lost

I think Stevens is in finals here pretty safely.

I’m having trouble seeing Leander in national finals at all with this show to be honest. The GE ceiling is very low and it’s not difficult enough to stand out.

I mean even if they did make it it wouldn’t really be an upset. They’re one of like 10 bubble bands in the running.

RR is always a slow burn but I think we’re at a point in the season where I have them contending for second.

Way to go Del Valle and Akins with 1 ratings! That’s the first step to improvement.

Rouse was set to be 6A in a few years before some realignment shenanigans that I don’t know much about. Cedar Park is designed to stay perpetually 5A. Leander is always on the cusp but they’ve treaded closer to 5A in recent years.

This is what I have been saying and thinking for years @Samuel Culperthanks for putting it in a clearer way!

@PercDad4Lifethat’s just the announcement not the performance order.

I think it’s open registration.

Do you have records of the other regions and the region scores for each bands in previous years? I'm curious to see if any of the groups that pulled a 2 last year are in contention to get a 1 this year so that this area may hopefully take 5. Taking four would be brutal, and would undoubtedly leave out a potential SMBC finals lock.

Those Round Rock JV kids should be proud of their designation regardless! The future of this program is bright.

I think those Pearland kids are outperforming the design they’ve been given. I can’t imagine the GE bubble is high with it.

Love to see Lake Travis here! A little curious why they’re here instead of going to TMC last weekend, but it’s good to see them supporting a program like Duncanville.

It’s hardly any cheaper to come down to Texas.

DSHS had a very rough run in finals at TMC. It was uncharacteristic of their usual performance level. Difference between prelims and finals scores is actually proof the system is working.

Let's maybe not use the phrasing "low end program". I will say DCI Success /=/ HS Marching Success. The skillsets are deceivingly very very very different.

James Bowie with a jump!

I really believe we’re close to seeing Prosper in finals at nationals again…

Actually the previous year’s winner in BOA gets to select their performance time for prelims! Usually it’s most optimal to go last, so bands will 90% of the time select last. At San Antonio in previous years though for example Hebron has picked to go in the second to last block to have a break before finals. Vandegrift caught some luck with their finals draw though for sure!

Can I just say that is the most creative show concept I’ve seen in a second from Bentonville. It’s not just notable in the props but also the drill writing and music. Incredibly work really from their design team, and incredible work from the students for performing it fantastically and doing the design justice.

I think the show distracts from the substance of the show with Carroll, without the extravagance and props it’s a lot of park and bark. Great effort from them though!

I did not say they placed top half, CyWoods is bottom half as they’re performing first six. I was only congratulating them for making finals despite predictions not having them in. I was then separately congratulating RR and Leander for breaking into the top half after respective tough placing at Austin. Sorry for the confusion?

Way to go Hendrickson and Cypress Woods! Leander and Round Rock clinching top half is also exciting. Looks like we’re in for another Vandegrift championship, but there’ll be an amazing line of shows before we get there.

Cedar Park is a masterclass in turning it up when they have to. I have no real doubt they’re going to take the 5A title again this year. It’s not a culture you can build overnight.

This is so silly considering USBands has a very similar judging sheet. The directors at these programs will tell you their decision to attend this contest was because of proximity and dating, and actually as an opportunity to gain feedback to place well here at BOA SA. "Massive push" is so silly considering these top groups have avoided USBands for so long and it is ONE contest. This take is really strange. There is no concern among top directors that name recognition is a worrying trend. Genuinely the strangest and furthest away from reality take I've seen on my five years on this forum. This massive push to USBands you characterize does not exist....at all. A strong group does not have to be successful in all three, not when one circuit hides ordinals and has outdated classifications. More power to the groups that use USBands as their main circuit, but everything you're saying is so far removed from reality.