2025 McKinney Marching Invitational (Oct 4th)

[BugWub24]

3 hours ago, TrumpetLord said:

crazy to think reedy went from a non area finalist to a possibility for mckinney podium

ive heard wylie is doing well this year with reedy's old director, their show theme looks awesome

Wylie had a very solid exhibition performance on Saturday, they sound much better and louder than last year!

[Thatonedoublereed14]

15 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

Wylie will probably sweep but I could see guard or perc going somewhere else

Rock Hill won the Guard caption at Melissa this past weekend, I wouldn't count them out for the guard caption this week as well

[JFNDOWBFAN]

3 hours ago, Thatonedoublereed14 said:

Rock Hill won the Guard caption at Melissa this past weekend, I wouldn't count them out for the guard caption this week as well

New week, new judges but definitely show’s strong contender!

[WanderingTraveler]

On 9/28/2025 at 11:50 AM, WanderingTraveler said:

This weekend has definitely shaken up my initial thoughts. That being said:

 

Predictions
1. Wylie

2. Rockwall

3. LT

4. Reedy

5. Argyle

6. JJ Pearce

7. Rock Hill

8. Independence

9. Emerson

10. Colleyville Heritage

11. Celina

12. Plano East
 

Excited to see the LT and Reedy match up head-to-head, and see if theres any shake up in the Area B ordering. 

After some thinking and watching a few shows again, I would switch 6/7/8 to:

6. Rock Hill

7.  Independence

8. JJ Pearce

 

Since Celina is not attending finals, I move North Forney in:

11. Plano East

12. North Forney

[Tubalordglazer]

On 9/28/2025 at 9:13 PM, heybud said:

What are we thinking about captions?

I think Wylie winning music is a lock, probably the same with visuals. However, the percussion and the guard captions may be more of a toss-up.

[oboe_hobo]

On 9/28/2025 at 4:16 PM, Meatballmax07 said:

https://youtu.be/rcN9T0parok?si=Mo08SMtg8n4W8_3B here's rockwall's show from mesquite last night. Still have 1 more part to put on the field 

is this maxwell i see

[JFNDOWBFAN]

Here’s to hydration on Saturday and a nice breeze when the sun goes down. Oh and double knotted shoes 😂 

[colleyvilleftw]

I lowkey think that Colleyville will have a massive fall off this year

[ScaryTrumpetMan]

On 3/30/2025 at 1:29 AM, SharksAreCool said:

The McKinney Marching Invitational will be held at McKinney ISD Stadium on October 4. As of 9/07/25

9:30-Allen Hs
9:45-Rockwall Heath Hs
10:00-North Forney Hs

*Break*

10:30-Colleyville Heritage Hs
10:45-LoveJoy Hs
11:00-Argyle Hs
11:15-Panther Creek Hs
11:30-Melissa Hs
 

*Lunch Break*
 

12:45-Lebanon Trail Hs
1:00-RockHill Hs
1:15-Heritage Hs
1:30-Celina Hs
1:45-Wylie Hs

 

*Break*
 

2:15-Rockwall Hs
2:30-Grapevine Hs
2:45-J.J. Pearce Hs
3:00-Memorial Hs
3:15-Reedy Hs

 

*Break*
 

3:45-Independence Hs
4:00-Emerson Hs
4:15-Plano East Hs
4:30-Plano West Hs
4:45-McKinney Boyd Hs (Exhibition) 
 

*Prelims Award Ceremony*

 

 

 

Here's the rankings I think will happen

 

1. Melissa (Brass, WW)

2. Allen

3. Rock Hill (Perc, CG)

4. Argyle

The rest is very foggy for me, so no clue what we could see

[bandkid67]

21 minutes ago, ScaryTrumpetMan said:

Here's the rankings I think will happen

 

1. Melissa (Brass, WW)

2. Allen

3. Rock Hill (Perc, CG)

4. Argyle

The rest is very foggy for me, so no clue what we could see

dont forget about wylie and reedy and other schools

[Gpk1968]

21 minutes ago, ScaryTrumpetMan said:

Here's the rankings I think will happen

 

1. Melissa (Brass, WW)

2. Allen

3. Rock Hill (Perc, CG)

4. Argyle

The rest is very foggy for me, so no clue what we could see

IMO - that’s a wild take.

While I would love to see Melissa break into finals, I’m not certain they can. 
 

[colleyvilleftw]

50 minutes ago, ScaryTrumpetMan said:

Here's the rankings I think will happen

 

1. Melissa (Brass, WW)

2. Allen

3. Rock Hill (Perc, CG)

4. Argyle

The rest is very foggy for me, so no clue what we could see

Replace Melissa with Wylie and Allen with Reedy, and I think you've got it right

[OGFISD99]

I'm seeing Emerson and Reedy as a dark horse here... in top half.. 

[JFNDOWBFAN]

1 hour ago, OGFISD99 said:

I'm seeing Emerson and Reedy as a dark horse here... in top half.. 

2 great runs away fir each 🤷 

[Mint]

On 9/28/2025 at 4:16 PM, Meatballmax07 said:

https://youtu.be/rcN9T0parok?si=Mo08SMtg8n4W8_3B here's rockwall's show from mesquite last night. Still have 1 more part to put on the field 

This year, it seems like a lot of bands have similar music. Ik Rockwall's opener and horn solo is the same piece as Panther Creek and Reedy's opener, and Reedy has the same ballad piece as Frisco as well (if I remember correctly from their showcase)

[cheesecurd21]

4 hours ago, OGFISD99 said:

I'm seeing Emerson and Reedy as a dark horse here... in top half.. 

Both could do very well if they do a run at their highest levels. Reedy is probably a safer bet to be higher but Emerson could very well get just behind these big 6A powerhouses or in the mix with an outstanding run

[SharksAreCool]

3 hours ago, Mint said:

This year, it seems like a lot of bands have similar music. Ik Rockwall's opener and horn solo is the same piece as Panther Creek and Reedy's opener, and Reedy has the same ballad piece as Frisco as well (if I remember correctly from their showcase)

If I’m correct, Forney also plays the same opener as all three.

[JFNDOWBFAN]

18 minutes ago, SharksAreCool said:

If I’m correct, Forney also plays the same opener as all three.

Do they all have same drill writer!

Someone educate non musical band dad. 
 

What’s the process of creating a theme?

Do directors pick music and theme and hand off to drill writers or is it a collaboration  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gpk1968]

14 minutes ago, JFNDOWBFAN said:

Do they all have same drill writer!

Someone educate non musical band dad. 
 

What’s the process of creating a theme?

Do directors pick music and theme and hand off to drill writers or is it a collaboration  

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good show designer would never use the same piece for two bands who compete in the same division. They likely wouldnt use the same song for any two bands who have a chance of meeting at invitationals. It’s not a good look for a designer.  
 

The show designer often comes up with the theme, music, etc. it’s common to have a separate drill writer, although I know a few designers who also do drill. Sometimes the directors come up with the theme and collaborate with designer to create the final package. Other designers create multiple themes and try to sell them to different bands. For example, I know north Lamar’s theme from last year was turned down by a few other bands beforehand.  
 

Some programs hire separate people to do the guard work, percussion score, and even the choreo. If you are good at those things, it’s a great side gig. 

[JFNDOWBFAN]

1 hour ago, GarbagePatchKid said:

A good show designer would never use the same piece for two bands who compete in the same division. They likely wouldnt use the same song for any two bands who have a chance of meeting at invitationals. It’s not a good look for a designer.  
 

The show designer often comes up with the theme, music, etc. it’s common to have a separate drill writer, although I know a few designers who also do drill. Sometimes the directors come up with the theme and collaborate with designer to create the final package. Other designers create multiple themes and try to sell them to different bands. For example, I know north Lamar’s theme from last year was turned down by a few other bands beforehand.  
 

Some programs hire separate people to do the guard work, percussion score, and even the choreo. If you are good at those things, it’s a great side gig. 

Thanks for the 411. Great side hustle. Maybe I should get to work pitching some ideas 😂 

[JFNDOWBFAN]

These two blocks could easily be 1/2-3/4 of Finals!

Mckinney is one of my favorite venues. 
 

Looking forward to this Saturday!

[Gpk1968]

I was going over the results from Plano East and I’m not certain Panther Creek can squeeze a spot in finals. Both Plano West and heritage placed above them last week. Maybe it was just a bad run? I wasn’t there, but the results surprised me. 

[Miswordedstatements]

Any last minute predictions? 

[Miswordedstatements]

Any last minute predictions? 

[Tubalordfan101]

On 9/28/2025 at 4:22 PM, Tubalord11 said:

just saw it a few minutes ago. Think they will do very well here, need to clean up a couple things in the brass but visually they are very strong already, but it seems a lot of other programs are very good sooner than they normally are

Oh tubalord this is such a brilliant take! Everything that is revealed from your fingertips is so flawlessly executed!!