UIL 5A Area B 2025

[fluter07]

14 hours ago, ReedyTubas said:

Hi abhin...

lmao abhin

[JohnPaulJones]

Honest prediction:

1. Wakeland 

2. Lonestar

3. LT

4. Argyle

5. Reedy

6. Walnut Grove

7. McKinney North

8. Liberty 

9. Centennial

10. Emerson/Independence/Heritage

I’ve listened to everyone here except Emerson but other than that I’m pretty confident.

[EmersonMavbandfan101]

8 hours ago, tubaking69 said:

my name is Rick rodriguez and I truly believe Emerson is making state  

Don’t sleep on my mavs now, yeah they might not make state but I believe they have a really good show for finals.

[cheesecurd21]

3 hours ago, EmersonMavbandfan101 said:

Don’t sleep on my mavs now, yeah they might not make state but I believe they have a really good show for finals.

All jokes aside, personally I think Emerson and WG are being super underrated right now. I think both will do much better than people expect if the run is there at the right time (Emerson in particular)

[clarinets74]

4 hours ago, cheesecurd21 said:

All jokes aside, personally I think Emerson and WG are being super underrated right now. I think both will do much better than people expect if the run is there at the right time (Emerson in particular)

the sheer difficulty of WG's show combined with the ridiculous amount of work and effort the WG kids put into that show will propel them way higher than people predict

[Tubalord11]

7 hours ago, clarinets74 said:

the sheer difficulty of WG's show combined with the ridiculous amount of work and effort the WG kids put into that show will propel them way higher than people predict

I think they get 6th! Would love them to surprise us, it’s an amazing show! 

[jamminsalmon_]

final pred (i'll only be here for finals) AND the only show i've seen in person is wakeland so mb if im wrong 

1. Wakeland

2. Lone Star

3. Lebanon Trail (I hope to see them back in the big 3, they've been doing really good so I've heard)

4. Reedy/Argyle (regarding reedy, I've heard great things about them, haven't seen a video but insider sources tell me that they could be big this year, the new director seems to be doing wonders for the program and the band is the biggest I've ever seen, these past 3--4 years have been great for the future of reedy's program, if they don't make state this year we shouldn't count them out.

5. Argyle/Reedy (have a friend that goes to argyle and with the only public video being from MMI, it's hard to tell how they're doing currently but if past trends speak they should be perfectly fine, same situation as reedy, argyle went from being the kings of 4A to being one spot away from state in 2023 5a area b, these guys have had the best transition from classifications in my opinion and i see no signs of them slowing down.)

 

sadly if recent area trends follow, I don't believe bands that place 6--10 in prelims will have a shot at making state, from what I've seen, it's very hard for bands that perform in the first half of prelims to make the jump to top 5 due to the fact that the judges have the 15 minute break in between bottom 5 and top 5. of course im mostly speaking from area J terms but since this area is as close as we can get to the "gunning for 4th" area, I think that prelims placement will be the biggest source to rely on in regards to who could make state in the afternoon.

 

6. McKinney North (haven't seen their show, seen pictures if i'm not mistaken they're using the same uni's as last year? these jazz shows have definitely become overused but whatever it takes for McN to be consistently good then I understand why they've stuck with the concept. not sure if they'll make state this year just from what I've heard on this thread but nonetheless they're going to be amazing.)

7. Walnut Grove (this band has grown EXPONENTIALLY from the last time i saw them back in 2023 (when their accident happened but they still killed their perf 🤷‍♂️) and i think they have potential to be amazing this saturday. i see them interchangable with McKinney North easily, they have a pretty cliche show but from the video i've seen of it they put their own unique twist on it that i think the judges will like. WG also has an AMAZING prelims performance time which i think will help them get their 2nd performance saturday night)

8. Independence (i hear the term "wall of sound" be passed around this thread a ton, and if you've seen this program in person and it's true, then I could believe they'll be back in finals this year. they've finally been blessed with a GREAT prelims performance time which will definitely aid in their chance of getting a 2nd performance on saturday. these past 2 years have been especially rough for them and it would be amazing to see them back in finals this year, haven't seen this show in person but if their brass can live up to what everyones hyped them up to be, then i can easily see them in finals.

9. Emerson (hear me out, Emerson has only been a school for 4 years and correct me if im wrong, but in their first competitive season, that being 2023, they placed 8th in finals which is no easy feat for this area, especially with how new their program was. as someone from tc last year, i wont get into the prelims judging, but emerson should have easily made finals. they had one of the most fun shows i watched in 2024 and should have easily made finals, haven't seen any clips of them this year but i think emerson can fight their way back into finals. the biggest thing going against them once again, is an early and cold prelims run. 

10. (Liberty/Heritage I haven't seen any clips of these shows but if they want a chance back in finals they're going to have to prove it. in my opinion it's the opposite of emerson, in 23' liberty got 14th and heritage got 16th, emerson got 9th in prelims and then the next year the roles reversed albiet with different numbers but you get the point. Liberty and Heritage both had shows last year that i understand how they could have made finals but they have to be consistently amazing if they want to gun for a finals spot, nothing can ever be assumed outside of the top 3 in this area and thats what makes it so exciting for these smaller bands that people usually overlook.

 

as always, dont take these predictions too seriously, don't be in a bad mood just because someone on txbands doesn't think you'd place as high as you hope too, at the end of the day, the day ends. be mad at the panel of 5 judges 😭. just wanted to let yall know my opinions of each band and how i think they'll perform on saturday, it's gonna be a banger per usual 🔥

[tubaking69]

41 minutes ago, jamminsalmon_ said:

final pred (i'll only be here for finals) AND the only show i've seen in person is wakeland so mb if im wrong 

1. Wakeland

2. Lone Star

3. Lebanon Trail (I hope to see them back in the big 3, they've been doing really good so I've heard)

4. Reedy/Argyle (regarding reedy, I've heard great things about them, haven't seen a video but insider sources tell me that they could be big this year, the new director seems to be doing wonders for the program and the band is the biggest I've ever seen, these past 3--4 years have been great for the future of reedy's program, if they don't make state this year we shouldn't count them out.

5. Argyle/Reedy (have a friend that goes to argyle and with the only public video being from MMI, it's hard to tell how they're doing currently but if past trends speak they should be perfectly fine, same situation as reedy, argyle went from being the kings of 4A to being one spot away from state in 2023 5a area b, these guys have had the best transition from classifications in my opinion and i see no signs of them slowing down.)

 

sadly if recent area trends follow, I don't believe bands that place 6--10 in prelims will have a shot at making state, from what I've seen, it's very hard for bands that perform in the first half of prelims to make the jump to top 5 due to the fact that the judges have the 15 minute break in between bottom 5 and top 5. of course im mostly speaking from area J terms but since this area is as close as we can get to the "gunning for 4th" area, I think that prelims placement will be the biggest source to rely on in regards to who could make state in the afternoon.

 

6. McKinney North (haven't seen their show, seen pictures if i'm not mistaken they're using the same uni's as last year? these jazz shows have definitely become overused but whatever it takes for McN to be consistently good then I understand why they've stuck with the concept. not sure if they'll make state this year just from what I've heard on this thread but nonetheless they're going to be amazing.)

7. Walnut Grove (this band has grown EXPONENTIALLY from the last time i saw them back in 2023 (when their accident happened but they still killed their perf 🤷‍♂️) and i think they have potential to be amazing this saturday. i see them interchangable with McKinney North easily, they have a pretty cliche show but from the video i've seen of it they put their own unique twist on it that i think the judges will like. WG also has an AMAZING prelims performance time which i think will help them get their 2nd performance saturday night)

8. Independence (i hear the term "wall of sound" be passed around this thread a ton, and if you've seen this program in person and it's true, then I could believe they'll be back in finals this year. they've finally been blessed with a GREAT prelims performance time which will definitely aid in their chance of getting a 2nd performance on saturday. these past 2 years have been especially rough for them and it would be amazing to see them back in finals this year, haven't seen this show in person but if their brass can live up to what everyones hyped them up to be, then i can easily see them in finals.

9. Emerson (hear me out, Emerson has only been a school for 4 years and correct me if im wrong, but in their first competitive season, that being 2023, they placed 8th in finals which is no easy feat for this area, especially with how new their program was. as someone from tc last year, i wont get into the prelims judging, but emerson should have easily made finals. they had one of the most fun shows i watched in 2024 and should have easily made finals, haven't seen any clips of them this year but i think emerson can fight their way back into finals. the biggest thing going against them once again, is an early and cold prelims run. 

10. (Liberty/Heritage I haven't seen any clips of these shows but if they want a chance back in finals they're going to have to prove it. in my opinion it's the opposite of emerson, in 23' liberty got 14th and heritage got 16th, emerson got 9th in prelims and then the next year the roles reversed albiet with different numbers but you get the point. Liberty and Heritage both had shows last year that i understand how they could have made finals but they have to be consistently amazing if they want to gun for a finals spot, nothing can ever be assumed outside of the top 3 in this area and thats what makes it so exciting for these smaller bands that people usually overlook.

 

as always, dont take these predictions too seriously, don't be in a bad mood just because someone on txbands doesn't think you'd place as high as you hope too, at the end of the day, the day ends. be mad at the panel of 5 judges 😭. just wanted to let yall know my opinions of each band and how i think they'll perform on saturday, it's gonna be a banger per usual 🔥

Emerson 9 buddy has never even watched a marching show in his life lmaooo

[OGFISD99]

1 hour ago, tubaking69 said:

Emerson 9 buddy has never even watched a marching show in his life lmaooo

I can see them getting into finals.... I've watched all the frisco schools shows throughout the year and they do have what it takes..... with that said the early call time for them is a hard place to be in... if they have a good clean run they have a great chance of making it... 

[Brayden McHenry]

15 hours ago, clarinets74 said:

the sheer difficulty of WG's show combined with the ridiculous amount of work and effort the WG kids put into that show will propel them way higher than people predict

every band works hard

[saxiestsax4567]

this year is for sure filled with so much competition I'm so excited to see how area finals turn out!!

[jamminsalmon_]

6 hours ago, tubaking69 said:

Emerson 9 buddy has never even watched a marching show in his life lmaooo

 

[WanderingTraveler]

Predictions:

 

1. Wakeland

2. Lone Star

3. LT

4. Reedy

5. Argyle

6. Mckinney North

7. Walnut Grove

8. Independence

9. Liberty

10. Heritage

Bubble: Emerson, Memorial, Lovejoy, Melissa

 

Quick Thoughts: Very confident in top 3. Spot 4 could be anyone in my 4-7 range IMO. Cant count out MN despite slow start to the season. Emerson could definitely make it into finals and I wouldn't be surprised. Liberty is a question mark, traditionally does well, but unsure.

 

Many more thoughts, but will save until Saturday. Will be at finals, giving commentary. Excited for this years bloodbath!

[OGFISD99]

49 minutes ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Predictions:

 

1. Wakeland

2. Lone Star

3. LT

4. Reedy

5. Argyle

6. Mckinney North

7. Walnut Grove

8. Independence

9. Liberty

10. Heritage

Bubble: Emerson, Memorial, Lovejoy, Melissa

 

Quick Thoughts: Very confident in top 3. Spot 4 could be anyone in my 4-7 range IMO. Cant count out MN despite slow start to the season. Emerson could definitely make it into finals and I wouldn't be surprised. Liberty is a question mark, traditionally does well, but unsure.

 

Many more thoughts, but will save until Saturday. Will be at finals, giving commentary. Excited for this years bloodbath!

I was at the Lone Star and LT football game and wow..... Lone Star sounds amazing a little glitch with their microphones on flute and clarinet.... other than that they're ready to leave everything on the field this  Saturday.... LT was also amazing... their colorguard is freaking amazing and on point... they're definitely the colorguard to beat in my opinion...... Good  luck to y'all this Saturday and all the other bands..... 

[OGFISD99]

1 hour ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Predictions:

 

1. Wakeland

2. Lone Star

3. LT

4. Reedy

5. Argyle

6. Mckinney North

7. Walnut Grove

8. Independence

9. Liberty

10. Heritage

Bubble: Emerson, Memorial, Lovejoy, Melissa

 

Quick Thoughts: Very confident in top 3. Spot 4 could be anyone in my 4-7 range IMO. Cant count out MN despite slow start to the season. Emerson could definitely make it into finals and I wouldn't be surprised. Liberty is a question mark, traditionally does well, but unsure.

 

Many more thoughts, but will save until Saturday. Will be at finals, giving commentary. Excited for this years bloodbath!

I'll be there the whole time... my nephew is part of Lone Star..... 

[cheesecurd21]

Just saw vids of runs from Independence and Emerson from their game tonight. Independence was pretty solid but wow watch out for Emerson if they can get around that early start time. Also on a side note I wouldn’t personally call Independence a wall of sound… maybe it was the run but it didn’t particularly stand out to me 

[clarinets74]

21 minutes ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Just saw vids of runs from Independence and Emerson from their game tonight. Independence was pretty solid but wow watch out for Emerson if they can get around that early start time. Also on a side note I wouldn’t personally call Independence a wall of sound… maybe it was the run but it didn’t particularly stand out to me 

toyota has interesting sound physics. its not the star, but independence's sound tonight was most likely not entirely their fault.

[OGFISD99]

9 hours ago, cheesecurd21 said:

Just saw vids of runs from Independence and Emerson from their game tonight. Independence was pretty solid but wow watch out for Emerson if they can get around that early start time. Also on a side note I wouldn’t personally call Independence a wall of sound… maybe it was the run but it didn’t particularly stand out to me 

I think everyone is sleeping on Emerson..... I have felt that way since the Frisco showcase...... their show is great.... they just need to have a clean run early in the  morning..... and believe they'll make  finals..... their guard is definitely in the top 3... 

Edited October 31, 2025 by OGFISD99

[tubaking69]

8 hours ago, OGFISD99 said:

I think everyone is sleeping on Emerson..... I have felt that way since tge Frisco showcase...... they're show is great.... they just need to have a clean run early in the  morning..... and believe they'll make  finals..... their guard is definitely in the top 3... 

finally someone with half a brain cell abt time lol mavericks are a threat beware

[tubaking69]

happy halloween and with that tubaking69 final predictions 

1. wakeland ,nuff said

2. Emerson- yes call me crazy but y'all just don't know ball like I do something about those Mavs 

3. lonestar

4.reedy

5. argyle

6. LT

7.WG

8. Liberty

9.Indy

10. Melisa/memorial/heritage 

[Mike McBandiel]

Final Predictions for Tomorrow:

1. Wakeland (they look really good as they do every year, especially after an amazing performance at BOA Prosper)

2. Lone Star (if any year, this could be the year that they finally break through and win the area, but I think it will be very close)

3. Lebanon Trail (their revenge tour is going very well this season, and I think they will contend for the top half at state)

4. Argyle (I trust their late-season momentum since they usually peak at this time of year, and if their percussion score improves dramatically, I could see them potentially getting 3rd)

5. Reedy (they've shown a lot of dramatic improvement over the past few years, considering that they weren't even an area finalist 2 years ago, this band will for sure be one to watch out for)

6. Walnut Grove (for being a school/band in the 3rd year of its existence, they've been really good, especially considering the area they've been in, and I think they will for sure be a band to watch out for)

7. McKinney North (I originally had them a little lower, but they seem to always peak at this point in the season, and I think they could be one to watch out for)

8. Independence (they've had an amazing comeback this year, and I think this band could rank higher than people expect)

9. Liberty (they always get better as the season progresses, and I think they will be an area finalist again this year)

10. Emerson/Heritage (from what I've heard, Emerson has made amazing progress in the past few weeks, and I think that they could be back in area finals for the 2nd time in 3 years, but Heritage is one to watch out for, I know that their region score wasn't great, but I could definitely see them making a comeback from that, just ask Clements HS lol)

Bubble: all the other Frisco Bands, Melissa, Lovejoy

Good luck to everyone performing tomorrow, and I'm so excited to see how this competition plays out!!

[OGFISD99]

53 minutes ago, tubaking69 said:

happy halloween and with that tubaking69 final predictions 

1. wakeland ,nuff said

2. Emerson- yes call me crazy but y'all just don't know ball like I do something about those Mavs 

3. lonestar

4.reedy

5. argyle

6. LT

7.WG

8. Liberty

9.Indy

10. Melisa/memorial/heritage 

Now don't go overboard.... they're not close to being top 5.... that's just straight up truth.... facts with  scores.... their marching technique isn't up to par with wakeland and Lone Star or LT..... calm down... lol.. 

[tubaking69]

24 minutes ago, OGFISD99 said:

Now don't go overboard.... they're not close to being top 5.... that's just straight up truth.... facts with  scores.... their marching technique isn't up to par with wakeland and Lone Star or LT..... calm down... lol.. 

js trust me you'll see 

[OGFISD99]

Just now, tubaking69 said:

js trust me you'll see 

I work with a parent of a member of the  band they don't see themselves that high... they see themselves in finals  but not making state... that's directly from them... lol... 

[glyde]

Good luck to everyone competing today, this is by far the most competitve area in all of UIL, I enjoyed watching these programs improve over the season. I am ready to see someone expected not make finals due to all the other contests.