11BandMan11

After being present for the absolute DISASTER that occurred last year at Area I - yes it was not only a good idea, it was a great idea and the best choice for all programs and students involved. Other Areas opted to NOT use their back up date this weekend and had to either, cancel finals, have groups get performances delayed, groups get rained on in performance, while others had clear skies, etc. If the option is present for EVERY student to have a more positive Area performance experience, which is the final performance of the show for most programs, it is absolutely the best choice to use the back up date. Also because I was both upset and curious called both the Katy ISD and Cy Fair ISD central offices after the contest last year - all the groups last year that had THOUSANDS of dollars of equipment, mallets, instruments, electronics, etc. get dumped on in the rain, do you know what they were provided by UIL and/or the district to assist with damaged or destroyed equipment? Nothing. Zero extra repair money. Zero replacements for lost equipment. Nothing. Lets not scoff at seeing some clear skies yesterday and using the reschedule date. Just my 2 cents. -------------------- As for the Area Performances tomorrow - I am REALLY looking forward to clear skies, beautiful weather, and amazing performances from all the groups throughout the day and evening. I do think it'll be a 3/2 split between CyFair and Katy schools for the state spots with it being the CyFair schools in the majority in the end with Bridgeland, Cy Woods, and Cy Fair. Then again, you never know with Area I and all the things that happen in performance. Only a couple updates to my Prediction Ranges: Finalists: 1/2) Bridgeland 1/2) Seven Lakes 2/3/4) Jordan 2/3/4) Cypress Woods 3/4/5/6) Cy-Fair 3/4/5/6) JET 5/6/7/8) Cinco Ranch 5/6/7/8) Tompkins Bubble Finalists: 9/10/11) Cypress Ranch 9/10/11) Katy 9/10/11/12) Paetow 9/10/11/12) Langham Creek 10/11/12/13) Jersey Village

I'd LOVE for there to be 30 at Area and 6 State spots, which also would be 12 groups advance to Area finals! But based on previous years and groups performances that that I've seen & found online this year, I'd say it's about a 99% chance of there NOT being 6 State spots. I'm personally anticipating 27, maybe 28, groups advancing to Area which means 5 state spots. Never really thought about it until looking at results from this past weekend around the state, but this is one of the Area contests that has multiple groups that are BOA Regional/Super Regional Finalists. I want to be clear this isn't an attack or diss on any other Area contests, but just an observation that Area I is quickly turning into a level of competitiveness that is seen only in some of the other brutal Areas like in Lewisville, Leander, etc. not only to make it to State, but even just to make Area Finals. In any event, this is going to be a ridiculously good Area contest this year and I can't wait to watch it all on Saturday! My Prediction Ranges: 1/2) Bridgeland 1/2) Seven Lakes 2/3/4) Jordan 2/3/4) Cypress Woods 4/5/6) Cy-Fair 4/5/6) JET 6/7/8) Cinco Ranch 6/7/8) Tompkins 9/10/11) Cypress Ranch 9/10/11) Katy 9/10/11) Langham Creek 10/11/12) Paetow 10/11/12) Jersey Village

100% Agree!

Just an old mans 2 cents on 'judging' the design of marching shows early season. It's funny the 'analysis' that people do of different marching shows and judgements on things that are clearly in the earlier stages of production and haven't been fully polished and finished. Could you imagine going up to an artist like Michelangelo while he's still working on the Statue of David and saying, "You know, I really just question some of your design choices..." Maybe let them get through every step of the production and design process to have a fully produced product before criticizing design choices? And even then, it's all 100% subjective thoughts and opinions on anything within the marching arts regarding 'design'. It's a part of the love hate relationship I have with marching band - rather than judge the design, support the kids and staff who are working hard to make whatever product they have on the field the best they can make it. I'm just an old timer who likes band and tries my best, which can be challenging, to not make design judgements, but only judgements on performance with things that are objective - like, did they play in time? did they play with good sounds? etc. Again, just an old mans 2 cents on 'judging' the design of marching shows early season.

Full performance schedule with classifications from a fellow band parent!

Yeah - they had a great showing for their first contest performance this year, especially with their mid day performance time as heat has started to slowly creep up before lunch! From what I recall from their performance last year they have definitely continued to take positive strides and growth with their music and visual performances at this same contest a year ago. I wish I could rock a cowboy hat as well as they all can!

Been out of state on and off the past 2 weeks but finally back in Houston for the greatest time of year - MARCHING CONTEST SEASON! 🤩 So far from what I've seen today - LOVE IT! Obviously some small rough spots visually and musically with things that will get better throughout the season for each group so far, but it definitely feels like a step up for each of these groups from last year at this time of the year. I'm gonna refrain from any finals predictions until we get through prelims, but if the first block is an indicator for the rest of the day, everyone is off to a great start to their seasons with their shows!

Unfortunately when it comes to travel to contest, especially for outside state programs who have to make a choice between traveling to BOA SA or BOA GN, they're going to pick GN or another contest that's easier to travel to. To put the distance in perspective, even the closest cities outside of Texas, the round trip drive on buses would be a minimum of 10 hours, (5 there and 5 back) if you hit zero traffic there and back. Cost of travel, housing, etc. is just so high now that doing a single day even with short travel to a contest is WELL OVER the 15K mark when you start adding up the cost of feeding students, buses (don't get me started on charter bus costs), trailers or semi pulling if you're a program fortunate enough to have one, etc. When you're a group from out of state that number goes up exponentially due to the fact that you must have buses for more than one day, hotels, etc. Additionally, and I know this will come across a little pointed, but unfortunately there are a lot of staff at schools outside the state that have the mentality of, "Why travel all of that way and pay that much money to have no chance at even coming close to touching the top 30." I know it's a bit of a fantasy world of mine but I wish there were some sort of an endowment, financial assistance, something that would help groups to travel, perform, and witness in person the artistry and performances from other bands around the country. It can be such a surreal and different experience for those kids from programs outside the state to have the opportunity to witness groups like Hebron, Vandegrift, Rouse, The Woodlands, etc. in person. If I ever win the lottery 🤣 you'll all know since BOA will be announcing a giant Donation and assistance program out of no where for groups to be able to perform at contests outside their home state - but I know I'm living in fantasy land 🫠

I'm feeling the over on this one folks - we're at 11 pages and it's August 23rd! What's going to happen once we hit October with contests, scores, and placements start going out? Wouldn't be surprised if this one hits close to the 50 number 🤣

Im holding off on predictions this year until I see some videos and performances from all the different shows. So far it seems like all the schools are being VERY tight lipped about letting videos of performances, run throughs, etc. get out from band camp. I remember last year seeing things posted at this point in the year to get a decent indicator on how groups were kicking off the year. On a side note - it's crazy to the point of being comical to use ANYTHING from the judging/scoring at Area contest last year to compare. Area was an absolute disaster with all the rain delays, groups starting performances having to stop and restart, groups sitting on their busses for literally 4 hours in the parking lots then go straight to warm up and perform, it was ridiculous. In any event, Im really curious to see what this Area has to offer this year. Ill be the old guy sitting on the 50 at Region, Katy Marching, etc. cheering obnoxiously for every group that performs 🤣

FACTS! The 8 Hour rule is truly a blessing for our kiddos involved in programs. Keeps the staff and kids accountable to get things done and not 'waste' time during rehearsals during an already massively time consuming part of the year. Most staff members and kids in programs, average somewhere around 60-70 hours a week at the MINIMUM throughout October (Bandtober) when you truly add it all up. School week - 40 hours After school rehearsals - 8 hours Football Game Days - 8 - 10 hours (Additional beyond the school day) Saturday Contest Days - 8 - 15 (or more) hours (Depending upon prelims finals contest, performance times, etc.) Total week hours - 64 - 75 hours / week Don't get me wrong, I love band, the staff members, and what it has done for the kids - but I also know speaking not just for my wife and I, but for other parents and I'm certain staff members as well, I know we all value that time with our own families as well and I can't imagine what it would be like if the hours increased from the 8 hour rule.

I'm just here to get my face figuratively and literally blown off and have to have reconstructive surgery due to the insane power it seems all State qualifiers are putting out these days! I would LOVE if anyone had this data / information - but man would it be interesting to do a DB level comparison of the Top 10 at State from back in the day with Marcus and others earning the State title back in the 2000's - early 2010's, versus what is being done now. It quite literally has turned into almost DCI level sound output from the top groups around the state, and I'm totally here for it! 🤣

Knowing how Area I goes each year with shenanigans, next year heres a couple options that can happen, and all seem very feasible 🤣 1) Even with turf fields, somehow a sprinkler system gets put in, turns on, and sprays through some performances 2) All the iPads and scoring systems simultaneously crash on CompSuite causing immediate spontaneous combustion of scoring systems 3) 29 groups who advance to Area, and then a group somehow petitions their region evaluation and gets added to make it 30 at Area, also adding a State spot 4) Just because why not make it blow up for more than Area I, all marching Area contests get cease and desist notifications because Tresona and other copyright groups fold and record label companies and artists demand no performances 5) A prop wheel damages the turf on the 50 revealing the entrance to the Looney Toon world, like the original Space Jam under the putting green

YES SEVEN LAKES!!! Way tor represent H-Town and earn that Finals slot!!! The new-ish addition to their staff of the former Woodlands director to their already stellar staff has definitely pushed them into hopefully being perennial BOA and State finalists!!! This years finalist grouping is STACKED! Can't wait to watch Finals in person! #WorthTakingTheDayOff

This was one of the highest, if not the highest, achieving and best SASR I've ever seen! "Texcellence" in the marching arts is very VERY much on display this year. Even though Leander didn't make finals, they'll still end up somewhere in the top 6-8 at BOA Grand Nats this year - just shows how insanely good the performances are, and the level of competition across the SASR. Favorite part of the SASR this year? Immediately after the results were announced, you could see all the kids who are friends across the different programs within Leander ISD and Lewisville ISD especially, but all the programs immediately hyping each other up. The future is bright with these kids leading the way!

Bravo to all the RIDICULOUSLY good performances for prelims and finals! I remember going to my first UIL State Marching contest a couple decades ago, and seeing where the activity and groups have gone since then. PURE! EXCELLENCE! Band kids, parents, and directors are truly amazing people! #TheFutureIsBright

I try and stay as positive as I can, but I have a problem when adults decisions make things an absolute dumpster fire like it was for this contest. Multiple groups having to 'redo' their performances (even though it was BLATANTLY obvious on every weather radar app I could find that there was going to be a lightning delay during the groups performance), groups having to make the ridiculously insane choice of annihilating their equipment (both school owned and students personal instruments) in the rain, groups who had to sit on buses for 4-5 or more hours (looking at you all in that last block), etc. There HAS to be a better way or access to domes locations for UIL Area Marching contests to be held in a way that keeps students safe, does not force students into terrible performance situations, directors to make horrendously difficult decisions on equipment with the rain, etc. I feel terrible about this entire contest. Don't get me wrong, it was fun to watch a few good performances, but man did that suck overall having to watch children be forced into not positive performances, and for most of them, finish their seasons that way. Good luck to the groups going to state and look forward to seeing Area I hopefully represented in State Finals too!

Today is the day! I'm bringing my umbrella just in case, and PRAYING it won't need to be used at all throughout the day and that there ware no extended lightning delays or anything. I'll be the guy cheering loud and proud for every group. Looking forward to attending a great contest today!

Preach! The situation is terrible for the kids, parents, directors, community, and more. I obviously can't guarantee this, but no director I've ever known would DELIBERATELY have an ineligible student march in performance - it's simply not worth it. Like what happened to a group years ago up north, if I were a betting man there was probably a student who was behind a prop on the field that was ineligible. The moment the clock starts for the start of the show, if that student was in the performance zone of the field, that's a DQ for the group. As people have already said, let's not intentionally or unintentionally add to the fire on the already terrible situation that is occurring.

Well - confirmed no chance of 30 groups at Area Online results are showing at least 3 groups already, Bellaire, Westside, and Lamar receiving 2's at Region Now the maximum number if EVERYONE else gets 1's will be 28 at Area

Absolutely not - 0% chance of happening There's 31 groups who can qualify for area, only 27 have CONSISTENTLY received 1's at region and advancement to Area, so unfortunately not gonna happen unless the judges decide to hand out 1's to everyone this year

As one of my friends who teaches in DFW said to me one time, "Having the show on the field, versus having it complete, produced, and fleshed out are very different things." I watched their Katy Marching performance again to make sure I wasnt crazy. Seems like they they made even more changes to the show with the choreo and staging compared to what they did at Katy Marching - makes me wonder if they took a hit this weekend and were a little dirtier, to have more time with no changes and just cleaning through the show to get ready for Area. This was the biggest 'shock' to me in the recaps and I was really curious about it - trolling through social media it seems like they had their homecoming game/dance this weekend too. I wonder if that played into the kids having a less than stellar run? Who knows 🤷‍♂️ Right now the biggest thing I'm ready to watch and see is what "The Number" is going to be for groups who qualify for Area this year. Some one please correct me if I'm wrong, but there are 32 groups who can qualify for area between the regions? Usually a few in that grouping from outside Katy and Cy Fair, don't get 1's at region. So that means there will be depending on the number of Area groups, either 4 or 5 state spots. I REALLY hope that there will be at least 25 that make it so Area I can send 5 groups to state this year!

Had to handle some business calls earlier today, so I am unfortunately a DNA on the sheet and can't perform in finals 🤣

With the latest contest results and videos I've seen online, here's my best prediction at the moment. This prediction is based on UIL sheets and judging. I know some people will scoff at Cinco in 7th behind JET, but based on the last videos I've watched from Cinco vs. JET - JET has gotten MUCH cleaner and better, Cinco still has timing issues in their show. I don't know if Cinco had a rough run in the KMF prelims and finals videos I saw, but there were so many timing issues it was hard to ignore. 1. Brideland - Crazy good and clean 2. Cy Woods - SOUND Wonderful and clean 3. Cy Fair - Sound great, thought provoking show 4. Jordan - SOUND great and clean 5. Seven Lakes - Sound great and has effective moments 6. JET - Gets better and better each week with clean performances 7. Cinco - Visual very effective, musically has cool moments but not very "UIL" clean 8. Tompkins - Personally not a fan of the show, but it's clean 9. Ranch / Paetow - Bubble mystery 10. Langham / Park / Katy - Bubble mystery Anyone else got thoughts?

That 8th ordinal and scores for Seven Lakes in Visual - ouch. Didn't think their show was the cleanest in finals from the video I watched, but definitely didn't think their show and performance earned that kind of a score for their visual