But I mean I’m going Monday to watch region 31. To watch all those groups so I’ll see whats happening with everyone

What a frustrating thing that video was to watch! lol They were even saying, "We're gonna let them play. Let's turn up the volume so people can hear them. Open that window." blah blah and all I kept thinking was...how about you just STOP TALKING! Then, they stopped talking and were rattling around with a chip bag or something. Just when you think they're going to shush, they start chattering again. blarg This is why I prefer going to contests. heh

[BandFriendzz]

  On 10/21/2018 at 8:20 PM, TXMarchingMadness87654 said:

 

What a frustrating thing that video was to watch! lol They were even saying, "We're gonna let them play. Let's turn up the volume so people can hear them. Open that window." blah blah and all I kept thinking was...how about you just STOP TALKING! Then, they stopped talking and were rattling around with a chip bag or something. Just when you think they're going to shush, they start chattering again. blarg This is why I prefer going to contests. heh

Yes I was getting so mad omg ! But I ended up turning off the sound tbh and just watched it visually

[Crown2018]

  On 10/21/2018 at 8:59 PM, BandFriendzz said:

 

Yes I was getting so mad omg ! But I ended up turning off the sound tbh and just watched it visually

Seriously they just wouldn’t shut up but they looked so much better than they did a couple a weeks ago I’m excited for tomorrow

[FanofBands]

Now that this area is one week away, what are everyone’s thoughts based on the season we have had so far. I know there are two regions to go but the main players will get their 1s and the stage will be set. The only thing up in the air is if there will be 5 or 6 state births. From what I’ve seen this year, this area is going to be a real dog fight. Yes, Keller has been strong but they have been beaten by another school in this area already. TC has had a great year so far and LD Bell and Waxahacie have been very strong also. Then throw in Coppell, Richland, and Haltom and it’s gonna get crazy.

 

Then consider that there are enough up and coming bands to really shake things up should any of the above have a bad run. Also let’s not forget about the impact the rain has had on preparations and the fact that they have all had about 3 weeks to clean there shows. Saturday is gonna be a good one!

 

The history of this area will most likely be just that after Saturday. With all the new bands that moved up this year and some that have already been there but are making a name for themselves I suspect area B is about to take on a whole new look.

[Bandisdope]

  On 10/21/2018 at 11:17 PM, FanofBands said:

Now that this area is one week away, what are everyone’s thoughts based on the season we have had so far. I know there are two regions to go but the main players will get their 1s and the stage will be set. The only thing up in the air is if there will be 5 or 6 state births. From what I’ve seen this year, this area is going to be a real dog fight. Yes, Keller has been strong but they have been beaten by another school in this area already. TC has had a great year so far and LD Bell and Waxahacie have been very strong also. Then throw in Coppell, Richland, and Haltom and it’s gonna get crazy.

 

Then consider that there are enough up and coming bands to really shake things up should any of the above have a bad run. Also let’s not forget about the impact the rain has had on preparations and the fact that they have all had about 3 weeks to clean there shows. Saturday is gonna be a good one!

 

The history of this area will most likely be just that after Saturday. With all the new bands that moved up this year and some that have already been there but are making a name for themselves I suspect area B is about to take on a whole new look.

Huge battle between historical success and recent rise. This Saturday we will see if the panels bands that historically have made State and done well like Keller, Coppell, LD Bell, and Duncanville, or will they favor newer bands like Timber Creek, Waxahachie, Prosper, and Haltom that have not had as much experience with 6A State UIL (Waxahachie and Prosper with 5A experience).

[FanofBands]

  On 10/21/2018 at 11:34 PM, Bandisdope said:

Huge battle between historical success and recent rise. This Saturday we will see if the panels bands that historically have made State and done well like Keller, Coppell, LD Bell, and Duncanville, or will they favor newer bands like Timber Creek, Waxahachie, Prosper, and Haltom that have not had as much experience with 6A State UIL (Waxahachie and Prosper with 5A experience).

Interesting perspective. I certainly hope that is not the case on Saturday. Each band should be judged based on their performance on the field. Just because a band is new to a class should have no bering on how they are rated. The experience between classes at this level is a mute point. They are all great.

[principalagent]

Haltom doesn't have much recent experience but they've been in finals a few times historically and got quite close in 2014.

[TXMarchingMadness87654]

I know AT&T stadium has a bad rep for sound, but Haltom sounds fantastic here. This is such an awesome thing! Not for nothing but these kids are getting some dome experience. Excited for them!! Plus, I got to walk around the end zone. I think I may have spent more time in the end zone than the Cowboys have this season. Oooo!

[meursault]

  On 10/22/2018 at 12:14 AM, FanofBands said:

Interesting perspective. I certainly hope that is not the case on Saturday. Each band should be judged based on their performance on the field. Just because a band is new to a class should have no bering on how they are rated. The experience between classes at this level is a mute point. They are all great.

I mean, Leander, Vandy, and Vista Ridge seemed pretty ok in 2016 when they jumped up in classes.

[Bandwoww]

My bold prediction for area B is that at least one band will place higher than Keller at some point in the competition.

 

My reasoning is that since 2016, Keller has made a noticible transition in-terms of show design. Starting last year, the visual program seemed to be much more challenging. I think part of the reason why they did SO well in 2016 was that they had extremely clean drill (for the most part) while offering up enough demand musically to be considered in the top 5. Their competitors (aside from Timber Creek and Waxahachie), all seem to be much more UIL focused and continue to put out extremely safe programs (Bell, Coppell, and Duncanville). While I think Keller will be far and away the highest achieving band in area B for BOA, the inconsistencies and differences in judging COULD result in an outcome where Keller doesn’t remain on top, and I think the likelihood isn’t actually all that small.

 

Now I could be totally incorrect about this considering Keller has opened a pretty decent gap over their competitors this season at BOA that didn’t really exist in 2016. Actually I think this year is the first year Keller beat Bell at a BOA regional. (And they beat them by alot too).

 

I wish everyone luck Saturday and I hope 6 bands can advance to state. Crossing my fingers.

[principalagent]

Keller beat Bell at San Antonio in 2016 and 2017, but this year was Keller's first time beating them at DFW. Just throwing that out there. I think your take is otherwise interesting. Not sure if I'm buying it, but I'm intrigued. If anything, I think Keller probably won't be first both rounds, but that might be more because of the variance often found at Area competitions - especially in prelims.

[LostChoirGuy]

I can certainly see them not getting first, but I have to say that aside from being more demanding, Keller has really stepped up their visual game in terms of performance. Both individual and ensemble visual scores at BOA DFW were impressive to me. I havent seen anything to do with their closer, but what I have seen so far looks as clean or cleaner than any other competitive band in area B.

[meursault]

  On 10/22/2018 at 5:03 AM, Bandwoww said:

Their competitors (aside from Timber Creek and Waxahachie), all seem to be much more UIL focused and continue to put out extremely safe programs (Bell, Coppell, and Duncanville). 

 

Agree with most of it, but a small counterpoint. It's interesting that you mention Bell as a school that is putting out UIL / "safe" programs, as 10 years ago, they were the band to watch out for at nats. Their 2006 and 2007 shows are known as some of the best designed, most influential high school shows - period - in a lot of circles. Obviously, the waters have changed a bit for them, and I do agree their last few shows have been a bit more traditional / safe, but it's just interesting to look at their history.

 

Coppell on the other hand has been known for the past 20 years to more or less be doing the same thing, thanks to Scott Mason. However, since his passing a few years ago, Wakeland's former director has taken his place, and their show design is rapidly modernizing and changing. It's only been a couple years (2 or 3, not sure), and it remains to be seen if they'll survive the transition and come back to their relative dominance, but I'm not sure you can classify them as putting out UIL-focused, safe programs.

 

Personally, on my list, I have Coppell not advancing in lieu of Waxahachie and Prosper. Both have proven track records of excellence from last year with shows that performed fairly well at BOA and very well at UIL events. I think people are still remembering old Coppell, the purely UIL-focused powerhouse, and don't realize that Coppell is modernizing, and the shows don't fit nearly as neatly into the UIL rubric anymore.

[herbaflerb]

  On 10/15/2018 at 9:24 PM, meursault said:

Eh, it's your opinion but look at it a little more analytically - it also seems you're a bit confused on what we mean by depth - someone above me answered it quite well.

 

I can definitely see a case for Area D having a similar depth, but still, you can more or less look at the list and say who's going to make it to state.

Same for Area C: the list is pretty static. But there, you can look at the list and not only see who's going to state but also who's going to state finals.

 

With Area B, you have bands like Bell and Duncanville, who have made state and state finals almost every other year for the past decade +. You have bands like Coppell, who have made state and state finals literally every time for the past decade +. You have bands like Keller who are starting to be known as one of the top bands in the nation (and is really the only lock this year, imo). Then, you have bands like Haltom, who are obviously going to be strong despite missing state last time. You have Waxa and Prosper, who just moved up to 6A and have been doing extremely well in 5A and at BOA. And of course, Timber Creek and Keller Central who have had strong showings in BOA the last few years.

 

Right there, I count 9 bands who anyone could easily make a strong argument for making state, with the top few having a strong argument for making state finals. But in this area, they'll be battling for a spot at AREA finals.

 

That's what depth is.

 

Thank you for answering my question civilly. I understand what you guys are saying now.

[BandFriendzz]

I’m gonna do a commentary on region 31 6a band tonight ! Can’t wait to see what these group have been doing and the improvements!

[josephbandfan]

  On 10/22/2018 at 5:03 PM, BandFriendzz said:

I’m gonna do a commentary on region 31 6a band tonight ! Can’t wait to see what these group have been doing and the improvements!

Thank you! wish I could go

[BandFriendzz]

Just arrived here at region 31 and I’m ready for some great bands

[brassdad]

Is anyone at Region 30?

[BandFriendzz]

Trinity -

Love the panels in the front with matching guard uniforms very pretty!

Loved intro with flute trio . Very well done

Beautiful opening hit

Beginning of second movement alittle timing issue but guard some is looking great

Brass sound has improved so much throughout season #loving it

I think mics may not be loud enough in front ensemble.

Beginning of ballad flute solo alittle loud but beautiful

Visually appealing throughout

Good job trinity . Really enjoyed it only thing I can say is fourth movement was rough and lines are that good but other than that I liked it a lot

[BandFriendzz]

Coppell-

Not a fan of the platforms but general effect wise it’s nice

Visually pleasing

Weird instant start

Love the visual work near the slide

Love the music selection

Love the brass sound

Front ensemble is killing it

Some timing issues front to back and side to side

The ending of second movement was beautiful

Front ensemble is killer

Brass alittle messy

I love the show but I mean it needs work and with all the rain I see why it isn’t cleaned as much

Final hit is loud and beautiful

Great job coppell . Impressed

[BandFriendzz]

Carroll -

Really love these background props . So pretty

Sticking with that green color .

Go south lake

Bright neon guard uniforms. Catches your eyes instantly

Mics aren’t loud enough personally

Not as strong as I was hoping

But thing it’s great they used rich girls lol

I can hear the guard counting

Alittle messy

Don’t see the point if the trampolines

Guard work is really good

I think the music selection is really cute and enjoyable

Love that you can tell they are enjoying themselves

Hocus Pocus music ???? Love it

Ballad flags are beautiful wow!!!

Not always together

You can def see where the time lost from rain is coming into play with all groups so far

Love that brassy sound . Spoooky !!

That final hit was great

Awesome job Carroll

[BandFriendzz]

Bell-

Very beautiful color scheme

I Remember when I first saw them this year I hated the bag pipes . Now I don’t mind it as much

So many guard girls

Very visually appealing

Very beautiful movement one overall

Alittle weird side to side tho

Very pretty tone just wish it was more

Those Mellos yesss!

Cute movement 2 .

Battery got ahead of the band and it was alottle off

Remind me a lot of Marcus

Pretty sound but nothing that really impressed me really

Like I said you can really tell the rain affected these groups

Guard is huge and I’m loving it

Very fun and it’s fun to watch

Love the beginning of the ballad so pretty

Front stage is alittle loud when danced on

Actually kind of enjoy the bagpipes now

Not together at times

I can’t take my eyes off the guard

Nice final release during ballad

Love that effect with the front ensemble and visuals

Overall the best so far but still not incredible.

Very cute and fun show . Great job bell !

[BandFriendzz]

Haltom -

Clarinet solo was beautiful

Opening hit wow

Visually kinda scary .

Duet with baritone I believe is amazing

Improvement in this group is beyond insane .

Beautiful tone .

Some minor tempo things

English horn solo was awesome in ballad

The tone throughout the whole thing was so good

Loved the show so much

Definitely my favorite of the night !

Minor things to work on but I’m excited to see them saturday

[Percmom21]

Our sax soloist has the flu! Barely made it here from care now to play! He’s not marching though