Jbl3770

my understanding is that the changes are in the prelims scores and placements..... is that the case???

IMO - visuals are the difference between UIL and BOA - BOA encourages visuals - props and body movements that add to the story being told - all the while maintaining the marching and music component of the show. done right it can only make a show better and draw in the audience.

I heard that CTJ planned to go this year - but did not due to the cost of the Tournament of Roses parade cost in Jan. I believe they are going next year - the Woodlands plan to go every non-UIL year so I would expect them to attend as well. I have also heard that Spring is kicking around the idea of returning in 2015. Next year should be a large Texas year at Grand Nationals.

my thoughts on the past few days - 3 things to keep in mind I am not a judge so my opinion is just that I have played many instruments in my 4 years in high school and marched 3 years with DCI I have attended all 3 Texas BOA's this year and was in the box for all 64 bands and 14 finalist in the dome. With that said - I watched the videos this morning for the finalists from last night. as someone that was sitting in a prime location last night - the audio/video feed does not do any of these bands justice. both from a musical and visual perspective - it leaves much to be desired. so for those that are second guessing the scoring - at the end of the day, I agree with the placements for finals as I thought that CTJ, Bowie, Leander and TWHS brought the best shows I saw and what you did not see on the videos was the emotion - the CTJ show appears to be designed just for BOA (VS UIL- as we will see in 2 days) Bowie in second and could do the same on Tuesday) - Leander was truly driven on emotion and great music. Woodlands left a great show out on the field and should be proud of what they accomplished. CTJ has only been around 6 or 7 years and has progressed each year. finishing 5th, 4th, and 4th the past 3 runs in BOA SA - this was their next step and they did so with a great show - only downside is that this show will not be heading to Indy. fun fact - 5 of the 7 judges in finals and not judged a BOA finals in Texas this year. no "favorites" to worry about Congrats to all the bands and to our medalist - I felt that this would be a year that would introduce some new blood to the old guard (Marcus, TWHS, LD Bell, Bowie) based on Leander's showing in BOA Austin and CTJ in Conroe, FloMo in Prelims yesterday adding to Hebron's rise last year in BOA Dallas and San Antonio. not to mention all the great shows that had very strong performances yesterday and leads to the question....who will jump up next year. All this will make for an even more competitive group in the years to come and next years BOA SA will be even better. At some point BOA will need to rethink the format in San Antonio - it is not just another Super Regional - this is Texas and Marching band really is bigger here. Stay safe on looking forward to UIL on Tuesday and what that might bring.

watched shows all day yesterday from the dome - the sound was phenomenal!! this is by far the best and most talent filled competition I have seen in the past 6 years that I have been coming to San Antonio. there will be some VERY good bands that will not make the finals - and finals will be insane.

while they do not judge it - if done right you cannot deny the impact that a good pre-show has on the audience and thus the overall effect. - I recall the 2012 BOA-SA and all the comments that were made on this blog about the CTJ preshow and the members coming our of the stands in the preshow - sets the tone for the show - I wish more would do them

I cant call who will be on top - but I just don't see Leander making that big of a jump. I have seen a lot of shows the past few weeks TWHS, Hebron, Bowie, Marcus, Bowie, CTJ, LDBell, Leander, to name a few - but I just don't see it. they have a great show (and I could be wrong) but I just dont see them making that big of a leap over so many other great shows - time will tell.

Sorry - I just don't see Leander in the top spot - call me crazy - and time will tell

many of the bands do not allow posting of videos - 1 - don't want the competition to see their show - 2. don't want to put up a show that is not yet complete

OK - This in not as advanced as the TXBANDS survey - but I took results to this point looking at the top 6 finishings - this is not weighted based on the actual placements you listed but the total number of you that predicted a top 6 finish may update later if there are more entries HEBRON 12 CTJ 12 BOWIE 11 MARCUS 10 TWHS 8 LEANDER 8 LD BELL 2 VANDERGRIFT, CEDAR PARK, BRAZOSWOOD, REAGAN - ALL AT 1 EACH just interesting to look at - i will keep you posted

I am sure that they assumed that Cedar Ridge would compete in Texas - Many are basing their predictions on the season as it unfolds. it is a compliment to Cedar ridge and not intended to be a slight.

you are correct - Bowie is always strong. I saw Round Rock and Leander at BOA Austin and their shows were very good and that was early in the season - I think that the SA show will be huge this year with so many strong shows.

O.K. - all 3 BOA regionals are completed - so it is time to start looking forward to the BOA super-regional and then the 6A UIL State results. Based on the BOA results - here are the top 5 as I see it for San Antonio - in no particular order Hebron CT Johnson Marcus Woodlands LD Bell thoughts????

I did not mis-comprehend - my issue was that you stated 3 options as to why CTJ won last night - the first 2 where based on bad judges and bad TW performances - the last option was a great performance by CTJ. as I have stated, the goal of this site is to promote the music performance agenda - and that should never degrade what is accomplished by those that have succeeded - CTJ deserved last night's win.

who the heck are you that you are "going to decide when you see the video" - because you obviously know more than the professional judges that were paid to be there? - and for the record - I have been grown up for a long time and have no problem hearing things I don't agree with - but you appear to think you are smarter than everyone else and missing the whole point that these programs promote. they are to promote growth and your comments are negative and slanted. maybe you need to learn to deal with things you don't like to hear.