principalagent

They're both going for sure. And in their school district and specifically city, I'm sure they can do most of the fundraising without even really asking the district for help.

I think Bowie and Coppell are absolutely on the table for finals. I personally think there may only be one or two Houston area bands in finals. And there are actually six former regional champions in attendance: Leander, Vandegrift, Bowie, The Woodlands, Churchill, and Reagan. There are likewise six former Grand Nationals Finalists in attendance, swapping Vandy for Round Rock.

The lists are up!

Totally agreed. I wish the Oklahoma groups and California groups would come this way more often/at all. Thankfully, it seems like I may end up making GN a yearly trip, which should cover my bases.

That person almost assuredly went to Allen. A hint is in their username.

Is that a recent change? Because Westfield regularly made deep runs into UIL playoffs in football around the same time that their band completely pulled out of UIL. I know the band created their own district Solo and Ensemble (for Spring as well), but I was under the impression that the rest of the school stuck to UIL.

I think there are two categories of bands who benefit from dropping out of UIL. Bands with tougher visual packages who could use a little more time cleaning up (to compete with Avon or Tarpon or BA), and bands who would be more encouraged to take more or different risks (especially visual) without worrying about being hurt by UIL judging. For the first category, Leander, Johnson, Bell and the Woodlands come to mind. Marcus and Vandegrift come to mind for the latter. As for the broader point about San Antonio, I'm not so sure. Every year since at least 2010, there's at least one band in state that either did or very likely would have beat Avon head to head - although I can accept disagreement for 2011 and even 2014. The thing is, that band may not have gone to GN that year. Now, Avon is playing in Texas's home field. The chance that *1* of these bands can pass Avon is pretty high. Even in the earlier part of the century, Texas didn't have the depth that it does now. Instead of just one, maybe two bands reasonably being capable of beating Carmel and not achieving that, there are probably 6-7 that potentially could beat Avon, and all of them will be at San Antonio and hungry. Not at all to count Avon out, but Avon vs. one given band in the state tends to favor Avon. Avon vs. the field favors the field, the way I see it.

Cedar Park wins. I would put a fair amount of money on that too, but I think some surging DFW groups could make me eat my words on that. I'm excited to see what Richland and Waxahachie do; they seem best poised to trip up Cedar Park, along with Dripping Springs. I think Prosper and Rouse will make some noise as well. Throw in Wakeland, who I'm sure will be back in style with a fully settled in staff, and Centennial, who has become a state finals fixture in this class. That's over half of state finals already

It's also reasonable that Blue Springs or Owasso could make an appearance too. Seems like we might see the smallest amount of Texas bands make BOA San Antonio finals in a long time.

This is by far the most exciting news for this season to this day.

Well I didn't need more reasons to 1) hate the Patriots and 2) be perpetually frustrated with the Falcons but sometimes life gives you what you don't think you need. I assume you are talking more about the halftime performance, which I really enjoyed. The lines were much better than the circle from however many years back and the rifle tosses were great!

It's pretty much understood to be fact. I fully expect them on the list in a couple months.

The same happened at Atlanta and St Louis. And more often than not, there was a sizable score gap at the break. I think the top half bottom half draw is problematic and creates gaps where they don't exist. It's also caused unnecessary score inflation throughout the whole season. I personally would want to see all events go to a full draw regardless of placement. There's no doubt that it could screw a band in the first spot, but the bands in the middle can get more accurately scored and placed.

Not a fan of this schedule really. Austin and Dallas are both quite early. Wouldn't be surprised to see some bands take on a second regional or skip DFW altogether, especially considering that bands like Keller and Marcus tend to take their time putting down drill. I do like that Conroe is back to being the last regional in the Texas Triangle, though. I am pleased that BOA is growing into West Texas. I think some DFW bands will travel down I-20, and it's not prohibitively far for San Antonio or Austin bands either. I'm also interested to see how much this regional will pull from Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma, if at all. Maybe even Utah or California! One concern is that this regional falls on the weekend that Keller, Denton and El Paso schools did region in 2016. Hopefully that doesn't prohibit bands next year.

The judges at BOA San Antonio weren't at all from Texas, actually. Not a single one. On the other hand, five judges at GN were involved in Texas at one point of their careers/education or another. I personally think their show just came together a lot better by GN. Even a huge difference between prelims and semis and again in finals.

Actually, Cedar Park drove this year as well as the last time they went in 2010.

Really sad news out of Newburgh, Indiana this morning. A member of Castle's band, their featured vocalist/second flute soloist, died in a car crash last night with her dad and grandmother. Another family member is in critical condition right now. It must be a hard time for their band family after their first ever appearance in Grand National finals. Keep them all in your thoughts. Just for perspective, it's only a band competition at the end of the day, and the memories and experiences you have with your friends are what you take with you - not medals or trophies or placements. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/CastleBands/posts/656579031184197

Four bands from Texas made finals last year as well. And Leander has so much to be proud of! I had them higher too, but the entire top 6 was amazing. I stuck around to listen to Carmel's encore and already started warming up to their show. They definitely "kept it simple, stupid" in terms of theme, but their music is deceptively difficult and it's probably the best arranged slow-fast show I've ever heard. They also have a top notch design team which assuredly led to their critical GE win. They seem to only win questionably, but I'm personally not going to question it. Now after going to BOA SA all day last Saturday, 6A State finals, and all 3 days of GN, I'm not even going to listen to a show for about a week and a half. I'm burned out. Huge congrats to #TeamTexas for keeping the standard of excellence so high and continuing to show the nation how great band is in Texas!

Cedar Park and Leander both placed in the top 6!

Ronald Reagan Wando Claudia Taylor Johnson Marian Catholic Avon William Mason Union Leander Cedar Park Carmel Tarpon Springs Vista Murrieta This is my 12 for tonight. Owasso is my first out. Hoping Bowie can move into the teens. I have Avon and Leander leading into finals tonight.

Pending a performance at 3:30, I have 9 bands set for finals. I'm having a hard time deciding between Union, Cedar Park, Marian Catholic and Homestead (who is about to perform now) for the last three spots. I really, really want Cedar Park in, and I think their music performance will push them in.

Leander is in the middle of the Eagle hunt right now. Mason and Carmel aren't really selling their shows right now, which gives Johnson and Reagan a chance at a medal, too. I couldn't tell you who is leading between CTJ and Reagan at the moment - they were both strong yet had issues, too. Cedar Park has a shot at the music caption tonight and might foil Leander's chance at a class sweep.

Prelims was stronger in my opinion, but they should have no problem winning 3A and getting in the top 6 in semis.

LKendrick is right. Bowie has a score from Friday that puts them between 23rd and 30th overall. I think they'll move up into the teens today at any rate. CTJ's run sounded quite strong musically from the box. They've cleaned up a lot since BOA Austin visually as well. They're absolutely in tonight.

Their mics didn't work for the first few minutes of their show. The vocalist's mic was the last to come back on, about halfway through their opener (so it luckily did not mess up their ballad).