WanderingTraveler

I should’ve mentioned that Barber Hill and Roma are my bubble bands right now. Barber Hill was not on my radar at all going into this, but was impressed by them.

Current finals predictions (in prelims performance order, not including bands that haven’t gone): Lone Star Cedar Park Midlothian Wakeland Friendswood Leander Hendrickson Mckinney North Richland Rouse Aledo Argyle

Rouse: The sound of the full ensemble is outstanding. Big brass hits sound like an actual organ. Visual of this show is insane. The small brass ensemble was playing crazy technique cleanly. Lake Belton: Just a side note this front ensemble is huge. This group had such a mature sound all the way through. No props, but honestly this show didn’t need them. Color guard uniforms were super cool to help with the visuals of the show. Pioneer: Flute and Flugelhorn soloist sounded great! Liked when there were train like musical notes to go with the show! Woodwind sound and technique was very nice! Aledo: This show is so visual, and the entire field is full. Loved the sound from this ensemble and there is not a single dull moment in this show. Percussion was on fire, beats were clean! Barbers Hill: Immersion for this show starts VERY early in the preshow, props to getting the parents in on the GE. Having a huge plane on the field is cool. Clarinet RIB solo was super impressive. Overall super fun show. Argyle: Super cool show, loved the moments when groups would get together to “get their picture taken”. Soloists all over the show, loved the trombone solo. Full band visual stuff was super neat. Liberty Hill: So much emotion in this show. Also quite a but of power from this band! Music works super well with this show theme. Sharyland: Woodwinds sounded super good, they killed their feature. Loved how the low brass sounded, especially the trombones! Very solid execution of this theme.

I agree with this, I currently have all 4 placed in finals.

Also congratz LC making it to state for the first time!

Hendrickson: What a sound from this ensemble!!! Props are super cool, and everything done visually ties in super well together. The battery was locked in, nice feature. Angleton: Drum Major cloaks are awesome! Loved the theme here. Trombone quartet was grooving! Congratulations on y’all’s first state appearance! Roma: Opening drill for this band was beautiful. Such a good dark sound from this ensemble. Brass technique was crisp! Clarinet, Trombone, Euphonium trio was nice!! Mckinney North: Easily a fan favorite. I hope the UIL formula is favorable to a show like this. These kids are wicked talented, especially that trumpet player! Small ensemble/solo stuff was outstanding. Richland: Loved the soloists in this. Ensemble balance was amazing. Also the tone shift towards the end was so fun. A&M Consolidated: Interesting show, fitting props. Trumpets killed it every time they were featured! Low brass and Bass Clarinet sound was super rich, loved that. Another show full of great solos. JM Hanks: Uniforms for this show were cool! Loved the sound of the low brass! Some of the visual elements being done while playing were super impressive! The little strobe light by the stage was trying to hypnotize me. Lakeview Centennial: Super challenging show! Love firebird. The back and forth brass stuff at the end was super nice. Brass lines in general were done nicely.

With you on this one, they sounded and looked good!

Rio Grande City: Excellent use of the field, plus that euphonium soloist has a beautiful sound!!! Loved the muted trumpet part. Wakeland: They were the masters of dynamic contrast and control! Not only is the full ensemble sound super mature, but those mellos are super impressive. Also another wicked sax player!!! Friendswood: Super fun show and man they got some power! Loved the small ensembles in this show, and the music selection was super fun. Leander: Was playing the, “how many pairs of glasses does each band member have?” game. But genuinely, such an impressive run and so entertaining!!! Lubbock-Cooper: Theme for this show is super fun. The flute soloist killed it and visually and thematically super cool. Colleyville Heritage: Loved all the music in this show. Backdrop for this show was neat once all the props came together!! Immersion with the whole metal thing was cool. North Mesquite: The standing tuba player was awesome. Woodwinds were super clear, nice features! The whole ensemble was visually very in-sync.

Have fun in exhibition!!

Im going to group these updates, because otherwise they will never get done: Poteet: Super cool theme, visually stunning show, and who doesn’t love west side story. Lubbock: I knew this band would sound after their chorale, super moving show and nice sax quartet. College Station: Cool wave-with-your-arms GE during the pre-show! Trombone solo was beautiful and loved the visual elements of the entire show! Also heck yeah woodwinds! Lone Star: What a show! Mahler 2 + Lone Star is a deadly combo! Ballad was super moving, had some people teary eyed! Cedar Park: Cane for blood and living up to their name! What a clean show. That sound was a wall, and the technique was super clean. Midlothian: Super colorful show! Small ensemble technique was outstanding! Full ensemble sound was beautifully balanced and thats a super talented sax player!!! ALSO TROMBONES!?!?!?

Missed the first band, but their props looked cool 😕 Lopez ECHS: What a huge and mature sound! Soloists were wicked talented!

I will try to provide some degree of coverage for those who can’t attend this contest. But if the wifi is bad like last year, might be pretty limited.

Found the rule, wording makes it seem as if this is still true unless this is misinterpreted. 1 band, for each 5 bands that actually compete seems to be the rule.

If this is true then this is a new rule, and thanks for the clarification. When I was in school this caused state spots to be lowered.

Yeah, this is a quite frustrating situation. This is similar to the frustration some face with bands that advance to area and then do not attend the competition, which lowers the overall amount of spots in some cases. In both cases it’s frustrating. I see how this comes from a general rule of “representing the area”, but some regions and areas can be kinda of imbalanced so that doesn’t fully agree with that conclusion.

While I do love the convenience of the dome from a weather perspective, the lot still seems like a logistical nightmare if it rains😵‍💫

Yeah this area has had the wildest switch up this year.

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/search/?query=marching band typically Area is streamed here, but unsure if Area G is getting coverage.

Those poor uniforms…hopefully they didn’t get too wet so it doesn’t feel miserable putting back on later.

I remember seeing Pine Tree at 5A SMBC last year… And I remember them being fairly clean. Hopefully they are able to thrive in 4A, while PT-ISD has some time to grow.

Ode to the endless cycle of software development🤩🤩

I hope both happen, it would be devastating for some groups if only one run is what it comes down to…Its been a while since I have seen an Area only do prelims.

I would check here over the next few hours. This will most likely be where any updates are confirmed. https://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/area

Just as a general rule, I wouldn’t trust the overall prediction ratings, although it can be good to get a general idea of whats going on. I think CH is in the mix of bands fighting for like 8-15 where a few will unfortunately be left out. As we saw at their Area finals, it can sort of come down to the run. So if they have a stellar run to not only beat out their Area-mates, BC and Midlothian, but a few the others fighting for those spots, they could be higher. its just tough with how strong 5A is getting to predict anything and the “finals tenures” are starting to get more and more set (not that its a real thing).

I personally think rockwall is killing it as well and would love to see them advance this year.