Southeast Preview 10/22
Let’s kick things off in the Sunshine State! Despite the BOA show in Orlando being this weekend, there’s still some big events happening, including the Tampa Bay Fall Music Games, hosted by Riverview (FL). This competition is right outside Tampa and features some of the major players in the area that will not be performing at Camping World Stadium, as well as one of the most notable high school bands in history. Lassiter (GA) is coming down to perform at this show. Another on-the-rise program to keep an eye on will be East Lake (FL). They have been a consistently solid band in an area dominated by their neighbor #9 Tarpon Springs (FL). However, with a fairly new director settling into place, they’ve been growing and performing better than ever.
Moving north, into the deep south, the Warner Robins (GA) band is hosting the Heart of Georgia Invitational, a notable competition in the area, drawing bands from north Georgia, all the way down to near the Florida-Georgia border.
In South Carolina, 1A-4A State Competitions are all happening at the same time, each class divided into Upper and Lower State contests. The highest placing bands from those competitions advance to next week’s Overall State Championships, and you can find more information right here.
To their north, in North Carolina, there are a few band competitions to take notice of, however the first of two we will talk about is the Capital City Band Expo, hosted by Sanderson (NC) in Raleigh. Previous winners here include Cape Fear (NC), Panther Creek (NC), and Green Hope (NC). Along with that show, the Providence Cup in Charlotte will be playing host to some of the top bands in the area, including South Carolina programs that either are choosing not to attend the State competition or don’t have their Preliminary competition for another couple weeks.
Over in Tennessee, West Ridge (TN) is hosting the Appalachian Classic in Blountville. The big name attending here will be #16 Dobyns-Bennett (TN), who are fresh off of a win just down the road at the BOA East Tennessee Regional in Johnson City, TN.
Alabama is hosting their State Championships this weekend, with classes ranging from 1A-7A. Tuscaloosa County (AL) will be hosting 1A, 2A, 4A, and 7A, and Spain Park (AL) will be hosting 3A, 5A, and 6A.
In Louisiana, McNeese State University will host the LAKE CHARLES TOYOTA Gulf Coast Marching Band Championship. Programs from around the region have signed up, and this show even includes a Traditional division, meant to showcase some of the area’s excellent Show Style bands.
That wraps up our Southeast Preview for the week, and don’t forget, GEM will be onsite at the BOA Orlando regional, as well as the Duncanville Marching Invitational in Texas, and the BOA Super Regional in Indianapolis, so feel free to come say hi!