Marching Band: Indiana bands dominate Grand Nationals

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 10^th in the Indiana state finals, Ben Davis passed up several bands to qualify for the BOA finals and take 10^th 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!