UIL 5A Area B 2025

[trumpetfunny]

8 hours ago, glyde said:

 

I can see Lone Star placing above Wakeland but it is going to be very close similar to CP and Rouse. Although Wakeland has better visual package and drill, Lone Star's musicality is phenomenal. I could honestly guess either for first.

Just wait for the FISD showcase, Wakeland music is intense this year.

[flamingo123]

Is it crazy to say this is the most interesting 5a area? I mean I know there’s the cedar park rouse and Leander area but we always KNOW they will make it. This area I feel is always very interesting to see, especially for the 3-10 spots. 

[OGFISD99]

57 minutes ago, trumpetfunny said:

Just wait for the FISD showcase, Wakeland music is intense this year.

I won't deny wakeland has stepped up the music but Lone Star still has that ever so slight edge..... Lone Star has it cut out for them in musicality.. wakeland has stepped up.. 

[OGFISD99]

1 hour ago, OGFISD99 said:

I won't deny wakeland has stepped up the music but Lone Star still has that ever so slight edge..... Lone Star has it cut out for them in musicality.. wakeland has stepped up.. 

 

2 hours ago, flamingo123 said:

Is it crazy to say this is the most interesting 5a area? I mean I know there’s the cedar park rouse and Leander area but we always KNOW they will make it. This area I feel is always very interesting to see, especially for the 3-10 spots. 

Off topic a little but I think they all get their shows written by Evan Van Doren... they buy the written shows from him.... at least  that's what it seemed like last year when spoke to the crowd during a break at U.I.L.

[glyde]

12 hours ago, OGFISD99 said:

 

Off topic a little but I think they all get their shows written by Evan Van Doren... they buy the written shows from him.... at least  that's what it seemed like last year when spoke to the crowd during a break at U.I.L.

Wakeland and Argyle both get their show writen by Vandoren. He was worked closely with Wakeland since 2021 or 2022

[glyde]

15 hours ago, flamingo123 said:

Is it crazy to say this is the most interesting 5a area? I mean I know there’s the cedar park rouse and Leander area but we always KNOW they will make it. This area I feel is always very interesting to see, especially for the 3-10 spots. 

This is true but there are only around 4 really strong programs in Area H that will obv make state, as for B, lots of competition as the North Texas region is full of prodigy's. (Frisco, Plano, Wylie, Lewisville, Mckinney etc.) But when it is Lone Star and Wakland against CP and Rouse, the Leander schools come out on top. I personally believe Wakeland has a strong shot at 3rd place this year. They deserved it last year.

[cheesecurd21]

7 hours ago, glyde said:

This is true but there are only around 4 really strong programs in Area H that will obv make state, as for B, lots of competition as the North Texas region is full of prodigy's. (Frisco, Plano, Wylie, Lewisville, Mckinney etc.) But when it is Lone Star and Wakland against CP and Rouse, the Leander schools come out on top. I personally believe Wakeland has a strong shot at 3rd place this year. They deserved it last year.

this is definitely the most interesting area in terms of overall skill and possible outcomes. About 10-11 bands here could probably be considered “state level” and would do very well in other areas as well. The Leander schools are insane but besides them this area takes the cake 

[cheesecurd21]

Did anyone see any games this week? 

[OGFISD99]

Lone Star vs McKinney North... 46-7 Lone Star 

[cheesecurd21]

17 hours ago, OGFISD99 said:

Lone Star vs McKinney North... 46-7 Lone Star 

How were the bands?

[cheesecurd21]

Just saw recordings of Walnut, Reedy, and Emerson. Reedy was pretty solid, but Walnut and Emerson really surprised me. Huge improvements since the previous runs I saw, and honestly think either could really surprise and do super highly this year, like 5-7 and possibly 4th

[Miswordedstatements]

3 minutes ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Just saw recordings of Walnut, Reedy, and Emerson. Reedy was pretty solid, but Walnut and Emerson really surprised me. Huge improvements since the previous runs I saw, and honestly think either could really surprise and do super highly this year, like 5-7 and possibly 4th

Where did you see Reedy’s? I’ve seen wg and Emerson and they’re both area finalist with some cleaning although I’m not sure about top 5…

[OGFISD99]

On 9/13/2025 at 5:22 PM, cheesecurd21 said:

How were the bands?

The bands were great ... McKinney North show is another jazzy Broadway show..... Lone Star sounds great... their woodwinds are killing it this year  in my opinion since  last year.... the brass is sounds amazing  full rich tones... they are still  working on their drill.... which makes me nervous..... they really  need to step it up and get things going..... they're running behind in my opinion.... since their drill isn't  done there's a lot of park and bark.... 

[OGFISD99]

21 minutes ago, corncobb11 said:

I definitely agree about Lone Star. Currently we just have a lot of bad marching. Lots of bent knees... We're trying to get the whole show down before the game, so we should be performing the closer this week? Honestly, I'm worried... 

Given my nephew's involvement in the band, I offer constructive criticism, although I acknowledge he might not relish it, because I am eager to see the band thrive and become a formidable competitor, particularly against Wakeland. Additionally, the color guard demands considerable refinement, as its present condition may compromise the band's future success.

[glyde]

I just saw Independence and WOW, that sound is massive. Although it copied the arrangments from Bella Mechanique and The Cutting Edge, I have high hopes that they will make finals. As for Memorial, they are visually clean but they need more attention to their spaceial awareness. I love their trombone soloist but I do not know if they have the potential to make area finals again. But with some cleaning, they have the chance again. 

[flamingo123]

21 hours ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Just saw recordings of Walnut, Reedy, and Emerson. Reedy was pretty solid, but Walnut and Emerson really surprised me. Huge improvements since the previous runs I saw, and honestly think either could really surprise and do super highly this year, like 5-7 and possibly 4th

I want to know how you would rank these bands as of right now. I saw Emerson and Reedys recording and found reedy to be cleaner overall  as of now. But yea I’m also a little amazed at Emerson’s improvement even from earlier videos. Haven’t seen a recording of WG. 
 

The 5-7 spot at area might be filled with these 3…

[DrummersEcho]

After hearing some of these bands early season Heres my new take on Area FOR NOW + there was some trash judges last year lets be honest. thank heavens there are new judges and judging system.



Music: Lonestar
Percussion: Wakeland 
Visual: Wakeland
General Effect: Lone Star

Lone Star 1st - brass powerhouses, strong show music and drill. crazy improvement and good
Wakeland 2nd - very excellent playing and powerhouse marchers, beautiful show music, could still yank first
Mckinney North 3rd - not really digging the jazz every year but the music is hitting hard, like a mini bluecoats.
Lebanon Trail 4th - cleaned up so much, sounds excellent, very awesome show design and drill. amazing improvement
Argyle 5th - sounds good but the winds need work. my judgement can change tho, their marching is good.
Reedy 6th- Super clean needs alot more work to get up to 4th, 
Walnut Grove 7th- So dang clean, they need to stop rehearsing at 4am - 5am though LOL let those kids sleep ._.
 

[cheesecurd21]

Honestly this year my hopes are lower for Argyle and North. While they will both without a doubt succeed and do well, Argyles show design and North’s repeated show design I feel might cause them issues. Both are still very skilled of course.

Lone star has great music but i’m fairly unimpressed by the visuals. Could really hurt then. 

As for Reedy/Emerson/WG, I don’t find them to be better right now but I see the most improvement in them by far. Could mean really great things. They’re in my 5-7 right now, with one likely being 8th and either LT Argyle or North mixed up in there somewhere. Very promising for the upcoming schools, I saw the most improvement from Emerson in terms of previous to most recent performance 

Also I do agree with saying Indy has a great sound this year. Haven’t heard and clips of marching but heard some music clips and they sounded better than I remembered 

[Armyguy1381]

8 hours ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Honestly this year my hopes are lower for Argyle and North. While they will both without a doubt succeed and do well, Argyles show design and North’s repeated show design I feel might cause them issues. Both are still very skilled of course.

Lone star has great music but i’m fairly unimpressed by the visuals. Could really hurt then. 

As for Reedy/Emerson/WG, I don’t find them to be better right now but I see the most improvement in them by far. Could mean really great things. They’re in my 5-7 right now, with one likely being 8th and either LT Argyle or North mixed up in there somewhere. Very promising for the upcoming schools, I saw the most improvement from Emerson in terms of previous to most recent performance 

Also I do agree with saying Indy has a great sound this year. Haven’t heard and clips of marching but heard some music clips and they sounded better than I remembered 

LS hasn't even preformed the 3rd part yet and the visuals aren't even finished to be in the show. Give it time. 

[cheesecurd21]

11 hours ago, Armyguy1381 said:

LS hasn't even preformed the 3rd part yet and the visuals aren't even finished to be in the show. Give it time. 

True but compared to the progress of other schools it’s just lacking, even compared to previous years in my opinion. I’m sure they will clean and make changes as needed but as of right now it’s less promising than some other schools in terms of potential growth. I don’t think any school has their full show on as of last friday and definitely not done with making additions/changes so you could say that about anyone…

Lone Star is still super good and will almost certainly get that 1 or 2nd spot in area, however with them not being notoriously known for “cleaning up before area or whatever comp” it’s a little interesting to see if they will do as good as they previously did

[glyde]

23 hours ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Honestly this year my hopes are lower for Argyle and North. While they will both without a doubt succeed and do well, Argyles show design and North’s repeated show design I feel might cause them issues. Both are still very skilled of course.

Lone star has great music but i’m fairly unimpressed by the visuals. Could really hurt then. 

As for Reedy/Emerson/WG, I don’t find them to be better right now but I see the most improvement in them by far. Could mean really great things. They’re in my 5-7 right now, with one likely being 8th and either LT Argyle or North mixed up in there somewhere. Very promising for the upcoming schools, I saw the most improvement from Emerson in terms of previous to most recent performance 

Also I do agree with saying Indy has a great sound this year. Haven’t heard and clips of marching but heard some music clips and they sounded better than I remembered 

your thoughts on Lone Star Argyle and MN are exactly what I had in mind. I believe Reedy/Grove/Emerson/Melissa/Independence all have a finals spot waiting but you neve knows. And yes Indy has an INSANE wall of sound, loss of intonation but for the spectators it will be fun in the ballad.

[cheesecurd21]

Is anyone seeing wakeland?

[OGFISD99]

Lone Star looked ok last... they're almost finished with the show... now it comes down to cleaning their Visuals and technique marching.... this show will amazing if they get it cleaned.... I think it's one of their strongest shows... 

[OGFISD99]

I heard in some areas where some of the brass stopped  playing... but the folks that were sounded good.... not to the level I'm used to hearing  Y'all  but still  good.... the soloists still need work.. especially the flute soloist... they sound unsure about the notes they are playing.... they need to breath through every note and stop doubting themselves.... I hope  y'all  can rebound this Tuesday at the showcase..... and on Saturday y'all  definitely have a huge uphill battle with Hebron being at the Melissa showcase... 

[glyde]

14 hours ago, OGFISD99 said:

I heard in some areas where some of the brass stopped  playing... but the folks that were sounded good.... not to the level I'm used to hearing  Y'all  but still  good.... the soloists still need work.. especially the flute soloist... they sound unsure about the notes they are playing.... they need to breath through every note and stop doubting themselves.... I hope  y'all  can rebound this Tuesday at the showcase..... and on Saturday y'all  definitely have a huge uphill battle with Hebron being at the Melissa showcase... 

I have been visiting the Melissa contest for the past 2 years and Lone Star has always amazed me. That finals run last year was a wall of sound that i wish to hear again. They have a chance at beating Hebron after seeing both shows but Hebron will most likely knock them off grand champs. I am still excited to see both programs this Saturday. Also pleased to hear that Melissa will be showcasing after Hebron compared to the early morning in the past. I really want to see thier improvement. Best of luck to all programs this coming weekend!