Leaderboard

As someone who is going to be competing in this competition (Go Wood ), I always like making predictions for these events. I don't really want to assume placements this early because a lot could change in the next few weeks, and to be quite honest, I'm more excited about getting to compete again, but my inner band nerd is channeling in. So here are my first wave of predictions based off of what I've heard from videos, friends, and other sources. 1. Claudia Taylor Johnson They are the the only potential medal contender who had a legit competition year last season. With that in mind, I have also heard they have a full show that will be on the field, which I can't wait to see. Combining those two thoughts, I think this is their competition to lose and they won't disappoint. 2. Vandegrift Coming off their grand nats win, I once again think they will be at the top of the pack again this year. From what I've heard, COVID didn't hurt their numbers, which is an advantage for anyone and they will once again come out with a very musically and visually challenging show. 3. Vista Ridge I was lucky enough to see them in person at the Leander game and boy do they have a lot of energy. The show was still relatively dirty visually but knowing Vista, that will be improved. According to a couple friends of mine, they are more ahead then they've ever been, and with the addition of their ballad to the show I think they will come out with a very strong showing and start to the big year they have ahead of them. 4. Round Rock I have heard very very good things coming from them so far. I believe they will come out with a lot of fire now that they have gotten used to staff changes and will set up a big year for them, in this case back into Austin, UIL, SA, and eventually grand nats finals. 5. Bowie I haven't heard much about them yet, but based off their 2019 scores and knowing their history and reputation, I anticipate them to come out with a very strong showing. 6. Cedar Park A historically great group, I think that they will bounce back from a relatively disappointing end to 2019 year in terms of BOA. They already look super strong visually and will only keep on getting better as the show continues to develop farther into the season. 7. Westwood/Leander I don't want to reveal too much about what we're bringing to the table, but we are way ahead of our history making 2019 year and we don't plan on letting off the gas. The show is fun and entertaining and offers new challenges that I look forward to bringing to the field. With Leander, we all know the unfortunate COVID losses that they are dealing with and it's super hard to predict how that will affect them. However, after seeing them in person, I can confidently say that that even though they're smaller, they are still putting lots of good sound on the field and I think that will still carry them into finals. 8. Leander/Westwood 9. Cedar Ridge While they sound amazing, I have also heard that they are dealing with a little bit of a size down from previous years. However, they have a lot of returners and I think that that experience will help push them into finals. Again, super hard to predict but it's hard to imagine them not in finals. 10. Westlake I heard one small recording of them and I'm super pumped to see what they bring to the field. It will be interesting to see how they will stack up with the local competition, especially post COVID shutdown. Finals bubble: Hendrickson/Lake Travis/Rouse/Weiss Anything could happen with these last two spots. I really don't know but I'm excited to see who will pull through. Super excited to perform again! Cheers!

Like your projections and thought process! FYI; while watching the Vista Ridge practice this week I could tell that they are already lot's cleaner than last Friday. Making good progress! No half-time show this week to watch. VR is playing Abilene in Abilene and only Sr's and leadership band members are going to the game. Also looking forward to this contest, going to be so good to see all the bands live again in a contest environment! Also will be good to see where everyone is at for this time in the season.

I’m picking up what you’re putting down.

Agreed. This contest is always an outstanding one to watch as the battle for a finals spot is very intense.

Very quiet on this front (almost no posters from the Houston area), so since I am starting to feel much better I thought I would post the schedule from MFA: 0800 Oak Ridge 0815 Grand Oaks 0830 Brazoswood 0845 Pearland 0900 Bridge City 0915 Break 0945 Conroe 1000 College Park 1015 Cy-Fair 1030 Bridgeland 1045 Klein Oak 1100 Sachse 1115 Break 1200 Porter 1215 Magnolia 1230 Paetow 1245 Cypress Woods 1300 Dawson 1315 Keller Central 1330 The Woodlands 1345 L. V. Berkner 1400 Sandra Day O'Connor 1415 Break 1445 Stephen F Austin 1500 Spring 1515 Wylie East 1530 Seven Lakes 1545 Klein Cain 1600 James E. Taylor 1615 Dripping Springs