CTJBandPops

I think CTJ did the same thing a few years ago when they went to McAllen for the first competition - I don't think it is about a "win" - it is more about promoting their program and getting more programs to see what BOA is all about in hopes that they will then be drawn into the BOA Texas future events. Love the story about Seguin - that is Texas Band at its finest Heading out tomorrow for Midland - hope to see you all there

so this is more that Rubisco did not like where TWHS was ranked and now must question the value of such rankings? got it.

ditto

because like the AP college FB polls - many of these bands will never meet up on the same filed - or at least not when they have their best show as many only go to GNats every few years - as we see every year, there in San Antonio where we have bands that finish in the top 10 that are not going to Indy - from what I see the reasoning for the rankings is sound - so why not

Avon fell to 6th - CTJ moved to 3rd - you were pretty close on the others Carmel in 5th Vandy at 7 Reagan at 9th Leander at 10th Huge jump for Bowie to 14th 16 of the top 30 are from Texas

we do the same - we now have family trips to watch the bands - last weekend in Conroe - this weekend in Midland

SA is never easy to predict - but you are right - this one will be a beast with all the great shows that are already out there and they all still have 4 weeks to polish and change them

I would agree with all of that - I see CTJ could have a trap this weekend with BOA Midland - anything short of a "BIG" win could hurt their rankings based on the competition base in West Texas. But based on the show they had on the field at the rough rider - they are up for it and will put on a great show no other major competitions for anyone until BOA San Antonio. let the predictions begin

if they keep growing the show I think they can make finals - I am pulling for them as they work to build that program back to what it used to be

I noted that at least 9 of the top 30 performed yesterday - what a great show in Houston!! - 8 bands scored above 80! should be some big shake ups this week - In Dayton - #7 Carmel beat #3 Avon - rain wiped out the finals - separated by .15 points and a split of captions. it would have been interesting to see how the finals would have played out In Conroe - TWHS sliding to #5 was a shocker - but this is a show with a lot of upside growth for a GNats year but the fact that #9 Vandy, #11 Reagan, #10 Leander and Bowie (next 10) finished above #6 TWHS - that should have an impact on the overall scores but we will see #24 Hendrickson finishing above #13 Round Rock should create some movement. #29 Churchill continues their string of BOA finals placements heck of a week

love following HornRank - each week, regardless of how the rankings are done , there will be some that do not agree. I like the "overall" picture that is presented and that fact that it moves each week - so I think they do a great job in a process that does not always pit the top bands against each other - this is due to the cost of traveling to Grand Nats for some of the best bands in the country - they have to plan 2+ years in advance to go to Indy and that may not be their year. Keep up the great work - it gives us a chance to see bands make the top 10 even though they do not make the trip to Indy based on their season and compitition less than an hour to Conroe kick off - lets see some bands and shake this up

I agree that those 5 will be at the top - I have to think that TWHS and Round Rock will come out swinging with GNats planned later this year. Vandegrift has a great chance to take music - they were amazing. Reagan and TWHS are the wildcards are we have not seen their show in a competition yet this year - Leander show was great in Austin and will have 2 more weeks of work. looking forward to a VERY competitive event on Saturday

not sure if it time of sign up or random draw - but that is a rough schedule

Man - the scheduling gods have not been kind to W. Churchill this year - after a 8am performance in Austin they drew an 8:30 am time this weekend in Conroe - looks like another 3am call time

I would agree but there are no scores - so no one knows how they did against anyone else - only the bands receive the comments on their show to get better adjust for the remainder of the season

it is not a competition, there is no win or lose - but each band gets some great feedback from the judges - it is intended to offer advice from top judges on what their program could do to be better. 7 years and I have never been able to attend this event due to a travel conflict with work - this year will be no different Hope to see some videos of all of them

point taken - thanks for your feedback

I would agree - all strong districts with great programs

to my point - though this will change in the next 2 weeks 15 of the top 30 will be at BOA San Antonio - including 4 additional bands that are in the "next 10" and could move into the top 30 (Coppell, Bowie, LD Bell, Vista Ridge) 17 of the top 30 will be in Indy - with 5 of them coming from Texas - 6 of the current top 15 will not make the trek to Indy - (and 10 of the top 30) because it is too expensive and they need to plan years in advance to compete with no idea if that is a show that can compete at that level I know it has been debated before - but just had to say it

not saying it needs to be at the Dome - but Dallas and Houston have hosted Superbowls (Like Indy) and could handle the challenge

I believe this could be remedied by moving the Gnats around to the super regional sites - this would let others have the ability to compete on a national level. There is an advantage for schools like Carmel, Avon, Mason, Castle, Homestead, and Marion that Indy is a "local" event for them - I do not say that to degrade their programs as they are phenomenal - but how many Texas bands did not compete because it was not planned in advance as those trips are expensive and have to be planned 2+ years in advance. Look at FloMo last 2 years, CTJ in 2014, Marcus and Hebron over the years - to name a few - it would be easier to bring the Eagle back to Texas if the Eagle was challenged in Texas. 14 of the top 30 reside in Texas - Grand Nats "South" should at some point be Grand Nats - I will get off my soapbox now and say I am excited to see that Avon is coming south this year - and hope they are dominated by the many great bands of Texas

agreed - I know that they use a lot of different events to rank - but ranking a national champion that did not compete is suspect - but they did the same with Broken Arrow - they are ranked 2nd nationally but did not appear at GNats last year

we will not be going to Indy - though that may change - But we will be cheering for TWHS at Indy - class act school - my oldest marched in 2014 - TWHS invited them to their campus after prelims and stayed to watch the encore both in Conroe and San Antonio - AWESOME group of kids - we are hoping they bring the Eagle back to Texas - again

look forward to seeing you there!! I agree - with TWHS and Reagan (and others) yet to show BOA their shows and with what we have already seen from Austin and DFW BOA - SA will be stacked this year with Avon on top of it. Houston next week and Midland after that - I have my tickets and hotel rooms for both - going to be a heck of a season

Madison is a growing program - you are right, the Churchill, Reagan and CTJ programs get the notice as they have advanced programs - but they see your program and see it coming up - stay true to the performance and it will come. Madison has not been a big player in the BOA world but we look forward to seeing them come out keep going -