Step-Off
Running down the first weekend of the 2023 Marching Band Season
Even though this weekend marks the first of the Bands of America Regionals, the competitive season has already begun. Several states, mainly in the Northeast and Midwest, have already had local invitationals where bands presented their 2023 show to the public. These competitions can even give a sneak preview as to how this season may shake out!
For some of these groups, it's a way to practice how the flow of a contest will go. For most groups, this looks like unloading all the instruments, props, and instruments once you've arrived, followed by getting into uniform. Then, moving towards warm-up and then the field, transitioning on and off the field, and finally wrapping it up with loading up equipment trucks and busses. If there’s time before awards, the students can brush up on show etiquette.
This is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of being respectful to all bands and performers, not talking or leaving the stands during other groups’ shows, and generally being supportive of everyone. For each group, the mindset is completely different. There is no right or wrong approach to this, though. The most important part of the process is the experience the students get to have.
So, what happened this past weekend? Most of the prominent contests were in and around the Midwest, and some highlights included Lafayette (KY) sweeping in-state rival Madison Central (KY). Up in Minnesota, Rosemount (MN) claimed a statement win over other strong competitors like Brandon Valley (SD) and Eden Prairie (MN). Over in New York, Cicero-North Syracuse (NY) and Baldwinsville (NY) each put up impressive performances and aim to be the top ensembles in the state once again. Moving back west, the surprise result of the weekend was Lakota East (OH) beating Centerville (OH) head-to-head. Finally, in Indiana, Avon (IN) swept their nearest competitor by nearly 10 points, while Carmel (IN) also came out to get an early read on their show and impressed the judges while topping Center Grove (IN) by 6 points.
Each week, much attention will be paid to Bands of America Regionals. General Effect Media will have plenty of content surrounding these events, but we’ll also go deeper into the activity as a whole. We'll give you the highlighted results at other shows, some reviews of traditional and unique invitational concession offerings, weekly polls, a bit of “Prop Talk,” and much more.
We here at GEM are excited to bring you a second season of top-tier coverage of this activity we all love. This may have only been a pre-season week for some, but no matter how you look at it, competitive fall marching band has begun. And there are few things quite as exciting for all involved.