Statebound

BTW--Really glad that they found those North Shore drum majors

Really happy to see LDBell back in finals and the biggest surprise for me was Keller in 5th not far behind Vandegrift. Looks like that trip to Grand Nats last year gave that program a boost. Tough break for Hebron and Marcus drawing early in Finals with FloMo drawing late. Really hoping they would all draw in the same group. The finals placements are such that the medalists could be a serious toss up along with FloMo.

Really enjoyed Area C this weekend and saw a really impressive finals in which I thought 8 of the finalists could have been selected for state and you would not have heard a complaint. The Wylie folks were going crazy and it was a really fun moment. I remember thinking that FloMo and Hebron were definitely 1-2. Marcus was definitely 3 and Berkner 4. It was wide open after that. There are some very good videos currently posted. Below are FloMo and Hebron Hebron Flower Mound

I can see Leander and Vandegrift making finals at 6A state although I don't quite think that Vista Ridge is there yet. Music and drill are the big components at state and both of these bands can play, particularly Vandegrift. My gut feeling is that this could be CTJ's big breakout year at state although my eyes and ears are telling me that Hebron should win it. CTJ's strength has always been GE while they have continued to improve musically. Hebron's strength has traditionally been their musical performance while they have improved dramatically on the GE side since their World of Wonder show a couple years ago. Music counts more at state so Early top 5 would be: Hebron CTJ Marcus FloMo LD Bell - sentimental pick

Hebron's Finals performance. Still can't get used to the new uniforms but glad they won the music caption. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfU8e9Dj7s

Will the blog be running on TXBands as well or strictly on IM?? I always really enjoy and appreciate your involvement and truly look forward to this every year.

FYI -- there are some really nice videos posted right now. I had not seen the Hebron pre-show and fantastic mood piece. Nice RR video as well... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X-WItoU9W4​

I've gotten the invitation from a couple people...here you go. ​

I was just forwarded the invite for the Hebron preview next week. The Hebron people are great folks -- best to they, Keller, Keller Central, Round Rock, and The Woodlands next week.

Hebron - "360" This show is just a masterclass on technicality, brass and woodwinds. Gorgeous preshow oboe soloist. The "Pegasus" opening showcases the dexterity of the woodwinds, lushness of their brass, and the uniformity of their guard. What an intro! Next section is just filled with an insane amount of technical passes, some done as they spin on platforms, some on the move, just fun stuff. The ballad is my favorite thing on the field this year. That tenor soloist is just fan freakin tastic. Bravo, the build with the brass under him is just awesome, what a HUGE moment. The crowd erupts at the end of the ballad as he hits that altissimo note! That moment is going to be one of the most remembered things this year. Closer is another showcase of this bands insane musical ability, woodwinds are absolutely ripping away in the lead up to the final moment. Circles are everywhere in this show. Not much else to say besides it's simple in concept, executed fantastically, and performed at an incredibly high level. Definitely still some room to grow for nationals, they haven't peaked yet! I love Hebron -- normally one of my favorites. However, the closer is still very raw and they have a lot of work to do in the next week if they are going to finish in the top tier. I would think the positive from San Antonio is that they only finished roughly one point behind FloMo with a show that is still maturing. I think that they can realistically win Music in Indy. Loved Reagan. I found myself hoping they would win so I could see them play their show again. Congratulations. ​

Perhaps the best choreography that I've seen in a show in recent memory. Totally memorable. Wish Reagan was going to GN's this year.

1. Leander 2. Hebron (music) 3. Reagan (visual) 4. Flower Mound (GE) ------------------------- I totally agree with your groupings. I've seen all but the Leander show live. I'll shuffle slightly and go: 1. FloMo 2. Hebron 3. Reagan 4. Leander 5. CTJ I'm a music snob and, in that regard, I actually prefer the Hebron, Marcus and CTJ shows, but GE carries so much weight and I think that FloMo is going to dominate that. It's simply an extremely well constructed show.

Haltom is one of my favorites and their super technical style should serve them well in St. Louis.. I make them a favorite to bring home a medal.

I knew the year would finally come when FloMo had a show that was honestly better than big brother Marcus but this one has a chance. Based on the couple shows that I've seen, I still believe that Marcus will beat them in music in San Antonio but FloMo has them dominated in GE and that carries much more weight. This is my favorite FloMo show since Paris. I've tried not to like Hebron this year but based on what I saw at TOC and Arlington, everyone needs to be worried about them unless TW, CTJ or Reagan has something to say about it. Hebron only played 5-6 minutes of their show at both of those contests and still haven't put their closer on the field. Yet they only lost by one tenth of a point at BOA Arlington against a full FloMo show. The Hebron ballad has been talked to death, but it is really good and their closer's are usually insanely hard and fast. There are a lot of wild cards this year. These last few weeks are going to be really fun.

A couple things...first please notice that Plano Senior is scheduled to be in this contest. I've always said that if the Plano schools ever reengage in marching band that they could be a force. They have a ton of state musicians every year. Also, this contest is usually a very telling barometer for the big year-end contests. I know that I'll be making a trip south for this one.

I've seen more Birdville contests than I can count (although not many finals ) and this contest has typically been a layup for Marcus. The fact that FloMo finishes 2nd by a point leaves the door wide open for BOA Arlington. You could have a legitimate top 5 of Hebron, Marcus, FloMo, Round Rock or LDBell in any order.

Literally got their in time to catch the last 5 shows. First, I've not been exposed a great deal to Frisco Centennial but super impressed. I believe they are a 5A program so they would have the opportunity to go state this year. Really nice nuance between crescendo and subtle passages that you typically only hear from the top programs. Their sound reminds me of Bowie to a certain extent and that is a compliment. I personally had them ahead of PESH and close to Coppell. I think that the PESH show has a lot of room to grow. They are playing an up tempo, very demanding show similar to what you might see from Hebron or Cedar Park. I think they could contend later in the year as they tighten things up. Hebron only played roughly 5-6 minutes of their show but it was very impactful and the crowd erupted. The opener is typical Hebron but in a good way. The show is called "360" and you can see why very quickly. Combinations of flying wind and brass passages while marching in circles both big and small. The beginning of the show is very ambitious having sections start simultaneously on opposite ends of the field and there were slight timing issues in the first few seconds. I could see this becoming a bigger issue in the domed facilities. The second section is probably more of a sax solo with an accompaniment than a ballad but OMG it is good. Jazzy feel with some really nice colorguard dance moments. I'm really surprised I haven't seen any videos posted yet (hint) because this show looks like it could be big.

I suppose that this topic is in the eye of the beholder. I have been watching Marcus for nearly 10 years and I have never considered their music to be particularly difficult. Their musical selection is typically beautiful and emotional and played with unmatched precision. They then combine that with a stunning prop and visual component to create a nearly unbeatable package. The Sabre Dance closer from last year's show was really interesting and raised the bar for them. CTJ and Hebron are the first two that come to mind for me because they both normally combine high technical content with pacing. It is probably not a coincidence that they both had huge tears in the first two minutes of their state finals runs last year and finished 2nd and 3rd behind Marcus. I just think that it's really hard to push as hard as those two push and play perfectly. CTJ brought home the trophy from BOASA last year so it can obviously be done I would also put The Woodlands, LD Bell, and Coppell on the same shelf. TW's Grand Nats championship show from two years ago was hard, quick, and visually insane.

This is a fantastic rundown. Thanks for posting. The most glaring winner in this for me is Area B and specifically LD Bell and the Plano schools. It's many months later and I still can't process that LDB did not make state. There have been consistent scuttlebut that the Plano schools were looking to ramp up their marching programs (PESH has already been decent for the past few years). This could be the catalyst do that because this Area is now wide open. On the other hand, If you're in Area C you're now wondering what you did to stir Goliath. The Lewisville ISD schools obviously need to go somewhere but Area C is only going to have 3 to possibly 4 state qualifiers and you just added 3 of the top programs in the state. That's brutal.

Went to both the Marcus and Hebron previews last year and they are both in the fall after football starts. I want to catch FloMo this year as well but not sure when they do it. I remember the Hebron one specifically because they had a professional announcer that sounded like Dan Potter for the performance and then had ice cream sundae bar for everyone after the performance. Probably need to do that one again BTW--Hebron has supposedly lost two directors and need to replace both this summer. One for sure is going to JJ Pearce in Richardson. That's a tough transition for a band going to GN's in the fall. No turnover that I'm aware at Marcus.

Flower Mound always has a very unique stand alone ensemble set in the middle of their programs in lieu of a ballad. I've also noticed that they've taken a more classical turn the last couple years after the Paris and Big Top shows from a few years ago. I really like the creativity of the FloMo shows. I'm sure I'll get some push back on this, but I think one of the things that has held Hebron back is that their musical book is always so difficult. CTJ and maybe Coppell, Bowie, and LD Bell are the only other bands that come to mind that try to be that ambitious. Marcus does not push the envelope nearly as much musically nor as part of their drill, but they play it concert hall perfect and it has obviously paid dividends.

I checked with my Lewisville ISD folks and was told that Hebron, Marcus, and FloMo are going to rotate and that Hebron is in for next year. The thought of TW, Hebron, and CTJ there next year gets the heart racing. Is it too early to get excited?

Totally agree with the love for Reagan -- I thought they killed it in finals and I was thinking they may sneak in for a medal. They could have called Marcus, Hebron, or Bowie for the win and I would have been just fine. Actually feeling bad today for the Bowie kids. That show might be my favorite Bowie show ever and probably should have medaled. Stand tall because your program rocks! BTW--saw several Hebron kids sobbing/consoling in the lobby after their show. Hoping that no one was hurt or sick. Hopefully, that silver medal makes things fell better

Super impressed with Bowie Saturday night and think that they have a legit chance to win. Right now my top 3 would Marcus, Bowie Hebron in that order. Marcus had some atypical slip ups in finals that I don't expect to repeat. Hebron has simply not been able to clean up their show and it's really hurting them. Any of those three can win.

Calm down folks. There are some shocking scores that need to be processed and everyone can have their say. How does Hebron finish 5th in music. How does LD bell finish near the bottom in visual. Even I have problem with Marcus being 4th. BOA judging is often hard to explain.