Interesting 6A State Year. No Cedar Ridge? Hm. I saw Area H finals yesterday - this year will be like no other! Here are my predictions solely based on my attendance of this year's BOA and UIL competitions...
1. Vandegrift - These kids are something else. I've never seen a group of students march in such uniformity. Their music is at a level parallel to drum corps. The flute soloist has my heart.
2. The Woodlands - Cleanest drill of the year. I don't know how they do it, but there's something special about their show each year, and this is by far the cleanest they've been in the past decade.
3. Hebron - I would honestly have them contend for fourth. They aren't the same this year. The show is definitely difficult, but the kids just lack presence on the field. I'm more impressed by their on-field than their ability to march in time. It seems that their brass is a bit overrated. Watching them in person is NOTHING like what I've seen in videos. The recordings help them out, but unfortunately, the judges will have to see the show in person, so the band does not have much room to hide.
4. Marcus - The show does lack effect, but it's clean! State will appreciate the demands being asked by the kids. The brass ensemble is a bit iffy. French horn?! Their choreography lacks structure, but the kids perform it well.
5. Vista Ridge - All I have to say is go Vista BRASS!
6. Coppell - Really enjoying their show theme this year, it's different than what they've done previously. The kids are playing the heck out of that book. Seems like too many programs are incorporating articulation exercises into their shows (Crown 2023), but Coppell's difficulty lies within the scalar patterns.
7. Flower Mound - Their visual is impressive, but the show has a lethargic feeling. It gets boring after the balled. Not my cup of tea, but maybe the judges will think differently.
8. RR - Eigth at best?
9. Round Rock - The show is well developed, but definitely not heightened the program since last year.
10. Pearland - Man, they've changed the program in these last few years, and this is their year to break free and get their name out there.
11. Waxahachie - LOVE the brass! Really love the musical content.
