seafoodbuffet

Are you automatically assuming that Fishers and Bentonville will place behind Brownsburg? I’m guessing of the non-TX bands, William Mason, Avon, Carmel, and Blue Springs are in. But I feel like finals bubble is bigger than just the Bowie, Dripping Springs, Keller, and Brownsburg. Either way I’m excited for the results from tomorrow afternoon.

3rd time in the last five years

I mean, the rise of Rouse definitely looked to be a “sure thing”. But yeah, five time back to back champs, definitely never count them out no matter the circumstances. This honestly to me almost feels like the 2022 6A result, my mouth dropped when I heard it.

wow, congrats to cedar park. I feel like everyone expected Rouse to win after their amazing start. Someone called Cedar Park a dark horse to win (despite them being the defending champs). Way to push through.

I think you’ve just described the auxiliary at Reagan. They’ve definitely demonstrated how impactful such a combination can be. It just requires more people, a broader training base, etc.

I was surprised to learn that Coppell has a drumline-specific show that they perform for these competitions. I kept looking for some of the more memorable elements of what I saw at the DSThunder during their marching show and didn’t see it. I wonder how many other groups do this? Anyway, I agree, their drum line show was incredible and likely to do extremely well.

There was a joke after Vandy won grand nats in 2019 that it was time for programs to get with the times and drop their guard. I think that kind of thinking stems from a flawed assumption that a dance group is somehow “easier”. It very much is not and I don’t think groups with elite colorguard programs would be able easily convert their members to a dance company any more easily than a group like Vandy could start adding rifle/sabre tosses to their program. It takes years of training starting from a young age to develop the body control, fluidity of movement, and strength/flexibility to achieve that movement. Coupled with having to be in sync with dozens of members, it’s hard stuff to pull off. If not having a guard were easier, don’t you think a lot more groups would be doing it? It’s all about program philosophy and approach and I’m glad more than one formula can work well. Personally I think it’s a good thing that most sheets don’t require specific equipment. It allows for much greater diversity of show styles and that’s a win for marching band in general.

I’m not 100% sure but I think it’s something like that. For each cohort, your semi finals draw determines your performance time within that group. Class reps, half of next 8, top 22, rest of the next 8.

Note there’s both a semi finals draw and a finals draw that determines performance order within a band’s cohort (top/bottom six for finals, and top 22/next 8/class representatives for semi’s)

Right, each round is a new contest where the results of previous rounds aren’t taken into consideration (aside from approximate performance time).

For the first time in some years, an ISD that isn’t Lewisville (although it’s still another LISD) takes home the Music caption.

I think Cedar Park is going to give a great performance and comfortably make finals regardless of their prelims performance slot. Plus an early performance time means they’ll be well rested come Saturday vs a band that performs at say, 9PM and still have a 2 hour drive back to the band hall.

Does anyone have video of the finals awards presentation? nfhs lumped the entire afternoon session into a single event and muted audio for the entire thing.

Do you love Rouse… to a Requiem of death? 😂🤣🤣

Vandy’s is 715 - Creeks by Bon Iver.

It’s certainly possible. Vandy didn’t medal at SASR last year but later won UIL 6A, although I think that drastic of a difference is somewhat less common. Movement in placement amongst the top 10-14 is pretty likely. The other thing is that performance variation from performance to performance, even just a few days ago can greatly contribute to differences in placement. With the the top programs all operating at a high level, minor variations in performance can have large ramifications for scoring/placement whereas at a less competitive contest, a top band could have a pretty bad run and still “get away with it”

Given their username, maybe a salty member of the board for Music For All angry that UIL went to state every year? 🤣🤣🤣

Even if you expand into the superfecta of Grand Nats Champion, Super Regional Champion, UIL State Champion, and TMEA Honor Band, both schools are STILL in the running to accomplish this feat within five years. An astonishing amount of achievement in such a short time. It’d be crazy if both manage to pull this off in the next two weeks.

Bridgeland ties Vandegrift who made 6A finals in 2016 (Vandy was est in 2009)

No encore, at least not for 6A as there’s usually another contest (2A finals) right afterwards.

Seven Judge system, I assume they have more than seven to rotate between performances. The categories are: music ensemble, brass, woodwinds, percussion, visual ensemble, visual individual, and content/design. Ordinal system for ranking, judge’s preference for tie breakers. listen to the danpod podcast from state last season to get a better explanation. https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/UIL_5A-6A_State_Judge_Manual_(7-judge).pdf

Sometimes, oftentimes, excellence is an effect.

I'd say the thing that separate these programs is consistency. The elite programs create not just success, they create a legacy of success that builds year after year. I can't remember which band/year but I vividly recall senior speeches during section time for one band's final performance at BOA basically saying to the next class "Be the seniors you wish you had". That's the kind of leadership that creates success. They don't happen overnight and require a culture of excellence throughout every member of the band. The top programs understand how to foster that culture which is why they are consistently successful. That's why finals at State or BOA SA typically only has a few spots truly up for grabs while the rest are often the same small group of bands.

That’s fair. Or Bridgeland either. I haven’t seen either on video just yet whereas all the bands I listed I’ve at least seen videos of or witnessed in person. Many deserving bands will miss finals and that’s a shame. But to even make it to the state contest is a huge testament to the fortitude of every one from these programs.

Looking across state qualifiers, no Cedar Ridge is a huge shock. I think the following are highly likely finalists Coppell Waxahachie Hebron Marcus Flomo Reagan Round Rock CTJ (rumors of their demise greatly exaggerated) Pearland Woodlands Vandy Vista all are consistent finalists and short of a catastrophe, I don’t see any missing finals. That leaves LD Bell Westlake Westwood Lake Travis Dripping Springs fighting for the last two spots in finals (it’s 14 finalists this year right?) It’s going to be an exciting contest! It’s going to feel weird that it’s before BOA.