Band2013

I knew it! they look so refined and executed their music well.

I honestly felt like Churchill needed a little more cleaning visually, they did sound great.

I know that would be insane, but anything is possible.

Me Too! but Hays isn't playing this season they look great and are clean they could be a real threat to that 6th spot which is a real surprise.

Exactly advancing at this point is the main goal tonight, live to fight another day because the likely chance CTJ misses finals at state is slim to none. For groups like Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge, the goal is to make it in that top 6 if they win great but every band kid is hoping to play at state.

Totally agree, I've been saying this for years!!!

Ok these are the bands that stuck out, listed by performance time in prelims. Cedar Ridge Madison Bowie Westwood Reagan CTJ Churchill Hendrickson Round Rock (Still, one spot I am unsure about.)

it would be like a pre-show

As I stated Reagan is cleaner this season, CTJ is great but will be depending on their music to push them to 1st. While Reagan is well rounded in all aspects of their show.

It's Crazy to Imagine Westlake not making it to state this season, this Area should at least send 4 to state. I understand the rules but jeezzz

I Predict these 6 will advance to state, the first two could swap and 3-6 could move around. 1. Reagan 2. CTJ 3. Bowie 4. Hendrickson 5. Cedar Ridge 6. Round Rock Ok, some notes: > I predict Reagan takes first place this time around but CTJ could prevent that of course, they are a huge band but have a reserved sound only CTJ has a better quality, but I believe in terms of UIL Reagan is favored in the visual package compared to CTJ this season. > James Bowie they will be in third place they are in the process of a minor comeback, after a director change and seem to be in better shape than similar bands like L.D. Bell. > Hendrickson: They do better later in the season then they do early season, so they should be hitting their stride. They do better visually then Cedar Ridge so that might allow them to hold on to 4th place. They surprised everyone when they went from 1st in prelims to 8th in finals in 2014, but made a comeback in 2016 staying steady in 4th place. > Cedar Ridge: This band always does better than predicted, they have an amazing sound quality that might give them an edge on Round Rock and Henrickson. One thing that Cedar Ridge gets hurt by in the state contest is their size, they are small for a 6A group. Being too small can affect you visually because judges can hone in on small mistakes that large bands can mask better. > Round Rock: In 2016 their show seemed more like a UIL show than this season. They are unpredictable when it comes to area, they are lucky because they have a great prelims slot which could allow them to score higher then they would in an early morning slot. For example, Cedar Ridge will be setting the standard at 9 am slot.

As a Rookie Music Educator, I love coming on this site to discuss these great programs, one day in the future I hope to direct one of these amazing programs. I understand that some of these comments can seem like we are not being fair but I have seen comments that are respectful and positive. We enjoy being apart of this discussion and you can bet that I will be at Area D cheering on every band, as well as giving my opinion in a respectful manner. Good Luck to Everyone!

Very interesting time slots looks like Hendrickson will set the standard. Early Predictions: 1. Claudia Taylor Johnson 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Flower Mound 4. Hebron 5. Leander 6. Vandegrift 7. Keller 8. The Woodlands 9. Vista Ridge 10. James Bowie 11. Cedar Park 12. Marcus 13. Cedar Ridge 14. L.D. Bell 15. Hendrickson 16. Round Rock 17. Cy-Fair 18. Timber Creek 19. Seven Lakes 20. Oak Ridge

You Caught Me! I honestly have no idea, so many bands that could snag those two spots. (Possible) New Braunfels Anderson Lehman McNeil (Maybe) Smithson Valley Canyon Hays MacArthur

I did not say they were not receiving ones, I said I would be surprised if they did not all make it. I predict that all of them will advance to area, I am just saying that they are one to keep an eye on.

Here is my final prediction before Area, of course, anything could happen. (Top Three) 1. Reagan 2. CTJ 3. Bowie (Could Swap) 4. Cedar Ridge 5. Hendrickson (Fighting For The Last Spot) 6. Westwood 7. Churchill 8. Round Rock

Do they look that bad? haven't seen them this season but they have been to the last two area contest. they were last in 2016 so maybe your right they might be in a downturn.

However, I would be surprised if all of region 18 didn't advance, the only band that might not make it is Austin, we will see if they can repeat a 2014 area showing.

Only 5 more needed to secure 6 spots fingers crossed. but no matter what happens still some great bands that will miss out as usual.

I agree they are a great program and has been one for years, I think with the right show and new outlook both musically and visually they have the ability to come back swinging, I mean look at Bowie I think they are a great example of a bounce back after a director change.

After seeing Marcus at Mesquite in my opinion they seem a lot weaker than their usual down years, which is strange because they tend to be more refined this time of season during a state year. With Drinkwater gone other bands might have the opportunity to leapfrog over them. If this happens anything is possible this season.

Locks: In alphabetical order CTJ Flower Mound Hebron James Bowie Keller Leander Reagan Vandegrift Vista Ridge The Woodlands Hard to see missing finals but are not locks: Cedar Park Cedar Ridge Hendrickson competing for the last slot Marcus (?) unsure of placement. Churchill (could grab slots 11-14) Round Rock (could grab slots 11-14) others: Timber Creek Seven Lakes Cy Fair

I also agree with everyone, Westwood has beaten RR in the past and they do tend to do uil standard shows. However, I am only going off what I am seeing right now. It's hard for me to Knock off RR without giving them some time to clean their show a little. This is one of the most competitive areas in all of Texas every band will bring their A game for sure.

Advances to State: CTJ > If they decide to perform in finals, which they will. Reagan Bowie Cedar Ridge Hendrickson Round Rock Possible Surprises: Churchill knocks off Round Rock Other Possibilities (However, it would be hard to see this happening.) Westwood New Braunfels Pflugerville

I did not...very interesting