lost

I’ve had my eye on McNeil these last few years! How are they looking this season with their upcoming trip?

Incredible as always.

What’s the timeline on that?

Yes I meant before San Antonio and Grand Nats they didn’t do any regular-season regionals other than Austin and TMC. Please no need for the snarky reaction @Hard Core Band Fan

I think this is a promising schedule. Vandegrift followed something very similar (and with no UIL!) in 2019 when they took the win. They only did Austin and TMC.

Vandegrift is about ready to make another trip I reckon.

That is going to be some really sad news for the two groups left out…thanks for the info!

Directors have them already. They’re probably on some website somewhere too I imagine.

My money is on Cedar Park closing out the top half in 6th just based on precedence. It’s way way way too early to tell though.

Are they advancing all bands to finals or just cutting three off for the finals advancement? Granted if they do cut three groups that only leaves two groups not performing a second time, since Gatesville is the only A band attending at minimum they get a guaranteed exhibition performance.

Strange to refer to Bridgeland as “lowly” they’re a fantastic program. I think you wholly misunderstood my post though. For what it’s worth it *is* the highest level marching competition in the USA. Yes, everyone can go, but for all its purposes that’s what it is. Unsure why you’re stuck on the semantics of it. I get the majority aren’t hard hitters never said they weren’t. What I meant and what you didn’t understand was that going to nationals is a notoriously expensive endeavor. It is not selfish of bands, parents and supporters to want their band to take the best program possible to get the most bang for your buck. Sure it’s an outstanding educational opportunity regardless if you make finals or heck semifinals, but it is a *pricey* educational opportunity. It sounds really crude to say it, but ideally bands go to nationals primarily to score a good placement for their program. That is obviously amidst a variety of gaining wonderful educational benefits, but at the end of the day good placements at what is nationals (or what you dub fake nationals) is the opportunity for programs to demonstrate to their districts and communities that they’re worth the investment. Sometimes it’s best to reserve that investment until you can assure consistent success to yield greater results in the long term. That is all I was saying, and I meant no aggression in it. Again confused about your semantics regarding the title when my post wasn’t even remotely related to that.

I worry about the trend of bands rushing to nationals after brief success and then struggling that season. However I think the foundation is there at Bridgeland to hopefully avoid this. Maybe not challenge Reagan unless they’re going through major changes but maybe definitely challenge Pearland.

Excited for this show. I think Cedar Park has a shot at top five at nationals. I missed this and had been looking for what they were taking to nationals. Do we know Leanders show yet?

I really don’t understand the condescension, I hope you’re doing well.

I don’t think it’s an unfair criticism with the knowledge we’ve been given. The immediate defensiveness to a valid concern is interesting. It’s hard to give it a chance when the core concept has fundamental issues. When you see a culture continually misrepresented on the field and in media you become jaded. No need for the condescension. I’m sure the kids will perform it well. They’ve been on the up and up especially in a brutal area. Really tough but they always show up and work hard.

All I can say is this is not a good look… A show about Chinese mythology not using any genuine Chinese composers or music and then using a Japanese composer instead. This whole show is giving wildly racist vibes and the kids deserve better.

MG Johnson has been putting on very extravagant shows for a bit now so I think the design-energy will be similar.

I think that the reason why BOA was able to put the limit on bands here so comfortably is because they had the plans for San Marcos as an alternative contest.

Avon definitely in the bubble for semis.

Too early to make a prediction like that.

I can’t say I agree, but I still wish them the best of luck in Indiana this coming November.

Bands that immediately take the trip to nationals after one successful year tend to historically struggle a bit. It’s better to build up success in my opinion, the way Cedar Park is doing.

I wish Bridgeland would hold off a few years...but wishing them the best of luck.

Do we really need to be assigning penalties these harsh at what is literally the first contest?

Those spots are going to be tough to grab.