Southeast Preview 11/5
As many other regions are either wrapping up their seasons or have already finished their state championships, the Southeast is still going strong, with multiple shows in most states for the next few weeks! Let’s take a look at this weekend.
Florida
This is a fairly light weekend for competitive shows in Florida, as many districts are doing their marching festivals this Saturday. That being said, the Jupiter Festival of Bands features a few of the state’s heavyweights, as well as many strong programs in the area. Highlights include many of the bands that will be competing in a couple weeks at the FMBC Finals. Regionally ranked Stoneman Douglas (FL) will be the last band on prior to the host’s exhibition. You can find more information at https://jupiterbands.com/festival-of-bands/!
Georgia
Georgia has mostly wrapped up its competitive season, however, there are a few shows still on the calendar. One of these is the White Columns Invitational, hosted by Milton (GA). Recognizable names there include bands like Cass (GA), Walton (GA), and McEachern (GA), well known to many as they have hosted many DCI and BOA events. Their website is https://miltonband.membershiptoolkit.com/wci
South Carolina
This is the last weekend of competition in South Carolina, with 4 of their 5 classes having declared a champion last week. The only one left is Class 5A, which includes many of the names you may be familiar with, including Fort Mill (SC), James F. Byrnes (SC), and #21 Wando (SC). This is James F. Byrnes’s last show prior to BOA Grand Nationals this coming week, so many are watching how they compare to Wando to see how close they may be to that elusive Grand National Finals spot.
North Carolina
Most shows are over and done with in the Tar Heel State, however, in Raleigh, USBands is hosting the Showdown in the Capitol, a Traditional/Showstyle contest that is part of their push to bring more contests to a portion of the Performing Arts that has historically been marginalized. More information is available at https://usbands.org/events/details.php?ID=556&month=04.
Tennessee
One of the multiple shows that lay claim to being Tennessee’s State Marching Championships is happening this weekend, with the 41st Annual Tennessee Division II State Marching Band Championship taking place this Saturday in Smyrna, outside of Nashville. One notable competitor here is a local favorite in Signal Mountain (TN), from just outside Chattanooga. Their website is https://www.tnsmbc.com/.
Alabama
The premiere competition in Alabama this weekend was to be the US Bands Southern States Championship, however, it faced a last minute cancellation, likely due to the storm system moving across the Southeast that has affected many of the Texas-based groups currently in San Antonio.
That about wraps up our Southeast preview, as the other states have all but wrapped up competition for the year, or have just a couple remaining over the next couple weeks before Thanksgiving. See y’all next week!
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his partner and their two dogs.