Heartland Preview 10/01
During the fall, marching band invitationals are held across the nation. Most are run by a local high school or school district. These events are essential to these bands as fundraisers for the host and a chance for smaller schools that may not be able to participate in major events like USBands or Bands of America. General Effect Media would like to highlight these contests, which are essential to these local communities and their programs.
In Indiana, this is week 4 for many band programs, and in the Fort Wayne area, there are few shows as ingrained in the area as the Homestead Fall Festival of Bands. This contest is over 20 years old and hosts many Fort Wayne bands and surrounding area band programs. Groups like Goshen (IN), Angola (IN), North Side (IN), and Concordia Lutheran (IN) will be in attendance. The first band steps off at 11:00 AM ET and concludes with Homestead (IN) in exhibition at 4:45 PM ET.
Farther south, you're going to run into several Indianapolis area contests. One of which is just familiar for people in Indiana and held at Ben Davis (IN). Drawing bands from across the state, this show will feature groups like Jasper (IN), Franklin Central (IN), and Monrovia (IN). You can find more information on the Ben Davis Preview of Champions here. Another contest held on the northeast side will be at Fishers (IN), and they'll be playing host to #2 Avon (IN) along with Northrop (IN) and Beech Grove (IN). For more information on the Fishers Invitational, you can find it here. For other independent contests across Indiana, you'll be able to find information at INBands.com.
It would be remiss of me also not to mention that the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) will also be hosting two of its Festival Contests this weekend. These Festival invitationals are merely for ratings purposes and allow schools that don't usually compete to have a chance to go out in a relatively stress-free environment to earn their school a Gold, Silver, etc. rating. These will be held at Crown Point (IN) and serve the state's Northwest portion. The other is on the south side of Indianapolis at Southport (IN). You can find more information regarding ISSMA and their upcoming shows here.Â
In Kentucky, a lone Mid-States circuit show will be hosted by Simon Kenton (KY). It will draw from bands not heading to other independent Kentucky shows or the big Bands of America Louisville Regional. This show is going to be headlined by groups like Dixie Heights (KY), who recently just missed finals at the BOA Toledo Regional, along with Campbell County (KY), who was the Silver Medalist at the BOA Obetz Regional and just last week placed a close 4th behind groups like Lafayette (KY), Anderson County (KY), and Beechwood (KY). The first band marches onto the field at 2:30 PM ET. For more information on this and other upcoming contests hosted by MidStates, click here.
Over to the west in Illinois, they'll also be contributing several invitationals to the mix. One is hosted by Prospect (IL) for the Chicagoland area. Some featured groups include Huntley (IL) and Lake Park (IL). You can find ticket info and the full schedule here on the band's website. Finally, in the heart of Illinois is an invitational hosted by Morton (IL). Groups to keep an eye out here include Eureka (IL), who was last year's 1A Class Champion at the Illinois State Championship, and Davenport Central (IA), who just finished a close 5th place at the BOA Des Moines Regional Finals. You can find more details on this contest here. For more information on other shows happening in Illinois, check out ILMarching.com.
Taking it back even further west, we’ve got a few local shows to check out around the Ozarks, beginning with the Missouri State University Ozarko Marching Festival.  Hosted by Missouri State University (who performed at BOA San Antonio in exhibition last year), this contest typically draws some strong groups. This year is no different, with nationally competitive and recognized groups like Hollister (MO) and Nixa (MO) alongside locally beloved and awarded groups including Sullivan (MO), Ozark (MO), and Lindbergh (MO).Â
Just across the border in Oklahoma is the Broken Arrow Invitational. Although attendance has waned in recent years, notable groups such as BOA Grand National finalist Jenks (OK) and semifinalist Camdenton (MO) will be attending, as well as consistent state finalist Southmoore (OK).Â
Farther north in the Show Me State is the Golden Regiment Invitational, hosted by none other than the highly acclaimed Blue Springs (MO) band, who will be performing in exhibition. Several powerhouses of the Midwest will be showing up to compete in Kansas City, including Grain Valley (MO), Papillon-La Vista South (NE), and Blue Springs South (MO), with Millard West (NE), Eastview (MN), and Timberland (MO) hot in pursuit. Each of these festivals has lineups and additional info at MidwestMarching.com.Â
This year’s Festival of Bands out of Sioux Falls, SD, takes place this weekend and features several groups to watch, both in competition and exhibition. The festival is hosted by five bands around Sioux Falls, including last weekend’s BOA Iowa champion Lincoln (SD). In attendance for the field show are MOC-Floyd Valley (IA), who competed and won Class A for the very first time last week at BOA Iowa, and up-and-coming favorite Brandon Valley (SD). In addition, several of the groups in attendance are gearing up for October 8th’s Youth In Music Championships, the premier contest for bands in the upper Midwest. The expertly-crafted online schedule is available at FestivalofBands.com.
Each contest will give audiences a colorful array of shows. By attending, you're helping these kids pursue their interests in music excellence and arts. Every show these kids perform has an impact. Your support can mean the world to them.