Jackson1

Lol!!!!!! It would be hard to compete with that group of bands!!!!'........,,

Those kids can play. If they clean up the show they could get up in the top 8. I could listen to them play all day long. I wish them the best of luck. As well as all the other Texas bands!!!

That spreadsheet makes me wish more Texas bands had made the trip. Hebron for sure but really any of the top 5 or 6 in San Antonio. That competition was tight. So many great bands!! GN is going to be even tighter. I do not envy the judges. I think the biggest surprises will be who doesn't get into finals. Some incredible bands may not make it. Then the battle for the top 8 spots is going to be unreal. Carmel looks like the best odds but who knows?? Any band can have a great performance and move up in the rankings. Looking forward to watching it. Best of luck to the Texas Bands!!!!!! And Blue Springs!!!! Hope you return to SA next year!!

I would agree about Marcus and Hebron switching years. The Guilded show of Marcus last year was awesome. This years show, Charmed, just isn't Marcus like. Not because of the band, those kids can play like no other band, but because of the show itself. I wish them luck but agree last years show would have kicked butt. Hebron had a great run this year. I agree they would have done well at GN. I have never seen Carmel but have only heard great things about them. I hope Hebron goes next year. Those kids can flat out play. Great program. Go Texas!!!!! And Blue Springs. I thought they were great in San Antonio!!! Hope they come back next year.

Not to get Doctor Phil"ish" but here is my advice for all bands: 1. DON"T WORRY ABOUT OTHER BANDS! - They are doing exactly what you are doing. Cleaning and polishing their show to put on the best product they can. You cannot control that so focus on your show and your role. 2. APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT! - Win or lose, think about the support you have had in order to get here. Band directors and staff, parents, student leadership, etc. Your have an army behind you. 3. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE - Bond with friends. Enjoy the trip. Remember everyone there has a love of music and marching. Break out of your comfort zone and meet other people from other areas. You don't get the chance to meet so many other people from so many other places with the same passion. Reach out!!!! 4. JUST PLAY!!!!!! - That rush of adrenaline you get right before walking on the field - Use it, harness it, own it!!!! Play your heart out!!! Leave the field thinking "I didn't leave anything out on that field and neither did the rest of my team". 5. BE RESPECTFUL - EVERY BAND IS AMAZING!!!!! Good luck to all!!!

Here is what amazes me: These kids get together in early August. They take in 20% freshman who have never marched and played before and take them under their wing. They learn the music. They learn the drills. They put together a show with the guard. In 3 months they all put on a show with a level of talent that we saw on Saturday. On top of that they have academics, family obligations, church, a social life, etc. The amount of time and effort, not only of these kids, but of the band directors and staff, student leadership, we band parents and the people who put on these competitions is unreal. I can only speak for my kid but he wouldn't give it up for the world. The discipline, camaraderie, friendships, and experiences these band programs provide is unbelievable. These kids will remember this for the rest of their lives and 90% of them will never play an instrument again after they graduate. My hat is off to every band, every time they walk on the field and perform. I have only been involved with this for two years but I am amazed with every band I have ever seen in that time. And on the topic of band parents. I have not had a bad experience yet. In this area we are all so supportive of each other. I, literally, bumped into a Marcus parent at Duncanville. We looked at each others shirts, and at the same time said "I love your show this year!!". We laughed, shook hands and wished each other luck in SA. Everyone I meet at these things is so positive it makes me feel privileged to be a part of it. Good luck to all in San Antonio!!!!!! End of rant.........

Do they give the prelim scores for this one?

And being from the Dallas area I left out a number of great bands. Coppell, Flomo, Plano, Lewisville, Berkner, to name a few. There are probably another 20 bands from other areas I have never heard of that are also amazing! I guess what I am saying is what a great year to be a part of this competition!!!!l Looks like Duncanville may get rained out. But in Texas you never know.....

And before anybody jumps down my throat I have not seen any bands entire show so my opinions may be premature. Everyone is still building and polishing.....

Let's not anoint the new king yet. So many talented bands in this thing. LDB - the show is amazing! If they can elevate the music to match the show they may end up on top. They are hard to beat visually but they fly around the field so artfully(?) It is hard to play well musically. Amazing program, amazing show!!!!! Marcus - Marcus is Marcus. One can never count them out. Their sound is their strength. I do not think the visual show is as good as it has been in the past but those kids can play. Obviously the top dogs as always but.......... Hebron - definitely more of a UIL band then BOA but when those kids hit on all cylinders their music is unbelievable. Most difficult book out there. They have stepped it up visually. Don't count them out. I have not seen the Woodlands or CTJ so I cannot comment on those programs but from what I hear they are unbelievable. I'll be at Duncanville if it doesn't get rained out. What a year for for the competition in San Antonio!!!!!!!

THX. Still anyone's to win though.....

Sorry, new to this. How do we know Cedar Ridge beat out Hebron and Reagan for third? I thought the draw was random. 10 thru 6 and 1 thru 5? Are scores posted somewhere?

Comment From Guest Finals Schedule 7:45 - The Woodlands College Park H.S., TX 8:00 - James E. Taylor H.S., TX 8:15 - Winston Churchill H.S., TX 8:30 - Flower Mound H.S., TX 8:45 - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 9:00 - Cedar Ridge H.S., TX 9:15 - Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 9:30 - Cedar Park H.S., TX 9:45 - The Woodlands H.S., TX 10:00 - Hebron H.S., TX 10:15 - Ex: Waller H.S., TX

Wow! Looks like a tight competition for making the finals. Brandon is doing a great job!!