UIL 6A 2023 State Marching Band Contest (Oct. 30. & 31)

[BlastFromThePast]

6 minutes ago, washedupalum2017 said:

how has the livestream been? considering subscribing for finals...

Was pretty good for the most part during prelims, definitely worth $12. I wish the ensemble field mics could be better -- the audio is a bit muddy. But it is hard to mic an entire band that's moving around a large field...

[Miyazuu]

29 minutes ago, JMR2022 said:

I am not pushing for Wax to get disqualified - once they were announced you cannot pull them back - not fair to the kids - but CTJ should have been added. they all play by the same rules - as noted above, CTJ starts their show prior to their announcement to meet that same rule - everyone adjusts for the UIL 5 minute min - 8 minute max.  I am more than aware that there are a great deal of unpaid volunteers at these events - as I will spend my entire weekend at the dome for BOA-SA as I have done for years. the fact remains that there is a rule that was bent - UIL made accommodations for WAX but not for CTJ. either enforce the rule or do away with it 

At this point "CTJ should've been added" is just cope. Waxahachie performed well, that's why they got ranked at 14th. Even if waxahachie DIDN'T go over we probably wouldn't have seen CTJ in finals as the results show. The time accomodation is such a trivial thing in regards to who should and shouldn't be in finals. 

It's alright to be upset CTJ didn't make finals but this whole "let's add an extra spot and waxahachie should've been reprimanded" is so... unnecessary..

Just to add- the basis of "well they made finals every year since 2010" doesn't really hold weight as we've seen this year. Cedar Ridge was a bronze medalist and couldn't even make it to state. Reputation doesn't mean things are owed. 

[tubapop]

21 minutes ago, Miyazuu said:

 Reputation doesn't mean things are owed. 

1000%

[bandfam1234]

35 minutes ago, Miyazuu said:

At this point "CTJ should've been added" is just cope. Waxahachie performed well, that's why they got ranked at 14th. Even if waxahachie DIDN'T go over we probably wouldn't have seen CTJ in finals as the results show. The time accomodation is such a trivial thing in regards to who should and shouldn't be in finals. 

It's alright to be upset CTJ didn't make finals but this whole "let's add an extra spot and waxahachie should've been reprimanded" is so... unnecessary..

Just to add- the basis of "well they made finals every year since 2010" doesn't really hold weight as we've seen this year. Cedar Ridge was a bronze medalist and couldn't even make it to state. Reputation doesn't mean things are owed. 

One of the greatest lessons we can teach our kids is to lose with grace and to learn from every experience. Many of the bands that did not make it to finals today are at BOA this weekend. I think we will see a lot of focus. As band supporters, we should never diminish the place that another band earns. ❤️

[TacosNSalsa]

32 minutes ago, Miyazuu said:

At this point "CTJ should've been added" is just cope. Waxahachie performed well, that's why they got ranked at 14th. Even if waxahachie DIDN'T go over we probably wouldn't have seen CTJ in finals as the results show. The time accomodation is such a trivial thing in regards to who should and shouldn't be in finals. 

It's alright to be upset CTJ didn't make finals but this whole "let's add an extra spot and waxahachie should've been reprimanded" is so... unnecessary..

Just to add- the basis of "well they made finals every year since 2010" doesn't really hold weight as we've seen this year. Cedar Ridge was a bronze medalist and couldn't even make it to state. Reputation doesn't mean things are owed. 

They are two different issues. Agree completely.

The biggest concern is that if a timing penalty was ignored for one band, but it was upheld for several other schools - what is the factor used to make this decision? I don't want to see kids disqualified - that said, if Wax went over, they should have been DQ, and the next band in line (whoever it is) moves up. Those are the rules. In the past, UIL has been clear about things like this at Area and Region - bands who go even one second over, whether its clock operator error, director error, or whatever, have been disqualified. If we are going to show leniency at state, then that should be in the rules. Personally, I do not think the 8:00 thing is worth the stress it creates, but that's neither here nor there it is the rule on the books and others have been held to it.

UIL has so many rules that are restrictive and stressful, that all of the bands who stayed within 8:00 yesterday made necessary accommodations to do so. But, the message communicated when rules are not enforced evenly is that they apply to some, not all.

The solution yesterday could have been to advance the 14 bands who earned it playing by the rules, and a special accommodation made for Wax. But, if that precedent is set, then it should be adhered to going forward.

Sorry for everyone dealing with this. Cooler heads will prevail. Be kind to one another. Kids read this stuff.

 

 

[lost]

8 minutes ago, TacosNSalsa said:

They are two different issues. Agree completely.

The biggest concern is that if a timing penalty was ignored for one band, but it was upheld for several other schools - what is the factor used to make this decision? I don't want to see kids disqualified - that said, if Wax went over, they should have been DQ, and the next band in line (whoever it is) moves up. Those are the rules. In the past, UIL has been clear about things like this at Area and Region - bands who go even one second over, whether its clock operator error, director error, or whatever, have been disqualified. If we are going to show leniency at state, then that should be in the rules. Personally, I do not think the 8:00 thing is worth the stress it creates, but that's neither here nor there it is the rule on the books and others have been held to it.

UIL has so many rules that are restrictive and stressful, that all of the bands who stayed within 8:00 yesterday made necessary accommodations to do so. But, the message communicated when rules are not enforced evenly is that they apply to some, not all.

The solution yesterday could have been to advance the 14 bands who earned it playing by the rules, and a special accommodation made for Wax. But, if that precedent is set, then it should be adhered to going forward.

Sorry for everyone dealing with this. Cooler heads will prevail. Be kind to one another. Kids read this stuff.

 

 

There is no special accommodation needed to be made for wax because it was declared Wax did in fact meet the timing rules lol. I hate to say it, but the people repeating this narrative are making a really bad name for the CTJ program.

[BandFan95]

10 minutes ago, TacosNSalsa said:

They are two different issues. Agree completely.

The biggest concern is that if a timing penalty was ignored for one band, but it was upheld for several other schools - what is the factor used to make this decision? I don't want to see kids disqualified - that said, if Wax went over, they should have been DQ, and the next band in line (whoever it is) moves up. Those are the rules. In the past, UIL has been clear about things like this at Area and Region - bands who go even one second over, whether its clock operator error, director error, or whatever, have been disqualified. If we are going to show leniency at state, then that should be in the rules. Personally, I do not think the 8:00 thing is worth the stress it creates, but that's neither here nor there it is the rule on the books and others have been held to it.

UIL has so many rules that are restrictive and stressful, that all of the bands who stayed within 8:00 yesterday made necessary accommodations to do so. But, the message communicated when rules are not enforced evenly is that they apply to some, not all.

The solution yesterday could have been to advance the 14 bands who earned it playing by the rules, and a special accommodation made for Wax. But, if that precedent is set, then it should be adhered to going forward.

Sorry for everyone dealing with this. Cooler heads will prevail. Be kind to one another. Kids read this stuff.

 

 

See, normally I'd agree with this whole premise, however, we are all going on what is being said here, on a message board. Not to say it isn't absolutely true, but it's still message board fodder and I think that I know one of y'all in real life. 

 

So color me skeptical of everything I read on the internet. We don't know the details. We don't know EXACTLY what happened. We know something something something something OMG TIME something CTJ something something.

 

OK. Have a great one y'all.

[TacosNSalsa]

5 minutes ago, BandFan95 said:

See, normally I'd agree with this whole premise, however, we are all going on what is being said here, on a message board. Not to say it isn't absolutely true, but it's still message board fodder and I think that I know one of y'all in real life. 

 

So color me skeptical of everything I read on the internet. We don't know the details. We don't know EXACTLY what happened. We know something something something something OMG TIME something CTJ something something.

 

OK. Have a great one y'all.

Also true, I used the term "if" specifically because I am reacting and responding to what is coming from the board and people who were attending the event yesterday.

[PercussionDad]

1 hour ago, JMR2022 said:

I am not pushing for Wax to get disqualified - once they were announced you cannot pull them back - not fair to the kids - but CTJ should have been added. they all play by the same rules - as noted above, CTJ starts their show prior to their announcement to meet that same rule - everyone adjusts for the UIL 5 minute min - 8 minute max.  I am more than aware that there are a great deal of unpaid volunteers at these events - as I will spend my entire weekend at the dome for BOA-SA as I have done for years. the fact remains that there is a rule that was bent - UIL made accommodations for WAX but not for CTJ. either enforce the rule or do away with it 

No one is owed a spot in finals. There is a long history of leniency at state for issues. New Diana’s drum major freezing up and the director having to go on the field and start the band. Ronald Reagan several years ago with electronics issues that started 3 minutes late. A balloon being accidentally released during prelims at the Alamodome years ago. I believe the directors received a warning in those cases. 
 

As good as CTJ was, they didn’t make the top 14. End of story. 

[lost]

1 minute ago, PercussionDad said:

No one is owed a spot in finals. There is a long history of leniency at state for issues. New Diana’s drum major freezing up and the director having to go on the field and start the band. Ronald Reagan several years ago with electronics issues that started 3 minutes late. A balloon being accidentally released during prelims at the Alamodome years ago. I believe the directors received a warning in those cases. 
 

As good as CTJ was, they didn’t make the top 14. End of story. 

I remember the issue with New Diana! That is a throwback.

[TacosNSalsa]

11 minutes ago, PercussionDad said:

No one is owed a spot in finals. There is a long history of leniency at state for issues. New Diana’s drum major freezing up and the director having to go on the field and start the band. Ronald Reagan several years ago with electronics issues that started 3 minutes late. A balloon being accidentally released during prelims at the Alamodome years ago. I believe the directors received a warning in those cases. 
 

As good as CTJ was, they didn’t make the top 14. End of story. 

I agree with leniency - I wish that had been afforded to several bands who were DQ at Area in recent years. I take issue with the lack of consistency, and what is the standard that was applied to those groups vs. the ones at state.

[TenorSaxMan16]

2 hours ago, Coolhornplayer said:

These are the average scores from the top 15 bands. Marcus and Hebron are so close together right now

 

 

vandegrift 963.7142857

Marcus 960.7142857

Hebron 960.4285714

Flowermound  957

woodlands 952.2857143

Reagan 948.8571429

vista ridge 947.5714286

Coppell 937.2857143

Round Rock 929.7142857

Pearland 928.7142857

Keller 920.7142857

Bridgeland 917.1428571

Cy-Fair 913.5714286

Waxahachie 911.1428571

CTJ 901.1428571

 

Wow a 10 point drop off between 7th and 8th. These averages are so interesting. 

[Hard Core Band Fan]

3 hours ago, wyattstamm said:

I had multiple people tell me that is wasn't a bad run, so idk. 

We're they judges, band directors, or knowledgeable people?

[tubapop]

21 minutes ago, lost said:

I remember the issue with New Diana! That is a throwback.

What's the story there? The drum major just froze??

[SleepySeal]

I’m at the 6a finals for the first time ever. I’ve seen prelims live before but never finals. Excited to be here to see the best of the best high school bands among Texas. 

[HornBlorgis9000]

7 minutes ago, SleepySeal said:

I’m at the 6a finals for the first time ever. I’ve seen prelims live before but never finals. Excited to be here to see the best of the best high school bands among Texas. 

I came for the first time in 21.  I was absolutely floored by the quality of the bands and the sounds they produced playing in the Alamodome.  Then saw pen-striped - caught me quite off guard.  High school bands aren't supposed to be able to do that.  So i thought.

[SleepySeal]

3 minutes ago, HornBlorgis9000 said:

I came for the first time in 21.  I was absolutely floored by the quality of the bands and the sounds they produced playing in the Alamodome.  Then saw pen-striped - caught me quite off guard.  High school bands aren't supposed to be able to do that.  So i thought.

Wow I came to prelims for the first time in 21 too. Was absolutely amazed by Vista, Vandegrift and Hebron. Can’t wait to see them again today!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

7 minutes ago, HornBlorgis9000 said:

I came for the first time in 21.  I was absolutely floored by the quality of the bands and the sounds they produced playing in the Alamodome.  Then saw pen-striped - caught me quite off guard.  High school bands aren't supposed to be able to do that.  So i thought.

I first attended in the mid-1980's when it was at UT's stadium in Austin. It was just as exciting back then and something I will never forget. At that time they did all classes, both prelims and finals, in one day. Only 5 bands in each class for finals then, so making finals was tough. And no 6A class then, either.

[BlastFromThePast]

14 hours ago, packwick said:

oooo, some seemingly really nutty results in those ordinals. uil, gurl, u spicy!!!

The ordinals system is mathematically, er, "challenged". It introduces an element of randomness (you could say spiciness) into the overall rankings. Thus there can be position shuffling in the overall placements that have little to do with the judges' actual scores. Without seeing the score sheets, I can't say that happened in this particular contest. But being a "fuzzy" subjective contest in the first place, IMHO it'd be better if the scoring system wouldn't add this additional spice. Then again, maybe it just adds to the excitement.

[BandMom75]

Coppell did an outstanding job!!! Loved the show. 

[Tubalord11]

Hey Everyone! So a separate thread has been made specifically for State Finals, so for the sake of not getting mixed up between the two and this one not being a million pages long, lets try to use that one instead, thanks! 

[Bandmomlover]

4 hours ago, Dallas Hobbs said:

And If I have this right (correct me if I’m not) this is the finalists breakdown by major city:

DFW- 6

Houston- 4

Austin- 3

San Antonio- 1

Congratulations to Houston bands!!! Most I’ve seen since….? Who has stats? In 2021, I believe only TWHS; 2022, THWHS AND Pearland? or was Cy-Fair in there too?

[BravoBand]

1 hour ago, Bandmomlover said:

Congratulations to Houston bands!!! Most I’ve seen since….? Who has stats? In 2021, I believe only TWHS; 2022, THWHS AND Pearland? or was Cy-Fair in there too?

I don't think Houston has ever had 4 in finals before.  Houston was very strong in the 90's but there were only 5 or 7 finalists total back then.

In fact, the last time they had 3 in finals was 2004: Langham Creek, TWHS, Clements

[Brent]

7 hours ago, SlowDriver said:

Wylie won’t be there.  They are done for the year.  Surprised too since they essentially tied Dripping Spring Saturday in Waco to see them drop so much after a great run. 

There are things that bands of America cares about that UIL does not. Why they placing lower doesn't surprise me at all.

[NTXBandMom]

53 minutes ago, Brent said:

There are things that bands of America cares about that UIL does not. Why they placing lower doesn't surprise me at all.

Wylie also places 4th behind Hebron, Flomo, and Marcus in Area competitions. There is a 4 point differential between those top 3 and 4th place, but it is pretty surprising to see Wylie ranked so far down. They won the tie with Prosper at Area for 4th and Prosper was ranked much farther up than Wylie.