UIL 6A Area J 2025

[SharksAreCool]

6 minutes ago, BassBone_2024 said:

Can you expand on the differences please. 

Boa uses general effect as 50% of their scoring. 

[JFNDOWBFAN]

On 10/12/2025 at 7:45 PM, SharksAreCool said:

Boa uses general effect as 50% of their scoring. 

Harder question, can you explain “General Effect” cause it comes across as “cause we like it” 😂 

[SharksAreCool]

11 hours ago, JFNDOWBFAN said:

Harder question, can you explain “General Effect” cause it comes across as “cause we like it” 😂 

I feel like the way to describe it is integrating the show theme within the drill and body movement. And for music is adding dynamic and style contrast through the show. It really has nothing to do with having a cool show theme or having a “fun” type of show.

[TrenBS]

15 hours ago, JFNDOWBFAN said:

Harder question, can you explain “General Effect” cause it comes across as “cause we like it” 😂 

You know, I was going to answer the original post with about as specific of detail as I could, but I didn't want it to come across as wordy; but I will gladly answer it now since it seems like something people want haha (Theres a TL;DR at the bottom, but it wont really cover everything important about the differences, so if you really want a more in depth examination, Id recommend reading the whole thing over 5 or so minutes)

For BOA, 40% of the grading is reliant on achievement, which they define as 60% music and 40% visuals in regard to how well the band ACHIEVES, in relation to the level of difficulty of CONTENT, which means that you need a balance of both to receive higher marks and be in higher bubbles, while over/under-programming will get deliberately punished. Individual and Ensemble arent clearly defined in regards to the subcaption, but that's because the individual judge is on the field and the ensemble judge is on the field for any broad caption, so it makes it easier for the individual judge to look at members in sections or by themselves.

The general effect portion takes up 60%, and in layman terms is how well a shows design and emotional impact, and content is conveyed to the audience and judges. While there is an argument that in order to have a high general effect you need higher levels of execution, but it doesn't completely work that way and is a more minor factor that the judge considers. General Effect will consist of concepts like staging (visual) and ask questions like: Where is the band in this moment? WHY are they staged like this? Is where Im supposed to be looking? and WHY? Or may look at the music content in how it relates to the visual content, where they ask questions like: Does the musical progression of the show relate to the visual progression of the show? How and WHY are the two connected? Basically asking the question of WHY certain things are happening in the show, which naturally leads to emotional expression from the ensemble since a good show generally can convey an emotion that a cookie cutter show cannot, since it wasnt designed to be as effective as maybe a more original and meticulously designed show.

UIL doesnt look at show design at all, the closest they come to that is in the content portion where they ask how it relates to the visual content, but its looking for appropriateness (is more gentle and calm visuals attached to heavy, dark music? Or does it aptly fit?) as well as similarity in difficulty. UIL doesnt look at broad categories with specific questions, rather asking fundamental questions about sections in the ensemble and focusing more on achievement, which Ill explain now. UIL as of 2025 now has 3 music captions (woodwinds, brass, percussion) and 2 visual captions (visual...), which means that music is weighted to be 60% and visuals are 40% (see the similarity), but the DIFFERENCE now is that 33-40% of EVERY caption is "CONTENT", while the other 66-60% is evenly split between individual and ensemble ACHIEVEMENT.

UIL doesnt look at content and achievement the same way. Instead of being specific and examining achievement at the exact same time as content, the judge is provided general questions about the ensemble, then they come up with how consistently they answer the question (MUSIC WOODWIND INDIVIDUAL QUESTION: to what level are the woodwinds performing a refined sense of rhythmic timing and precision), and take the average of where all these questions are landing.

TL;DR: BOA focuses only 40% on performance, which is a combined look on achievement and content, where the judge has specific criteria where they look to provide a score, and 60% on the shows design, how effectively the shows theme is presented, how the visuals and music progresses, and stuff thats beyond simply marching the dots and playing the notes. UIL is 100% performance based, but instead asks broad questions about the ensemble that the judge interprets, and averages the range in where all the questions got answered to (box 1=bad, box 2=developing, box 3=fine, box 4=developed, box 5=exceptional), with 33-40% focusing on the content the band has, and 60-66% on the achievement of the players.

[TrenBS]

FOLLOW UP:

This wasnt a perfect explanation as Im still finding out more about what goes into GE for band and DCI, but if anyone would like the official postings for adjunctation and UIL, Ill send the sheets so you can get a better idea.

BOA (part C is what everyone is looking for): https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/2025-BOA-Rulebook-05.15.2025.pdf

UIL (area sheet): https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/4A:5A:6A_Area_Sheets.pdf

UIL (judge orientation, more specifics to the UIL judging process): https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/UIL_Area+State_Judge_Manual_(5-judge).pdf

[Fishy506]

On 10/14/2025 at 9:07 AM, SharksAreCool said:

I feel like the way to describe it is integrating the show theme within the drill and body movement. And for music is adding dynamic and style contrast through the show. It really has nothing to do with having a cool show theme or having a “fun” type of show.

But that makes it sound like from a visual standpoint it is something that is almost entirely in show design? Which makes it a little harsh if 50% of the show's score is outside of the performers hands. Correct me if I'm wrong

[TrenBS]

9 minutes ago, Fishy506 said:

But that makes it sound like from a visual standpoint it is something that is almost entirely in show design? Which makes it a little harsh if 50% of the show's score is outside of the performers hands. Correct me if I'm wrong

Its like 80% show design, and 20% student buy-in emotionally in regards to what gets judged. Its why a lot of educators fundamentally disagree with BOAs priority over UIL, but its the most robust competitive system we have besides UIL so its a necessity to engage with for many programs.

[Vegas Band Fan]

On 10/6/2025 at 6:46 AM, SharksAreCool said:

1. Hebron

2. FloMo

3. Marcus

4. Prosper

5. McKinney

6. Wylie

7. Braswell

8. Boyd

9. WEast 

10. Plano East/RockHill

 

The reason I have Hebron at 1 is because I think their show is more geared towards UIL this year rather than BOA. FloMo could absolutely dominate but IMO give me Hebron on this one.

My feeling as well. Especially on 1 and 2. I feel that Hebron built their show more for UIL and FloMo which has a beautiful show but is built more for BOA this year. 

[Hello123454321]

Do y'all think Wylie’s show is more BOA or UIL?

[JFNDOWBFAN]

39 minutes ago, Hello123454321 said:

Do y'all think Wylie’s show is more BOA or UIL?

Think it has qualities of general effect that does well at BOA but their music and visuals are uil solid as well. Just go up against juggernauts at both. 

[glyde]

42 minutes ago, Hello123454321 said:

Do y'all think Wylie’s show is more BOA or UIL?

After seeing it at Prosper I can see it being well for both BOA and UIL! depending on how the judges feel about their run, but I can see them getting anywhere from 4th-7th

[MelloMaster67]

What are our predictions for the order of spots for 1-3, and who all do we think is really in the bubble for spot #4?

[dtxdrummer]

11 hours ago, MelloMaster67 said:

What are our predictions for the order of spots for 1-3, and who all do we think is really in the bubble for spot #4?

1-3 is likely going to be Hebron, FloMo, Marcus. As far as the bubble goes its seeming like Wylie or Mckinney could take 4th, especially Wylie after beating Prosper in prelims at BOA this past weekend. but after seeing everyone in person I think Prosper is gonna take it again this year.

[JFNDOWBFAN]

7 minutes ago, dtxdrummer said:

1-3 is likely going to be Hebron, FloMo, Marcus. As far as the bubble goes its seeming like Wylie or Mckinney could take 4th, especially Wylie after beating Prosper in prelims at BOA this past weekend. but after seeing everyone in person I think Prosper is gonna take it again this year.

Wylie’s show is more creative and performed at higher level than Prosper (only my opinion of course). Prosper has been solid but can’t seem to get the same feel and magic as their texas themed show from a few years ago. 

[MelloMaster67]

40 minutes ago, dtxdrummer said:

1-3 is likely going to be Hebron, FloMo, Marcus. As far as the bubble goes its seeming like Wylie or Mckinney could take 4th, especially Wylie after beating Prosper in prelims at BOA this past weekend. but after seeing everyone in person I think Prosper is gonna take it again this year.

Do you know how the bands in this area compared in prelims if you take out GE scores? I feel like someone posted that somewhere... 

[dtxdrummer]

50 minutes ago, JFNDOWBFAN said:

Wylie’s show is more creative and performed at higher level than Prosper (only my opinion of course). Prosper has been solid but can’t seem to get the same feel and magic as their texas themed show from a few years ago. 

Completely agree, Prosper's show design has always been lacking for as long as I can remember. That deep in the heart of Texas show was one of the first times in many years that they went with a more fun theme and I really enjoyed it. 

I was hoping they would keep that up after 2023 but it seems they've pretty much cemented themselves in the more technical, lyrical, soloist heavy stuff for now. Still, its super cool to see when executed well, and those kids are undeniably performing the heck out of it this year.

[JFNDOWBFAN]

46 minutes ago, dtxdrummer said:

Completely agree, Prosper's show design has always been lacking for as long as I can remember. That deep in the heart of Texas show was one of the first times in many years that they went with a more fun theme and I really enjoyed it. 

I was hoping they would keep that up after 2023 but it seems they've pretty much cemented themselves in the more technical, lyrical, soloist heavy stuff for now. Still, its super cool to see when executed well, and those kids are undeniably performing the heck out of it this year.

The park and bark for last 25 ish seconds at BOA was a bummer for me. And the let’s discuss the boats, sail them boats with some soloist or something. Haha

all this said as i have zero musical talent myself. They are still solid but i think can do more

[bananas1111]

1 hour ago, JFNDOWBFAN said:

The park and bark for last 25 ish seconds at BOA was a bummer for me. And the let’s discuss the boats, sail them boats with some soloist or something. Haha

all this said as i have zero musical talent myself. They are still solid but i think can do more

Prospers show wasn’t done yet at boa 

[JFNDOWBFAN]

28 minutes ago, bananas1111 said:

Prospers show wasn’t done yet at boa 

That would make sense….but also seems strange at same time. 

[TrenBS]

Final Prediction going into this week:

1. Hebron (WW, Br)
2. Flower Mound (Vis 1+2)
3. Marcus (Perc)
4. Prosper (Br, Perc 4th, Vis 1+2 4th)
5. Wylie (WW 4th)
6. McKinney High
7. McKinney Boyd
8. Wylie East
9. Plano East
10. Braswell

[BugWub24]

Plano East gets into finals at BOA Waco over Wylie East.

...and it looks like PESH was in the top 6 in prelims 👀

[MelloMaster67]

1. Hebron
2. Flower Mound
3. Marcus
4. McKinney
5. Prosper
6. Wylie
7. Plano East
8. Braswell
9. Wylie East
10. McKinney Boyd

[hebronglazerisnotright23]

Predictions-

Hebron

Flo mo

Marcus

Wylie

Prosper

Mckinnet

Braswell

Wylie East 

Rockhill

Mckinney boyd/ Plano east

 

 

Have hope in rockhill, I think they have it in them this year

[hebronglazerisnotright23]

Plano east show also seems more geared towards BOA than uil, GE scores seem very inflated

[hebronglazerisnotright23]

1 minute ago, PredictionPower said:

Happy area week!! I've got some new predictions because why not 😁

1. Hebron

2. Marcus

3. Flowermound

4. McKinney/Prosper

5. McKinney/Prosper

6. Wylie

7. Braswell

8. McKinney Boyd

9. Wylie East

10. Plano East

 

Hot takeish: Marcus's show in terms of the UIL scoring sheet could potentially beat Flomo after knowing how they started early season and their growth after BOA Bedford and BOA Prosper. Not much else to really say about that, but I feel like Marcus could bring home silver in area, but I wouldn't be positive if we would be talking in BOA or State terms.

The fight for 4th place is going to be pretty brutal, depending on whether there is going to be bad weather for Prosper or sunshine and rainbows for McKinney. Wylie could potentially come back strong in this competition, but I doubt it.

McKinney Boyd has had great improvements as well in the past year, and I can't wait to see their finished product! Although I could also see Braswell taking over them in cleanliness terms.

rockhill?