BOA Grand National Championships is the annual competition between ninety-five of America's top High School level Marching bands. The bands compete in their own local, state and regional competitions to participate in this event, though there are no prerequisites for participating in Grand Nationals. Participation is based on a first come, first serve basis. The awards include a ceremony for the top twelve bands and separate awards for the bands who specialized in visual effect, musical effect and overall general effect.
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History
The event began in 1987 held during the Summer National Championship as a part of a workshop/festival in Whitewater, WI. Four years later it grew in size and took place in the Gater Bowl in Jacksonville, FL. The event was won by J.M. Tate High School. In 1984 the event was moved to the RCA Dome (originally named the Hoosier Dome) in Indianapolis, IN, where it remained for many years afterward, aside from taking place in the Pontiac Silver Dome in 1987 and 1988. However, in 2008 the competitions moved to the Lucas Oil Stadium, making 2007 the final time many competitors would witness 'The Airlock': the airtight room filled by the entire band before taking the field in competition.
The Event
The competition typically takes place at the beginning of November. The first round of performances, Preliminaries, which lasts up to two days, leaves up to thirty six bands for the Semi-Finals. By the last day, ninety bands from across the country are narrowed down to twelve of the best marchers, musicians and performers this country has to offer. The night before Finals each band's director pulls a time slip to determine the order in which the bands will be performing the following day. It is said that the best time slots are the later ones, seeing as how the judges will be less willing to give up high scores at the beginning of the competition and while there is some proof of that, there is no way to know for certain which slot is the best.
At the end of the final day, the bands, still in their uniforms, march onto the field to stand before the audience. Over the loud speaker after much dramatic celebration, the announcer gives the Results, beginning with twelfth place and finishing with the winner of that year's Bands of America, Grand National Championships. After announcing the winner, the announcer speaks the words, "Remember, you are all winners in life," the bands may break ranks to congratulate each other. Finally, the field is cleared for the Champion Band's final performance.
Audience
As a member of the audience at the Grand National Championships one is given a booklet that highlights each band and offers a picture, statement of the show and a small factual paragraph. The book, however, also holds two or three pages worth of score sheets for one to copy down as they are announced throughout the competition. Surrounding the field, and the stand, are several band related vendors, selling anything from music, to pins, to equipment, to souvenirs, all band related, for the competitors parents and loved ones to bestow upon them after the weekend. Along with the vendors that line the halls of the stadium come drum corp's and national bands performing outside the high school level to recruit the young performers.