Yeah, yeah, everything’s bigger in Texas. It’s cliché, but it still seems to ring true every fall when marching band season rolls around. 

Just look at last weekend. In Austin, six bands broke 80, including one that scored an 86.300. 

In September.

Every single finalist scored over 77. Texas, sure, isn’t the only such hotbed in the United States, but you can’t deny it’s one of the best.

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And with 34 Texan bands ready to descend on Katy ISD’s Legacy Stadium for the Bands of America Houston Regional Championship, the best of that best will be back at it this weekend.

Major Headliners

To talk competitively when it comes to BOA in Texas, a good barometer is often the San Antonio Super Regional. I mean, goodness, there’s like, a billion Texas bands at this thing every year.

Of those billion, 14 made the event’s Finals in 2018. Of those 14, we’ll be seeing three in Houston.

There’s The Woodlands (seventh in San Antonio, 2018) — which will highlight the morning block of Prelims — Westlake (13th), and Ronald Reagan (second), which goes on dead last in Prelims at 4:45 p.m. CT.

This weekend in Houston, we’ll also have another look at one of the finalists from a week ago in Austin. That’s Westwood, which snuck into the Austin event’s finals in 10th. 

But last season’s Houston event could also be an indicator of what to expect this Saturday. Of 2018’s 10 Houston finalists, seven are back for more. The full list, including bands’ 2018 placements: Ronald Reagan (first), The Woodlands (third), Cy-Fair (fifth), Oak Ridge (sixth), Seven Lakes (seventh), James E. Taylor (ninth), Brazoswood (10th). 

What does that mean for the top-10 cutoff this weekend? Bands like Stephen F. Austin and Pearland — which both finished within half a point of the cut in 2018 — among others, will certainly be looking to make the jump this time around.

Watchlist

A couple of intriguing show concepts and music selections certainly stick out from the more than 30-deep setlist of Saturday performers in Houston.

The Woodlands’ show features a couple of Leonard Bernstein pieces, so that catches my eye right off the bat. Seven Lakes will be performing Bon Iver’s “715-Creeks,” so if you watched DCI this summer, there's a bit of a nod to Madison Scouts’ show from this season. 

Stephen F. Austin’s concept, “Dare to Dream,” piques my interest when looking at some of the music selections especially. “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman? And “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha? OK, yeah, I’m sold. 

If I’m tuning into this show, though, I’m definitely not sleeping in. The opening block of Prelims performances, which kicks off bright and early at 7 AM CT, will feature a bit of contemporary flair, with songs like Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” (Magnolia HS) and Eminem’s “The Monster” feat. Rhianna (Paetow HS). 

I’m really only scratching the surface here, though. Top to bottom, Saturday’s Houston event should be rife with interesting competition and memorable on-field moments.

But then again, it’s Texas. So, you probably already knew that.