2025 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 7 & 8)

[slowbrass]

Just wanted to share how utterly floored I was watching finals last night. It’s said all the time, but the amount of depth and talent in this state is unbelievable. My jaw was on the floor at multiple points in everyone’s show. Definitely want to shout out M&J and Cedar Park for being my favorites. Still got chills.

[BandFam5]

11 hours ago, BbMarching said:

not the same, but the placements from J are such a wide spread.
AREA J

Flomo & Hebron: 1st (wow)

Wylie East: 22nd

Wylie: 26th

Braswell: 36th

Mckinney: 45th

Shout out to Wylie East for placing higher than a 6a state finalist band in this competition, despite not qualifying for state (because, you know, area J).  They had an amazing year!

[global_warrior]

I think a band that deserves a shoutout is Argyle. They got 25th with a score of 84. They did this all as a Texas 2A band. Sadly couldn’t watch their show.

[utee94]

1 hour ago, global_warrior said:

I think a band that deserves a shoutout is Argyle. They got 25th with a score of 84. They did this all as a Texas 2A band. Sadly couldn’t watch their show.

Argyle's show was great, really enjoyed seeing it live Saturday night.  They had really impressive power and balance, for any band, but especially one their size.  Also really liked their colors and visuals.  Was a treat to watch them.

[C11]

1 hour ago, global_warrior said:

I think a band that deserves a shoutout is Argyle. They got 25th with a score of 84. They did this all as a Texas 2A band. Sadly couldn’t watch their show.

Not 84. It was 86.45

[josephbandfan]

I love how much some of the Houston area bands have been making their mark these past few years.

It’s also such a shame just how much of DFW is not represented here 😔

[gregorydf01]

11 hours ago, Dad said:

Is the 3rd San Antonio area band in the top 20 in the room with us right now?

Thanks for the call-out.  I was counting Moe & Gene Johnson as San Antonio by mistake (in Buda and a Austin area band),  my apologies for the error.  Here is the correction:

Austin Area:  10 Bands  (22 attending so 45.5% of attending in top 20)
DFW Area:  4 Bands  (13 attending so 30.8% of attending in top 20)
Houston Area:  4 Bands  (16 attending so 25% of attending in top 20)
San Antonio Area:  2 Bands  (11 attending so 18.2% of attending in top 20)  

[natertater21000]

2 hours ago, gregorydf01 said:

Thanks for the call-out.  I was counting Moe & Gene Johnson as San Antonio by mistake (in Buda and a Austin area band),  my apologies for the error.  Here is the correction:

Austin Area:  10 Bands  (22 attending so 45.5% of attending in top 20)
DFW Area:  4 Bands  (13 attending so 30.8% of attending in top 20)
Houston Area:  4 Bands  (16 attending so 25% of attending in top 20)
San Antonio Area:  2 Bands  (11 attending so 18.2% of attending in top 20)  

Those "vastly overrated Austin area bands" are seeming pretty properly rated after the fact. 

[josephbandfan]

3 hours ago, gregorydf01 said:

Thanks for the call-out.  I was counting Moe & Gene Johnson as San Antonio by mistake (in Buda and a Austin area band),  my apologies for the error.  Here is the correction:

Austin Area:  10 Bands  (22 attending so 45.5% of attending in top 20)
DFW Area:  4 Bands  (13 attending so 30.8% of attending in top 20)
Houston Area:  4 Bands  (16 attending so 25% of attending in top 20)
San Antonio Area:  2 Bands  (11 attending so 18.2% of attending in top 20)  

Always love seeing the stats! 

[josephbandfan]

22 minutes ago, natertater21000 said:

Those "vastly overrated Austin area bands" are seeming pretty properly rated after the fact. 

While I don’t want to butt in on anyone’s debate on whether or not an area is overrated or not, I don’t think a fair comparison or statement can really be made when many top bands from other areas aren’t even present. From DFW alone, we’re missing bands like Marcus, Coppell, LD Bell, Prosper, Waxahachie, Lone Star, SLC, and Forney. 

[Dad]

30 minutes ago, natertater21000 said:

Those "vastly overrated Austin area bands" are seeming pretty properly rated after the fact. 

Just imagine if the Austin-area bands all had about 100-150 more members.  

[natertater21000]

1 hour ago, josephbandfan said:

While I don’t want to butt in on anyone’s debate on whether or not an area is overrated or not, I don’t think a fair comparison or statement can really be made when many top bands from other areas aren’t even present. From DFW alone, we’re missing bands like Marcus, Coppell, LD Bell, Prosper, Waxahachie, Lone Star, SLC, and Forney. 

That is true, but if all of those bands attended the Austin to DFW split would look something like Austin 6 to DFW getting 7 in the top 20. SA would go down to 1 and Houston down to 3. I'm not trying to say Austin is the current best area, I actualy think DFW has that confidently locked up at the moment. I was just making a tongue and cheek refrence to an earlier debate in this thread about Austin area being overrated in terms of expected finalists. Which to be fair, Austin did have the most of at 7.

[gregorydf01]

2 hours ago, josephbandfan said:

While I don’t want to butt in on anyone’s debate on whether or not an area is overrated or not, I don’t think a fair comparison or statement can really be made when many top bands from other areas aren’t even present. From DFW alone, we’re missing bands like Marcus, Coppell, LD Bell, Prosper, Waxahachie, Lone Star, SLC, and Forney. 

Agreed that we were missing many of the DFW Power Bands this year and I wish I could have seen them live and would have enjoyed that very much!

Looking back over the last 5 years for BOA SA the percent of top bands in the Top 20 by Region is solidly showing Austin on top.   Austin Area was number one for all 5 years with a tie with DFW in 2022.

While a solid argument that DFW has Powerhouses that dominate the top 5, for the top 20 I would argue that Austin is on top.

[josephbandfan]

2 hours ago, gregorydf01 said:

Agreed that we were missing many of the DFW Power Bands this year and I wish I could have seen them live and would have enjoyed that very much!

Looking back over the last 5 years for BOA SA the percent of top bands in the Top 20 by Region is solidly showing Austin on top.   Austin Area was number one for all 5 years with a tie with DFW in 2022.

While a solid argument that DFW has Powerhouses that dominate the top 5, for the top 20 I would argue that Austin is on top.

But just like this year, I think we'd still have to address the notable DFW misses from those past years as well. Some would've been clear locks for top 20 and others would've been in strong consideration based on their results from the season.

2021
Flower Mound 
Prosper 
SLC 
Wakeland 
LD Bell

2022
Wakeland
SLC 
Prosper 

2023
Hebron
Flower Mound
Keller
Coppell
Prosper
Waxahachie

2024
Prosper
Wakeland
Timber Creek
Lone Star

At the end of the day, its all just "would've, could've, should've". Just the unfortunate reality that DFW isn't accurately represented at SA. And I'm in no way trying to discredit the Austin bands since they're obviously producing such a large number of high level bands, especially when considering the population. Also, does anyone know why Prosper no longer attends this contest? I guess just a combination of the new scheduling with state every year and choosing St. Louis/GN some years?
 

[Josegjr]

On 11/9/2025 at 2:37 PM, TWHSPercDad said:

I was there! I saw it!

I was the assistant band director at Westfield (2001-2005). Great band, great times!

Westfield 03 one of my favorite shows of all time! Thank you for helping put that on the field!

[BbMarching]

On 11/10/2025 at 7:24 AM, BandFam5 said:

Shout out to Wylie East for placing higher than a 6a state finalist band in this competition, despite not qualifying for state (because, you know, area J).  They had an amazing year!

Thank you! We see this season as just the beginning of something much bigger, can’t wait to see how much further we can take it next season

[LostChoirGuy]

On 11/10/2025 at 11:47 AM, natertater21000 said:

Those "vastly overrated Austin area bands" are seeming pretty properly rated after the fact. 

As the person who made that comment, I stand completely by it.  Look how much higher groups like Pearland and Keller did compared to what people predicted compared to earlier in the season and how groups like MGJ and Vista Ridge did in comparison to what people had them ranked in late September/ early October. Obviously the Austin groups are exceptional, but this contest is likely a huge reason why their strength gets a bit overstated relative to other parts of the state.  I think it would be safe to say that Marcus and probably Coppell and LD Bell would have made finals here.  Not to mention the several 5A groups from North Texas that would have contended for top 30 spots.

[WanderingTraveler]

Does anyone know when tickets will go on sale for BOA San Antonio 2026?! Want to mark my calendar. Maybe @LeanderMomma knows?!  

[anotherbandmom]

10 minutes ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Does anyone know when tickets will go on sale for BOA San Antonio 2026?! Want to mark my calendar. Maybe @LeanderMomma knows?!  

Since it's early, I HIGHLY recommend buying the Eagle Experience if you've never done it! I was down in the pit for prelims (a mindblowing experience on its own) but did Eagle for finals and it was amazing not being squished in next to tons of people. I know cheering for the kids is important, but I didn't want to spend my last performances with the screamers and be able to really focus on the show. Plus I WAS one of the screamers at literally every other performance for years. 😂 And the view! Worth every penny.

[LeanderMomma]

1 hour ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Does anyone know when tickets will go on sale for BOA San Antonio 2026?! Want to mark my calendar. Maybe @LeanderMomma knows?!  

Not for a while my friend.