NTxBandMom8

Let's not forget that in a bubble with more then 15 bands (Cedar Ridge, Cedar Park, Coppell, Westlake, Westwood, Vista Murreta, Clear Brook, Lake Travis, John B. Alexander, Prosper, Keller Central, Oak Ridge, Timber Creek just to name a few) there is a lot of uncertainty with how bands are chosen. Ultimately when bands are so close to each other as they are here; it just comes down to what the judges see. Every one of the bands in the bubble are in the bubble because they have the ability to make finals. No one is doubting that. When all the dust settles though and bands are so close; it simply comes down to what the judges saw.  When you have 14 bands to take, and ~25 that can make that top 14, these things just happen.It's not about which bands are "deserving" or otherwise, it's about how deep this competition is.  If I'm being honest, if you score a ~90 at a regional there's absolutely no reason to say your band is "undeserving" of a finals slot. Unfortunately that's just not how this works. Many amazing bands can and did get left out. Not making finals isn't anything to be ashamed of. It can be really disappointing and pretty saddening, but its not a reflection of how good you are as a band. In some alternate reality, if the judges had just looked at different things this field could and probably would look different. I'm not saying that any of the bands that did make it in don't deserve to be in; quite the contrary. They are in because they are amazing; bar none. There are just far more amazing bands here then finals allows for, and that's why San Antonio is so infamous. 

Really enjoyed Bowie, that closer is fantastic!

Lovejoy’s show was gorgeous and a shocker, area B for BRUTAL competition! Too many great bands in one area!

Lovejoy’s show was gorgeous and a shocker, area B for BRUTAL competition! Too many great bands in one area!

I really think there should be a massive trophy for finishing 15th.  

Lovejoy’s show was gorgeous and a shocker, area B for BRUTAL competition! Too many great bands in one area!

Lovejoy

Roma

LD Bell not advancing to state last year but making BOA SA Finals was definitely very surprising. I guess that’s typical Area B though.

Kind of surprised by Lovejoy down to 6th, but going into the competition it was pretty clear that there are too many good bands in area B for all of them to make state

P-town T-bone, you know they were saying area B for bloodbath. Tough tough competition and everyone looked great. It will be another heartbreaker tonight, but all of these bands left it on the field. Hold your head high! ❤️

That was a hugely competitive finals. The biggest heartbreak has to be Lovejoy. That was a fabulous show! I couldnt even leave to get a to grab a blanket from the car. Hugely competitive!

That was a hugely competitive finals. The biggest heartbreak has to be Lovejoy. That was a fabulous show! I couldnt even leave to get a to grab a blanket from the car. Hugely competitive!

I know. I'm proud of my band and the run we had. But, it just hit me that this chapter of my life is ending very soon. I'm literally crying as I'm typing this. I don't want it to end!

Well obviously my favorite show this year was the Plano Band's Marionette  
 
I am partial to the Pre and Post Show's Send in the Clowns, brings back memories!   But really the second movement is beautiful.  
They aren't a BOA band, but still enjoyed their show this year.  
 
But of the show's I have seen live, it would be Wakeland's show.    That Wylie Band has a good show too.   I haven't really seen much of anyone else's!      I have to go 
get a month's subscription to FloMarching so I can watch BOA SA.

I'm with Princeton, hope you get to see us! 
And yes, it is cold. We just froze out in rehearsal and everyone sounded flat.

Today is the day! Good luck to all of the bands competing today!

thoughts on wakeland??

I'm going out on a limb and predicting that Allen High will remain in 6A 

Finalist Contenders:
 
Wakeland
Weiss
Dripping Springs
McCallum
Lebanon Trail
Wylie East
Lovejoy
Poteet
Forney
Highland Park
Friendswood
Aledo
Burleson Centennial
Colleyville Heritage
Roma
Pioneer
Rouse
Cedar Park
Lone Star
Pflugerville
 
Choosing only 10-12 from that list is tough, but here's my best shot:
 
1) Cedar Park (incredible finals performance trend)
2) Rouse (will be very close, will probably win prelims)
3) Wakeland (having an incredible season so far)
 
bubble (yes, already)
Aledo, Burleson Centennial, Colleyville Heritage, Forney, Dripping Springs, Friendswood, Highland Park, Lebanon Trail, Lone Star, McCallum, Pflugerville, Pioneer, Poteet, Roma, Weiss, Wylie East
 
I'll do more in depth predictions after area.

Cedar Park
Wakeland
Dripping Springs
Poteet
Lebanon Trail
Rouse
Weiss
Roma
Pflugerville
Aledo

Official Predictions in no order: 
 
Cedar Park 
Dripping Springs 
Wakeland 
Rouse 
Highland Park 
Poteet 
Friendswood 
Forney 
Aledo 
Lone Star 
 
Groups that could sneak in: Colleyville Heritage, Southwest, The colony
 
Group that will surprise people: Lopez HS (Top 15 this year) 
 
Group first time at state/will impress people: Midlothian HS (Top 15 this year) 

Making predictions for finals are we?
 
Cedar Park
Rouse
Wakeland
Weiss
Dripping Springs
Friendswood
Aledo
Wylie East
Roma
Forney/ Highland Park/ Colleyville Heritage/ Burleson Centennial some other North Texas group
 
This isn't necessarily in order, but roughly how I see it.

My predictions for finals
In no particular order
 
Wakeland
Rouse
Cedar park
McCallum
Weiss
Dripping springs
 
Only 6 because I cannot think of anything others, I've only been to a few competitions this season and haven't been able to go and see everyone but these are 6 that I know definitely can make finals

Very early but medalists are looking like Cedar Park, Wakeland, and Rouse.