BOA Winston-Salem Preview
We have a jam-packed weekend of BOA Competitions, and another important one to highlight is the BOA Carolina Regional Championships, held at Truist Field at Wake Forest University. The competition will primarily be bands from the Carolinas and some interlopers from the surrounding states, but not as many as one would expect. The reason for that is just how busy this weekend is, as two of the region's significant contests also fall on this weekend due to how the NCAA Football schedule has worked out. The BOA East Tennessee Regional at Johnson City, TN, is one of the headlining events, as well as the Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions, historically one of the strongest shows in the Carolinas.
The schedule is as follows, all times ET.
8:00 am – Patrick Henry (VA)
8:15 – West Forsyth (NC)
8:30 – Holly Springs (NC)
8:45 – Dreher (SC)
9:00 – Swansboro (NC)
9:15 – Cox Mill (NC)
9:30 – BREAK
10:00 – Fort Walton Beach (FL)
10:15 – West Johnston (NC)
10:30 – New Bern (NC)
10:45 – Bunker Hill (NC)
11:00 – Cary (NC)
11:15 – Catawba Ridge (SC)
11:30 – Corinth Holders (NC)
11:45 – BREAK
12:30 pm – Boiling Springs (SC)
12:45 – Powdersville (SC)
1:00 – Nation Ford (SC)
1:15 – Harrison (GA)
1:30 – Jack Britt (NC)
1:45 – Apex Friendship (NC)
2:00 – Bassett (VA)
2:15 – Walton (GA)
2:30 – BREAK
3:00 – Green Level (NC)
3:15 – Carolina Forest (SC)
3:30 – William G. Enloe (NC)
3:45 – Ardrey Kell (NC)
4:00 – Green Hope (NC)
4:15 – Panther Creek (NC)
4:30 – Cleveland (NC)
4:45 – Ex. Wake Forest University
In the first block, bands from the Carolinas make up most of the competing groups; however, Patrick Henry (VA) is making the four-hour drive down from just outside Richmond.
In the next block, one of the strongest contenders for a medal will be making the drive from the Fort Mill area in Catawba Ridge (SC). Catawba Ridge opened up in 2019; however, they’ve already made finals at a BOA Regional and, from all reports, have only gotten stronger. Next, Fort Walton Beach (FL) is also coming from the Panama City area. Fort Walton Beach is not as well known as its neighbor from just down the road, Choctawhatchee (FL), but they were just outside finals at last year’s Jacksonville (Ala.) Regional, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them slip into the top 12. Finally, Cary (NC) is also in this block and is consistently one of the strongest groups in their state, so don’t sell them short.
Boiling Springs (SC) leads off the third block, and they’ve been one of the better programs in SC up through the last few years, even making Grand National Semifinals at one point. Nation Ford (SC) is in the same school district as Catawba Ridge and has been excellent since it opened. However, it did see a slight drop-off when its sister school opened up. Finally, Bassett (VA) is making the trip, as well as Harrison (GA) and Walton (GA). The Cobb County schools coming up from Georgia are also widely believed to be strong medal contenders.
Some of the hottest programs in North Carolina fill out the last block with Green Level (NC), Green Hope (NC), Panther Creek (NC), and more, so don’t miss this show. Arguably the three best shows in the Southeast are happening over the next two weeks, and all the coverage you need for them will be right here on General Effect Media!
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his partner and their two dogs.
