Heartland Region Preview 10/15
We are just one month away from several state and national Championship shows. Several important local contests are still occurring as bands continue to refine and add to their shows. As we get a clearer picture of how some of these groups will stack up, many important match-ups will occur.
Let us begin our journey in Michigan, where we will have the Novi Fanfare, which will pit Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (MI) and Walled Lake (MI) against each other in Flight I. In addition, they'll be taking on three other Flight I State Finalists in Macomb Dakota (MI), Huron Valley (MI), and Grand Blanc (MI). Naturally, you'll be able to catch the host Novi (MI) in exhibition, who also is a Flight I State Finalist from last year. Make sure to arrive early, though, to catch Flight III as Redford Thurston (MI) and Flint Carman-Ainsworth (MI) have moved up from Flight II to III and will face veteran Flight III State Finalist Linden (MI). MichiganMarching.com is the place to visit for more information regarding this and other local Michigan contests.
Indiana bands will begin their march towards qualifying for the Indiana State School Music Association Open Class State Finals this weekend. Open Class bands will participate in Regional contests at 4 locations throughout the state. Each site will host 2 of the 4 classes (either C and A or D and B), and bands will be divided based on geographic location to either North or South contests. While the bands will only receive ratings of Gold, Silver, etc., the top 10 scoring bands in each class at each site will advance onward to Semi-State. This is going to create several important meetings between programs, including the first four bands that will be going on at the North C/A Regional, which will be between Goshen (IN), Carroll (IN), Homestead (IN), and #23 Fishers (IN) while #3 Carmel (IN) will also be in attendance. In Class C, NorthWood (IN) has been keeping ahead of fellow attendee Fairfield (IN), who continues to push NorthWood at every contest. At the same time, Angola (IN) and Concordia Lutheran (IN) look to capitalize on any mistake these two make to jump ahead.
At the South C/A Regional, you're going to have #4 Avon (IN) have their first meeting against groups like #24 Brownsburg (IN), Castle (IN), and Center Grove (IN). In Class C here, undefeated in Class yet is Edgewood (IN), who will face stiff competition from the always tough Western (IN) along with up-and-coming challenger Princeton (IN) and veteran group Scottsburg (IN). Farther south is the South D/B Regional which will contain meetings between Paoli (IN), Forest Park (IN), and Springs Valley (IN), which have been trading blows all season in Class D. Class B will feature Greenfield-Central (IN), Jasper (IN), Northview (IN), and Greenwood (IN). They have also been neck and neck all season so far. This will also be their first meeting against Evansville North (IN), which has recently become a powerful contender in the class over the past few years. Then at the final Regional in the North hosting D/B, you have the opportunity to watch Class D front-runner Lewis Cass (IN) take on challengers in Woodlan (IN) and Whitko (IN). Finally, Class B will end up featuring long-time power Concord (IN) facing off against Munster (IN), who just recently beat Marian Catholic (IL) last week. You can find complete schedules for each regional at INBands.com.
Moving away from Indiana and down to Kentucky, a major contest will be hosted by George Rogers Clark (KY). It is a “who's who” of Kentucky bands and an excellent primer for what to expect as we get closer to Kentucky’s State Finals contest. In Class 3A, you have Adair County (KY), Estill County (KY), and moving up from their recent 2A Class State Championship, Beechwood (KY). Bourbon County (KY) will be making its presence known in 4A, while in 5A, there is an excellent contest between last year's 5A State Champion, Lafayette (KY), and the runner-up in class, Madison Central (KY). Fellow State Finalists in Larry A. Ryle (KY) and Central Hardin (KY) will be looking to upset one or both of these groups. This invitational features a Prelims/Finals format where the top 10 will advance onto a free-for-all night competition. This will surely be a massive contest, so you'll want to arrive early. The first band steps off at 11:00 AM ET, and finals begin at 7:00 PM ET. For more information on this show and other local contests in Kentucky, you can visit KYBand.com.
Just outside of Chicago, you'll find a contest hosted by Lincoln-Way (IL), which is going to feature many prominent bands, including Lemont (IL) and Providence Catholic (IL); both of whom placed 2nd in their respective classes at the Illinois State Marching Band Championship (Illinois' de facto State Finals). Marian Catholic (IL) may have dropped out of the BOA St. Louis Super Regional, but you'll still be able to catch them here as they face off against Morton (IL) and Lockport Township (IL). If you didn't get a chance to see them perform at the BOA Louisville Regional, you could also catch Victor J. Andrew (IL), who just barely missed finals at that show. It is sure to be a tense contest you don't want to miss. For more information, such as ticket prices and directions, visit the band's contest website!
Held at the University of Missouri in Columbia, the Champion of Champions Marching Band Festival celebrates both Columbia bands and a few out-of-staters; from Lake area School of the Osage (MO) to Nebraska powerhouses Bellevue West (NE) and Bellevue East (NE), the competition is as intense as ever. Jefferson City (MO) goes head to head with the brand-new Jefferson City high school Capital City (MO). At the same time, all three Columbia bands will face one another: Rock Bridge (MO) returns to defend their title, while David H. Hickman (MO) will be hot off a prelims performance at BOA St. Louis. Battle (MO) will be seeking to overthrow them both on Saturday.
The Branson Marching Invitational, hosted by the Pride of Branson (MO), will feature local powerhouses Kickapoo (MO), Republic (MO), and Ozark (MO), as well as high finishers Camdenton (MO) and Van Buren (AR). Camdenton and Kickapoo will aim high after skipping out on the BOA St. Louis Super Regional, instead heading to Indianapolis next weekend.
The Francis Howell Music in Motion Festival offers an alternate experience for local bands seeking to grow their programs to prepare for BOA St. Louis. Participating bands will include Union (MO), St. Charles (MO), and Lee’s Summit (MO). Directed towards growth, Music in Motion is delivered in a relaxed format, without penalties, and celebrates all participating bands. Details on each contest are at MidwestMarching.com.
These are just a taste of what is available for people to attend as there are even more contests out there. So go out there and support your band, or local school, or just the arts in general by travelling to another local invitational. All of the students work hard to perfect their shows and would love the support.