This weekend, Oct. 18 and 19, high school marching band students from eight states will perform at the Army ROTC Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Championship, presented by Yamaha, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Five Hamilton County high school bands will participate: Westfield, Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Carmel, and Noblesville.
There will also be bands from Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia, and elsewhere in Indiana. Bands of America Championships are the nation’s premier marching band events, showcasing outstanding student musicians and visual performances.
The competition will be spread over two days, Friday and Saturday. The preliminary competition will start Friday morning at 7:15 a.m. and conclude on Saturday with a special exhibition performance by North Carolina State University’s The Power Sound of the South at 3:15 p.m.
Performances will be evaluated by a panel of nationally recognized music educators and marching band experts. The 14 highest-scoring bands will advance to the evening finals, starting Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with the top-scoring band named champion at the end of the night.
For a look at the full schedule of bands, visit musicforall.org.
“Marching band is even more than music and performance; it’s a powerful experience that builds discipline, teamwork, and lifelong memories,” says Dr. Jeremy Earnhart, President and CEO of Music for All, the parent organization for Bands of America. “Participating in Bands of America Championships takes that to the next level, challenging high school students to strive for excellence, showcase their talents on a national stage, and feel the pride of being part of something truly extraordinary.”
Along with the Army ROTC, the 2024 Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Championship is also sponsored by Yamaha.
The Bands of America Championships season includes 30 events across America, culminating with the Bands of America Grand National Championships Nov. 14 to 16, also at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
All tickets are digital, and the event is cashless. You can skip the line and buy tickets online at marching.musicforall.org/boa. Children 10 years or younger are admitted for free for general admission seating.