achase

What are some of the most underrated Texas bands specifically with regard to Music and playing ability? I started thinking about this topic after watching a bunch of marching shows going back twenty years looking for bands to highlight that aren't talked about much here. 2008-2009 Friendswood stands out to me for being particularly underrated for their music, and I love a lot of their Richard Saucedo-composed shows. I believe they flew under the radar because they were based in the Houston area, where previously successful marching bands were largely on the decline, and because they had gotten 2nd and 4th so many times at 4A State but never won. That pattern continued from 2003 until 2015, when the band began to fall off from where they had been. Some notable accolades for Friendswood in 2008 and 2009: 3rd in Ensemble Music (18.70/20) at 2008 BOA San Antonio Finals, behind only Marcus and LD Bell 2009 4A Honor Band (also in 2005) 3 1sts from all 3 judges in Music at 2009 Area F, 3 1sts in Music at 4A State Prelims, 2 1sts and a 4th at State Finals, which cost them the state title to Dripping Springs I guess history favors the victor, but I have to imagine people would have viewed them differently if they had beaten Dripping Springs in 2009 and gotten that win they had been seeking. What other bands are underrated for music? How is Friendswood doing now? I would love to hear more examples so I can follow your band (or ones you like) in the coming year!

That would make sense. Aaron Brown ran the marching side of Friendswood and worked hard to improve their once-mediocre visual program. He was replaced by an assistant not as adept at those things. On top of that, the head band director is washed and should have retired three or four years ago. That program is clearly on the decline at this point.

We all should be thankful that this one judge didn't cost any of the bands tonight who rightfully deserved to place. If he ranked Cedar Park one spot back, they would have ended up in 2nd place. I know there have been situations in the past where one judge affected placement. Personally, I would prefer a system either with more judges and/or dropping the lowest score.

I am predicting Wakeland making the top 5 and keeping either Vista Ridge or Dripping Springs out.

I think the depth in Austin has been building for some time, with those schools splitting off into new schools to avoid jumping to 6A. I disagree with you though. It is not the "absolute best" 5A contest ever. It is one of the best. And there have been bands from previous years at the contest that would have had a chance to make top 5 at 6A state as well.

I mostly agree. I would put Wakeland in there ahead of Vista Ridge and Dripping Springs.

I realize you are just trying to tell it like it is, and I agree with your opinion, but you have to realize this is someone who just wants some hope for his band. I really don't think this is the kind of attitude we should have when discussing bands.

I don't think you understand what I am asking. I have not been marching band very much this year. I was curious about the Houston bands (especially south Houston) because no one really talks about them.

I live in Austin, but I am originally from Pearland and cheer for the schools in the area - Pearland, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Dawson. How did Friendswood do at BOA Super Regionals? I saw that they were only one place out of finals. I'm hoping that the Houston-area schools will rise to prominence once again in the near future. Which bands from the Houston area seem to be doing well? On a side note: does anyone know when videos of the top 15 or so bands will be posted from BOA?