BOA, ISSMA Cancel Fall Marching Band Season
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana marching band season has ground to a halt for thousands of Hoosier high school students who take part in competitions throughout the fall.
Indianapolis-based nonprofit Music for All announced Tuesday it is canceling the 2020 Bands of America Championships due to the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The BOA decision comes less than a week since the Indiana State School Music Association announced it is canceling all ISSMA live marching band competitions.
“When everything shut down in the spring, I was really hopeful that by this time we could flatten our curve, and be in a situation where it would be safer to be all together,” said Glenn Northern, director of the Penn High School marching band and a member of the ISSMA Board of Directors.
While BOA and ISSMA hold separate events, many Indiana high school marching bands compete in both organization’s events.
“We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of the students, band directors, staff, volunteers, spectators, and others associated with our programs remain our number one priority,” said Debbie Laferty Asbill, Music for All vice president of marketing and communications. “With this extraordinary development, we share in the deep disappointment of the thousands of performing students, teachers, and supporters.”
The cancellations come as high school marching bands across the Hoosier state have already begun summer practice sessions.
While some people may think the marching band only performs at Friday night football games, ISSMA says approximately 200 schools participate in the marching band events each fall, with competitions beginning in September and occurring nearly every weekend until November.
The judged performances are elaborate displays of custom music and choreography.
“Not everyplace makes the spectacle of marching band like we (Indiana) do. It’s really quite the event,” explained Northern, who’s been a band director for more three decades.
Now, the only performance may occur on Friday nights.
“We hope to be able to play at some football games, but I wouldn’t be shocked if that also changes,” said Northern.
The high school music association says marching bands have implemented guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but that “guidelines and measures could not be effectively put in place to ensure a safe environment” for students, directors, supporting personnel, judges, workers, and spectators at a live marching band event.
BOA hosts regional competitions across the U.S. with a national competition, Bands of America Grand National Championships, held at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was scheduled for mid-November.
Data from Visit Indy indicates the BOA national event draws enough visitors for 9,000 hotel room-nights with an average attendance of 40,000.
“As with most of us, Music for All has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket sales and event-related revenue from our Bands of America Championships is normally what sustains us year-round, serving more than 150,000 student and teacher participants each year,” said Asbill.
ISSMA and Music for All say they are evaluating options, including a virtual competition.
Meanwhile, schools like Penn H.S. are still preparing for in-person instruction and its band program prepares for performances.
“Our children need some hope, something they can grab onto. I think for our marching band students, the organization is going to serve that purpose in a big way,” Northern said.
Penn High School Band Director Glenn Northern explains the nuance of competitive high school marching bands.