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.

That's true, but Wakeland has only come to this contest once since the rise of Rouse as a 3A power and they only lost to Leander by 0.35 points (in 2023). I do think it's dangerous to bet against Leander, but I would also say that the competition is stronger this year than usual.

I agree that your top 9 will almost certainly all be in finals. Your choices for 10-12 make sense too. I'd love to see Roma back, but I don't think they are as strong this year. I do however think that Wakeland can beat Rouse and that Aledo will place higher. I'd have them in 6th, behind Leander, but above Burleson Centennial.

I mean, you are entitled to that opinion and I certainly think DS has a good chance of making finals here, but I think Wakeland has been far better this year so far and you should never discount late season Keller.

I finally was able to watch the video of SGP and I really loved it! I think they have a great chance to be in finals. I'm a little concerned that they get pretty close to playing too loud at times, past the point of it being as pretty, which can cause issues with their intonation. Being in finals with a chance to go to state, that is a concern I could see with the adrenaline and excitement especially at this event. It sounds like they have an awesome director though so hopefully they are helping them prep for that. Overall, I think it's really cool to see their rise over the past few years.

They have a really strong visual production. They are wearing a vibrant blue uniform with capes that go down to their ankles and skeletons on the front. The guard are in similar vibrant yellow. The uniforms really help to highlight the body work and individual marching of each member of the band and they are able to do some really cool stuff on the field with the capes. Musically, they still have a really strong brass line. They don't have the strongest drum line, but they never have really. I feel the show has lacked in some big MGE moments, but I haven't seen the completed product yet as they tend to not put their whole show out until the final two weeks or so of the season. I think they will be top 10 in visual and should be top 15 or so in Music and GE here.

I've finally taken the time to look through the panels a bit closer. There are so many strong groups in both panels that deserve a shout-out. Even those that I didn't include are going to be awesome and could have some big surprises, but I do think that all of the top 30 or so will come from this list. Panel 1: Wylie East Cinco Ranch Round Rock Rouse Claudia Taylor Johnson John B Alexander Wylie Keller Midlothian Timber Creek The Woodlands Cedar Ridge Wakeland Leander College Park Argyle Aledo Dripping Springs Flower Mound Panel 2: Cedar Park James Bowie Moe & Gene Johnson Westlake Bridgeland Braswell McNeil Ronald Reagan Vandegrift Vista Ridge Westwood Lake Travis Hebron Cypress Woods Pearland Cy-Fair Friendswood McKinney Seven Lakes Dawson Here is what I think will be the top 10 in each panel and which ones will make finals: Panel 1: Flower Mound The Woodlands Wakeland Cedar Ridge Rouse ----------- Keller Dripping Springs Wylie Leander Claudia Taylor Johnson/ Round Rock Panel 2: Vandegrift Hebron Vista Ridge Cedar Park Ronald Reagan ------------ Pearland Moe & Gene Johnson Seven Lakes James Bowie Westlake/ Cy-Fair/ Bridgeland I named 23 bands here. It's crazy to think that some of them will inevitably have to place in the 20s, and that is disregarding the fact that Marcus, Coppell, LD Bell, Prosper, Lone Star, and so many other great groups won't be here. In regard to the panel balance, I could see all 4 groups coming from Panel 2, but I think it is natural for the scoring to be more balanced between the panels, even if the quality is a bit more skewed toward Panel 2. For this reason, I think Panel 1 will get at least six in finals.

I think there is a good chance, but they are still on the bubble in my opinion.

I guess we know who the top 3 in prelims were since all of the top 6 are 4A.

I can see Fossil Ridge sneakily earning a state spot in Area F or at least being competitive. They've been under the radar as they are new to 5A. That being said, I haven't seen their show so this isn't me commenting on it or anything. I highly doubt they would be ahead of Aledo or Burleson Centennial, but they could be right in the mix with Azle, Birdville, and Richland. Maybe Grapevine. I'm not entirely counting Colleyville Heritage out either.

People on the football forums have mentioned that they think the 6A cutoff could go down this year for the first time in a while due to many schools losing enrollment. That could make things interesting for the Frisco schools.