NTxBandMom8

My 5A Predictions: 1.Dripping Springs 2.Cedar Park 3.Richland 4.Wakeland 5.Waxahachie 6.Prosper —————————— 7. Aledo 8. Georgetown 9. Roma 10. Birdville

I want a Dan dog. After all...he has privileges.

My kid finally got a chance to listen with me. He’s a fan.

The one thing I’m disliking about SA is that so many other good bands feel like they stand no chance at all. That’s unfortunate. I heard one band mom say that their band is begging not to have to sit through finals since they aren’t expected to make it because they have state a few days later and figure they need the downtime. Another band mom was questioning going to BOA anymore since there are so few finalists and their band never seems to make it. I get that the experience is great, etc. but by the time many of these kids are juniors/seniors, it seems to promote burnout. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think everyone should make finals or “get a trophy,” but it’s just discouraging that it almost seems decided already. It further seems discouraging that many schools won’t allow or can’t afford trips to Finals but Avon, who is nearby, decides to come to SA and take a spot potentially from a team that SA is the biggest event they do. Just trying to understand how this keeps teams participating year after year. Maybe I’m missing the big picture.

Wow! State is going to be serious stuff!

Wow. That's about as close as it gets.

Wow. That's tough. I feel for Centennial.

Makes me wonder which Frisco bands WILL stick with BOA. It will be interesting to see what newer schools like Reedy, Lebanon Trail and next year Memorial choose to do. Wakeland will certainly stick with it as will Prosper (not Frisco ISD, but nearby). Centennial has been a strong contender for UIL. I feel like having some staff changes put them where Wakeland was last year. The other schools except for Frisco HS and Liberty are newer (I think?). Wakeland made up a lot of ground with a HUGE staff change when most of their staff except 2 who had been there only a year left for Coppell. But the new Memorial opening will now have 9th-11th grade, taking a chunk out of Wakeland's band next year. I still don't see why no one sees Liberty as a strong band. I've admired them for several years. I'm just waiting for them to break out like Lone Star did this year. Yes, their BOA scores were not great but they had a unique approach and a good sound. I'm glad they got it together and stayed strong. I so wish I saw that BOA performance because I heard it was rough, but no details.

They only started saying "advancing to state" on 3rd and up though.

Area B 2nd Prosper 1st Wakeland

Area B 4th Southwest HS 3rd Lone Star

Waiting waiting waiting in area B. The kids are thinking the judges are frozen.

I think I might freeze before this is over. These bleachers are torture.

Did you make it to Area B tonight for finals? If so, I don't know how you could type without your fingers freezing together! I'm out here, and I'm thinking the last few bands are really going to be hurting. 42 degrees. Brrrr...........

I heard similar. I’d honestly put Liberty above some of those, but I had said Lone Star was one to watch early on while others really disliked their show at BOA Southlake. (I missed that show at that contest so maybe something happened?) They have one of the strongest percussion sections around.

THIS! Oh yes! It is quite a moment!

Anyone at prelims? Thoughts?

Sign me up for the lunch menu alone! (Glad the gravy is in the side of the brownie, though!) Can someone please arrange for this to be available at concessions at both UIL and BOA? I’m drooling. “With the way the Frisco area is expanding, the city might as well name a school after me. Today's Lunch at The Daniel Valdez Academy for the Cray: Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy. Mashed Potatoes with Cream Gravy. Green Beans with Cream Gravy. Chocolate Brownies (Cream Gravy On The Side).”

That was supposed to say sidarian18. Autocorrect strikes again.

Sudarsanam, spot on! I keep wondering if Centennial has had a change of staff. I know other groups have commented in the past on how they are far more UIL focused and not so much about the BOA theatrical type shows. They were also nicknamed “Standtennial” by local rivals for their tendency to have a lighter sound when transitioning and moving but play their signature powerhouse sounds on difficult pieces with no movement at all. I last saw them 2 weeks ago and felt their show might not make area finals this year. Now they’ve thrown in 2 extra movements and I’m wondering also if they can get it clean. I don’t believe they are going to super-regionals, so I don’t know how that affects their planning as the other top contenders are. Maybe it doesn’t. I’m also wowed by Prosper. Who saw that coming? Well, some predicted, but I was a doubter. No more! I love Wakeland’s show. I want their wedding planner. I’m saying yes to the dress, but in a different color. I think they are peaking at the right time for UIL.

Lone Star won their last contest, but I can’t remember which one it was last weekend. Usually Centennial has an edge over Wakeland at UIL but not BOA events. They have been quiet this year. Prosper showed me! I kept underestimating them because there was only talk and nothing that I had seen. I stand corrected. Wakeland’s show needs some polishing toward the end, but they peak mid to late October usually.

10th: Grapevine HS 9th: Allen HS 8th: Boswell HS 7th: Timber Creek HS 6th: Keller Central HS 5th: The Colony HS 4th: Aledo HS 3rd: Wakeland HS 2nd: Coppell HS 1st: Prosper HS Percussion: Wakeland Visual: Prosper Color Guard: Wakeland Music: Tie - Prosper & Coppell General Effect: Prosper

I don't know if my prediction for Timber Creek is that bold. They did tie and then beat Coppell at BOA. They are breaking out in a big way, and I only see them surprising everyone more and more. Prosper was very quiet but had a lot of buzz surrounding them this year. They proved that they were buzz-worthy in the prelims. Coppell created a lot of their own buzz early on. While they are solid, I find their show a bit sleepy. The theme is so promising...but somehow it just misses the mark for me. Wakeland beat both TC and Coppell at BOA but seemed to have a rough run at prelims again today, which also seemed to happen last week at BOA. They came back stronger in the finals, so I'm thinking they may do so again tonight. The show has a lot of potential from the music to the visuals, but they need to polish a few areas so that they are more consistent. I will readily admit that I don't know a lot about Boswell. I don't know why, but they seem to slip off my radar at times. It's not personal. There are just so many great groups, and I have seen them less than I have some of the others. They probably deserve higher than I placed them. Did Fossil Ridge make finals and I got them mixed up with someone else? Just looking at Wilkinson's predictions. I'm thinking they would have been in the finals had Coppell not been added at the 11th hour this morning. I feel that's unfortunate for the 11th place band at HEB as well as the two bands who didn't make it off the wait-list at Conroe where Coppell was supposed to compete today. I know it was likely unavoidable, but I hate that it affected other bands' participation as well.

Someone else chime in here! I’m curious about other people’s predictiosn.

1. Timber Creek 2. Prosper 3. Wakeland 4. Coppell 5. Keller Central 6. Aledo 7. Grapevine 8. The Colony 9. Boswell 10. Allen Some of those are my best guess having not seen them yet this year.