FaultLineBlues

Wow, that's quite the bunch of Cypresses.

And if I'm remembering correctly, in 2014 they did advance over Round Rock.

While some of their visual at Austin wasn't phenomenal, their music alone will get them to advance, and by that point in the season, I bet the visual execution will have been stepped up. Those kids are monsters at cleaning. If I'm remembering correctly Area D had 6 bands move on to State two years ago? If I'm right in that, I'm predicting Cedar Ridge, Bowie, Hendrickson, Reagan, CTJ and Round Rock.

Huh, seems like today is popular considering RRISD also has their Festival of Bands today!

(cont.) - Cedar Ridge: I'm probably gonna be a bit biased but man I'm proud of these guys. They managed to be louder than some bands practically double their size and I love that they brought back having a singer in such a great way. I've always been a sucker for Arabian style music so I'm jealous as heck of them for getting this show right after I left. The initial Kashmir hit and the demand of the drill combined with Sabre Dance makes this show an absolute blast to watch! And man that triple tonguing feature from the high brass was so crisp and nice. And while I did see some validity in the complaint about the drill earlier, I do think it's playing to the bands strengths in terms of size, so I give them a bit of a pass. - Hendrickson: My god that soloist! What an amazing player! Starting off with Rhapsody in Blue was fantastic and the show got more fun from there! The character work in this show was endearing and the sound effects just added to it. My friend described it like a Disney cartoon on field, and I couldn't agree more. One of my favorite parts was how at the beginning when the soloist's mic cut out at the beginning but he was so loud he practically didn't even need it! (SIDENOTE: odd coincidence that two schools from PISD had such similar shows to each other prop and overall theme wise!) Round Rock: It seems like Round Rock is taking a bit of a departure from their more story-driven shows from the past few years and I'm honestly fine with it! I really liked a lot of moments in this show, like the opening hit and the saxophone feature and that trumpet soloist! And I love "Once Upon a Time in Paris" so that flute solo was a great way for the show to open with! I hope they do more with the props as the season progresses because they looked really cool. (SIDENOTE: While I think he new uniforms look great, I think removing the Maroon was a mistake. A lot of the forms looked muddy due to the uniform black blending into each other, and I don't think it's any fault of the students)

I saw someone else give some thoughts I thought I'd give mine too! If I leave out any bands from finals I'm sorry! I was either in the bathroom or getting concessions :') - CTJ: Man I was a doubter of the show concept, but the kids just make it work. Everything comes off so naturally, whether it's someone flinging off a shako in character cause it was slipping off, or a major hit. I think this year is gonna be another killer one for them, and I can't wait to see how they grow and change. Normally I'm not one for "hoo rah America WOOOO" because stuff has been so rough recently, but by the end of the show, I was on my feet cheering with the rest of the crowd. (Sidenote: I really think we're going to see an increase of bands "framing" the field in scrims and backdrops after it been providing such an immersive experience for CTJ these past two years) - Leander: If I'm to be entirely honest I think the electronics not working made a better (albeit slightly more awkward) experience! It felt like the music really stepped to fill in the gaps where electronics would be. I'm very happy to see them back on top of their game. The show is cool and absurdly fun to watch and the music is great! After seeing them at a football game I honestly mentally had them pegged to win and they were super close! Gonna be a fun season for competition. - Vandy: Always such a nice *loud* sound that carries. Really thought the Bow and Arrow props were well made and not overly distracting and I really liked how they weren't too in the focus. Also another small thing I liked was the way the scrims showed the arrow curving over the pit and back down. While I did feel like I missed some overall arching story, that could just be on me not watching closely enough due to being pretty tired and just absorbing the music haha. Either way, even though they got third place, I don't see them being anywhere near out of contention for a top three spot at San Antonio this year. They're all very musically talented students. - Vista Ridge: While show the theming is still kinda lost on me, I might be looking at it in a way that's too similar to Boston Crusaders this year when it might be a more metaphorical take on the concept of being "Lost and Found" (if I'm wrong please let me know! I'd love to learn more about this show considering how great the band performing it is). The musicians and soloists are doing amazing this year and are a huge step up and it's so exciting to see a new band break into that upper level of finalists. While I was a little unsure of what the props (not counting the compasses, compi??) were, they worked very well at showcasing the soloists/people playing features) the ballad was absolutely beautiful and I'm pretty sure it's gonna end up being one of my favorites this season. - Cedar Park: This show is FUNNNNN. They really take the circus story and run with it. I liked the use of the singer as the ringleader (if that's the right word?) and the sections of dueling solos! So cool on field and the players were so talented! Really like the way the chest props were flipped and turned into the circus style boxes! Overall just a really really fun show that I'm probably going to find myself watching over and over again.

I feel like I ended up the same way with Vista Ridge. The kids are performing the HECK out of the show and they sound amazing but I feel like it could use more towards getting the concept across? I didn't get the lost sense too much. But overall their performance was great.

Wow, I've seen Cedar Ridge every week and they still managed to surprise me with how much they turned it up.

I'm hoping it changes again :')

Great podcast! Haha liked the Anti-Rain Dance shout out, If I can spot you at Reeves I'm definitely gonna say hi!

The Anti-Rain Dance is working!

Real question though, is there any contingency plan set up if it does rain?

I've been saying we need to have a band sight reading contest, divide the field in half and give the two bands symmetrical drill and music give them two days to learn it and whoever is better is the ULTIMATE BAND.

Can we do an Anti-Rain dance?

Man, I wish FloMarching wasn't so steep price-wise! I just want to watch some lesser known bands not go bankrupt :') At least I'll get to see some in person next week

Could not agree more!!

Welp CR vs Leander got rained out so no run for CR post-game :'). Leander was seriously phenomenal during halftime though! I can see a top 3 finish at Austin for them!

Maybe if we ask nicely?

I can't help but agree. I think they're gonna do great and all, but it's a little weird.

Wow! Some of that stuff is crazy! He really has a huge part in shaping a lot of Fall Out 4's landscape! Haha who knew the fabled LeanderMomma had a connection to Bethesda. Your son has a real talent!

Honestly, this whole situation reminds me of BoA Conroe 2015 haha, I had made a bet with my section for motivation, that if we had made top three, I would get ANY haircut that they wanted, and at the time I had really long hair so they were all super excited. We went to the contest and at prelims got 4th and I thought I was in the clear, but I then found out that The Woodlands had to leave to perform at a football game! At finals we got moved up to 3rd cause of them having to drop out, and then I ended up getting the ugliest haircut I've ever gotten. I like to imagine The Woodlands being allowed to stay for finals at this contest has saved some poor trumpet players hair from being mangled like mine.

They sound and look really good! The show concept kinda reminds me of Boston this year, and the uniforms are an interesting choice but I'm sure it'll end up working out when I see them in person. (if that is the uniform I saw in the video)

The game is the Cedar Ridge's homecoming! So we'll probably get to see all of what they have after the game!

The CRHS v Vandegrift game was fantastic! CRHS's band was LEAGUES better than when I last saw them, they're improving at a crazy rate! Vandegrift unfortunately didn't perform their show, but what they did play sounded fantastic tone and technique wise and they were a class act! (wish I could say the same about their student section, I can't believe what I saw from some of the people there) Overall a great experience and I can't wait to catch both at BoA Austin!