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3A Area C

Posted by DSmrsgl on 11/2/2025, 6:45 pm

19 bands competing.
10 Bands in finals.
5 Bands to State?

I am curious as to what scenario there was that allowed this.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by Nick on 11/3/2025, 4:42 pm, in reply to "3A Area C"

Yea, the military bands really help numbers over there. They should probably get rid of this loophole in the UIL rules. It would definitely make state more competitive.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by And... on 11/5/2025, 12:05 pm, in reply to "Re: 3A Area C"

I would take it a step further, and stop determining how many bands advance to state based on the number of bands that *qualify* for Area (which I think is what you are getting at).

Think about it...what contest advances bands to state? If you said "Area" you are only half-right.
It is Area *finals*, technically a separate contest, that determines who goes to state. How many bands are in an Area finals contest? At most 10. That means that at every Area, there should only be 2 bands advancing in 5A & 6A, and 3 in 4A and smaller.

The only time more than 2 or 3 bands should be advanced is in situations like we had a couple of weeks ago...when inclement weather forced the Prelims contest to stand as the Finals. In that situation, then you can use the "1 for 5" rule as there are more than ten bands performing.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by Respectfully on 11/4/2025, 11:37 am, in reply to "Re: 3A Area C"

Explain how having fewer bands at State makes it more competitive.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by Nick on 11/5/2025, 11:05 am, in reply to "Re: 3A Area C"

Thank you for asking. Having less bands at state ensures that the public image is aware of the exclusivity of making this prestigious event. It will absolutely make the judging easier since the best bands are there. I'd honestly like to see only 2 automatic qualifiers for every class. It's time to trim the fat. It'll also make the state contest less frantic.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by Okay... on 11/5/2025, 7:46 am, in reply to "Re: 3A Area C"

The fewer bands, the more bands have a realistic chance to make finals and/or win the championship.

Now, your turn...

How is having 45+ bands at state more competitive when 30 of those bands don't have a prayer in making the night show, let alone winning the championship?

Remember, we're not talking about the "prestige" of being at state, were talking about competitiveness.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by Respectfully on 11/5/2025, 8:34 pm, in reply to "Re: 3A Area C"

This reply is also to Nick.

2 bands per area, fine. Please explain how that's fair to the third best band in Area X which is superior to the top band in area Y and has demonstrated that at invitationals.

That's why they allow the numbers they do. That and entry fees.

It's the same reason that 4 teams per district make football playoffs. Everyone knows the fourth best team in district is getting bounced in the first round - but they still get to say they're "a playoff team" on their resume.

Realistically there are only five-six bands in each classification that could win State every year. We all know it. Why have State at all if we're only going to have schools with a realistic chance? Just make BOA Super Regionals the UIL State Championship.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by some guy on 11/2/2025, 10:49 pm, in reply to "3A Area C"

The numbers to finals and state are determined by how many qualified for the contest, not by how many compete. By my count, 27 bands qualified, so that means 10 to finals and 5 to state no matter how many actually show up.

Re: 3A Area C

Posted by HCBD on 11/2/2025, 10:30 pm, in reply to "3A Area C"

Military Bands who received a Division 1 count in the overall band count for their respective Areas in relation to the finals and state advancement ratio.

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