TWHSParent

Yes, every 3 years per their handbook: "Per our commitment to re-evaluate the classification system, classification numbers are examined and reset every three (3) years by a procedure that considers the composition of Bands of America Championship participation using three years of data. The maximum enrollment number for Class A remains constant, while the enrollment levels for Classes AA, AAA, and AAAA are adjusted to levels (for the next three years) that would have established equal, cumulative numbers of participants in each class over the prior three (3) years. The current classification begins with the Fall 2025 season, and the next reclassification will occur effective Fall 2028."

Watched The Woodlands from an upper suite this morning. Musical clarity was vastly improved to the end. They have cleaned significantly since San Antonio and I expect that to be reflected in the evaluation. Have thoughts on others from this perspective this morning. My take is not the general take, at least so far. Prelims is just step 1.

BOA has made available several hundred shows at https://video.musicforall.org/ It doesn't have everything of course, but has a decent selection back to 2010, and hit or miss before that. It is paid access with unlimited watching.

Unlike UIL, BOA results don't get leaked early. Have to wait until later tonight after awards are announced.

Heard the judges from Box5: MPE Dave Carbone MPI Andrew Cook VGE John Howell MGE John Phillips VPE Warren Rickart MGE Richard Saucedo VPI Drew Solomonson Chief Nola Jones

Finals Schedule 6:45 PM — Class AA Exhibition: Argyle H.S., TX 7:00 PM — Keller H.S., TX 7:15 PM — Dripping Springs H.S., TX 7:30 PM — Cedar Ridge H.S., TX 7:45 PM — Moe & Gene Johnson H.S., TX 8:00 PM — Cedar Park H.S., TX 8:15 PM — Vista Ridge H.S., TX 8:30 PM — Bridgeland H.S., TX 8:45 PM — Rouse H.S., TX 9:00 PM — The Woodlands H.S., TX 9:15 PM — Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 9:30 PM — Vandegrift H.S., TX 9:45 PM — Flower Mound H.S., TX 10:00 PM — Pearland H.S., TX 10:15 PM — Hebron H.S., TX 10:30 PM — Class A Exhibition: Jourdanton H.S., TX

Flower Mound performed at 3:30, so everything was pushed back 30ish minutes.

Great take! I will say that had 2019 been a state year Reagan would have won. That show was just phenomenal!

There is a donate option for this site. I've been doing that for several years. Perhaps it could be utilized more or more obvious as an option.

Our youngest graduated in 2019 and I'm still around. I have started volunteering at Grand Nationals as of last year and plan to continue doing so (and have 2 shifts coming up this year). I don't live in Texas anymore so I don't have direct contact with the program hence I volunteer for BOA.

I'm hoping I can catch The Woodlands before my plane takes off. Supposed to go at 945 eastern time so have a shot while sitting on the plane.

Just a note - don't undervalue Avon's music and especially their music GE. While they likely won't win music they may not be so far behind, and they are masters of GE.

I forgot that I will be traveling on Monday (to St. John, New Brunswick), so I probably won't get to see much of prelims. I'll hopefully be done with my work on Tuesday and back in the hotel for finals.

Thank you for the kind words, too. I have this tendency to dive pretty deep into things that really interest me, and since I picked up watching marching band again, I've done my best to learn the rubric and watch lots of shows. Tie that with my ancient history basic music education and my physics degree, and you get someone that tries hard to understand the things that make a show well designed and well performed. Plus I have a pretty decent relative pitch ear on the music, which doesn't hurt...

To me, the biggest flaw in the 2021 show was the staging - that ramp was more of a hindrance than a help. I certainly see the hype train this year, and also thought it was similar to previous years. I think this is a better design than 2021, but not nearly as fun. Performance levels are quite high, of course. They do an outstanding job getting the performers to do their best. Skirts seem to be an up and coming thing. Several bands are using them across the country. They can use them to good effect and if a bonus is difficulty seeing technique, then hey! Although that probably doesn't really help with the visual judge on the field. Marcus - I really haven't see that one recently, so I don't have a good take on it. What I recall was well performed, but maybe a little on the safe side - I don't recall anything intriguing in the show, just a well performed solid show with great music. I'll try to find something recent and take a look, or wait until state prelims. What I recall would not exceed Carmel or Avon, but maybe hang with Blue Springs.

I think so too. I think they won't be too far behind in music to Vista Ridge, and have a shot to top them on that caption. I think visually they'll be fine, top 5ish on the day would be my guess. This show is an order of magnitude stronger than the 2018 show. We were all mentally prepared to not make finals that day, so when they were called out as the last band to perform in finals it was a strong moment!

2nd time in the last 8 years... maybe they'll get to go last in finals like they did in 2018 after going first in prelims. Who am I kidding. Just hope they get top half after this. Of course with Keller and Vista Ridge going off right after, it makes the early morning must view.

I guess it happened again....

Well, since that was set assuming 6 were advancing can't that particular number vanish like the 6th advancer?

Yes, you did. Brought it back!

I'll be honest - I don't follow DCI, so I don't have the same comparisons there. Just hasn't been my thing since the early 90's. The Avon show in person is a lovely thing and just flows so well. Carmel in person is music to the ears, but less visually appealing than Avon.

I get you on the drum break, although it is true to the source music. When I first heard this I had to check, and yep, it is there. They are definitely rivaling Avon on the guard staging and presentation. Love what they are doing here. And yes, they have 3 weeks to clean this up. I would also like to see a little more visually for the closing to really end the show in style.

Yeah, they usually do it by random draw of the finishing position. I heard through the grapevine in 2018 that area F 1st place got slot #1 at state. So I guess it hasn't leaked yet for this year or no one is forthcoming with the info.

With the 6A state prelims schedule posted, do we know which of the area F state qualifiers gets to go first at state? I remember 2018 when The Woodlands had that spot, hoping it doesn't happen for them again.

I was able to arrange to make it to most of the Indy Super. Got to my seat just a bit ago. Will be able to see most of the super regional.