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If this was the case in Texas, its a good thing I never had to worry about playoffs in high school

I only got to see two bands this past weekend, Pflugerville and Marcus; and I was unimpressed by Marcus this year as well. When I saw them at BOA SA, the only thing I could think of was when they were going to reach something more than a Metzo Forte. Maybe it was my seat, which was sadly on the 15 because that is where my old band was. Or maybe it's because I currently march in band that puts an emphasis on power to make up for our size. It was a clean and impressive show, but it wasn't enjoyable. Except when they played Vivaldi's "Four Season", being one of my favorite symphonies, I nerded out pretty hard.

Performed at: Arlington Eco-Fest Arlington Martin vs. Arlington Bowie Post Game BOA Arlington Dean Corey marching competition UIL Region 5 Future Performances: BOA San Antonio (Oct. 30) UIL 3A State (Nov. 1) Results were multiple standing O's during each performance. Overall a really fun season. I recommend every one do marching band in college whether its corps style (like UT Arlington) or show band (like UT Austin).

Turns out they did, getting 11th. They had to have done some major cleaning after some pretty bad placements this year. At the rate they must have cleaned, I'm hoping they break the top half @ BOA SA.

HUGE props to Plano East for marching a great show in a hurricane! Trivia question I would love to know, when was the last time Bell placed third in any competition other than Grand Nats?

Ill probably catch prelims. What's the venue?

Early morning call times is just apart of band. I remember having a 2am call time to go to BOA Arlington because of our 10:45am performance time. And after having a football game the night before. That was pretty rough. In the end though its those road trips that are really some of the best times.

Area G is a pretty consistent area. Donna, Harlingen, and Hanna have been historically the safest bets. Bands I see making state... Hanna Harlingen Donna Lopez O'Connor San Benito Harlingen South Edinburg United I think there are a few bands that could be considered bubble bands. SA Taft, Alexander, Edinburg North, Sharyland, PSJA North, and possibly a couple more SA bands I think will be fighting for those last few finals spots. My dark horse of the evening: SA Stevens.

I think the only way to cut down on the amount of bands in Area G would be to move the NISD (Northwest San Antonio) bands back into Area D like it was in 2004. But then that would make Area D the biggest area in the state. If NISD bands were in Area D, that would make 34 bands in Area D and 30 in Area G. I don't know if the rest of the Area G bands could be moved into other areas. I'm just speaking about a city I know very well in San Antonio.

Very good point that no one has mentioned yet. At BOA Arlington we took the field to get in an hour or so of rehearsal. It was about 5:30ish and the sun was absolutely brutal. On certain parts of the field, seeing the drum major was near impossible.

Even though I prefer open air stadiums, I think the Alamodome is the perfect spot for State Finals. For one, the Alamodome has some pretty solid acoustics and can hold a ton of people. Economically wise, I think its also the best spot. If it were in the Longhorn Stadium in Austin, it would make the contest site closer to Dallas rather than the Valley so it would cost more in gas for Area G bands (which is the largest area in the state). Typically valley bands come from a lower socioeconomic background than the North Texas bands. And typically the North Texas bands are suburbs of Ft. Worth and Dallas, so money isn't as big of an issue as it is for Rio Grande Valley bands. I do prefer open air stadiums though. I also like judges on the field. I feel like they can truly see how technique in both playing and marching matches from person to person better than sitting in a booth.

I was definitely on some Vandoren today. Stuffs insane.

Even though I think you guys should be a little more humble until Westlake, I will agree that this could be a good year for you guys. In my MANY encounters with the O'Connor band, it seems like you guys get better have gotten better each year since the split w/ Brandies. You guys are so much cleaner since being cut from a 300+ band. Is there a roster up yet?

I did the same thing going to school in San Antonio coming up for BOA Arlington, and we were the second band to go on Luckily for my alma mater they have a nice 2:00 slot this year. I'm liking the schedule so far. I think Block 2 is the block of the day, with two big programs in Marcus and Hebron, and then a bunch of solid finals contenders. Its hard to tell this early in the year, but in my opinion there is 4 locks and 10 bubbles, which to me looks like an exciting competition. I'm also hoping to get Band Monitor this year rather than DVD sales

John Marshall: "Concerto For..." Music includes: "Profination" by Leonard Bernstein "Vespers" by Sergei Rachmaninoff "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bella Bartok Also, for anyone thats interested, UT Arlington marching band (Who is performing at BOA Arlington and San Antonio) is doing the music of Star Trek.

Its not a bad idea. But I'm sure the hosting sites want to keep hosting a regional. If they do combine, I'm fine with UTA. I might be a little biased though I'm not sure I like it being at Judson. Its outdoors which will please some people, but I think it wont feel like the Southwestern Championships. Although I cant think of any better places in the San Antonio area to host it.

Its true. I've marched in both the Alamodome and Jerrys World and I preferred the Alamodome. Its probably not going to be in San Antonio since the High School football stadiums aren't big enough for crowds, and the AT&T Center cant be converted into a football stadium (although that stadium probably isn't any better acoustically than Jerrys World). I honestly wouldn't mind if it took place in Austin where the Longhorns play football; Its big and outdoors. Plus there's already a two day Dallas Regional and a Denton Regional.

Does this mean Cedar Park will be considered 2A in BOA? I would love to see someone give Marion Catholic some competition. Its great to see Cedar Park going to Grand Nationals. For many years I've considered Cedar Park Texas' best kept secret from the marching community outside Texas.

Drumline? I don't pay much attention to line, but Marcus takes it. Guard? Broken Arrow. I don't know much about the execution, but BA's guard added the most to the bands story than anyone else. Ballad? Nessun Dorma by Greendale High School from Wisconsin. Your probably thinking why I picked such a common ballad by a band that placed 30th on their prelim day. It was for the soloist, A girl sang Nessun Dorma beautifully. It was probably my favorite moment of all of Grand Nationals. Opener? No opener really stood out to me this year. But I will go with Marcus as I love Mendelssohn. Closer? Broken Arrow. I thought the ending of when the band member finally accepts his tail was amazing. Ge? Broken Arrow. May have been a love or hate it show, but I loved it. Music? Marcus was obviously the best executed, and I do love the music as well. I also really enjoyed the Arabian Waltz by the Woodlands. Visual? Avon. Nobody moves better than them.

Agreed. They had some insane brass licks that were executed very well. I look forward to seeing there show at least one more time.

That was awesome. Truly inspirational as an aspiring Band Director. I love the quote at the end "If you cant have fun with this"..."Why do it"

I'm enjoying it so far. Sadly I've been busy during all the big name bands. However because its so late in the season almost all the bands are playing at a pretty high level. Can't wait to see what the big boys bring though.

Your correct, except the music caption was a tie between LD Bell and Marcus.

That probably goes for some of the mid range bands. Im sure Clear Brook will be coming in with the attitude that Prelims could possibly be there last performance, so they need to perform at a high level. However with bands like LD Bell, Marcus, and Avon, I think they know they are going to be in finals. One of my good friends I've made in Arlington went to LD Bell and even though she wasn't in band, she knew a lot of people that were. She told me that they just have the mind set that 2nd place at nationals is just an average year, and 3rd is considered bad. I'm pretty sure not making finals is just not seen as possible for the kids at LD Bell. I think what gets the kids in the higher level bands is simply nerves because its on a bigger stage, in front of more people, and it means more.

I think someone should do a Pirate show without using the music from Pirate of the Caribbean. Make them more gritty, kind of like the ones from Count of Monte Cristo.