LeanderMomma Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 Unpopular opinion, but I think Leander is in the best position to win this regional. I personally don’t think any other band I’ve seen so far is coming close visually in terms of performance and effect. Combined with a strong and already sparkly music book that should keep them closer than they have been historically in performance and high in effect, it seems the formula is there. I don't think that is an unpopular opinion at all! In fact, I LOVE IT! Seriously though, I'm obviously biased, but I agree with you. I think Leander has something special this year. herbaflerb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandwoww Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 1. Vandegrift 2. Leander 3. Cedar Park 4. Bowie 5. CTJ 6. Cedar Ridge 7. Round Rock 8. Vista Ridge 9. Hendrickson 10. Churchill/Westwood herbaflerb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hard Core Band Fan Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 I don't think that is an unpopular opinion at all! In fact, I LOVE IT! Seriously though, I'm obviously biased, but I agree with you. I think Leander has something special this year. We're all biased! But, I was raised to ask myself the question "If it wasn't your band, what would you think?". I try hard to base my opinions on that, but my bias is always there a little bit. I find this helpful when judging a band I just don't care for. It's the only way I can make a valid assessment. There are a couple of the top bands I just don't like and one in particular that just fields shows that will score well. Easy drill, not much marching, and rarely march and play at the same time. But, when I remove my bias from the equation, I can judge them on how well they do what they do and can understand why that works so well for them and why they place where they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanderMomma Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 We're all biased! But, I was raised to ask myself the question "If it wasn't your band, what would you think?". I try hard to base my opinions on that, but my bias is always there a little bit. I find this helpful when judging a band I just don't care for. It's the only way I can make a valid assessment. There are a couple of the top bands I just don't like and one in particular that just fields shows that will score well. Easy drill, not much marching, and rarely march and play at the same time. But, when I remove my bias from the equation, I can judge them on how well they do what they do and can understand why that works so well for them and why they place where they do. I try to do the same, though not perfectly. It is easier to have less bias now that my child has been out of the program a couple of seasons. I have more appreciation overall for all of the bands now, but obviously I'm always going to root for Leander. I imagine all of us feel that way about our band program, even if we are removed from it now. I also have more appreciation for the other bands because I meet the parents in the stands. And their enthusiasm for whatever their kid is doing on the field at that moment is infectious. I find myself rooting for all of the bands now, large or small. And appreciating each of their successes more. Sometimes I do get aggravated when I feel a band was not rewarded properly, or when I feel like one was given a medal that I feel they didn't deserve. But that's human and I'm not a judge. I'm just a HardCoreBandMom. ...and my heart will always be with Leander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gogogo Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 1) Vandegrift 2) Cedar Park 3) CTJ 4) Leander 5) Round Rock 6) Churchill 7) Bowie 8) Hendrickson 9) Westwood 10) Vista Ridge/Westwood/maybe even Pflugerville if they have a season like they did in 10/11/12/13 I would agree with your top four but think Leander and CTJ could swap..but CTJ show is a bit more interesting so I would put it ahead of Leander. 5. Cedar Ridge 6. Round Rock 7. Bowie bandperson1997 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTJBandPops Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 1. Vandegrift 2. Leander 3. Cedar Park 4. Bowie 5. CTJ 6. Cedar Ridge 7. Round Rock 8. Vista Ridge 9. Hendrickson 10. Churchill/Westwood i try to hold my Bias - but I do not see CTJ in 5th Hard Core Band Fan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanderMomma Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 i try to hold my Bias - but I do not see CTJ in 5th Me either. Not by a long shot. CTJBandPops 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hard Core Band Fan Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 i try to hold my Bias - but I do not see CTJ in 5th I never gamble, but I'd consider putting real money that CTJ doesn't land in 5th. Not at their level of performance and consistency. Barring a catastrophe, of course. CTJBandPops 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWHSParent Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 Whether I think CTJ would finish 5th or not if I was to make a prediction (which I'm not), the 4 programs listed ahead in that prediction are certainly capable of causing that order of finish, so I can see the thought behind it. Would it be a surprise? Yes. Shocking? No. It Is Texas after all (and early season to boot). LeanderMomma 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultLineBlues Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 1) Vandegrift 2) Cedar Park 3) CTJ 4) Leander 5) Round Rock 6) Churchill 7) Bowie 8) Hendrickson 9) Westwood 10) Vista Ridge/Westwood/maybe even Pflugerville if they have a season like they did in 10/11/12/13 Uh, I definitely think Cedar Ridge is gonna be somewhere in there. herbaflerb and LeanderMomma 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danpod Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 I'm digging what Vandegrift is doing this year. Their opener is a collection of pieces I played during my Freshman year's show. I think I still have the sheet music somewhere. Talk about a nostalgia trip!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danpod Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 I guess they just taste better at Kelley Reeves stadium. And with a side of BAND. Everything that was said was true. I apologize for absolutely nothing. LeanderMomma 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandperson1997 Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Uh, I definitely think Cedar Ridge is gonna be somewhere in there. I meant to put Cedar Ridge as 9th instead of Westwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Testing Trumpet Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 1. Leander 2. Vandegrift 3. CTJ 4. Cedar Park 5. Cedar Ridge 6. Round Rock 7. Bowie 8. Hendrickson 9. Westwood 10. Churchill ---- 11. Vista Ridge 12. New Braunfels +/- about 3 places for each are possible the way I see it. Kinda just from what's been said and what I saw last year/ gut feeling. herbaflerb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultLineBlues Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 1. Vandegrift 2. Leander 3. CTJ (Honestly, these three could be in any order and I wouldn't be surprised haha) 4. Cedar Park 5. Round Rock 6. Cedar Ridge 7. Hendrickson 8. Bowie 9. Churchill 10. Westwood/Vista Ridge I could be totally and completely wrong but it's fun to try and predict! The crazy thing about marching band is how unpredictable some of these first contests can be. I mean heck, Cedar Ridge went from not making finals at State and San Antonio in 2016 to beating some of the bands that had made it the year before, and Hendrickson got 7th last year but ended up jumping up like crazy in San Antonio finals! It's all just so fun to see. herbaflerb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTJBandPops Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 1. Vandegrift 2. Leander 3. CTJ (Honestly, these three could be in any order and I wouldn't be surprised haha) 4. Cedar Park 5. Round Rock 6. Cedar Ridge 7. Hendrickson 8. Bowie 9. Churchill 10. Westwood/Vista Ridge I could be totally and completely wrong but it's fun to try and predict! The crazy thing about marching band is how unpredictable some of these first contests can be. I mean heck, Cedar Ridge went from not making finals at State and San Antonio in 2016 to beating some of the bands that had made it the year before, and Hendrickson got 7th last year but ended up jumping up like crazy in San Antonio finals! It's all just so fun to see. 1. CTJ 2. Vandy 3. Leander 4. Round Rock 5. Cedar Park 6. Hendrickson 7. Cedar Ridge 8. Bowie 9. Vista Ridge 10. Churchill just my thoughts - the top 2-3 could be very fluid, and it will be a joy to see how it plays out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abtwitch Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I'm still holding onto my bet that Vandy will have a similar season to CTJ 2017. They will effectively go undefeated, except I think they have the ability to pull it off in UIL too. CTJ could peak late season with how difficult their show is, but they'll have a lot of cleaning to do which I think will give them a slow (but still very VERY impressive) start of the season. Leander and Round Rock will have a strong start as always, Bowie will surprise people, and Hendrickson will keep climbing the ranks. I heard Cedar Park had a rough start, but I'm sure they've fully recovered (I'm avoiding pre-season videos) with only minor setbacks. Cedar Ridge will be strong like always and will keep their finals spot easily. Vista Ridge are gonna also be very strong, but I think they'll have a slow start. The 10th spot is a tossup between Westwood and Churchill. Both bands are out for blood this season and will both be fighting their hardest for the last spot. Westwood has been in the bubble for the past few years and I can't tell you how many times it was mentioned by the directors and students when I was working with them, they want this and they want it bad. They also have the show for it and assuming they've kept up the hard work since I had to leave for college, there's no counting them out. Churchill is always very strong however, and they've had seasons where they perform lower than their standards and then come back the next year on fire, so their last season's results should be taken with a grain of salt when making early-season predictions for this year. I'm giving the edge to Westwood admittedly largely out of bias, but at the same time I see them making this their year, as well as their lucky performance time (4th to last). Expect a spectacular performance from both Westwood and Churchill and let it be a testament to the depth of this competition's competitiveness. Any of these 11 bands would be serious contenders, if not locks, for medals at most other non-Texas regionals. All that being said, here are my predictions 1) Vandegrift (Music, Visual) 2) C.T. Johnson (GE) 3) Leander 4) Round Rock 5) James Bowie 6) Hendrickson 7) Cedar Park 8) Cedar Ridge 9) Vista Ridge 10) Westwood ------------------- 11) Churchill Other bands I'm excited to see: New Braunfels Rouse Belton Pflugerville Weiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandit Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Anyone think about how the earlier start to the school year will factor in. Not sure if it affected all schools but I think that would be a consideration while comparing any band to “last year at this time”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandit Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Side note- does anyone know when Hornrank releases their analysis for the contests? Is it the Tuesday before the contest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justabandkid94 Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I'm digging what Vandegrift is doing this year. Their opener is a collection of pieces I played during my Freshman year's show. I think I still have the sheet music somewhere. Talk about a nostalgia trip!!! What is the music? Have been trying to figure it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbaflerb Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 1. Leander 2. Vandegrift 3. CTJ 4. Cedar Park 5. Cedar Ridge 6. Round Rock 7. Bowie 8. Hendrickson 9. Westwood 10. Churchill ---- 11. Vista Ridge 12. New Braunfels +/- about 3 places for each are possible the way I see it. Kinda just from what's been said and what I saw last year/ gut feeling. I don't want to roast any RR members, but I think people overlook how badly CR beat them last year at San Antonio. Not saying you did (In fact I love your predictions!), just speaking in general. A Testing Trumpet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Testing Trumpet Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I think the general consensus is that RR has consistently been a great band, but they haven't really improved in the ways the bands around them have. It's been a VERY high level of consistent success, and that's something to be very proud of, but they haven't really grown in the last few years while others around them have. I think if they want to truly stay competitive in places like the SA's and GN's they need to change their approach, and the new staff they have might be just the thing they needed. Hope the best for that program . herbaflerb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbaflerb Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I think the general consensus is that RR has consistently been a great band, but they haven't really improved in the ways the bands around them have. It's been a VERY high level of consistent success, and that's something to be very proud of, but they haven't really grown in the last few years while others around them have. I think if they want to truly stay competitive in places like the SA's and GN's they need to change their approach, and the new staff they have might be just the thing they needed. Hope the best for that program . I wonder how you know so much about the inner workings of the Round Rock band haha. A Testing Trumpet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post horns91 Posted September 13, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I think the general consensus is that RR has consistently been a great band, but they haven't really improved in the ways the bands around them have. It's been a VERY high level of consistent success, and that's something to be very proud of, but they haven't really grown in the last few years while others around them have. I think if they want to truly stay competitive in places like the SA's and GN's they need to change their approach, and the new staff they have might be just the thing they needed. Hope the best for that program . Very good observations about RR. The staff changes, new show writers, concept and music have all combined to make a distinct upgrade over the last several years. This year’s show is incredibly entertaining and powerful with some things that most won’t expect from the Dragon Band. That combined with the new uniforms will make a bold statement in two weeks. Get excited folks. You will really like what you see. LeanderMomma, A Testing Trumpet and Nny14 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nny14 Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I don't want to roast any RR members, but I think people overlook how badly CR beat them last year at San Antonio. Not saying you did (In fact I love your predictions!), just speaking in general. And the year prior to that Round Rock was in SA and State Finals while Cedar Ridge wasn't. A lot can change in a year. A Testing Trumpet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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