principalagent

Some more history / recap tidbits to keep track of: Vandegrift's third regional win tonight! Fun fact--last time Leander and CTJ went to nationals, they were second and third behind... Vandegrift. Leander is starting to bridesmaid this regional a bit. 2nd in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Additionally, they were technically 2nd in 2015 and were 2nd in prelims in 2017. However, they prevented Vandegrift from sweeping like they did in prelims. CTJ's rough run didn't seem to do them in--they were 3rd by a similar margin in prelims. Cedar Ridge has surely staked its claim as Round Rock ISD's top dog now. Lake Travis in 7th is going to set them up for dramatic success this season. I would start looking at them seriously for a top half placement in St Louis and a photo finish to finals at San Antonio. And while it's sad to see two regulars out of finals--both had made finals at this regional every single year they've attended (every year of the regional's existence for Rock and every year but the first for Hendrickson)--it is great to see fresh new faces in the night show. Congrats again to Rouse, Lake Travis, and Westwood. Clearly, those spots were earned.

Rouse had almost two points on Round Rock in 11th, and Hendrickson was 12th. Penalties didn't matter at all.

Score record for the Austin regional.

Guess it's time to stop telling Vandegrift what to do and let them do their own thing their own way!

They're available at the door too!

I'm assuming Leander and Vandy are 1 and 2, probably opposite order.

CTJ is definitely not having a better run. They placed their Side 1 pit completely incorrectly. However, as a result, I'm witnessing probably one of the most impressive things I've seen in 12 years in the activity. They're literally fixing drill on the fly to adapt to the misplaced pit. There's no doubt that they are a well-taught, well-equipped, and simply intelligent band to be able to do this so easily and make it look like nothing happened (after early bobbles). Fantastic job, CTJ.

The LISD heavyweights and CTJ are in the top five from prelims.

You're right! Totally forgot about that re: LT. Oops. And yes, but Westwood had made two super regional finals, but not a regular regional final until tonight! .1 for every three seconds under. Having a 5:30 show will kill you in a competition like this.

Lake Travis is in their own school district actually!

They did not make state finals last year. Barely missed.

OKAY. Had to comb through recaps but now time for some preliminary history keeping: Congrats to Lake Travis on their first ever regional finalist position! They're going to have a killer season. Congrats to Rouse on their first ever regional finalist position as well! They completely deserve it. Additionally, LISD has five representatives in finals tonight, the most of any school district in the country for a regular season regional. For all regionals, they're just behind Cobb County, GA, which got 6 into Atlanta Super Finals in 2008. Leander continues to hold onto 3A Class Champion. They've only lost it once since 2014--and they won the regional the time they lost it. Congrats to Vandegrift for their Class Championship as well! They are one of the few bands to hold a class championship in every single class. Finally, a hearty congratulations to Westwood! This is their first regular regional final after knocking around the 11-13 range at this regional since it began. Can't wait to see where their season takes them as well. EDIT: forgot a couple! Congrats to Hays for continuing a strong legacy of being a new band with a Class Championship! In fact, it's the first ever BOA accolade in their school district's history! And Veterans Memorial is the first band in Judson ISD to ever be crowned a class champion as well. Congrats to them!

Well, my call was right. I saw those three in and they all made it. And the two I saw out were the ones out. It's a new day for the Austin Regional!

Really pleased with Rouse, Lake Travis, and Westwood. I want new blood tonight and they all showed why they deserved it. I think two of this group will make it in. I can think of two or three groups I can see out to make room.

Not just you

Nope.

Whew Lake Travis! Some of the traditional finalists at this regional have to watch out after Rouse and Lake Travis today.

Honestly, I find myself more and more impressed with Cedar Ridge every single year. Being a young school with dramatic and constant director shifts and size changes, they’ve had every single reason to fall off but get better every single year. And the show design is always fun and challenging and refreshing. And that world class drumline always deserves a mention. They’re here, and they’re here to stay. I think they’ll be in the top half tonight, and if they are they fully deserve it. I couldn’t be a bigger fan of that program.

That’s a little bold these days!

You’re missing Westlake!

Don’t hate on the ballad beatz.

Vandegrift uploads their show to their smugmug every week by the way.

I’ve got one. Three RRISD and five LISD-S.

Another fun fact: McNeil took home its first caption win tonight. The other two bands in its school district that have won caption awards also took home a music caption for their first caption (and Round Rock also holds Visual and GE caption wins).

And the city of Laredo takes home its first ever BOA Regional Championship! Congrats to John B. Alexander! And it's the first South Texas regional championship since Harlingen in 2005! Winston Churchill takes its first medal in well over a decade--since 2007. Roma and Pioneer back in the top half, with Roma grabbing another medal. A great day down in the Valley!