Heartland Preview 10/22
For some groups, there is an entire month left of the season. Some may end this weekend, while others may last for another one or two. As shows like the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional may get all of the attention, it is important to remember that there are plenty of local invitationals that you can visit!
Many bands in Indiana will be ending their competitive season this Saturday as those in Scholastic Class that qualified for Finals will be taking to the field one last competitive time. A total of 44 bands will compete across Scholastic Class B and A to claim the Scholastic Class Finals Championship and an opportunity to perform in exhibition at the Indiana Open Class Finals in two weeks. Maconaquah (IN) will be looking to retain its Scholastic B title, while Westfield (IN) will be defending their crown. Westfield has been making several waves this fall, defeating many Open Class groups in the state, including Franklin Central (IN) and The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township (IN), and making finals at a tough BOA Louisville Regional. Some groups that will also be featured in Scholastic B will be Wawasee (IN), Northeast Dubois (IN), Heritage Hills (IN), and Salem (IN), while in Scholastic A will have Northrop (IN), Snider (IN), Warren Central (IN), and Chesterton (IN). Scholastic Finals will be at Franklin Central High School, and you can find more information on the Indiana State School Music Association website.
Speaking of championship shows, they'll be holding their own defacto state championship invitationals to the west in Illinois. One will be hosted and held at the University of Illinois and features bands like A.A. Stagg (IL), Effingham (IL), East Peoria (IL), and Mahomet-Seymour (IL). The other championship is hosted and held by Illinois State University. Bands at this event include Marian Catholic (IL), Morton (IL), John Hersey (IL), Edwardsville (IL), Eureka (IL), and Prospect (IL), to name a few. This contest features a prelims/finals format, with preliminary awards going to each class, and then finals being a free for all for every advancing band. For more information about either of these contests, visit ILMarching.com!
Up in Michigan, Jenison (MI) will be hosting its invitational, which many tout as the largest single-site contest in the state! It will blend the state's two circuits, Scholastic and Michigan Competing Bands Association (MCBA), with the former going on the first half of the day and the remaining (MCBA) bands the latter half. Other than getting the chance to see Jenison perform twice in exhibition, you'll be able to catch bands like Holland (MI), Wyoming (MI), Allendale (MI), and Parchment (MI) highlight groups in the Scholastic classes. In MCBA, Reeths-Puffer (MI) will continue to refine and wow audiences in the mid-afternoon in Flight III. Performing in Flight I, you're going to have bands like Rockford (MI) and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (MI) face each other for the first time since the BOA Toledo Regional. Forty-three bands will compete in this contest, so arrive early! Please visit here for the full schedule, ticket prices, and more.