Captain Obvious

Hey Nater, I know some kids and parents in this program, and the motivation issue was mentioned as a potential pitfall going into the season. There seems to have been a few seniors that quit the program -- maybe that is normal -- because they felt there was nothing that could top last year. Been there, done that. If that's true, then perhaps any motivational issues went with them. The underclassmen certainly have another crack at UIL or perhaps even Grand Nats looking forward.

I'm happy to say I was wrong again about Leander. Looking at the scores, they held their own quite nicely thank you. I know the band director isn't doing this for trophies, but you can't help but think that they know what they have to do with the closer if they want to be competing for medals in San Antonio. I certainly want to see them challenging and beating the best of the best. After UIL and Grand Nationals last year, I was concerned that the motivation wouldn't be there this year. Have to give credit to the students who continue to strive for excellence.

Sorry Leander fans -- I just don't see it. Disclaimer: I said the same thing this time last year, and the year before, and the year before, and was wrong every time. This time, I see a very incomplete show with way too much standing in formation and doing choreography, music that is not as sophisticated as they have done in the past, and a completely undeveloped theme. Yeah, I know it's early, and they have a long way to go to completion, but what they're putting on the field today -- especially without any semblance of a closer -- really leaves me scratching my head. There were a lot of kids who graduated and/or left the program, and the band seems a lot smaller and less powerful overall; not what I expected. Here's hoping I'm wrong again.

Lost It to Trying - Son Lux Symphony #3 - Phillip Glass (4th movement) Once Upon Another Time - Sara Bareillis Original music by Michael Zellers and Ryan George

Judge 2 didn't seem too impressed with CP or Vandy either, scoring them fifth and sixth.

I think one of the bands lost all of the mics in the pit.

I'm going to have to agree with the comments about Leander and Cedar Park. CP brought the energy.

An exercise in character building. And a chance to play in the venue prior to the State UIL championship.

Leander has dropped out. Can't make their 6:45am performance time. However, they will be allowed to appear at 1:15pm in exhibition.

Leander is still talking to BOA.

I love the Reagan show, but this is a marching band contest. I think they're pushing the envelope quite a bit with the electronic music and the 100 dancers.

Apparently the 11th hour discussions continue...

I wonder if Ronald Reagan is going to the bag of tricks once too often with their new ending. Their ballad was a 'wow' moment the first time I saw it, but not necessarily because of the band. I wonder if the dancing encore helps them or hurts them. Thoughts?

Vista Ridge Band Booster Facebook says an opportunity is opening up for VR and Leander to make the trip tomorrow - https://www.facebook.com/vistaridge.band

Leander band director will make a decision by 10pm tonight, but he says the only time slots are in the morning with an estimated 7am performance. LISD has not yet given them permission to travel.

-If this were BOA - it would be Leander, then Cedar Park, then likely Vandy followed by Vista. -But, since this is UIL, all the visual effect / general effect stuff is supposed to be secondary. Of course, it could be what puts Leander and CP over Vista. Does something change between UIL Area and State in terms of judging criteria? These bands have gone head-to-head a couple of times now, with very consistent results, though Vista finally managed to beat Vandy at the Area competition.

I'd like to hear what you have to say. Perhaps you can restate your points another way.

The UIL scoring procedure is here: http://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/marching-band-scoring-and-advancement-procedure Basically, looking at Leander and Cedar Park, 3 judges favored Leander over Cedar Park, whereas only 2 judges favored Cedar Park over Leander. So, Leander wins the tiebreaker.

No, I think they can medal at San Antonio. I wonder if the judges like their music vs something more melodic. To you experts out there -- is there a particular style of music or show that BOA judges prefer? In other words, if you came out there with an absolutely perfectly executed show circa 1990 without all of the props and visualizations -- one with more marching, geometric patterns, symmetry, etc., would it stand a chance against one of today's shows replete with all of the electronic enhancements, dance moves, free flow (or random) movements, and plenty of visual camouflage for individual mistakes? I know the judges are supposed to score you against some type of standard, but in reality people have their preferences. In BOA, does anyone have a feel for those preferences? Just curious.

Cedar Park was a solid 3rd in prelims. There was shock and disbelief and an audible audience response when they were announced 4th in finals. I haven't experienced that kind of response before. Their music performance has carried them this year, but during finals something was amiss. Reagan and Bowie have these wonderful melodic shows that make you feel good. Leander's show is very different; a little avant-garde. They have finished first and third in their two contests so far without winning any captions, basically scoring second or third across the board. I'm not sure that their musical selections, no matter how well played, will put them at the top of the music categories.

They just won the Texas Marching Classic in Austin, both prelims and Finals. It was their music scores that set them apart. Very nice show, and you can argue the merits of 80 girls dancing beautifully in sparkly dresses, but it looked stunning.