Indiana State Finals Preview
After seven competitive weeks in Indiana, the field of bands has narrowed down to a select few to compete for the coveted crown of State Champion. Now it’s time for Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) to host its State Finals for all Open Classes in Lucas Oil Stadium. This will be the last competitive performance for most of these groups. In contrast, for others, it will be one opportunity to get feedback from judges before competing in the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
To make State Finals in Indiana, a band must compete in Open Class across four classes determined by school size grades 9-12. The bands must compete in two rounds of ISSMA events beginning with Regionals, where bands are split geographically North and South and as evenly as possible due to travel distance. The top 10 scoring bands from these sites will then advance to Semi-State, where the top 10 overall in each class will then go to State. Each ISSMA Class (A, B, C, D) will get their chance to shine under the light of the "tin can" and go down in history as one of the best bands in the State that year.
Starting off the day will be an exhibition performance by the two Scholastic Class Champions that were victorious just two weeks prior. Scholastic Class in Indiana is a band size and school size hybrid to determine who is in two classes (A and B). It is a model developed to allow groups with limited resources to help build their programs. The first band to take the field will be the Scholastic B (the smaller of the two classes) victor, Maconaquah (IN), who also happened to be last year's Scholastic B winner. Immediately after is Westfield (IN) from Scholastic A, whom we've discussed in a few other articles here as they've skyrocketed this year onto some pretty big playing fields. They, too, were last year's Scholastic A Champions.
After the audience has had their palette wet, our first competitive class of the day begins. This year, it will start with Class C, which will feature several bands from the tip of the very Northeast part of Indiana with Angola (IN) to the very southwest part with Princeton (IN) and fellow finalist Vincennes Lincoln (IN). Scottsburg (IN) is returning to finals for the first time since 2018 and recently placed 3rd in Class A at the BOA Indianapolis Super Regional. An exciting match-up here will be against Concordia Lutheran (IN), as both groups often prove to be neck-and-neck. Northwestern (IN) is also a returning finalist from last year but will be facing an excellent band in Fairfield (IN), which was the Class D Runner-Ups in 2021. Rounding out our final three groups would be NorthWood (IN), Western (IN), and Edgewood (IN). Edgewood was the Class A Champions at the BOA Indianapolis Super Regional 2 weeks ago and is primed to win its first state title since 2018. Don’t underestimate Western, however, as they've also won multiple Class Championships in both ISSMA and BOA and have not placed outside of the top 2 in State Finals competition beginning in 2007, winning a blistering 10 State Championships. Finally, NorthWood has been banging on the door for its first title, placing in the top 3 several times over the past few seasons. Class C is generally one of the most competitive classes, so you can expect exciting results.
Class B will have the spotlight next, and it features several returners from last year but also welcomes back to finals Pendleton Heights (IN) and F.J. Reitz (IN) since they last appeared in 2019. This class will feature storied programs like North Side (IN) and slightly fresher faces to the scene like Munster (IN). Long-time power Concord (IN) is a program that has successfully competed in Class A as the band rides that divisional line frequently and is close to achieving their first state championship since 2015 in this class. Greenfield-Central (IN) has won the last two Class B titles and is not looking to break its current streak. Evansville North (IN) was last year's Class B Runner-Up and is hoping to improve on that. They, along with Jasper (IN), Greenwood Community (IN), and Northview (IN), round out our competitors. Greenwood Community was the last band to win Class B before Greenfield-Central started their streak and has placed in the top 3 since 2005, other than 2016. Northview is looking for more gold since their last win in 2016 and has been competitively in the thick of it. Another notable challenger is Jasper (IN), seeking the title for the first time since 2012. Jasper has a lot of momentum as they placed 3rd in AA at the BOA Indianapolis Super Regional. Several of these groups have been within a point of each other across multiple contests so expect a very tight photo finish to cap off this season!
Indiana's smallest school class, D, is next in line to be represented. Kicking us off is Forest Park (IN), a band that has won numerous State titles over the past two decades and has yet to place outside of the top 4 since 2005. They'll set the bar incredibly high for groups performing after them, like Southridge (IN) and Mater Dei (IN), two strong groups from the Evansville area. Not far from them is another finalist in Springs Valley (IN). They, like Forest Park, have won multiple Class Championships and, since 2009, also have not placed outside of the top 4. Looking to keep pace will be Orlean (IN), which also happens not to be far from many of these other southern schools. There may be something in the water down there with so many great bands, including what some might refer to as Indiana band royalty, Paoli (IN). This group is one of the original powerhouse groups of Indiana, having an imposing presence and pushing the activity forward as a whole from the beginning days of competitive marching band in the 70s. While they have not won a championship since 2005, they keep bands on their toes and generally place within the top 5. Moving to groups representing the northern part of the state, you'll see bands like Woodlan (IN) and Adams Central (IN) from the Fort Wayne area. Lewis Cass (IN), however, has won the last two Championships. Rounding out the Class D programs will be the Indy regional group Monrovia (IN). A group that remains competitive in whatever circuit they perform in, whether that may be Mid-States Band Association shows, ISSMA, and other local contests, and a perennial competitor and class semi-finalist at Grand Nationals.
Putting a cap on the day's contest will be Class A. The largest schools. The biggest and loudest bands. And plenty of pride on the line. Every band that has made finals this year is practically known, to some degree, on a national level. With four nationally ranked bands and five regionally, it's easy to see why. When the first band on for Class A is #3 Carmel (IN), you know you'll be in for a fantastic time. Excluding the year that they traveled to California (2017), forgoing State Finals, the band has not placed outside of the top 2 in state competition since 2011 and has amassed 3 National titles in that span. Following that act is daunting, but up-and-comer Carroll (IN) feels up to the task as what many have called their best year yet, lamenting that they decided not to do any BOA shows this year. They've made several strides over the years to nearly match their Fort Wayne rival Homestead (IN), having crept up on them in score each year. Homestead will be making their historic 35th consecutive state finals appearance and placing outside of the top 4 only four times in that span. No one can ever take the legacy of this group from them. Another rising star in Indiana looks to be Goshen (IN), as they've stunned the judges from the beginning. Having made Finals at the BOA Toledo Regional and BOA Indianapolis Super Regional, this group has shown it has what it takes to take it to the next level. Center Grove (IN) is another one of the legacy bands but on an even more national scale. Having pushed the boundaries of the activity, helping shape what it is today in the 90s, they continue to do so, pressing what can be achieved by bands of their size. It's partly thanks to their inspiration that the Marching Pride of Lawrence Township (IN) has brought out a show that has propelled them into State Finals once again after missing last year. Other groups like Castle (IN) have almost always been major competitors with some up and down times. However, since 2013, they have made a methodical but consistent show of improvement each year. Quickly following in their example, #22 Fishers and #23 Brownsburg have improved over the past two years to safely call themselves contenders for a coveted spot in the Grand National Finals picture. These two groups have been trading blows all season, and this will be one of the last times we'll see them face each other, with no one being the clear favorite. And then you have #2 Avon (IN). Having one of the biggest hot streaks in Indiana history for the past 20 years, they have amassed an eye popping 13 State Titles and multiple Grand National Championships. They'll be seeking another one next week but for today, they'll be continuing a legacy of excellence that will forever be remembered. No matter how you slice it, this contest will be one of the most competitive and intense battles for placement throughout Class A.
No matter what place these bands get on Saturday, lifelong memories will be made, tears will be shed, and bonds that nobody can ever break will be made between band members. Welcome to ISSMA Finals.