BOA Grand National Championships


BOA Grand National Championships is the annual competition between over 100 of America's top high school level marching bands. The bands compete in their own local, state and regional competitions to participate in this event, though there are no prerequisites for participating in Grand Nationals. Participation is based on a first-come, first-served basis. The awards include a ceremony for the top twelve bands and separate awards for the bands who specialized in visual effect, musical effect and overall general effect.

History

The event began in 1976 held during the Summer National Championship as a part of a workshop/festival in Whitewater, WI. Four years later it grew in size and took place in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL. The event was won by J.M. Tate High School. In 1984 the event was moved to the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN, where it remained for many years afterward, aside from taking place in the Pontiac Silver Dome in 1987 and 1988. In 2008, the competition moved to the Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Event

The competition typically takes place at the beginning of November. The first round of performances, Preliminaries, lasts up to two days and is narrowed down to an average of thirty six bands that move on to Semi-Finals. By the last day, participating bands from across the country are further narrowed down to the twelve highest scoring groups. The top scoring bands will each draw a random performance time slot, with the top 6 of semifinals performing in the latter half of finals, and the lower 6 performing earlier.
After finals has concluded, the bands, still in their uniforms, march onto the field to stand before the audience. Over the loud speaker after much dramatic celebration, the announcer gives the results, beginning with twelfth place and finishing with the winner of that year's Bands of America Grand National Championships. After announcing the winner, the announcer speaks the words, "Remember, you are all winners in life," the bands may break ranks to congratulate each other. Finally, the field is cleared for the Champion Band's encore performance.

Audience

Available for purchase at the Grand National Championships is a booklet that highlights each band and offers a picture, statement of the show and a small factual paragraph. The book, however, also holds two or three pages worth of score sheets for one to copy down as they are announced throughout the competition. Surrounding the field, and the stand, are several band related vendors, selling anything from music, to pins, to equipment, to souvenirs, all band related, for the competitors parents and loved ones to bestow upon them after the weekend. Along with the vendors that line the halls of the stadium come drum corps and national bands performing outside the high school level to recruit the young performers.