LostChoirGuy

Now that we have seen something from all of the bands in contention, I am ready to post my mid-season predictions. I have grouped them in tiers as well as some commentary. Contenders: 1. Flower Mound- This show has really great potential to peak between SA and GNats. Right now it seems there is a bit much going on with all the colors and things happening, but I don't think any other band can match their ability to clean a show and when they do that, all of the things going on should have a great effect. 2. Claudia Taylor Johnson- I haven't seen their show at all yet but it sounds exciting and interesting and fun! They should do really well here. 3. Avon- I can't see Avon missing out on a medal here. Their visual package is always stunning and will surely be again this year. 4. Hebron- Musically, they are already showing that they are capable of winning. Everyone loves their ballad and they perform the heck out of it! My only worry is that when they have a complete show, they may not have the GE that came from ending with their stunning ballad to keep up with these other contenders. I'm interested to see what they do with the rest of their show. 5. The Woodlands- They may not have medaled at Conroe, but their show design seems capable of boosting them past those that were ahead of them come November. One of the most interesting shows to watch this year in my opinion. Finals locks: 6. Ronald Reagan- I like this show much better than last years already. It has some great GE moments and a really cool premise that resonates well with the audience. Fantastic guard/dance work as well. 7. Marcus- I love the body movements portion! So unique. Their show design is strange and fun. I think it will be very successful by the time they get to GNats. 8. Vandegrift- Beautiful musical performance from this band. I feel like I'm sitting at Carnegie Hall listening to a world famous Symphonic Band when they play. I can't say that their show design is as impactful as many of the others, but I would be shocked if they didn't make the top 10. 9. Leander- I wasn't sold on this show until I saw their additions at Conroe. I love the big white flags being lifted to reveal more people. Also Apres Moi is one of my favorites, so that's a bonus. I think this show has the ability to be DRAMATIC in a really cool way. 10. Round Rock- Their show has a really great premise. Like Flower Mound, it is kinda chaotic right now with so much going on, but I think it will clean up nicely and any necessary changes to the drill will be made. 11. James Bowie- I must admit, I was surprised when they placed 4th at Conroe, but after watching their show, I think it was very deserved. Their show has a great concept capable of having a neat effect and I also really like how different their uniforms are this year. 12. Cedar Park- I'm not really sure where to put them. This is the show that I know the least about as of right now. Given past performances, I can't see them missing finals, but don't know if they will be able to beat most of the bands ahead of them. Finals Contenders: 13. Cedar Ridge- From what I've heard, their show is really engaging and well designed. I hope they do really well at Atlanta! 14. L.D. Bell- I really like the look of their show. With the uniforms and the flags all corresponding to each other (and not clashing with the green on the field) it makes their show seem really clean and professional. Also they have a huge sound that can lead to some powerful moments. 15. Hendrickson- I can't believe I'm predicting them not to make finals, but there just aren't enough spots. Their show was really well designed from a cool premise. I have to admit that when watching it however, I was hoping for a dramatic tear-down of the wall. 16. Keller- Musically, keller can compete with some of the best. Their design this year is a very interesting and innovative idea and it might make their drill more competitive. If they can execute well, I think they can make finals, but we will just have to wait and see what their closer is like. 17. Churchill- This show has a really cool premise, but I feel that the design kinda fell flat. There are times when they have huge hits that make me think they are a top 10 band, but the rest just seems a bit boring to me. If they can make it seem like more of a story then I might get on board. 18. Cy Fair- This band looks to me like an emerging annual finals contender. They aren't quite there against the stacked field this year but are making the improvements to get there soon. 19. Keller Central- The title of this show (The complex nature of simplicity) is very appropriate. The design, while extremely simple and seemingly of no theme is really cool and I love the way the band seems to glide from one corner of the field to the opposite. Other Long Shots: 20. Vista Ridge 21. Dripping Springs 22. Coppell 23. Timber Creek 24. Wakeland 25. Pearland 26. Clear Brook And there are so many more great bands.. Wow! Let me know what you think! (And sorry for any typos- my phone tends to autocorrect without me noticing, yet misses when I misspell something)

I like your enthusiasm, but I'm not so sure. We've still got quite a ways to go.

That is incredible. I want to see their show so bad now!

You are missing Clovis. 2nd place 3a

Anyone at this contest today?

Sorry, I should have clarified. My question was in addition to the previous comment about Bellevue West being mistakenly labeled as a Texas school. Clovis was as well. I have driven through Clovis on occasion and am excited that they are coming out to a BOA competition. From what I hear, they used to have a great presence in that area.

And isn't Clovis in New Mexico? Or am I mistaken?

I lurked for over a year before making an account, too. I think I thought that people wouldnt want to hear the opinions of someone with such little personal experience who doesn't even live in Texas, but then I finally decided that I didnt care if y'all wanted to hear it or not. Haha As for the random date in May, coukd that have been when the list of participating GNats bands was released? I don't remember when that happens.

I never did marching band, myself. I only enjoyed watching it all growing up. I took the heathen path and joined choir instead *gasp*. Hence my username.

Oh my goodness, I thought the same thing but wasn't going to say anything!

Haha I go to school here. Its not that empty- there are about 2 million people within an hour of here. Nothing like back home in Keller, but still not barren. Just unfortunately marching band isn't as appreciated here. In response to moving back to Texas, I'm not sure when, if ever, that would be. My parents are the only ones left there and my dad retires this December. They want to move to be closer to grandchildren. Even though I graduate with my Bachelors in December, ive still got at least 7 years of school ahead of me and its not likely to be in Texas. I'm hoping to come home for Christmas, though.

Anyone else move out of Texas and no longer enjoy marching competitions because the shows aren't up to Texas standards? I now live in Utah and one of my roommates is the president of my university's marching band. They are hosting a high school marching band contest today (yes- on a Tuesday...? Dont ask why, because I dont know). I couldnt get myself to go to the contest even though I love watching marching band contests because I just knew I'd be disappointed. The only decent band going is American Fork, who made semis at GNats a few years ago, but they are in a league way above everyone else and even they would only be average at a Texas competition. Those of you in Texas, take advantage of what you've got! Maybe I'm being prideful, but band really is just so much better in Texas. I suppose its good in parts of the south and in the Midwest, too...

Awesome! Sorry for the many typos in my previous post. I didn't notice them until you quoted me. That's the curse of using my phone...

These results are pretty interesting... Keller Central and Timber Creek basically placed around the same placw they did at BOA Southlake while Lakeland and Coppell medaled. If prosper really did that much netter than KC and TC I'm excited to see where they will go this year.

The picture linked to above shows that The Colony made finals and not Fossil Ridge.

I like your predictions and the bold placement of timber creek and prosper. That would be cool to see. I think the top 5 are definitely going to be your top five in some order. I dont know much about the lower half though, except that some of them are consistently steong programs like Aledo and Boswell.

Impressive prelims placement by Bowie. I'm surprised that The Woodlands didn't place in the top three for AAAA.

Do people actually care about homecoming? :/

I think Sachse could compete for third with Duncanville and centennial as well.

I dont think hornrank is meant to show a "snapshot in time". I think it is rating the overall quality of the band as they see it. Hebron may have won during finals last week but that doesnt necessarily mean that they are a higher quality band. Early season contest results are indicative of potential, but not always very good at ranking overall quality of bands because every band is at a different point in learning their show. Keep in mind that Hebron's fantastic performance was only a partial show. In my opinion, their show at this stage had a better effect because they stopped at a better place than FloMo. Both are definitely top 5 bands either way, and that's pretty amazing.

To clarify, what does NV stand for? And is it Frisco or Burleson Centennial?

I did theatre all through middle school and high school (along with choir). I had some great experiences and some not so great experiences. Perhaps the most memorable was getting to "fly" when I was in a production of peter pan. I was in a harness and we had a system of pulleys that lifted and hoisted us across the stage. It was actually really painful, but very worth it.

Looks like a very good contest. I dont know as much about schools in this part of the state, but I see several bands that are good enough to make finals at a BOA regional. Excited to see who surprises!

I got the impression they were saying that all of the Oklahoma invitationals have impressive and diverse line ups. From the little I know about them, I would agree. There are as many Texas bands as Oklahoma bands going as well as bands from Arkansas and Missouri. I think that's pretty cool.

Who submits the results for the predictions contest? Edit: I ask because it is still possible to submit predictions for the Friendswood competition even though it happened on Saturday and none of this weekends results are posted yet.