Six local bands are heading to ISSMA semi-state competitions on Saturday at high schools in Indianapolis. The Goshen, Concord, Northridge and Elkhart Central high school marching bands head to Pike High School in Indianapolis. Fairfield and NorthWood high schools will perform their programs at Decatur Central High School, also in Indianapolis.
In Class B Goshen performs at 3:49 p.m., Concord at 4:41 p.m., Northridge at 5:33 p.m. and Elkhart Central at 5:46 p.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 6:25 p.m.
In Class C competition Northwood performs at 4:28 p.m. and Fairfield at 5:20 p.m. with the awards ceremony slated for 6:12 p.m.
For complete performance line-ups, admission and directions visit inmarching.com.
The bands will be competing for a birth in the ISSMA state competition Nov. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. There are 10 spots available in each of the four classes.
Bands of America
A two-day Bands of America (BOA) regional competition last weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium narrowed the field from 52 to the top 14 marching bands that will head to BOA Finals on Nov. 7.
Among the top performers were the Class B Concord Marching Minutemen, placing 14th with a score of 77.45. Concord earned a spot in the BOA finals, out-performing top bands from Indiana as well as marching bands from Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina and Missouri.
“We felt humbled to be amongst so many great Indiana and Midwest bands,” said Concord Band Director Scott Spradling. “Considering that we departed Elkhart at 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning (performing twice that day), I was pleased with the students’ efforts. I was also excited for the kids that out of 52 bands, we were one of the 14 chosen to perform at finals. The kids were incredibly excited to be a part of such a huge event.”
Spradling said that Concord has competed in six or seven BOA events over the past 20 years, but has not competed in recent years.
If Concord’s “Class of Patterns” performance at semi-state earns them a spot at state, Spradling said the BOA regionals have given the band a unique opportunity.
“I believe (the BOA regionals) helps the kids learn to perform their best in high-pressure events such as BOA or semi-state,” Spradling said. “It also allowed us to perform and be evaluated twice in one day, which does not happen very often. Additionally, Lucas Oil Stadium is much different than performing outside — it presents some unique sound challenges.”
The top 14 bands from the BOA regionals were Avon-88.45, Carmel-87.80, Marian-Catholic (Ill.)-85.90, Lawrence Central-82.00, Center Grove-81.60, Plymouth-Canton E.P. (Mich.)-81.30, Ben Davis-80.80, Lake Central-80.50, Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)-78.95, Greenwood-76.40, Centerville (OH)-76.30, Columbus North-74.90,Timber Creek (FL)-73.40, and Concord-72.95.
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