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I’m not sure exactly how much this affects it, but 5A did have an extra week, one whole week might just be the difference between score being better. Bands are able to clean extremely well at this point in the season very quickly so that might be why.

252, you can find it all on the UIL program

I just want to say that it is insanely impressive how argyle, burleson and Mcallum are significantly smaller than the other bands and still being in finals. Argyle has around 158, Burleson Centennial has 160, McCallum has 144. The fact these bands are at least 30 performers smaller than the next highest, which is wakeland at 190, and still able to compete on the level they are is insane. Argyle at 4th competing with and beating bands almost twice their size is jaw dropping.

In the same note regarding predictions, a lot of these bands don’t have a video uploaded of them since Prosper or even McKinney/Bedford. That means some of them won’t have posts online for 3 or 4 weeks, a LOT can change in that time in terms of design, cleanliness, and addition of new content.

I’ve been thinking this too. A lot of these bands (Mostly frisco schools other than Lt, Lonestar, and Wakeland) are getting predictions that are a lot higher than what we can actually expect in two weeks. While I’m in no way trying to diminish their efforts, I don’t see bands that have historically not been state qualifiers suddenly be put in bubble zone or even make the leap to 4th. And while we can make the argument that the new judging system may change some rankings, I don’t think it will affect one singular band too much. That being said, we need to remember that previous state qualifiers are much more likely to stay in that position than suddenly drop out, which I only see happening if a band isn’t actively Improving themselves each year. As far as I know, no band is having an off year and I expect The top 5 will still largely consist of the same groups we saw in past years. Again, I don’t want to diminish any group’s hard work, but some of these predictions are a little unrealistic.

Yes, but Frisco ISD would rather spend tens of millions to build a new high school, than even let one school in the district go 6A. They’ve come close several times, but either they redistrict or build a completely new school. I’d be surprised if any of them ever actually became 6A.

I really think Wakeland has got it in the bag this year again. Lonestar had undeniably been able to make that gap smaller between them, and i’ve always loved their show design compared to a lot of these other bands. I’ve always seen Wakeland as the cleaner band between the two, which has reflected in scores so far. If we were still using the old area judging format, I would say lone star might take the win for this area; however, the new format kind of mimics state judging, which wakeland has done historically well in. Thats one reason why I think they will still take first place, but I also think their show design this year is better. I’ve always thought that was their weakness, was that their shows were too easy for them or just not as engaging, but this year it seems to be a lot more promising.

Not to be rude but Hebron is literally #1 in music for marching band for the entire nation

From what I could tell, I think Argyle's opener is supposed to be based on Crown's 2010 opener. In that aspect, it's pretty similar to the source material, so I don't think that was a decision on their part in terms of design.

I did hear from some students that they were considering going, but it wasn’t definite if they actually were going to.

I do agree that I think wakeland is likely to get first again, but I’m curious about your placement of lone star and argyle. Though they were a place behind lone star at state, it was by a decently wide margin. However, argyle is a rapidly improving program so I don’t think it’s impossible for them to maybe pull of a feat like 2nd. We’ll see how things go once we see everyone’s shows are out on the field. I will say though, lone star’s music selection seems promising and I’m very excited to see how they preform their show.

6A: Flower Mound 5A: Rouse/Cedar Park 4A: Celina 3A: Mineola 2A: Rivercrest 1A: Irion County I think with flomo going to grand nats and then winning san antonio last year, they’ll finally get gold again. I think it’s closer than ever between Cedar park and rouse so I could see it going either way.

I personally don’t believe wakeland will slip from first. It feels like this theory comes up every year for this area that they will eventually lose to lone star. While lone star is definitely on an upward trajectory, let’s not forget that wakeland is has almost always been a couple places higher at state.

I don’t remember if the they’ve used it any other year but they did for 2021. But yeah it’d be nice if they switch because of all the issues NFHS has had. Livestreams cutting out, misnaming schools, and mics breaking are enough reason to go back. Box 5 also has way better mic and camera quality.

After looking at some of the selections, I'd agree that the Leander schools are all top contenders, especially Rouse with Pictures at an Exhibition. Wakeland is definitely up there, and I'm curious how they'll do with this being their first submission with their new director. LT with Elsa's Procession is certainly a feat, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took the top spot. Also, I saw Argyle with Fountains of Rome, so I wouldn't rule them out, considering they won 4A Honor Band not too long ago. Im excited to see how all of this will play out!

https://youtu.be/9ZEfcQ9lrQg Liberty Hill - Full Tilt The Colony - Scorched Argyle - Elysian Fields Hendrickson - Emergence

Do you know where to find the piece selections?

Can’t rank these to be honest but these are some of my favorite High School Shows. These are just the all around great shows. Also disclaimer most of these are pretty recent. Obviously Hebron 21 is up there (Penstriped) Flomo 21 (The wonderful world of Dr. Seuss) I don’t hear this one get talked about enough. Everything form the design, choreography, and music is just so fun. There’s so much character and Flomo always nails their themes. Cesar Park 2022 (Mirror Mirror) From a design aspect, I’ve always liked this one. I was lucky enough to see it in person multiple times and particularly the opener and the ballad stick out. The mirror choreography is so satisfying visually. Hebron 2015 (360) Just amazing, no other comments Castle 2024 (Neo Noir) The music selection is great in itself. Love the outfits and everything. It wasn’t the best in cleanliness but wow did it pack a punch Here’s some specific moments from shows that I like Rouse 2023 Closer (Requiem) Hebron 2024 Ballad (Amorphous) Flower Mound 2019 2nd Movement (Vitrify) Vandegrift 2021 Ballad (Juliet Letters) Lonestar 2024 Opener (The Other Side)

I really hope D #3 Passes, there’s so many competitive areas that cut out way too many good bands. Area B 5A could have had 5 bands with Lebanon Trail being added in, and it’s likely all 5 would have made finals. Obviously it won’t be the case this year because wakeland not medalling.

So I know that TMEA Honor Band auditions are coming up this year for the odd conferences if i’m correct. Anyone have any predictions on who might win this year and be preforming in San Antonio in 2026? I know they don’t choose till like July, but I thought it could be a nice discussion while it’s not marching season. Please post any updates you can find here.

Funny thought, what if boa just installed a national 8 hour limit? Curious how a lot of the “elite bands” would stack up against texas…

Also even though it is a dis-advantage in grand nats, I for one am glad for an 8 hour limit because that’s definitely enough, and to have like 18 hours weekly like some schools would just kill me.

I feel like people definitely don’t give texas bands enough credit when stacked up against other bands outside of the state at grand nats. For one, non texas schools rehearse much more due to them not having a UIL 8 hour limit. And for indiana, and other midwest states, it costs much less for them to go to grand nats, than a texas school. So they pretty much go every year, meaning they’ve had so much experience in grand nats. But the fact texas schools are still able to rank as high as they do just makes it even more insane.

From what I heard, they are a magnet school for fine arts, so yeah a lot of their kids are in band and they also get insane funding. So not only do they have a large number enrolled in band despite being just a AA High school in boa, they also have better funding, and more talented students because they are a fine arts centered school. It’s a little unfair when other 2As compete against them because they have such a big advantage, no wonder they are nationally ranked

So I know a lot of people are expecting Cedar Park to be the winner again but I’m just wondering what are the chances we see Rouse finally pull out a win here? Personally I think they could do it. They’ve gotten closer and closer each year, and considering they tied last saturday, maybe this might be the year.