Bluewinter22

So I just heard United got 34th. That’s pretty awesome. First time at state a few years ago the ended up getting last I believe in prelims. Anyone have any word on the other Laredo band, Alexander? They had a really neat show and I’m curious to see where they landed.

Wow. What place did Alexander and United get? I’m guessing mid 30’s.

http://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/6A_Area_G.pdf

1st place United 2nd place Alexander 3rd Hannah

In all honestly I don’t think Harlingen will advance. They look and sound rough.

Based on the performances from the last few competitions, my top 5 would be: I think: 1) Alexander 2) United 3) San Benito 4) Hannah 5) Harlingen

I will say, i am super impressed with United’s progress. They just put up the video from boa prelims and I’m just floored with how great they are playing and how early in the season it is.

Lack of tuning*

I understand it’s early... but that’s no excuse for the lack of running, sloppy fundamentals, and blasting. I hope they do shape up. I really do, but with the season pretty much 2/3 over, it’s looking grim.

Tuning* darn phone

And by running I obviously meant running* lol

While again I agree that Alexander and United Both have improved significantly, what I saw yesterday is that some of the more well-known valley bands put a product on the field that was not competition ready. Now I say this with all the respect I can. I’m not saying that these bands don’t put in the hard work and the effort (because we all know that marching band is no joke especially in the South Texas heat). But it was looking pretty rough. I was shocked at how poorly the other bands did. I also know that there is still another month before area, but man. To say that I was shocked was an understatement. Sherryland struggled with music, Roma’s running was hornedous, both Edinburgs needed a lot of work, etc. I love competitions and I love south Texas but it was a real shock to see how many seem to be in a rut.

On second look, I see it says “marching bands of America”. Emblem looks the same but not sure if it’s boa or not lol.

There is a video on YouTube from that year with the bands of America logo on it.

Alexander had a great drill design. The show was good, but musically, needs work. Specifically around the middle where the hindermith piece is played. The woodwinds sounded solid there but the brass was lacking and seemed to struggle to maintain the same sound they had earlier. I think particularly because ive seen so many state and national programs play the same melodies from hindermith that it’s hard to not compare them to the level of other programs that have recently covered him. Nothing another month won’t fix. I can see them placing around the 20th-17th range at state with those fixes. I was pretty underwhelmed with san Benito’s performance. The marching was good, just nothing too memorable. United sounded great but they also had a lot of standstill moments. I have a feeling their director will be adding a few visual things during those spots. With that being said, I really loved their music selections. I think their show was my favorite from the bands in our area. That and I don’t think I’ve ever seen their guard section look so solid! Their brass sounded great too! After seeing them last night, I believe they where at the same level they where at when they performed at their last contest in Austin last year. I’m definitely excited to see what another months worth of tuneups will do. Although Hanna didn’t compete, I can see them placing well at area. Seeing as they did amazingly well in honor band (I think they got 10?). I’m thinking they would land in the top 2 or 3. Harlingen looks rough, but that could also shape up well within the next month. Definitely going to be an interesting season. With the exception of Alexander and United playing well, I believe the recent shifting in rankings from the valley bands to Laredo bands has less to do with Laredo schools improving and more to do with the valley bands not performing at the caliber we’ve known them to operate at.

Won* darn these fat finger

Actually I believe Nixon got 7th place at boa grand nationals in ‘82-‘83. While technically I don’t believe that counts as getting a medal, it should go for stomething lol. They also wone state the year after.

Harlingen*

Based on what I saw of harlongens performance a week ago, I don’t think they will make it to state. Sad to say it, but they looked rough... I figured Hanna for 3-4.

Based on what we saw today, I would argue: Alexander San Benito United For the top 3 spots. Toss up between San Benito and United... they both looked amazing. Also, I noticed United has stepped up those marching game. They look pretty clean from what I saw.

*cleanliness

And by marching, I just mean fundamentals and cleanses. Not so much props and effects.

If I had to rank of based of marching I’d say: Seven lakes Ctj Alexander Brazoswood San Benito United Based on music Ctj Seven lakes Alexander United Brazoswood San Benito

Yup yup. Tho we where laughing and a bit conflicted with Alexander’s show... We figured it was something about the forest and the effects of pollution and industrialization... and then they have rabbits and other forest critters twirling rifles lol.

Agreed! Man I really, really liked their perfomance! So far out of the bands that have played (currently on brazoswood), Uniteds production is my favorite so far.