Origin

Vista Ridge was awesome. I’m so impressed with their individual visual performance. Extremely talented soloists. Such a well designed show that stands out from the other Texas groups. I wish the ballad had a bigger impact. I really like how they don’t try to play everything as loud as possible.

The amount of visual demand from CTJ is just insane. There is SO MUCH going on in this show both musically and visually. They are attempting to pull of so much, that it sometimes feels like I’m still waiting for it all to flow together; for the show to fully click. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a fantastic and entertaining production. That brass feature the starts the closer is just perfectly written and performed. I actually like how they’ve incorporated the vocalist through the show. What a show!!! Idk if it was as clean or easy to follow as Vandegrift, but it’s up there for sure! Fun fact: Keller and CTJ both have the same arranger!

Keller was great. This show is pretty understated (for Keller) and that means there’s lots of understated difficulty…everything is so exposed! Love how the ballad builds so gradually into that awesome full band moment! They do the whole “few bells and whistles” approach well due to their great training, but I want a bit more theming visually. I hope they continue their finals streak, but anything can happen.

I love what the sax ensemble adds to Timber Creek’s show! And can we talk about that hornline???? The end feels a bit abrupt.

James Bowie has gotten a lot better since Austin. They play very very well, but it’s hard to ignore the weaker visual program. Still a great performance, Bowie isn’t going anywhere any time soon! I hope the guard program can rebuild.

Very fun show from Leander! I was worried for the guard, but they’ve improved SO MUCH from Austin. That tuba part is soooo good! They make a great case for finals.

I’m in love with the direction Vandegrift has taken visually since 2019. They deserve an award for having the best guard costumes again this year. They march so so so well! Like, Reagan, I think some of the moments are very reminiscent of the 2019 show. Oh, they want to win!! The energy in this performance is insane! That’s how you throw down a prelims run.

It’s still a great show that I think has a shot at finals tomorrow. My personal preference is that I just don’t prefer shows based so heavily in pop culture.

Westwood was awesome. Fantastic playing. However, I would like to see their take on a more “mature” show concept. Christmas and Beauty and the Beast is cute, but I wanna see them switch it up next year.

Johnson was so good. Totally exceeded my expectations.

Cedar Ridge was great. The build up to the first hit was so cool. So much power and energy in the brass, but it’s still so controlled!!! My only complaint is that most of the actual marching happens in the same part of the field and the show is overall a bit light on drill for my taste, but I would be very surprised not to see them again tomorrow!!

Two shows back to back started with the Rhapsody in Blue clarinet solo hahaha.

I really enjoyed Glenn’s performance!! Of course they are in Leander ISD.

I haven’t seen Round Rock since Austin and basically forgot everything, so it was like I was watching for the first time again lol. Compared to Westlake and especially Rouse, I heard and saw some cleanliness issues, but it is a very very ambitious program! That closer!!!!! It’s clear that they want to peak at Nats. Still some cleaning to do but that was great!!!

I thought Westlake was just SO good! I think water shows are so overdone, but I didn’t mind this one. That tenor sax solo in the opener is epic! It sucks that they had that huge electronics delay at the beginning.

Rouse has had so much competitive experience and success in the last few weeks, and it shows. The show is perfectly catered to their strengths. If they wanna make finals they’re gonna have to put up a score that survives the rest of the competition (which I think is likely 👀). The woodwind soloists in the ballad were amazing. Truly a fantastic show!!

Clean and energetic performance from Lake Travis!! This band is so under appreciated!

Waller is the first band I’ve gotten to see today(via BOX5). I loved their music!

I Agree. I’m lowkey rooting for them. I’d love to see TWHS and Hebron return to a medal position as well.

Yes. Just solely based on the finals performance order. I don’t know the prelims results.

Y’all BLEW ME AWAY at BOA DFW! You should be so proud of the season you’ve had!!

Leander ISD in prime position for medal sweep 👀

Wow Flo Mo and Hebron were as close as it gets in both prelims and finals! Hebron actually won prelims (how many times does this have to happen 😩). Marcus 3rd across the board. Prosper fell from 4th to 7th it was super close

Very bittersweet. New faces advancing to state means that some of the greats get left out…this area is too tough!!

Area Champion - Coppell 2nd Place - Keller 3rd Place - Southlake Carroll 4th Place - Waxahachie 5th Place - Timber Creek