2016 McAllen Regional



Prelims Results:
(view full recap here)

Class A
1. Hidalgo H.S., TX
2. Raymondville H.S., TX
3. Santa Rosa H.S., TX

Music: Hidalgo H.S., TX
Visual: Hidalgo H.S., TX
GE: Hidalgo H.S., TX

Class AA
1. Pioneer H.S., TX
2. Roma H.S., TX
3. Grulla H.S., TX

Music: Pioneer H.S., TX
Visual: Pioneer H.S., TX
GE: Pioneer H.S., TX

Class AAA
1. Lopez H.S., TX
2. Robert Vela H.S., TX
3. Harlingen South H.S., TX

Music: Robert Vela H.S., TX
Visual: Harlingen South H.S., TX
GE: Lopez H.S., TX

Class AAAA
1. James Bowie H.S., TX
2. Harlingen H.S., TX
3. Homer Hanna H.S., TX

Music: James Bowie H.S., TX
Visual: James Bowie H.S., TX
GE: James Bowie H.S., TX

Finals Results:
(view full recap here)

1. (77.30) James Bowie H.S., TX
2. (73.30) Pioneer H.S., TX
3. (73.20) Harlingen H.S., TX
4. (70.15) Lake Travis H.S., TX
5. (69.10) Homer Hanna H.S., TX
6. (68.15) Judson H.S., TX
7. (66.85) Robert Vela H.S., TX
8. (66.15) Edinburg North H.S., TX
9. (65.95) Hidalgo H.S., TX
10. (62.40) Lopez H.S., TX

Music: James Bowie H.S., TX
Visual: James Bowie H.S., TX
GE: James Bowie H.S., TX

Returning 2015 Finalists (6):
2. Harlingen H.S., TX (Music)
5. Homer Hanna H.S., TX
6. Hidalgo H.S., TX
7. Roma H.S., TX
8. Edinburg North H.S., TX
10. Palmview H.S., TX

Previous Champions:
2015: Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX

States Represented (1):
Texas
About
The 2016 McAllen Regional was held Sept. 17 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Former Grand National Finalist James Bowie was named regional champion, winning first place from every judge in prelims and finals.

However, the real winners were Pioneer and Harlingen, who were in a close battle for second place. This season was Pioneer's third year of existence, and the group is already competing as one of the best in the region.

Analysis
The McAllen Regional in 2015 was a great success, featuring multiple groups that had never attended a Bands of America event before while also showcasing the great groups from the southern area of Texas. Although the finals competition was cancelled because of weather, Harlingen pleasantly surprised fans by tying in the music caption with national powerhouse Claudia Taylor Johnson and finishing second overall.

While Claudia Taylor Johnson will not be defending their championship this season, James Bowie will be making the nearly five-hour drive from Austin and will be the favorite heading into preliminary competition.

Bowie has a long history of making finals at regionals, super regionals, and Grand Nationals. Unfortunately, the band recently lost several of its directors who went to start a band program at Tom Glenn High School, a new school that just opened this fall.

Harlingen looks like the only school set to take 2nd place, with the next closest group coming in the form of new challenger Lopez

After that, we're looking to several of last year's finalists who we expect to repeat as finalists. These groups include Hidalgo, Hanna, Roma, Edinburg North, and Palmview.

Another new challenger, Lake Travis could make a push into the top half of finals. They had an excellent showing at the Texas Marching Classic last year, placing 8th.

We think Edinburg North and Harlingen South will complete the ten finalists who will perform Saturday night.

As with all early-season regionals, crazy things will happen. Groups that will certainly be ahead in November but only have half their show complete might find themselves losing a caption or two to a group that already has their whole show on the field.

Predictions
Predictions represent the majority opinion of the HornRank staff.
1. James Bowie H.S., TX
2. Harlingen H.S., TX
3. Lopez H.S., TX
4. Hidalgo H.S., TX
5. Lake Travis H.S., TX
6. Homer Hanna H.S., TX
7. Roma H.S., TX
8. Edinburg North H.S., TX
9. Harlingen South H.S., TX
10. Palmview H.S., TX

Adjudication Panel
Music: Carl Bly, Dave Carbone, Marty Griffin, and Stephen Meyer
Visual: Ken Giese, Adam Sage, and Jim Sturgeon
Chief: Albert Lo