Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS
– Only two weeks after the Indiana State School Music Association took its
first turn at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, Bands of America held its first finals
there Nov. 15. Ninety-nine bands from 20 different states traveled to Indy to
compete for the right to be called the best marching band in America, and an
even dozen of those bands were from Indiana.
After eliminations,
the final dozen consisted of four Indiana bands and one apiece from eight other
states, with defending champion L.D. Bell the only representative from Texas. You
knew it was going to be a special night for the Indiana bands when it was
announced that they had swept the special caption awards – Outstanding Music
went to Carmel, Lawrence Central and Avon tied for Outstanding Visual, and Avon
took Outstanding General Effect.
When
it all was said and done, Avon edged out L.D. Bell for the Orioles’ first Grand
National championship. Lawrence Central was right behind in third, with Carmel finishing
fifth. After only finishing 10th in the Indiana state finals, Ben
Davis passed up several bands to qualify for the BOA finals and take 10th
here as well.
As you
might imagine, directors Jay Webb of Avon and Matt James of Lawrence Central
were very emotional. Avon had won seven straight state championships until LC
dethroned them the Orioles two weeks ago. And the Bears have had more success
on the national level, winning titles in 2001 and 2004.
“Our
kids could have thrown it in after States – it was a tough loss,” Webb said. “But
they just never gave up and kept working so hard. I am very proud of them.”
Added
James: “Yeah, they are a bit disappointed right now. However, they have had
such a great year and really put on a great show tonight. We are very proud of
them.”
For
whatever reasons, Bands of America made the experience of finals a far more
pleasant and organized one than did ISSMA. Considering that BOA had already
held a major regional competition at the facility earlier in the season, plus
the fact that the Grand Nationals are actually a four-day event, the big boys
knew what they were doing. A lot goes on behind the scenes to put together an
event like this, and the team at Music for All and Bands of America put on a
great product.
The
only negative concern that was expressed was that the new stadium costs were 38
percent higher than what they were last year. For a nonprofit organization,
that is a considerable jump. But back to the action!
The
BOA finals kickoff was spectacular. A combined band consisting of nearly 400
members from Riverside Community College (CA) and Western Carolina (NC), along
with a 300-member choir from the Indianapolis-based All-City High School Choir,
performed the National Anthem. It seemed anyone who enjoyed music or was
somewhat patriotic had goose bumps.
The 12
high schools representing Indiana were: Avon, Ben Davis, Carmel, Center Grove,
Columbus North, Gibson Southern, Lake Central, Lawrence Central, Martinsville,
Monrovia, Norwell, and New Palestine. Congratulations to Lake Central, Center
Grove, Columbus North, and Gibson Southern on their semifinal finishes.
(Go to
indianamarching.com for more information on scores.)
Congratulations
to all four BOA finalists. You represented Indiana with class!
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