principalagent

Even though I have my own (laundry list of) problems with BOA, they, through Music For All, are a non-profit. Nobody is getting a huge windfall (or small windfall) from BOA. The fall programs in Texas help subsidize Music For All programs in other parts of the nation, and the fall scheduling in general helps subsidize the concert band and choir and orchestra programs, which pretty much never make money and generally lose it. All of this information is readily accessible through various charitable giving watchdogs, as well as BOA’s own disclosures on their website.

Being as measured as possible, the judges are responding well to Churchill's show regardless of how I feel about it. For me, that means putting them in the 5-8 range considering that Houston is a weaker regional than Austin (even though the gap is starting to close).

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.

Yikes. The proliferation of BOA and the increase of top programs refraining from local contests has hurt once prestigious shows like this.

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.

I would be shocked if Seven Lakes didn't make finals. Actively so.

That's what I've been trying to suggest this whole time!!

It’s the unfortunate reality of how these things tend to shake out. The 2004 realignment left two Areas straight up uncompetitive. Area B for at least three cycles (I think four) just sent Marcus, Hebron, Bell, Haltom and Richland. Area C was even worse. Literally up until this alignment it was always Duncanville, Coppell, Berkner, and eventually Rowlett when a fourth spot opened up (them always being alternate otherwise).

Also take away Odessa and instead put Permian

Cy Falls is the huge wildcard here. They’re completely unpredictable year to year. They could easily win or be tenth. We won’t know until that day.

Austin has gotten a little stale, but DFW and Conroe every year provide quite a lot of shaking up

I have no clue who will win this show. Austin made things even less clear, and HEB didn’t help.

100% agreed. I and a few others had them much closer to the bubble than the judges did. They've improved a ton.

Tons of eyes are on Prosper and Keller and Cedar Park after today's competitions, but one other important tidbit: Union just got 3rd at a show scored on BOA-ish sheets behind two in-state rivals that I don't think have ever beat Union. This season is off to quite the wild start!

That is 100% believable, unfortunately. Well. In this crowd I would have had them 9th or maybe 8th. But not top five.

YESSSSSSS! San Antonio finals for sure! A lock for State Finals too. I can honestly see them in the top half of both if they keep pushing.

Yikes at these recaps. Judges were largely just not agreeing with each other in either round. Or maybe they were truly calling balls and strikes. Who knows? Actually on second look, the judges seem pretty set on the top three today. And finals is pretty well contained. But past that, all bets were off.

And Vista Ridge adding more to the history books with their first Finals Caption! And their highest BOA Placement ever! Congrats to Leander for getting back in the medal game with a caption in tow, and CTJ for #8.

I NEED Vista Ridge to be 4th tonight.

So Highland Park beat Waxahachie?

I would have called the top 5 in that manner outright. Really, really happy for Vista Ridge.

Yep! Was also hoping that Leander ISD would be the first school district to put four bands in the top half. Seems we missed that one tonight, barring any jumps in finals.

Some points for the history books: Rouse's first time grabbing captions and first time as class champion in BOA For the first time ever, five LISD bands will perform in the night show at this regional. I don't believe this is a record, but it might be close. At least, it is a record in Texas (will have to look at Cobb County in Georgia regionals) UNPRECEDENTED: For three years in a row, the same finalists make repeat appearances. This is the first time Vista Ridge has ever beaten Cedar Park in a BOA competition (there may be other firsts here - will have to update when performance times come out). EDIT - this is also Vista Ridge's first time placing in the top half of a BOA regional. At this time, Winston Churchill has not missed a regular season regional finals in at least 20 years. There are longer records, but this one might be the longest active stretch in Texas.

Well CTJ with the performance captions and Vandegrift with GE is 100% opposite day from what I expected

Huh! Good for Prosper!