Band2013

I agree with you! let me say that I also believe that this is what happened to round rock. They had amazing shows from 2010-2013 then everything got cluttered, sometimes having a show that is filled to the brim with effect is beneficial but only when they master the basics. Both Leander and Round Rock are great bands but something just doesn't seem to work.

Vista Ridges show was fantastic they are an amazing group! What I think happened was being directly after Cedar Park, Cedar Ridge, and Round Rock it played a big roll in how scores were given. Cedar Park and Cedar Ridge were probably the measure, were you better than Cedar Park? maybe not but possibly better than cedar ridge. Sometimes great bands being back to back helps the judges give scores if the competition is competitive which it was!

Top Seven Recap: 1st Place: CTJ - Their show was beautiful! Musically they were outstanding, there were moments that were fun and upbeat and moments that took your breath away very powerful group. Visually they were also amazing, I was surprised to see that Marcus was over them in the visual caption. The show was energetic and fun, rightfully deserving of 1st place. 2nd Place: Hebron - Just... WOW coming in 2nd behind CTJ in the music caption was no surprise. This group gives everything and you can feel it. What kept them from gold was coming in 4th in visual, If they find ways to improve the visual program they can easily come in first. Overall they are a group that never seems to disappoint! 3rd Place: Vandegrift - This group might be the next champion next year! They play with so much balance and power they make you feel the emotion. There is only one thing keeping them from the top, and that's their guard. Color guard may not be individually judged but impacts a lot in the General Effect caption. I love the vision dance company, now let's teach them to toss! 4th Place: Avon- One of the most legendary groups that this activity has! Coming in 1st in the Visual caption was no mistake, they move so quickly and with so much precision it's scary! I knew they would take home visual after their performance. Musically they sounded like a top 5 group but remember this is Texas be ready for some competition. I am glad they came down it was exciting, and Avon Color Guard leaves me speechless if there was a caption for color guard they would have been fighting with Bowie for it. 5th Place: Reagan - Jumping from the bottom half to TOP FIVE!!! Like wow, just two words can explain this “GREAT RUN!” in finals. This group has lot’s of surprises, their show this year was a little obscure they play with so much power, at one point I thought the roof was going to blow off! 6th Place: Flower Mound - This really surprised me but this competition was tough even for last years champion. Musically they are powerful maybe two powerful...It almost felt like they were playing forte the entire show, they had beautiful pitch and tonality but dynamics didn’t feel present. They are a big group and sometimes cleaning can be difficult when your visual program is so demanding. It will be interesting to see what happens in Indy, they are definitely top 5. 7th Place: Marcus - This group isn't going anywhere anytime soon, This show is way different but at the same time it is still a Marcus show. They came in 2nd to Avon in the visual caption which shows they are willing to adapt to stay competitive. I have always respected this group's dedication to their image and style. It defines them I would hate to see a Marcus that doesn’t play concert band repertoire or use large props. I think they will be one to watch next weekend.

96.625 - Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 95.600 - Hebron H.S., TX 95.575 - Vandegrift H.S., TX 95.375 - Avon H.S., IN 94.875 - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 94.550 - Flower Mound H.S., TX 93.475 - Marcus H.S., TX 92.275 - Cedar Park H.S., TX 91.975 - Keller H.S., TX 90.875 - Hendrickson H.S., TX 90.700 - The Woodlands H.S., TX 89.875 - Cedar Ridge H.S., TX 89.150 - James Bowie H.S., TX 89.025 - Leander H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance - Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Avon H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX

of course, anything could happen I could see Hendrickson over Leander and Keller of Bowie.

After watching Bowie and Keller I can see them being behind both Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge. My guess is: 8. The Woodlands 9. Reagan 10. Leander 11. Hendrickson 12. Cedar Ridge 13. Bowie 14. Keller

I knew cedar ridge would slide into finals after they scored an 88.60 in Atlanta, it just seemed too crazy for me to leave them out of finals predictions!

Haltom is done for the season, but i am interested in seeing how CR does in San Antonio. Surely they won't make an 88.60 because that would put them over bands like round rock and cedar park. At least finals from last year show's that. Last year cypress falls had an 84 and they were 14th.

Yes I know I have worked closely with them before. The girls are not the problem they are all very talented, the routine is what needs improvement. Every kid out there is talented it's up to the instructor to provide them with the best material possible. I love cedar ridge and i want them to succeed, they are really great i want them to be amazing!

Cedar ridge needs to invest in a better guard coordinator. The band does well but the color just doesn't click like the other finalist.

The flute and the violin are amazing very beautiful. WoW!

I agree, performing last in finals is a coveted slot! Luck of the draw

That's strange is it raining hard? Should be a problem unless it is pouring.

I have said this before, for some reason cedar ridge always struggles in visual. They have been put in the bubble for years because of it. Musically they are outstanding few groups sound as good as they do especially in percussion.

Tarpon is another level they are an amazing program that delivers high energy shows that captivate the audience. No doubt they will take home gold.

It has been 5 years since i graduated from cedar ridge and i will never stop checking in to see how they are doing. They are on another level and they always bring back amazing memories. Can't wait to see you in finals tonight, congrats!

Haltom very beautiful huge improvement, it seems that they found their stride! Loved the closer powerful moment, congrats!

Final Predictions Top Five: 1st Place Captions: General Effect(Lock), Visual (Possible), Music(Possible) Tarpon Springs H.S., FL - Thier show is a little weird, but that has never stopped them before. They tend to lean on General Effect, which didn’t fail them last year. I believe that they will take the title, but I would rather see a surprise victory happen! They have the ability to snag every caption, but if they lose one, it will be the music caption. 2nd Place Captions: Music (very possible) Cedar Ridge H.S., TX - This group will fight for 2nd with Wando, but I have them coming out on top. After reviewing videos and seeing them live last week, they are the only group besides Tarpon that has a show that is fast and exciting. They execute it well and might even snag the music caption, this year Wando seems to lack General Effect that is why I gave CR 2nd. They are a little messy visually but not enough to cripple their entire delivery. 3rd Place Captions: Music(possible), Visual(very possible) Wando H.S., SC - I moved them up from my last prediction, they are too good not to medal but like I said above they have a good show, but it lacks excitement. They sound good, but the lack of general effect will put them below Tarpon and Cedar Ridge. If they win a caption, it will be music or what they won last year, visual. However, they could take 2nd with a great run! 4th Place Captions: Music (Somewhat Possible) Haltom H.S., TX - I am not bold enough to put them below 5th, they have a good show and they deliver it well. However, They just seem to lack something and I can’t figure out what. Their fanfare at the beginning with Britain's “...Guide to the Orchestra” doesn't quite hit the spot. Their show sounds more built for a state year rather than BOA, and because of that, it looks very low energy. I love their closing set, but when the brass comes forward to give one last hit, they don’t have a strong enough impact moment. The best part of their show is the ballad section, which the flutes add a soft but beautiful touch (I love flutes on the field!!!). Haltom is in the same category of bands like vista ridge, wakeland, and keller central. These are great programs and with a year or two could eventually start being a serious threat. 5th Place Captions: None Fort Mill H.S., SC - Big band with a big sound, they won the Winston Salem regional over Dobyns-Bennett who was the clear favorite to win. If they are any higher it will be fourth place; I don’t see them taking home a medal. The competition is tough at the top. Next FIve: Park Vista H.S., FL Walton H.S., GA Lafayette H.S., LA James F. Byrnes H.S., SC Green Hope H.S., NC Bottom Two: Hillgrove H.S., GA Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA

It's titled "Electra" has something to do with space, not sure what that means, but I think it has something to do with space.

Let me clarify if Haltom wins I will be ecstatic it's finally time for Atlanta to be competitive! of course, BOA seems to be throwing little surprises here and there you never know what might happen!

Depends on what sounded better means? A group can sound massive but are they balanced and does it flow with their visual concept? What I'm getting at here is that groups like Tarpon may not be the best sounding group ever, but they provide an overall package that will allow their score to come out on top. With Haltom they don't need to just sound good, they need to be good overall both musically and visually. Remeber how much general effect is on a scoring sheet (60 points), so it will be hard to win with just music alone, look at groups like Marcus they sound fantastic, but they have been struggling to beat the other groups because of their GE. Even tonight Avon won music but sadly lost by the skin of their teeth partly because of GE. My other concern is that this will be the first BOA event Haltom will attend this season. Now, this could be seen as a good or bad thing; they could say they will be a surprise dark horse because no one can predict their placement or one could say they have no idea how to clean or improve based on BOA scores.

I am rooting for a Texas group of course but I think Haltom might need a year or two before they win a "Super Regional". I said in a previous comment if Haltom wins it would be a real shock because I feel that Cedar Ridge is a peg or two above them. Then you have to throw in Wando which makes it incredibly competitive for taking home silver. I also think Tarpons show is a bit lackluster this year but last year they won with General Effect alone, so we will see if they can repeat this. Should be very exciting to see where everyone lands.

If Haltom wins, then they really should consider a grand nationals appearance. I mean any group that has a low name recognition(in the BOA circuit) beating a band like Tarpon could contend for the eagle. Also, they should consider attending San Antonio; I don't believe they attended last year or the previous year. I think they have a shot at taking silver, but if they beat Tarpon, it would be a real shock. However, I do want a Texas group to win

Interesting.... Tarpon is Tarpon, so of course, they will have an excellent score. But, remember last year Wando was one point away from them in finals and took home the visual caption. Dobyns-Bennett took the music caption, Texas groups have always done well musically in outside Texas contest. Of course, it will be a fight, but that's what makes this exciting

They usually* have it up one week prior (give or take a few days) so hopefully in the next few days; we will see the prelims performance times