LostChoirGuy

As the person who made that comment, I stand completely by it. Look how much higher groups like Pearland and Keller did compared to what people predicted compared to earlier in the season and how groups like MGJ and Vista Ridge did in comparison to what people had them ranked in late September/ early October. Obviously the Austin groups are exceptional, but this contest is likely a huge reason why their strength gets a bit overstated relative to other parts of the state. I think it would be safe to say that Marcus and probably Coppell and LD Bell would have made finals here. Not to mention the several 5A groups from North Texas that would have contended for top 30 spots.

Latest rumors are that the cutoff is actually more likely between 2220 and 2230. With that being said, Wakeland is very likely going to be 6A, along with the 3 Leander ISD schools and Aledo (all who were in 5A finals). I can't wait to see what 5A will look like next year. Even without Wakeland, Area B will likely be dominant, but I could see some new faces creeping in to finals and maybe even some of our 4A groups that are moving up.

I'm definitely surprised by some of these results, though I didn't watch this contest so I can't say anything about if I think they were accurate. Very pleasantly surprised by Hays, Barbers Hill, and Harlingen South. They all surprised me with higher than expected placements. Midlothian, Friendswood, and a few others are a bit perplexing to me. Next year's 5A will look very different. We could see some new faces in Celina and Panther Creek and if Foster is really moving down, I'd expect them to be in finals here. Other than that, we will likely see some new faces in finals from our existing 5A groups and I think it will be an Area B vs Area F fight for the podium.

Wow, the dominance of Austin/ Dallas area bands is really prominent in 5A. 7 of the finalists came from DFW areas and 5 came from Austin. It's also probably safe to assume that Midlothian and Hendrickson were very close to making finals and Reedy/ McKinney North probably would have been if more had qualified from area B. Poteet and Liberty Hill were likely right there too.

It seems like the hardest areas are only getting harder this next batch of realignment. Wakeland and Aledo moving up will also really throw a wrench in things. Consider that Area J already had all four bands that qualified for state make finals this go around.

Yeah, I've been following the forums as well and in the last few days there has been talk that it may be even closer to 2200.

This is just becoming comical now. If Keller makes finals they will be rewarded with being one of the first (if not the first) to go again.

Given how deep the field is this year, I would think SLC would be happy if they manage to make it into the top 20, or even in the top 11 in their prelims panel. I'd have them right around that cutoff.

Is the new school in Northwest ISD opening next year? Any other schools opening next year that will affect enrollments?

So is MGJ now in Panel 1 or...?

It is based on the enrollment numbers. They try to keep about 250 in each classification. Some rumors I've heard are that the number might go down this year actually.

Keller has had horrible luck with the random draw this year. The one time they had a good draw (Area B prelims), they had a weather delay right as they were going on, which I'm sure can mess with their flow. Vista Ridge will be fine, even in an early draw, but Keller having to go right before them while on the bubble is very unfortunate.

The top 3 were all super close. And the scores seem a bit interesting. Were all of the judges judging something different or are the two visual judges for instance judging the same thing?

Any results yet?

Marcus and Coppell will not be attending.