UIL 5A Area B 2026 (Oct 24)

[glyde]

Here we go!!!

[WanderingTraveler]

Ill give a small retrospective about the 2025 season for 5A Area B, even though it happened yesterday.

Thoughts: Congratulations to Wakeland, Lone Star, LT and Argyle on making state. I'm super excited to see these bands all in San Antonio next week! Top 3 no shock, strong placements all season. Saw a video of Argyle yesterday, they looked phenomenal! I think all 4 of these bands make state finals, and will represent this area well. McKinney North cleaned up A LOT since I saw them in Melissa, and they could've been top 4 as well, but Argyle I think had the edge last night after watching videos! Speaking of which, really bummed about the no-stream situation yesterday, I seem to remember there being one last year, and the 6A streams were all there last week...Weird. Hope I am able to be there in person regardless next year, but hope they find a way to consistently stream each year for all classes. Reedy puzzles me a bit, think they were great, haven't been able to see their run yet, but they had a great season! Melissa was not on my radar for expected finalists, but I think they absolutely deserve their placement, hope they can carry this momentum into 2026!

Everyone did great, this region is brutal as always, but I think that in the end, the right bands are going to state. I'm assuming there is a high likely this area looks a bit different in 2026, so I hope it remains being this competitive.

[Dave609]

17 minutes ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Ill give a small retrospective about the 2025 season for 5A Area B, even though it happened yesterday.

Thoughts: Congratulations to Wakeland, Lone Star, LT and Argyle on making state. I'm super excited to see these bands all in San Antonio next week! Top 3 no shock, strong placements all season. Saw a video of Argyle yesterday, they looked phenomenal! I think all 4 of these bands make state finals, and will represent this area well. McKinney North cleaned up A LOT since I saw them in Melissa, and they could've been top 4 as well, but Argyle I think had the edge last night after watching videos! Speaking of which, really bummed about the no-stream situation yesterday, I seem to remember there being one last year, and the 6A streams were all there last week...Weird. Hope I am able to be there in person regardless next year, but hope they find a way to consistently stream each year for all classes. Reedy puzzles me a bit, think they were great, haven't been able to see their run yet, but they had a great season! Melissa was not on my radar for expected finalists, but I think they absolutely deserve their placement, hope they can carry this momentum into 2026!

Everyone did great, this region is brutal as always, but I think that in the end, the right bands are going to state. I'm assuming there is a high likely this area looks a bit different in 2026, so I hope it remains being this competitive.

Next year will be a fun one to watch depending on how many new bands get added to this Area. Could we possibly see a 5th band get the chance to go to state?

[dryyellowmangos]

Does anyone have the score breakdowns from yesterday?

[WanderingTraveler]

14 minutes ago, dryyellowmangos said:

Does anyone have the score breakdowns from yesterday?

You can find breakdowns for all areas here: https://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/area

[TrumpetLord]

14 hours ago, WanderingTraveler said:

Ill give a small retrospective about the 2025 season for 5A Area B, even though it happened yesterday.

Thoughts: Congratulations to Wakeland, Lone Star, LT and Argyle on making state. I'm super excited to see these bands all in San Antonio next week! Top 3 no shock, strong placements all season. Saw a video of Argyle yesterday, they looked phenomenal! I think all 4 of these bands make state finals, and will represent this area well. McKinney North cleaned up A LOT since I saw them in Melissa, and they could've been top 4 as well, but Argyle I think had the edge last night after watching videos! Speaking of which, really bummed about the no-stream situation yesterday, I seem to remember there being one last year, and the 6A streams were all there last week...Weird. Hope I am able to be there in person regardless next year, but hope they find a way to consistently stream each year for all classes. Reedy puzzles me a bit, think they were great, haven't been able to see their run yet, but they had a great season! Melissa was not on my radar for expected finalists, but I think they absolutely deserve their placement, hope they can carry this momentum into 2026!

Everyone did great, this region is brutal as always, but I think that in the end, the right bands are going to state. I'm assuming there is a high likely this area looks a bit different in 2026, so I hope it remains being this competitive.

here's a reedy run with good audio: 

 

[iLuvCrown]

Tc takes state 2026

[Brassmaster22]

WG is a crazy sleeper

 

[Thatonedoublereed14]

12 minutes ago, Brassmaster22 said:

WG is a crazy sleeper

 

In all likelihood they move up to 6A Area J after seeing enrollment numbers for next year

[glyde]

Wakeland, WG, Reedy are all projected to move up to 6a next year alledgedly.

Celina, Sulphur Springs, Davenport and Panther Creek, and Prosper Richland will most liklely all be moving up to 5a.

I can see Wakeland dominating finals at 6a J and Celina can be a bubble band. 

That is what I believe as of now

[Toasty]

1 hour ago, glyde said:

Wakeland, WG, Reedy are all projected to move up to 6a next year alledgedly.

Celina, Sulphur Springs, Davenport and Panther Creek, and Prosper Richland will most liklely all be moving up to 5a.

I can see Wakeland dominating finals at 6a J and Celina can be a bubble band. 

That is what I believe as of now

reedy will be staying 5A, their enrollment numbers aren't close to 6A.

[Tubalord11]

10 hours ago, glyde said:

Wakeland, WG, Reedy are all projected to move up to 6a next year alledgedly.

Celina, Sulphur Springs, Davenport and Panther Creek, and Prosper Richland will most liklely all be moving up to 5a.

I can see Wakeland dominating finals at 6a J and Celina can be a bubble band. 

That is what I believe as of now

I think if Wakeland moves up, it’s gonna be them Prosper and maybe another school or 2 if they get closer to them fighting for that last spot 

[glyde]

On 11/7/2025 at 9:03 AM, Tubalord11 said:

I think if Wakeland moves up, it’s gonna be them Prosper and maybe another school or 2 if they get closer to them fighting for that last spot 

I can see Wakeland getting 4th at J if they dont update the roster. They could be Prosper imo.

[Toasty]

After 5A state ending, I think we could see this area looking a lot different, with projected now wakeland McN and walnut grove moving up, with Sulphur springs Aubrey PC Richland, eagle mountain, and Celina projected to come up, that makes 25 bands and 5 state spots, which could be interesting to see some new faces at state next year.

[DrummersEcho]

If a lot of these 5A bands moved to 6A, this is how I can project, and since there MIGHT be 5 state spots, based on 2025's area and state results here we go.

5A AREA B 2026 STATEBOUND PREDICTIONS

1. Lebanon Trail OR Lone Star (Possible State Medallist)
2. Lone Star or Lebanon Trail (Possible State Medallist)
3. Argyle (Possible State Medalist)
4. Melissa Or Heritage
5. Heritage Or Independence

These 5 Bands have had crazy improvement in their Area, and if they can ALL Clean Up, and push for a higher ceiling, they will secure these 5 State Spots (If there is 5.0

Lets talk about these Predictions.
Lebanon Trail had a crazy season. 7TH Boa Prosper Finals, 4th At State, 4th at Melissa Marching, 3rd at UIL 5A Area B. If they can make their show better than their 2025 Show i can see them medaling at State. Since Cedar Park, And Wakeland could be leaving.
Lone Star, 4th Boa Prosper, 2nd at Melissa Marching Invitational. If they can make their Show better this year, I can see them Medalling as well.
Argyle: Forgot the results to lazy to go find them, but you already know the deal. Argyle is a Powerhouse that dominates as a Tiny 5A. 4th at State Prelims, 6th in Finals.
Melissa: Their 2025 Finals Run was SO. GOOD. if they can just do better and grind with all of those rehearsals in their giant Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. I See it.
Heritage: Almost there, needs alot more work on Show Design. Kind of impressed with the Visual scores. If they can put out a better show with better players, I see it.
Indepedence: Your directors look determined. Watching all the bands at 5A State during class, setting big goals. Going for a more clean approach to the Visual and Forms. I have hope for you guys. It just needs work.

The small gap between LT, Lone Star and Argyle is crazy, they are all killer schools and Fighting for a Medal is going to be awesome to see next year. 
Thanks for reading my predictions, give me thoughts, and good feedback, Heres to the beginning of an awesome 2026 marching season!
  

[C11]

3 hours ago, DrummersEcho said:
Argyle: Forgot the results to lazy to go find them, but you already know the deal. Argyle is a Powerhouse that dominates as a Tiny 5A. 4th at State Prelims, 6th in Finals.
 

4th in prelims and 5th in finals

[Gpk1968]

3 hours ago, DrummersEcho said:

If a lot of these 5A bands moved to 6A, this is how I can project, and since there MIGHT be 5 state spots, based on 2025's area and state results here we go.

5A AREA B 2026 STATEBOUND PREDICTIONS

1. Lebanon Trail OR Lone Star (Possible State Medallist)
2. Lone Star or Lebanon Trail (Possible State Medallist)
3. Argyle (Possible State Medalist)
4. Melissa Or Heritage
5. Heritage Or Independence

These 5 Bands have had crazy improvement in their Area, and if they can ALL Clean Up, and push for a higher ceiling, they will secure these 5 State Spots (If there is 5.0

Lets talk about these Predictions.
Lebanon Trail had a crazy season. 7TH Boa Prosper Finals, 4th At State, 4th at Melissa Marching, 3rd at UIL 5A Area B. If they can make their show better than their 2025 Show i can see them medaling at State. Since Cedar Park, And Wakeland could be leaving.
Lone Star, 4th Boa Prosper, 2nd at Melissa Marching Invitational. If they can make their Show better this year, I can see them Medalling as well.
Argyle: Forgot the results to lazy to go find them, but you already know the deal. Argyle is a Powerhouse that dominates as a Tiny 5A. 4th at State Prelims, 6th in Finals.
Melissa: Their 2025 Finals Run was SO. GOOD. if they can just do better and grind with all of those rehearsals in their giant Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. I See it.
Heritage: Almost there, needs alot more work on Show Design. Kind of impressed with the Visual scores. If they can put out a better show with better players, I see it.
Indepedence: Your directors look determined. Watching all the bands at 5A State during class, setting big goals. Going for a more clean approach to the Visual and Forms. I have hope for you guys. It just needs work.

The small gap between LT, Lone Star and Argyle is crazy, they are all killer schools and Fighting for a Medal is going to be awesome to see next year. 
Thanks for reading my predictions, give me thoughts, and good feedback, Heres to the beginning of an awesome 2026 marching season!
  

Celina is definitely moving up. The question is, will they keep their 5A region in area c or move them to area b. The 4A schools from their region currently go to Lindale. 
 

if they end up in area b, I would personally lump them in with Melissa/heritage/independence. They beat Melissa at McKinney performing what was probably their absolute worst run of the season. If their numbers continue to grow, I think they could be a contender. A lot of factors are at play regarding realignment at the moment, however. I don’t think any of the schools who are potentially moving up pose quite the threat Celina does. I’m not saying they are going to come in and dethrone LT and LS by any means, but I think they are definitely an area finalist contender and possibly one of the bubble bands to state

[flutelolbro]

1 hour ago, Gpk1968 said:

Celina is definitely moving up. The question is, will they keep their 5A region in area c or move them to area b. The 4A schools from their region currently go to Lindale. 
 

if they end up in area b, I would personally lump them in with Melissa/heritage/independence. They beat Melissa at McKinney performing what was probably their absolute worst run of the season. If their numbers continue to grow, I think they could be a contender. A lot of factors are at play regarding realignment at the moment, however. I don’t think any of the schools who are potentially moving up pose quite the threat Celina does. I’m not saying they are going to come in and dethrone LT and LS by any means, but I think they are definitely an area finalist contender and possibly one of the bubble bands to state

We have to remember that Melissa did a TON of cleaning after that and before area to get their area finals result plus the fact that McKinney is pretty early in the season. If we're talking about area, Celina will at the worst be at the bottom half of finals or in the bubble for finals and at their best be competing for 5th or 4th if they are rezoned to 5A Area B.

[Gpk1968]

6 hours ago, Toasty said:

with Sulphur springs Aubrey PC Richland, eagle mountain, and Celina projected to come up

Won’t Sulphur go to area c? 

[Toasty]

5 hours ago, Gpk1968 said:

Won’t Sulphur go to area c? 

Yeah my bad, I confused them with Celina who actually would transfer to area B since they’re region 25, so we’d have 24 4 state then, also to respond to what you said earlier, I don’t see Celina being a contender for state, I see them at max bottom of finals, we saw this as McKinney where they placed 18th below panther creek, they’re a good program but as of right now they can’t compete with 5A’s and need time to adjust.

[flutelolbro]

10 hours ago, Toasty said:

Yeah my bad, I confused them with Celina who actually would transfer to area B since they’re region 25, so we’d have 24 4 state then, also to respond to what you said earlier, I don’t see Celina being a contender for state, I see them at max bottom of finals, we saw this as McKinney where they placed 18th below panther creek, they’re a good program but as of right now they can’t compete with 5A’s and need time to adjust.

From what I saw in the Realignment forum, Community might move up to 5A with Celina which means there could be 25 bands with 5 bands at state.

[TrenBS]

Like Ive been saying, I think a single area having all state finalists comprise their state qualifiers is not healthy for the activity, since typically its dominated by 1-2 districts (Frisco/McKinney one year and Frisco/Argyle the next? Check) and can make breaking into state exceedingly difficult for a lot of bands.

HOWEVER, seeing how area B does indeed have solid competition, and in regards to the state bubble, Wakeland moving up alleviates a lot of issues with this area especially since more 4A bands are moving up to 5A in this area than 5A bands are moving up to 6A. I think Wakeland moving up would be a simple solution to this areas problem (Lone Star, Lebanon, Argyle, McKinney North/Melissa/Reedy/Heritage are all state potential bands, 2-3 districts with multiple non-finalists capable of breaking in).

I think 5As issue is less with Area B being monopolized in the way Area J is (eve though it kinda is, but not nearly as much of a division), rather 5A just has VAST socioeconomic inequality area to area given the nature of this classification system where certain areas clustered in high staff demand locations with proximity to universities or resources, along with districts better suited to perform stronger programs. So I think this area is fine being stronger than most of the other ones since Area B is plenty competitive unlike J or H 6A where theres little to no room for movement, especially next alignment with all of LeanderISD being 6A besides Rouse.

Tl;DR, Area B is fine the way it is FOR NOW. I think Melissa and a few other bands can break into state unlike J or H 6A which will become impossible for non dominant schools, and I hope that next year is just as high quality as this year!

[jamminsalmon_]

does anyone know when the realignment day is?

[stinkymonkey]

As of right now:

Walnut Grove should be the only school moving up. FISD enrollment is declining, and if there was a risk of a school moving up to 6A they would rezone 

Mckinney ISD is rezoning HUGE so Mckinney North with actually be closer to ~1,600-1,700 people, Boyd and MHS will get huge boosts

That means 21 bands (if I count right), plus Celina, Panther Creek, and Richland. 24 bands, and I believe some others should move up, not sure where they’re located but one more band should join this area.

That being said, next year will have 25 state spots, here are my thoughts 

LT Argyle LS are at this point guaranteed top 3 and all state medal contenders

The 4A schools moving up shouldn’t preform very well, even Celina, looking at comps and how Anna is doing…

The lasts two spots go to whoever wants it more. I don’t even think any of the 5-13 are necessarily “better” than one another by a massive margin, as we can see how Melissa and Heritage snuck in last minute.

Do I think Melissa will place as high next year? I don’t think so but they could do it as historically I know they have not been as concerned with the competition aspect of the season

McN I think is out with the rezoning and I believe their director is looking to move positions because of it…

So the whole bunch of frisco schools is for the next two spots, good luck to whoever wants it most! I think anyone can do it 

[Gpk1968]

29 minutes ago, stinkymonkey said:

The 4A schools moving up shouldn’t preform very well, even Celina, looking at comps and how Anna is doing…

I have some insight as to what happened with the Anna program. They were already in decline before they left 4a. They went to a 4 day week and lost their assistant director (who is now at North Lamar).  This coupled with some administrative mismanagement issues (district wide) really tanked that program. Teachers were literally flooding out of the district. My wife was offered a lot of money to go the high school and be a team lead to help turn some things around and she declined because the morale was so low. I keep rooting for them to rebound. 
 

I don’t think comparing Celina to Anna is a fair comparison. I’ve been following the rapid rise of this program since about 2019 or 2020. I would put celina more on the same trajectory as Argyle, or maybe Melissa at worst. I don’t think they are going to come in year one and make a bold statement but I do think they will be up there in a few years, especially with the growth out there. The band has the potential to be BIG and they aren’t projecting a new high school for I think 4-5 years. I’m sure for year one they are just aiming to make area finals, and they go from there.