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If 2024 was a season where Morton was "off their game" and still won ISU by 2.5 points and were a class champion at a super-regional, then I think almost every band in the state would sign up to be that "off" Other end of year thoughts: -There were a lot of early season predictions made on incomplete, (or early-peaking) shows. Band A beats Band B in late September, they're a lock to beat them at ISU! Band C struggled at contest D - there's no way they can make finals! These shows grow at different rates and timelines. What happens 3 weeks in is barely a predictor of what happens by ISU, (well, maybe not next year if ISU is as early as it is.) -And that brings me (IMO) to Normal. Really nice show, but I think they maxed it out by their home show and had little left to do but clean some transitions and ensemble moments. I think the people ahead of them were just peaking at the right time. Plus, I don't think that Normal has done as well in a BOA/BOA judge setting over the last 2 years. 2021 they were knocking on the door for StL finals. -Bands on the Rise: Rock Island, Warren Township, and especially (IMO) Bloomington. Excited to see what they do next year, if they can keep the trajectory up. -Anyone that can accurately predict the next 3 finalists at ISU from 3A/4A year to year should but a powerball ticket. -I'm putting less and less stock into early season grand champions until early season contest judges can prove to me they're really keeping numbers consistent/comparable class to class. Until then, congrats people going later in the day! -Early ISU next year: Does O'Fallon come back to Normal? Does Lincoln Way?

It was a great season! I think the biggest improving band this year was Bloomington. Hopefully they can continue to grow and build something great there. Something that interests me the most for next year is seeing if we'll see a group start to close the gap on O'Fallon and add another national powerhouse to Illinois. Prospect, Morton, Lincoln-Way, Marian, and maybe even Normal or Lockport all seem like they're just one or two pieces away from taking the next step. But it's clear the state is still O'Fallon's for now.