bancl

It wouldn't shock me at all for Haltom to win at HEB. They are a great band, and if their whole show is on the field by then they could really make a statement! Marcus and Keller are pretty well known for playing the long game and taking their time to get their whole show out there. Obviously with a new staff at Marcus it remains to be seen what their plan is. I've heard nothing about Keller this year. The people that I know around that program have been very tight-lipped about how their show is progressing. I cant' wait to see all three of them!

From what I hear, FloMo isn't the only DFW power program that will be performing Friday night.

It's interesting to go back and read some of the posts on predictions for 2015. That Hebron show really was one for the ages! It's also interesting to see that Keller and Keller Central were considered so close to each other just three years ago. KC has done well to be sure, but Keller has quickly become a legit contender at just about every level. I wonder what the difference has been?

Not sure I would agree with that. All are strong programs in both parts of the year.

Looks like 4 will advance per UIL estimates. Pearland, Brazoswood, Clements, Dawson, Dickinson have all advanced recently. They all lucked out with Friendswood dropping to 5A. They would have been a lock to advance.

No you didn't. With them being in, 5-6 of the following get to go to state Coppell Keller Bell Duncanville Haltom Richland Prosper Waxahachie Timber Creek Keller Central Plano East Martin Wow.

I wish them well. Looking at the recap from the DFW regional last year, they were 24th our of 26 bands in visual performance. Hopefully the execution will rise to match the improved design.

I think Waxahachie and Prosper might have something to say about this.

Avon's "Yellow Rose", CJT (all of it!!!!), Hebron's opener, FloMo's ballad, VANDY, Keller's closer and #trumpetflip! , Cedar Park's visual design

My comments were based on this article from the Dallas Morning News. Looks like there is a pretty involved application process. I was in a group that did the Rose Parade, and it's the same kind of thing for that. I think the only "invite" for the Rose Parade is the one that's given at Grand Nats, and even then I think the staff knows about it ahead of time. I could be wrong though. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/keller/2017/08/05/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-selects-keller-high-school-band-perform-2018

Way too early predictions, and many of these could go up or down on any given day. This area is stacked! 1. Keller - Could be a 6A SMC medalist contender, great in the UIL system. 2. L.D. Bell - Always great. Always. A lock to advance, and a very strong contender for finals at state. 3. Waxahachie - 5A honor band, 5A finalist, great UIL band. 4. Haltom - Big year in 2017 for this group! 5. Coppell - As a previous poster said, when have they NOT made state? 6. Prosper - Major up-and-coming program! 7. Duncanville - Not what they were, but still a player in the UIL game. Has advanced to the SMC every time for almost 4 decades! 8. Timber Creek - Breakout year in 2017! 9. Richland - 5A honor band runner-up, 5A finalist. 10. Plano East - 6A state marching band participant in 2016. 11. Keller Central - strong program, consistent area and BOA regional finalist. 12. Martin - same as above, area and BOA regional finalist. This one will be worth the price of admission.

Not true. Keller would have had to apply for the Macy's parade many months before the invite, and wouldn't have done that if they were planning on attending nats. I would imagine they were on a 4 year plan, now more because of their Macy's invite. Regardless, when they do go back they should make a splash. It's been pretty impressive to watch what they've done over the past four years or so.

Didn't they just get a new director a few years ago?

I was impressed to see Pearland do so well at the Super Regional. A good year for Seven Lakes as well! It's interesting to see how things change over the years (i.e bands up and down). For instance, Dawson seemed up and coming a few years ago, maybe behind only the Woodlands and Friendswood in the Houston area, but they have slid since their state appearance in 2013. What happened there? Also, neat to see Cy Falls getting recognized!

That third block will be awesome! Hebron, Marcus, and Keller all will be pushing for a high placement at this show, plus Wakeland and Waxahachie being solid finalists. That's a tough draw for Vista and Duncanville.

1. FloMo 2. Hebron 3. Keller 4. Marcus 5. Bell 6. Coppell 7. Vista Ridge 8. Waxahachie 9. Timber Creek 10. Wakeland/Central/Duncanville FloMo opens what will end up being an undefeated season. Hebron wins the music caption. Keller shocks everyone and slips past Marcus. Coppell rebounds this year with a strong showing. Timber Creek makes finals at this regional for the first time. There is a fight for finals between KC and Wakeland, with a traditional UIL band in Duncanville in the mix as well. Should be a great show!

Two very different systems. If you look at Keller's scores from SA they dropped 5 points and went from top 3 in several captions including being .2 away from tying FloMo in total music performance to the bottom of finals that night in every caption. Bad performance perhaps? Friendswood is another good example of a band that historically has done really well in the UIL arena, but has missed finals at BOA regionals in the same year.

Duncanville Keller Bell Coppell Haltom/Keller Central

I'd put Oak Ridge, College Park, and Pearland in there as well. Clements and SFA will be great. Dawson has been up and down the past couple of seasons after several strong ones in a row.

Area B: Duncanville Keller Coppell Bell Haltom Plano East Keller Central Timber Creek Trinity Fossil Ridge

So who advances here? Duncanville, Coppell, Keller, Bell, Haltom, Plano East?

Marcus, Hebron, and Keller should lock up 1-3 (all 2014 6A state finalists).

In addition to changes at Westlake, Leander, Cedar Ridge, and Reagan all will have new head directors next year.

There are at least 3 DFW bands going, including two 2014 6A State Finalists.

The Woodlands Spring College Park Brazoswood Friendswood Pearland Bubble: Dickinson, Clear Lake, Dawson Clear Lake has been an honor band finalist and advanced to state the last go around. Dawson was a 4A marching finalist last year. Both have had staff turnover since their last trip to state though. This will be a very tight contest!