UIL 4A State Marching Contest 2025 (Nov 5)

[bandisfun2000]

I haven’t seen anyone say this but I personally  do not think there will be a 4-peat from Celina. I also think the top 5 and honestly top 10 will be one of the craziest we’ve seen.

I know this is controversial topic but I did go to the Melissa Contest and also used a bit of past knowledge so take this with a grain of salt.

Celina, PC, DPort, SS will most likely be top 4 again. I do think it will be changed up though. It’ll be close, but as of now. I think the gold medal could go to any of these. SS being th least likely but still VERY likely. I can’t judge much on PC or DPort considering I’ve only seen videos (I fell in love with the solos in DPort’s Ballad) but Celina and SS I can judge. Celina’s show was clean but in my opinion, even less entertaining than their prior shows. I was just not impressed whatsoever. SS is always a fun band to watch in 4A but they have more stuff to clean than Celina. I have noticed that after the Melissa contest that SS improves dramatically. (2023: Did not Make Finals at Melissa/One week later qualifies for finals at Princeton but goes to Sunnyvale and win the contest. / 2024: Did not make finals at Melissa / one week later Overtakes Celina in Princeton Finals / gets 1st in prelims of area) They have always been a mile away from Celina at the Melissa contest but this past Saturday they were basically neck and neck for the first time this early in the season. If SS goes on the same trajectory of improving like crazy after Melissa they could and will have Celina on their feet. The pressure will be on both of them this year. One being expected to win yet another state championship and the other being expected to be right under a medal again. I’m not going to watch PC or DPort until the state contest so I will most likely not say much more about them. 
I do think Calallen will finally get into the top 5 after a long time solely because of their percussion. Watching the Calallen Perc was just insane. They are really talented and their winds are also getting better as well. It’ll be close with them and China Spring. 
The rest of the top 10 could literally go anywhere. Krum could finally make the state contest but also MAKE THE FINALS. They already proved themselves to surpass 2 state finalists. I still do think the 2 Canyon ISD bands will return to finals. With NL and Gatesville it’ll be a tough one this year. 
Again, PLEASE take this with a grain of salt. Could this change. 100%. This is just what I’m starting to feel as of where we are now. We will see SS and Celina go head to head once again at Princeton this Saturday. Will it determine the results. No. It will not only show us but both those bands what they are working against. 

[cheeto2401]

i agree, 4-peat while competing against panther creek seems, tough to say the least

[Gpk1968]

39 minutes ago, cheeto2401 said:

i agree, 4-peat while competing against panther creek seems, tough to say the least

I don’t know. I’m not feeling too confident about PC this year. That being said, it’s really too early to judge and that’s just my likely biased and wrong opinion. Most schools don’t have sets, props, visuals, preshows, etc. worked out yet. Until you can see that full package it’s hard to say. 
 

My money is on Davenport or Celina again. I think Krum will likely make state but I’m not predicting a Celina 2022 rapid ascent from them. Davenport has the visual wow factor and they play well. I think it comes down to whether or not they can be as clean as Celina. Celina also typically ends up with a high content score because they have that artistic element that’s definitely a level above. You also cannot forget about our west Texas powerhouses. 
 

im really looking forward to area contests in a few weeks. I’m still deciding between area c and b. I like the bands better in area c but I think area b could have some brand new bands rise up and I’m all about seeing that!

[TenLostDogs]

1 hour ago, bandisfun2000 said:

I haven’t seen anyone say this but I personally  do not think there will be a 4-peat from Celina. I also think the top 5 and honestly top 10 will be one of the craziest we’ve seen.

I know this is controversial topic but I did go to the Melissa Contest and also used a bit of past knowledge so take this with a grain of salt.

Celina, PC, DPort, SS will most likely be top 4 again. I do think it will be changed up though. It’ll be close, but as of now. I think the gold medal could go to any of these. SS being th least likely but still VERY likely. I can’t judge much on PC or DPort considering I’ve only seen videos (I fell in love with the solos in DPort’s Ballad) but Celina and SS I can judge. Celina’s show was clean but in my opinion, even less entertaining than their prior shows. I was just not impressed whatsoever. SS is always a fun band to watch in 4A but they have more stuff to clean than Celina. I have noticed that after the Melissa contest that SS improves dramatically. (2023: Did not Make Finals at Melissa/One week later qualifies for finals at Princeton but goes to Sunnyvale and win the contest. / 2024: Did not make finals at Melissa / one week later Overtakes Celina in Princeton Finals / gets 1st in prelims of area) They have always been a mile away from Celina at the Melissa contest but this past Saturday they were basically neck and neck for the first time this early in the season. If SS goes on the same trajectory of improving like crazy after Melissa they could and will have Celina on their feet. The pressure will be on both of them this year. One being expected to win yet another state championship and the other being expected to be right under a medal again. I’m not going to watch PC or DPort until the state contest so I will most likely not say much more about them. 
I do think Calallen will finally get into the top 5 after a long time solely because of their percussion. Watching the Calallen Perc was just insane. They are really talented and their winds are also getting better as well. It’ll be close with them and China Spring. 
The rest of the top 10 could literally go anywhere. Krum could finally make the state contest but also MAKE THE FINALS. They already proved themselves to surpass 2 state finalists. I still do think the 2 Canyon ISD bands will return to finals. With NL and Gatesville it’ll be a tough one this year. 
Again, PLEASE take this with a grain of salt. Could this change. 100%. This is just what I’m starting to feel as of where we are now. We will see SS and Celina go head to head once again at Princeton this Saturday. Will it determine the results. No. It will not only show us but both those bands what they are working against. 

There is one thing your top 4 all have in common. Celina, PC, Davenport, Sulphur Springs are closing in on 1300 for HS enrollment. Some may already be at the 5A threshold. It will be an interesting realignment.
 

It seems the large schools are dominating the top spots. Gatesville doing so well with HS enrollment in the 700’s has been impressive. I think Krum is also in the 700’s. North Lamar is in the 600’s .

[tastiestbiscuit123]

14 hours ago, TenLostDogs said:

There is one thing your top 4 all have in common. Celina, PC, Davenport, Sulphur Springs are closing in on 1300 for HS enrollment. Some may already be at the 5A threshold. It will be an interesting realignment.
 

It seems the large schools are dominating the top spots. Gatesville doing so well with HS enrollment in the 700’s has been impressive. I think Krum is also in the 700’s. North Lamar is in the 600’s .

It'll be interesting to see who bumps up, who stays, and who comes down. Valley View came down in the last realignment and then immediately made State, so we might get more like that in the future. If so many schools grow, though, that threshold might move and leave a few of those top spots in 4A for a couple more years.

I do notice an almost "rise in the small schools." Canton and China used to always be those two schools, with very minimal other ones, but now with North Lamar, Gatesville, and Krum, it's interesting to see the power shift (although China is still a powerhouse, even if their head director left).

[Gpk1968]

1 hour ago, tastiestbiscuit123 said:

It'll be interesting to see who bumps up, who stays, and who comes down. Valley View came down in the last realignment and then immediately made State, so we might get more like that in the future. If so many schools grow, though, that threshold might move and leave a few of those top spots in 4A for a couple more years.

I do notice an almost "rise in the small schools." Canton and China used to always be those two schools, with very minimal other ones, but now with North Lamar, Gatesville, and Krum, it's interesting to see the power shift (although China is still a powerhouse, even if their head director left).

I’m really interested to see what UIL establishes for cut off numbers. With them likely not creating a 7A, it makes me wonder how much (if any) they will bump up the cut offs. I do think a lot of the schools will still move up because of explosive growth but maybe not as many. I also don’t think moving down will automatically make a band successful in the lower division. I know valley view was, but pine tree was not. Area c is a beast, though. 

[cheeto2401]

4 hours ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

I’m really interested to see what UIL establishes for cut off numbers. With them likely not creating a 7A, it makes me wonder how much (if any) they will bump up the cut offs. I do think a lot of the schools will still move up because of explosive growth but maybe not as many. I also don’t think moving down will automatically make a band successful in the lower division. I know valley view was, but pine tree was not. Area c is a beast, though. 

i dont see a 7A for the next like 5 alignments

[tastiestbiscuit123]

Gonna throw Legacy Ranch into the mix and take Gatesville out. Legacy Ranch beat Gatesville at Vista Ridge yesterday, and Legacy Ranch was the Area D State Alternate, an area that advanced no bands to Finals. That marks two bands that were not State Qualifiers beating Gatesville, after Krum.

[Dave609]

36 minutes ago, tastiestbiscuit123 said:

Gonna throw Legacy Ranch into the mix and take Gatesville out. Legacy Ranch beat Gatesville at Vista Ridge yesterday, and Legacy Ranch was the Area D State Alternate, an area that advanced no bands to Finals. That marks two bands that were not State Qualifiers beating Gatesville, after Krum.

Would be interesting to see Legacy Ranch advance. Wonder if they would have a similar situation like what Lake Belton/Fulshear had (Fulshear made finals in their first state apperance and Lake Belton made finals in 2021)

[notUrClarinet]

On 11/20/2024 at 11:28 PM, DumbBandLoser said:

Alright, this time I'm calling it, Panther Creek is gonna a win gold (If I keep saying it maybe I'll be right eventually).

I think Celina's gonna pull through one last time.

[DumbBandLoser]

16 minutes ago, notUrClarinet said:

I think Celina's gonna pull through one last time.

Nah, the Panther Creek glaze train can't stop. Panther gonna sweep just watch. 

[Gpk1968]

I found a North Lamar video from today on YouTube. I’m thinking that they still don’t have the full show out? Did that seem like an abrupt end to anyone else? They ended right at seven minutes. 
 

They look good but I think there are some missed opportunities for visual moments. Also looks like tops aren’t in and maybe they are still waiting on screens. That’s stressful with area in two weeks! I don’t get their show yet as far as the content score is concerned but hopefully all of those missing pieces will come together soon.

 

im still of the opinion that Sulphur and Celina are ahead of the pack significantly at this point.  
 

NL at CMI

[Dave609]

17 minutes ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

I found a North Lamar video from today on YouTube. I’m thinking that they still don’t have the full show out? Did that seem like an abrupt end to anyone else? They ended right at seven minutes. 
 

They look good but I think there are some missed opportunities for visual moments. Also looks like tops aren’t in and maybe they are still waiting on screens. That’s stressful with area in two weeks! I don’t get their show yet as far as the content score is concerned but hopefully all of those missing pieces will come together soon.

 

im still of the opinion that Sulphur and Celina are ahead of the pack significantly at this point.  
 

NL at CMI

When i saw it at melissa, yeah. Felt like it was such a random place to stop.

[Gpk1968]

Just now, Dave609 said:

When i saw it at melissa, yeah. Felt like it was such a random place to stop.

This was from today though at Celina! I really expected it to be the full show but I don’t think it was. 
 

I also found Farmersville from today at Celina. The people around the camera are yapping through the entire performance. It’s really rude and distracting. I really like the props Farmersville has. Their show reminds me of a bug (ants maybe?) show Melissa did maybe a decade or so ago. I like it!
 

Fville at CMI

[Dave609]

5 minutes ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

This was from today though at Celina! I really expected it to be the full show but I don’t think it was. 
 

I also found Farmersville from today at Celina. The people around the camera are yapping through the entire performance. It’s really rude and distracting. I really like the props Farmersville has. Their show reminds me of a bug (ants maybe?) show Melissa did maybe a decade or so ago. I like it!
 

Fville at CMI

I marched that Melissa show. It was our 2018 show when we did The Colony (ants theme). It did remind me of that.

[Cloud902]

4 hours ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

I found a North Lamar video from today on YouTube. I’m thinking that they still don’t have the full show out? Did that seem like an abrupt end to anyone else? They ended right at seven minutes. 
 

They look good but I think there are some missed opportunities for visual moments. Also looks like tops aren’t in and maybe they are still waiting on screens. That’s stressful with area in two weeks! I don’t get their show yet as far as the content score is concerned but hopefully all of those missing pieces will come together soon.

 

im still of the opinion that Sulphur and Celina are ahead of the pack significantly at this point.  
 

NL at CMI

That’s how he does his programs. He teaches sections at a time. They more than likely haven’t learned the final sequence yet or they are just now starting it. It’s an interesting strategy, but basically no one sees the full/final show until regionals. 

[Dave609]

19 minutes ago, Cloud902 said:

That’s how he does his programs. He teaches sections at a time. They more than likely haven’t learned the final sequence yet or they are just now starting it. It’s an interesting strategy, but basically no one sees the full/final show until regionals. 

Huh, never knew that. I do feel like North Lamar has a good show this year and I can't wait to see the full show!

[Saxtastic45]

There is a good livestream of NL vs PG from Friday. They don’t look like their show is complete (about 7:10 sec if my math is right) they also don’t look Ike they have all their screens and flags etc ready. Whereas I think every other band I’ve seen has everything done.

Here is what I think is going on. NLs visual package is super hard, and done at a pretty high level. I don’t know if another band looks better than them when marching and playing. Not only that but they don’t stop moving ever. I maybe saw 3 times that they stand still and it’s like 4 counts maximum each time. When you take that into account and add that they sound very balanced powerful and in tune all the time no real big flaws or timing issues it’s just on another level. They don’t beat people with flashy shiny stuff. They do it by being better at what they do. 
The game livestream is on YouTube pretty easy to find. Watch it. And PG is really good btw. NL is also a pretty poor school from what I hear and much smaller than the competition. I’ll tip my hat to them. If I am right about that and they come to area and state with a full production and it’s clean, I wouldn’t count them out top 5 easy and possible to upset some major players. 

[Gpk1968]

17 minutes ago, Saxtastic45 said:

There is a good livestream of NL vs PG from Friday. They don’t look like their show is complete (about 7:10 sec if my math is right) they also don’t look Ike they have all their screens and flags etc ready. Whereas I think every other band I’ve seen has everything done.

Here is what I think is going on. NLs visual package is super hard, and done at a pretty high level. I don’t know if another band looks better than them when marching and playing. Not only that but they don’t stop moving ever. I maybe saw 3 times that they stand still and it’s like 4 counts maximum each time. When you take that into account and add that they sound very balanced powerful and in tune all the time no real big flaws or timing issues it’s just on another level. They don’t beat people with flashy shiny stuff. They do it by being better at what they do. 
The game livestream is on YouTube pretty easy to find. Watch it. And PG is really good btw. NL is also a pretty poor school from what I hear and much smaller than the competition. I’ll tip my hat to them. If I am right about that and they come to area and state with a full production and it’s clean, I wouldn’t count them out top 5 easy and possible to upset some major players. 

I’m not certain that I agree with that statement. I’ve been an NL fan for years and consider Randy jones to be one of the best 4A band directors in Texas history. That being said, I was really surprised at their visual package at the celina contest. I posted a link to a video in the state thread. I felt like visual and content was their weakness. I think I was just expecting the full package to be on the field. 

[TexasStrangers]

NL show is not finished. They did Royse City before going to Celina and when they finished at Royse City they still had 1:15 on the clock. NL still has another 30 seconds of show to put in. 

[Saxtastic45]

1 hour ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

I’m not certain that I agree with that statement. I’ve been an NL fan for years and consider Randy jones to be one of the best 4A band directors in Texas history. That being said, I was really surprised at their visual package at the celina contest. I posted a link to a video in the state thread. I felt like visual and content was their weakness. I think I was just expecting the full package to be on the field. 

I’m going to have to disagree. I think the results and scoring backs up my point. Nobody is saying Mr. Jones is not one of the all time greats. But Austin Snow has been there 3 years now and they are a state finalist last 2 years. I don’t know him well. But I’ve had a conversation or 2 with him about marching band. He plays the long game. I may be off base. But everyone writes NL off just for them to be standing on the ramp about to make a finals run at state. And this year in my humble opinion is by far the best band he has fielded. 

[Gpk1968]

4 minutes ago, Saxtastic45 said:

I’m going to have to disagree. I think the results and scoring backs up my point. Nobody is saying Mr. Jones is not one of the all time greats. But Austin Snow has been there 3 years now and they are a state finalist last 2 years. I don’t know him well. But I’ve had a conversation or 2 with him about marching band. He plays the long game. I may be off base. But everyone writes NL off just for them to be standing on the ramp about to make a finals run at state. And this year in my humble opinion is by far the best band he has fielded. 

Only bringing up Randy to state that I have a lot of respect for the program. I’ve been following them since their early close-to-state runs in the late 90s/early 2000s.

I know Austin as well (we crossed paths a lot when he was at anna) and while I don’t exactly get his strategy, I am hoping the best for the Panther band. The only point I was attempting to make, however inelegantly, is that I was very surprised to not see the full package in the video from yesterday. If that’s what works for him, great. I’m excited to see the full package at area and hope they do well. 

[Saxtastic45]

1 hour ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

Only bringing up Randy to state that I have a lot of respect for the program. I’ve been following them since their early close-to-state runs in the late 90s/early 2000s.

I know Austin as well (we crossed paths a lot when he was at anna) and while I don’t exactly get his strategy, I am hoping the best for the Panther band. The only point I was attempting to make, however inelegantly, is that I was very surprised to not see the full package in the video from yesterday. If that’s what works for him, great. I’m excited to see the full package at area and hope they do well. 

I don’t think you are rooting against them or being disrespectful. I just disagree with your conclusion. There are a lot of folks on this thread that come to the same conclusion as you and have the same questions.

[RaElk99]

5 hours ago, Saxtastic45 said:

There is a good livestream of NL vs PG from Friday. They don’t look like their show is complete (about 7:10 sec if my math is right) they also don’t look Ike they have all their screens and flags etc ready. Whereas I think every other band I’ve seen has everything done.

Here is what I think is going on. NLs visual package is super hard, and done at a pretty high level. I don’t know if another band looks better than them when marching and playing. Not only that but they don’t stop moving ever. I maybe saw 3 times that they stand still and it’s like 4 counts maximum each time. When you take that into account and add that they sound very balanced powerful and in tune all the time no real big flaws or timing issues it’s just on another level. They don’t beat people with flashy shiny stuff. They do it by being better at what they do. 
The game livestream is on YouTube pretty easy to find. Watch it. And PG is really good btw. NL is also a pretty poor school from what I hear and much smaller than the competition. I’ll tip my hat to them. If I am right about that and they come to area and state with a full production and it’s clean, I wouldn’t count them out top 5 easy and possible to upset some major players. 

I don't think constantly moving gets many points. I see bands that hardly move and almost never move and play at the same time place way higher than ones that do all the time. I think being clean carries a lot more weight. 

[Gpk1968]

8 minutes ago, RaElk99 said:

I don't think constantly moving gets many points. I see bands that hardly move and almost never move and play at the same time place way higher than ones that do all the time. I think being clean carries a lot more weight. 

I also think that movement just for the sake of moving isn’t always great. Movement and visuals should sync well with the music. There’s an artistry to it that some bands lack (not calling anyone out here, only making a point).