silvsoc3

There are at least 2 bands from each area that can be considered really good. But Area B seems to have multiple bands because of the Frisco schools that are part of it. Wakeland, Liberty, Frisco, and especially Centennial this year have done, and keep doing, extremely well. There are also schools in this area like CFB schools (Newman Smith, Creekview) and other schools like Sherman, Wylie, The Colony, etc. Each area has really good bands, and I think that's something that only exists in Texas

I don't know how much other programs are having to deal with budget cuts, interference from the district, etc. but CFB is having real problems. The bands can no longer go to away games which means less practice in front of a crowd, let alone a foreign crowd in a foreign place. This is something that bands need to perform well at contests and other events. They can't have their home stadium seeming like a "nest" that they never have to leave if they don't want to. It really annoys me when the music programs are being cut at schools, while other programs i.e. (Athletics) are not affected much, if at all. Newman Smith's football team goes to Playoffs and as a result, get new uniforms. The band goes to state finals and get a pat on the back and two years later, get the new uniforms they were promised a decade ago. The budget is being cut for band, orchestra, and choir while the football team puts on their new yellow "foot-warmers." I don't know about everyone else but this seems like a very big, very real problem. Is this happening anywhere else?

It's like you read my mind. I completely agree with every topic. It sadly seems that marching shows are losing their technical skills, music skills, and all around marching skills. Most of the bands I see that score highly are ones that either have giant props, huge sound systems, or a random distracting show within a show. Don't get me wrong, these are huge parts of the "evolution" of marching band, but it is annoying at times to see a band with sloppy marching masked by "auto-tuned" music, placing higher than a band with great marching, but no props or color guard to distract the audience. I am fine with a general effect category, but it should not be the main aspect of judging. Too many good bands slip through the cracks because of that.

Newman Smith finally has new uniforms! They were basically the last in their district to get them, and haven't had new uniforms for at least 8 years.

Thank you for correcting me by the way; it was Area D that I was talking about.

At our school we still do that with the band officers. It's a good tradition.

I know what you mean. The visiting crowd would always ignore the fact a show was going on or leave when we came out, however sometimes if they liked the show, the ones paying attention would cheer or at least clap. The home crowd would mostly get quiet and watch the show, but even that wasn't the case all the time. It doesn't matter anymore now though, because CFB schools don't go to away games anymore.

After reading this, I can't tell if you read my post fully. I said that Newman Smith had a few problems that might have affected their overall playing and marching at area. Also, if we want to talk about prelims, I'm pretty sure Newman Smith placed higher than Birdville in Prelims and if I'm wrong about that, I apologize again. Smith was also barely beaten by Birdville in finals, and Sherman almost didn't even make it in the top 6, but they brought it all in Finals to make sure they could go to State as well. All of these bands are great at what they do, and we just have to see what plays out.

I'm sorry if this has caused problems. I have not seen Dawson's show but I have heard it has the music of "The Planets" which I really enjoy. I have also not seen Travis' show except for a shaky youtube video with wind and other background noise, so I cannot fully endorse them either. Placements do say a lot in many contests, but they can also distract from bands that could come from behind at the end. This and the belief that I cannot truly enjoy a show unless seeing it in person, are my opinions that affect my placement.

Place 1 Cedar Park HS Place 2 Dripping Springs HS Place 3 Vandegrift HS Place 4 Centennial HS Place 5 Friendswood HS Place 6 Wakeland HS Place 7 Newman Smith HS Place 8 Waxahachie HS Place 9 Birdville HS Place 10 Sherman HS These are my predictions for placements at 4A State. It was extremely difficult to decide this year in my opinion. I obviously know that there will be a lot of moving around in this list, but I still think these are the top bands this year. Lake Travis is also a contender that I couldn't fit in without full knowledge of their show. (I also haven't seen their show free from the noise of a football game). I seriously expected Friendswood to win it in 2009, but after seeing this years Dripping Springs show, I know they at the very least deserved that first place spot or second at the last State Competition. I have Cedar park as number one because I'm a sucker for loud and exciting shows, but as I said before, I can see a lot of movement in placement. I'm very sorry to hear that Poteet was disqualified, as I have always seen them as a strong band with good technique. Happy to see Sherman at State this year; I believe that their show had a lot of power and good sounds as well. I loved their show from last year and completely believe if they had played that this year, they would have been 2nd in Area at the very least. I may be a little biased being from Newman Smith, but it seems nobody is giving them some of the credit they have earned. They lost their band director to Centennial, who made first at Area (Congrats by the way), and their current band director (In his first year as head) was not at the contest. They also topped Waxahachie and Sherman at the Midlothian Contest a while back. (Just putting that out there). Just ready for a lot of upsets this year. Area F I think as well as Area B look really strong this year and should do well representing their areas at State. Hope everyone has a great time and reaches the goals they set for themselves!