UIL 5A Area F 2025

[TenorSaxConnoisseur]

13 minutes ago, bandisfun124 said:

Here's my ranking at this point in time:

1. Aledo (we all know it)

2. Richland (show is very very clean and the brass balance is incredible)

3. Cen10 (brass is cleaner than normal, but show still not as challenging as richland)

4. Midlo (very cool music writing, but balance was a tiny bit interesting the few times I have heard them)

5. Grapevine (super clean show, really challenging brass and woodwind parts)

6. Azle (always good but not necessarily a UIL show. Always more successful at BOAs)

7. Chisolm Trail (super impressive show)

8. Saginaw (also very impressive)

9. Granbury (Granbury is returning to 2019 levels of skill and awesomeness, they're on the rise for sure)

10. Brewer (very impressive brass feature, maybe even better than the 2022 show)
 

I am curious what happened to Colleyville Heritage after the great year that they had last year. But anyway, the new UIL content score will take up a fourth of the band's overall score. This will grade them on the difficulty of their show, which could have an effect on the placements of usual state contenders and everyone else. This year is a really good year for all of the schools in this area, and I can't wait to see what happens.

Chisholm Trail lost to Creekview in music at BOA Waco and was 1 point away from Creekview in placement... and Brewer got smoked by Joshua at Springtown this year...

Granbury is looking very good this year though.

[bandisfun124]

most of 7th through out-of-finals schools are impossible to predict. I doubt the CH and Birdville will make finals, just so many good schools this year  

[TenorSaxConnoisseur]

CH has really been struggling this year. I think Birdville might get 1 or 2 off or 10th. This will be a very fun year.

[TyYouTwo]

On 10/7/2025 at 11:47 PM, TyYouTwo said:

Updated predictions as a result of all the comps that have thus happened so far:

1. Aledo (bound to be 6a next year; they're the obvious powerhouse).

2. Cen10 (Absolutely dominated at US Bands Saginaw, receiving first place and dominating over bands like Boswell and Richland, and, of course, has the best percussion within Area F).

3. Midlothian (Haven't really seen their show yet; I will adjust later on, but it is definitely top 3 according to all the hype I've seen).

4. Birdville (Defeated Richland twice and got 1st overall in Music, Brass, and Woodwind at Don Hannah. Their visual scores were very low, though, so I can imagine how much better they'll be in 3 weeks, come Area, with the possible chance of even being top 3; I wouldn't be surprised at all).

5. Richland (Got 3rd at US Bands Saginaw, trumping over Area F bands like Fossil Ridge, Saginaw, and Chisholm Trail by a lot. They're show is very clean visually but not musically yet. Unfortunate results from Don Hanna, but they have not fallen off as much as Colleyville, with all due respect).

6. Colleyville Heritage (Usually a heavy contender for top 5, but their recent performance at McKinney was detrimental despite the work they may have put in, and, compared to previous years, their show isn't as dynamically clean or expressive anymore, but that's just my perspective).

7. Grapevine (Despite their smaller size from the other 5A bands, they have some solid ground right now, defeating bands like Colleyville at the McKinney Invitational by a lot. The only reason I didn't place them as high as deserved is that their history has always been within this placement range, but I might be proven wrong once they participate in the Birdville Marching Festival. 

8. Brewer (I actually saw their show in person, and it sounds like levels beyond their previous seasons in terms of musicality. I would definitely not be surprised if they made UIL Area finals).

9. Saginaw (Their performance at US Bands Saginaw was very successful, placing relatively high compared to Fossil Ridge and Chisholm Trail. Their current level would definitely land them a spot at finals).

10. Fossil Ridge (Although they've struggled at recent competitions like US Bands Saginaw, they're still healthy enough to make finals, but other bands like Azle, Chisholm Trail, and Granbury can make an appearance too).

I know there's a chance of more than 10 bands making finals, depending on the Regional issues, but I will stick with the more likely top 10 format.

After another hectic period of competitions and performances, I'm still holding firm with my original prediction. However, I would move Colleyville to 10th and move every other band one spot higher. It seems like Colleyville's recent runs are still underperforming. Also, I am switching Midlothian with Cen10 as a result of Midlothian's incredible results from BOA Waco, beating even Aledo, and, for the first time in a while, that first place spot might actually be in contention now. 

Anyways, here's my updated list, bolded schools means I have updated their placements:

1. Aledo

2. Midlothian

3. Burleson Centennial

4. Birdville

5. RIchland

6. Grapevine

7. Brewer

8. Saginaw

9. Fossil Ridge

10. Colleyville Heritage (There's a possibility that other bands like Granbury or Azle to switch with Colleyville)

[Tubalord11]

Could be a hot take but I think Centennial takes it this year 

[tonygunk]

1 hour ago, TenorSaxConnoisseur said:

CH has really been struggling this year. I think Birdville might get 1 or 2 off or 10th. This will be a very fun year.

doggin on birdville when we clearly go to creekview

[TyYouTwo]

5 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

Could be a hot take but I think Centennial takes it this year 

Yea I agree; it's a hot take, but this competition always surprises me with the results every year. There's still the US Bands Southwestern Championship, which a lot of Area F bands, like Burleson Centennial, are going. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture by then!

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

10 minutes ago, TyYouTwo said:

Yea I agree; it's a hot take, but this competition always surprises me with the results every year. There's still the US Bands Southwestern Championship, which a lot of Area F bands, like Burleson Centennial, are going. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture by then!

Centennial is in world class unlike the other area f bands going, so it will be different judging I think

[KendrickL]

11 minutes ago, TyYouTwo said:

Yea I agree; it's a hot take, but this competition always surprises me with the results every year. There's still the US Bands Southwestern Championship, which a lot of Area F bands, like Burleson Centennial, are going. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture by then!

Yeah, but cen10 is in world class, competing with schools like hebron and flomo, unlike the rest of the 5as attending.

[KendrickL]

11 minutes ago, TyYouTwo said:

Yea I agree; it's a hot take, but this competition always surprises me with the results every year. There's still the US Bands Southwestern Championship, which a lot of Area F bands, like Burleson Centennial, are going. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture by then!

Yeah, but cen10 is in world class, competing with schools like hebron and flomo, unlike the rest of the 5as attending.

[bandisfun124]

I think Richland is 100% better than Midlothian and Cen10, maybe even Aledo. Richland is getting slept on, I think they could go really high, like top five at state

[wtxbd02]

Keeping a VERY close eye on this topic going forward.  

It's just band.  Relax.  

[tonygunk]

4 minutes ago, LKendrick said:

Keeping a VERY close eye on this topic going forward.  

It's just band.  Relax.  

Bro just let us fight 🙏

[wtxbd02]

5 minutes ago, tonygunk said:

Bro just let us fight 🙏

Have no issue with spirited discussion but not going to let the forum descend into some of the language I had to take care of earlier.  Discuss and argue away, but the second it turns into inappropriate language or mean spirited attacks on programs.  We don't do that here.  

[fruitiestflute]

Love to see all the predictions! The confidence in CT making finals makes me smile, but it makes me a little weary, too. We just, and I mean just, got the full show on the field, our debut performance of all of it was at Waco this past Saturday. There's definitely some spots for us to improve and areas to clean up, but here's hoping we lay everything out on the field next weekend! Hope every band knocks 'em dead out there, and hopefully y'all are getting loads of rest this week, too!

[proudRICHLANDbandmom]

Richland is going to make 1st place!!!! I

love their show and their closer is crazy!!!! They will beat aledo and their close second grapevine!!!

[TheJokerOfficial]

Let's be real: None of us know anything about this competition. There hasn't been enough crossing paths between the bands to determine anything yet truly. That being said, I'd like to posit my guesses for this area, as it's shaping up to be an exciting one.

1st: Aledo (Sonic Boom)

With the final pull and a great show, Aledo will assuredly have a large crowd for their performance, which I think will greatly help their standings. Enough said, we all know it will happen.

2nd: Midlothian (Neon Underground)

After their regional championship win in Midland, they made onto HornRank for the first time in school history. Now, this is not a one-to-one parallel, but Area judging is more like BOA judging every year. I think that this will help them ascend into the highest echelons of area success for years to come.

3rd: Colleyville Heritage (Metamorphosis)

Strokes of early 2000's for me. Hard music, harder drill. My only gripe would be the props, I wished they moved and "metamorphosized" into different shapes. The information coming out of Heritage for me is that most of their runs have been Murphy's Lawed to the point of missing finals at most of their contests, a rarity for them. I think that, with a good run, their brass power can carry them to a strong finish at Area and in San Antonio

4th: Burleson Centennial (The Golden Touch)

This show is downright exceptional. Seeing it live was a TOUCH-ing experience, and while I think it's not as clean or clear as other shows in this area, they are a state contender every year, and I don't foresee that changing this year.

5th: Richland (The Third Dimension)

Iridescent props, beautiful soloists, and difficult drill/choreo. The Third Dimension makes the return to the simplistic, quintessential Richland show after a couple years of (albeit, successful) experimentation. And we haven't even talked about their loudness yet! I enjoyed watching this show, unfortunately without the final part, but I believe we will see them back in the Alamodome come November.

6th: Grapevine (Soleil)

Love the backfield props. After "Coddiwomple" last year, I love that Grapevine is back to shows of depth. I think that they'll just miss out on state this year (just to be sure, they are good enough to succeed in San Antonio), but don't count them out for state in the next few years.

7th: Azle (The Fire Within)

Nice choreo and good brass. While they have never been super loud, I love their visual fire motif and uniforms. While they choose to focus more on BOA scoring, I don't think they won't succeed in area.

8th: Brewer (Lure of the Deep)

I saw this show live, and their brass is out for blood this year. After their 2022 4th place, I think they have lost the culture a bit but no hesitation from me to put them in finals this year.

9th: Saginaw (City Lights of Arabian Nights)

While I've only seen their show on video, it was great, and I think they'll be back to area finals here this year. No notes, just wish their brass was more effective.

10th: Birdville (Riff-Raff)

Cool theme, executed poorly. I love the intermingling of jazz and classical, but their brass power is not there and the visuals might be worse. I don't see them bouncing back very far this year, as their early season comps have had middling results and the weird judge or two could have helped them along the way. I enjoy their theme thoroughly, but I think they could execute better.

[melloforlife27]

6 hours ago, BandNerd07 said:

I’d even include Arlington Heights in the 8-10 range. They beat Creekview at Springtown and won in prelims over Joshua and Brewer. They are absolutely in finals contention.

Joshua won every caption but marching and won outstanding 5a in prelims and overall first place in prelims and finals

[goat_trumpet]

1 hour ago, TheJokerOfficial said:

Let's be real: None of us know anything about this competition. There hasn't been enough crossing paths between the bands to determine anything yet truly. That being said, I'd like to posit my guesses for this area, as it's shaping up to be an exciting one.

1st: Aledo (Sonic Boom)

With the final pull and a great show, Aledo will assuredly have a large crowd for their performance, which I think will greatly help their standings. Enough said, we all know it will happen.

2nd: Midlothian (Neon Underground)

After their regional championship win in Midland, they made onto HornRank for the first time in school history. Now, this is not a one-to-one parallel, but Area judging is more like BOA judging every year. I think that this will help them ascend into the highest echelons of area success for years to come.

3rd: Colleyville Heritage (Metamorphosis)

Strokes of early 2000's for me. Hard music, harder drill. My only gripe would be the props, I wished they moved and "metamorphosized" into different shapes. The information coming out of Heritage for me is that most of their runs have been Murphy's Lawed to the point of missing finals at most of their contests, a rarity for them. I think that, with a good run, their brass power can carry them to a strong finish at Area and in San Antonio

4th: Burleson Centennial (The Golden Touch)

This show is downright exceptional. Seeing it live was a TOUCH-ing experience, and while I think it's not as clean or clear as other shows in this area, they are a state contender every year, and I don't foresee that changing this year.

5th: Richland (The Third Dimension)

Iridescent props, beautiful soloists, and difficult drill/choreo. The Third Dimension makes the return to the simplistic, quintessential Richland show after a couple years of (albeit, successful) experimentation. And we haven't even talked about their loudness yet! I enjoyed watching this show, unfortunately without the final part, but I believe we will see them back in the Alamodome come November.

6th: Grapevine (Soleil)

Love the backfield props. After "Coddiwomple" last year, I love that Grapevine is back to shows of depth. I think that they'll just miss out on state this year (just to be sure, they are good enough to succeed in San Antonio), but don't count them out for state in the next few years.

7th: Azle (The Fire Within)

Nice choreo and good brass. While they have never been super loud, I love their visual fire motif and uniforms. While they choose to focus more on BOA scoring, I don't think they won't succeed in area.

8th: Brewer (Lure of the Deep)

I saw this show live, and their brass is out for blood this year. After their 2022 4th place, I think they have lost the culture a bit but no hesitation from me to put them in finals this year.

9th: Saginaw (City Lights of Arabian Nights)

While I've only seen their show on video, it was great, and I think they'll be back to area finals here this year. No notes, just wish their brass was more effective.

10th: Birdville (Riff-Raff)

Cool theme, executed poorly. I love the intermingling of jazz and classical, but their brass power is not there and the visuals might be worse. I don't see them bouncing back very far this year, as their early season comps have had middling results and the weird judge or two could have helped them along the way. I enjoy their theme thoroughly, but I think they could execute better.

I personally would not place Birdville that low or Colleyville that high

[TheJokerOfficial]

2 hours ago, goat_trumpet said:

I personally would not place Birdville that low or Colleyville that high

I can definitely see that, seems like those are my hot take placements across the board. I don’t go to any of the schools that would be really considered for area finals, so maybe it’s just a guess. Apologies if I’m way off, this is just how I see things.

[BandNerd07]

3 hours ago, melloforlife27 said:

Joshua won every caption but marching and won outstanding 5a in prelims and overall first place in prelims and finals

Apologies for the error. I thought Arlington Heights won in prelims because they performed last in finals and I thought finals was reverse prelims order (I had to go get dinner during prelims awards so I didn’t see that Joshua got 5A outstanding band) but Heights was my personal favorite show of the day. But anyways there’s so many bands that can make finals. Out of area B, C and F this is definitely the most unpredictable area in DFW.

[flutelife22]

 cmon guys peace and harmony lets all be nice ❤️‍🩹

[ohboyilove5aareaf]

whats with everybody putting saginaw over granbury when granbury beat saginaw at midland?

[Bandlife]

5 hours ago, proudRICHLANDbandmom said:

Richland is going to make 1st place!!!! I

love their show and their closer is crazy!!!! They will beat aledo and their close second grapevine!!!

Grapevine behind Aledo? Ehhh... 

[proudRICHLANDbandmom]

Just now, Bandlife said:

Grapevine behind Aledo? Ehhh... 

I’m just saying!!! Richland is going full force to make area champs and top 5 at state.