Heartland Preview 11/5
For many of our Midwest bands, we have come to what is the final weekend of the season. After many hours, weeks, and months of preparations in the heat, cold, wind, and rain, it has come time for those groups that have made it so far to give one last performance, etched in our minds forever to remember. The state of Michigan and Indiana will have their respective State Finals, which we will cover in their own articles. However, there are still a few other contests still happening as well.
The regional Mid-States Band Association (MSBA) circuit will hold its championships this weekend. Held across five sites in 5 classes, the championships will feature bands across the tri-state area (Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky). Most of these bands will be looking to bring home pride and glory to their school with this last contest, though some will continue for one more week into the Bands of America Grand National Championships. These few groups include the likes of Archbishop Alter (OH), Bellbrook (OH), and even #11 William Mason (OH).
Archbishop Alter and William Mason are returning Champions in their classes 1A and 5A, respectively. They will be joined by other returning Champions, Taylor County (KY) in 2A, who just placed 5th in the Kentucky State Finals in 3A last week, Dixie Heights (KY) in MSBA Class 3A, and finally, Kings (OH) in Class 4A. Many bands will do their best to dethrone these groups were close to doing so last season. This includes groups like Monrovia (IN) in 2A, who placed 3rd last year. Perhaps Corbin (KY), who placed 2nd last year in 2A but moved into MSBA 1A this year, can win their new class. Bellbrook was also runner-up in Class 3A and arguably has had its best year in a long while. Finally, Finneytown (OH) and Miamisburg (OH) are returning runner-up bands rounding out Class 4A and 5A that will be hungry to show they have what it takes to be a champion. For the full schedule for any of these MSBA championships and more, check out their website here!
Up north in the state of Michigan, they will be hosting their contest for the title of State Champion. How the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA) determines who makes finals is unique in that bands must compete in at least two MCBA-sanctioned invitationals and then have an average score that ranks within the top 10 of their class, which they call Flights. Flights are determined by school size, with Flight I being for the largest schools. Those fortunate enough to advance will get to perform in Ford Field!
They plan on bringing the big guns out first this year as Flight I will be taking the field at 7:45 AM ET, with Huron Valley (MI) setting the bar. It will be a fierce battle as bands like Rockford (MI), Walled Lake (MI), and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (MI) will all be looking for that state title. Following that will be Flight IV, with Ferndale (MI) looking to retain their title after absolutely dominating in finals by 3.5 points from Runner-Up Marysville (MI). Then we move onto Flight III, where DeWitt (MI) will attempt to start a streak after winning last year, but a resurgent Reeths-Puffer (MI) is looking to spoil that hope. Flight II is next, beginning at 5:00 PM, with South Lyon (MI) returning to MCBA State Finals from their last appearance in 2019. However, many eyes will watch what Jenison (MI) brings after they impressively won the BOA Toledo Regional and will be heading to Grand Nationals next week. The final Flight, V, will close out the day with last year's State Champion, Kent City (MI), rounding out the day with a performance at 10:16 PM.
For those attending these events, show your appreciation. These groups have put in many hours of effort, and this is their chance to show it off. Let's go band!