TexasStrangers

Of course not to mention at State there are two completely different sets of judges. One group judges the prelims then gets sent home and a new fresh group of judges comes in and does the finals without seeing the teams during prelims.

UIL has released the Program for this week! Anyone going to any of the contests? I am checking how the 5A Prelims tomorrow then going to watch 5A Finals tomorrow and then watch all the 3A action on Wednesday. https://indd.adobe.com/view/15ceb03d-9443-40c5-9a9f-71d79025a12c?fbclid=IwY2xjawGU2lRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZlWMlR605BMIlHMMQoLWAC-1mXZS8t-ruLkuDJ26unpGrwANhf7ei1b7A_aem_nQDd9FfYZJvmqoh6pQsU4w

No worries, I didn't say anything about bribes. I believe at the state level contests, there is a system in place where UIL actually monitors the judges who are scoring the contests as it is going on in case someone decides to go rogue. No judging contest is going to be 100% accurate which I believe the 4A State Contest is actually going to use the "7 Judging System" this year as a pilot. Yes, there were some scores in the 4A Area C that had you scratching your head but in the end I think it all worked out like it should. I realize everyone wants their school to win but in the end I don't think anybody is getting screwed or cheated. The judges at the end of the day are being evaluated too by UIL and if you have someone that does a terrible job then they don't get asked back again.

I also believe a lot of people don't realize that the music selections play a huge part in the scoring system as well. It's almost like gymnastics, the harder the routine or the harder the music you actually get a boost which could result in higher scoring. I see lots of schools with a good march but play music that is not very difficult at all. Of course let's not forget visuals, several bands can march but have a difficult time putting visuals in the show.

I am not an expert at all this, was just simply making small talk with a director and talking about the level of competition. Could it be the reason more bands advanced to state was because not only with the addition of 25 but also it appeared in every class (5A,4A,3A,2A) there were more bands then ever that got 1's and advanced to Area then last year. If you would have taken all the military bands out from this Area then only 4 would have advanced to state leaving out Farmersville, Lumberton and PG.

I was talking to a director yesterday whose school made it to state and he told me what UIL did to Area was not right adding all these bands from Area B to Area C making it harder for schools to qualify in all classifications.

I can't remember the last time Canton didn't make State.

Glad to see Farmersville finally get in. I think they had been alternate in Area B for like the past 3 contests.

Anyone got the schedule of finals?

If all the Area's compete today like normal then around 11pm or so then the directors will know exactly where they will perform for state. However. UIL probably will not officially release it on their website until Sunday or Monday.

Yup, if only 1 Round you could see some wild and crazy results. It is what is, there hasn't been any rain for almost 2 months and now all of a sudden weatherman are talking numerous days of rain.

I know last year at Class 3A Area 3B they marched in rain. As long as it's not a downpour and lightening they will march.

Just curious what everyone is thinking for the State Contest. I have seen over half the bands that will be at State and it's a very hard decision to decide on who will win. I think it's just too close to predict an easy win for anyone and whoever medals will have earned it for sure. Based on what I have seen so far this year. I think it's a 3-way Race for 1st between Atlanta/Mineola/Redwater. I believe if you had five different sets of judges they would all end up with a different team of the 3 on top. All three shows I think are capable of taking 1st and are just outstanding. I know there is some love for Whitesboro but they have lost to both Mineola and Commerce this season, maybe they made lots of improvements to their show in the past few weeks. Redwater beat Mineola early in the season on a judges tiebreaker (neither show was finished) but placed 2nd behind Mineola in Area C Finals by 1pt. Atlanta has beaten Redwater twice and was first in Area C Prelims until they were passed by Mineola and Redwater in Finals. Mineola beat Whitesboro at Princeton and was 3rd in Area C Prelims behind Atlanta/Redwater and performed before Redwater/Atlanta both times that day to win Area C. I could maybe see a CH Yoe or Raymondville sneaking in for a Top 5 maybe even a Commerce or perhaps a Whitesboro.

try now

Prelims schedule is posted, it's going to be a very very very long day!! 5A_Prelims.pdf

Here is the Prelims Schedule for the Class 3A State Championship on Wednesday 11/6/24. 3A_Prelims.pdf

Before you say it is inconsistent you actually need to look at the judges scoring sheets. It's quite possible that all these schools are really really close in scoring to each other and just one simple thing could propel a school to the front or the back. I don't think you are seeing huge gaps between several states advancing schools like you have in the past. Also, don't forget no run for a band is the same as it was before. Time and Temperature can decide how a run goes. Are you playing early in the morning or are you playing in the direct heat facing the sun. Now if you get the judges scoring sheets and you see that Music Judges gave a 1,8,2 and a the Visual judges went 1, 9 then you could make an argument for that which is why the UIL has a provision in the rules in case a judge decides to go rogue in scoring.

I agree, I have seen WP and their show is okay but nothing to get excited about. I don't expect them to make finals.

That's the problem with this area. It's basically all the eastern part of Texas from the Oklahoma Border to the Texas Coast. Several schools near the coast are gonna have to have those early call times. I remember a couple of years ago a band competing at BOA Prosper had to have a 3:30 call time because they performed at 8:15 in the morning.

I have seen the VA band at Princeton and also at Celina. They have a pretty good percussion and typically do well in Prelims but then bands overtake them in Finals. I think they might have a chance at that 7th spot but this area is a bloodbath.

Forecast may be tricky for this one, looks like Thurs/Fri could be rainy days and some rain could linger into Saturday. It the storm system is delayed a bit it could make for a difficult time Saturday with the contest getting delayed until Sunday. Parking is very limited in Lindale and with this many bands. I want to be positive but there is not enough room for this many big bands.

WoW! What a day that had some great bands in action!! It was a very hot and humid day with no escape from the sun in the stands. I think that might have played a part in some parents for a few schools who were very grumpy and said things that I would be ashamed of if I was a band director for my school or an administrator. Yes, it's a very competitive Area and everyone wants their school to win but in the end parents simply cannot wish ill will on other schools for winning. In the end we are there to support children and to help further their musical education. So after watching all the bands perform, I knew it was going to be a 3 team race to 1st. Atlanta, Redwater and Mineola just were so far and above everything else I saw, each show left an impact. Yes, I did like some parts to Commerce/Winnsboro but I think there is still a gap. The gap for the top 3 is soooooo narrow. I think if you replayed the Area Finals 4-5 times and had new judges for each one you would get several different results with Mineola/Atlanta/Redwater in the Top 3 in some order. Mineola/Redwater/Atlanta shows were all great and I think Area C is going to have 3 schools bring home a medal this year. Now, it's just a question of which school is going to put in the hard work this week to take them to the top at State next week. Good luck to all going to state!!

Anyone going to see? I think I might venture that way.

UIL 3A Area C Schedule There is the schedule for Saturday, 30 Bands made it to Area (18 Open/12 Military) 12 out of the 18 will advance to Area Finals and 6 out of the 12 will advance to State. Several talented bands here.

Looks that way