Hard Core Band Fan

How is it more precise?

Still way too many points to have a standard to work with.

I am willing to bet you'll be waiting until the GN's. NFHS is the absolute bottom and worst streaming service out there, but is the only way to watch remotely and literally better than nothing. Well, at least with nothing, you won't be wearing yourself out being angry and swearing all day.

The 400 sections are a much preferred sections over the 600, at least in most persons' eyes. It's way less that what you would pay for DCI finals seats in that section.

I'd like to agree with you, but UIL and change do not mix well. It was probably the cheapest option. Saved a dollar or two...

I don't know how many points each judge is working with today in each category to determine the cumulative score. It used to total to 1000. How can anyone manage with any accuracy a range of points that big? It appears from this sheet that this is still the range. I have always thought that a wide range like this is somewhat arbitrary as a 675 and a 702 don't really reflect any real measure of a band's performance. With a much smaller point range like BOA, it is much easier to understand the difference between a score of 16.5 and 17.5. And it is certainly conceivable to think that a judge has a standard with the BOA scoring that a band can be compared to, to determine their score.

Most districts require their bands to attend UIL events and pay for their transportation costs to them for area and state, if they qualify.

Seeing Round Rock's area finals performance makes me feel much better about their chances for GN finals. They have improved greatly in the last few weeks. I love the trombone feature towards the end and the soprano trombone glissando is a very effective and tasty treat. Also, the Woodlands show is really coming along nicely and their guard is just fantastic.

Absolutely! There are major discrepancies every year. I've seen music judges have the same band 1st and 22nd. Insane!

I think they use black magic to determine the schedule.

Yes, NFHS is the worst platform for marching band events. They truly don't care. Playing a commercial in the middle of a performance is no big deal to them. These are sports people and all band stuff is just background noise. They almost make me appreciate Box5 and FloMarching. Almost. It's cheap, though. $12 a month. And it's cheap because it sucks.

Carmel has some very spry old ladies in their guard (gray-hairs)!

You are correct. It's also like a tradition which seems will never be broken. But like Marion Catholic's streak, it can be broken. I am looking forward to when that happens, whenever that is.

To be honest, I wasn't wowed by the show overall. The guard, yes, but not the show in its entirety. I do think it will score well, though. I'm maybe seeing room for one or more Texas bands to surpass them. There have been a few shake-ups this year and hopefully this will be one of them.

I know it's off-topic, but I just have to mention Marcus HS winning 5 times in a row from 2006-2014. That is an amazing feat.

I agree, but they are still mostly solid shows and typically performed by strong, solid groups. But you are right, I would like to see some really new and different shows from him. Mainly because they would be really good and further highlight the talents of the performers.

I'm adding Brownsburg to my list of strong contenders for finals. Quite an impressive performance in prelims at the Indianapolis super regional. Still a lot of dirt to clean up, but the gems are stacking up already.

I did and agree that they are doing much better. But they are still missing many scoring opportunities in the first half. There are a couple of instances where they are playing to the backfield and when they turn toward the front, their volume is the same or near the same with no impact. The first half is still flat, which it doesn't have to be. There is much potential not being realized.

It used to be much more competitive when Leander ISD and Westlake used to be in area D.

Yep. I jumped over to the Texas Marching Classic on FloSports and it is way worse about this. At least Box5 is better than FloSports. Not really saying much there...

10 89.20 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2013 3 96.05 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2010 2 95.25 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2009 2 96.50 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2008 1 96.10 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2007 2 96.35 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2006 3 95.60 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2005 5 93.00 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2003 4 95.85 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2001

LD Bell's post show credits are very humble. They mention the regional and super regional finals participations and grand national finals championship, but they don't mention the total of 9 grand national finals participations. These span the years from 2001 to 2013. Amazing!

The costs vary depending on the event. Regionals are $17 for prelims and finals (each) or $28 for both purchased together. Super regionals are $20 for each prelim, $25 for the finals only, or $38 for the prelims and finals purchased together. The best value is the Pro Pass for $165 and you can watch the whole season's events, both prelims and finals.

It is if you're hundreds of miles from any of the competitions! Live is always better, but it's less expensive than going even just a few of the competitions.

Good to hear!