Bands of America

Larry McCormick established Marching Bands of America in 1975 as a subsidiary of McCormick's Enterprises, a music education supplies company. The Honor Band of America's first performance was at the 1992 National Concert Band Festival established by Bands of America to rekindle the "concert band tradition in America as exemplified by the National Band Contest in the 1930s." The Honor Orchestra of America premiered at the National Concert Band Festival in 2005, launching the Orchestra of America program. In 2006, Bands of America merged with the Music for All Foundation, a music education advocacy organization. Bands of America became a subsidiary of Music For All, and its flagship program, with L. Scott McCormick becoming the combined organization's CEO. Other programs operated by Bands of America, such as Orchestra and Honor Band of America, have been operated directly by Music for All since 2007. IFEA recognition From 1989 to 2006, Bands of America was recognized by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) for excellence in promotional materials design and television production: • 2006 – Recognition with seven Pinnacle Awards for promotional materials design, television production, and event promotion. == Championship system ==

All Bands of America championship events are open to all high school bands based in the United States on a first come first serve basis. There are no qualifications or prerequisites for participation. However, the Bands of America system is highly competitive. Bands receive a score which determines class rank and placement. Announcements place more emphasis on rankings between bands, such as advancing to the final round, versus a score. Promotional materials and programs often include essays on education philosophy and pedagogy from prominent music educators which highlight the festival atmosphere of each championship event, as well as exploring concepts such as the pursuit of excellence, and individual growth and achievement through competition. Spectators are encouraged to give each band participating in the final round a standing ovation. Many bands have competed at championship events every year since 1978, such as Marian Catholic High School. Approximately 450,000 music students and their families, music educators, and spectators attend Bands of America championships every year. All 2020 Regional Championships were cancelled on July 21, 2020. All 2020 Super Regional Championships were cancelled on July 21, 2020. and Lucas Oil Stadium is also the site of the annual Indiana State School Music Association marching band championships. The Atlanta Super Regional Championship ended in 2017. } Grand National championships The Grand National championships are open to all high school bands. There are no qualifications or prerequisites for participation; a standard established by Larry McCormick at the first Summer Workshop and Festival in 1976. The format and terms for advancing to the semifinal and final competitions have changed since its inception. , Grand Nationals are open to as many as 112 bands, with performances taking place over three days. All bands participate in a preliminary competition, split between two rounds. The highest scoring bands from each preliminary advance to a semifinal competition, and the twelve highest scoring bands advance to the final round. Class champions (A, AA, AAA, and AAAA) are announced following the semifinal, and the Grand National Champion is announced after the final. The 2020 Grand National Championships were cancelled on July 21, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Championships returned to a normal schedule in 2021. Bands that have received the trophy have nicknamed the eagle 'Kevin.' Past National venues From 1976 to 1979, Grand National Championships occurred in June. From 1980 onward, championships occurred in November. The June event was relaunched as the Summer National Championship which continued until 1989. } Future Grand National dates Dates for Grand Nationals have been announced up to 2028, with all events scheduled to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on the second weekend of November each year." == Classification and adjudication ==

Available classes Participating bands are assigned to a competitive classes based on their school's enrollment (grades 10 through 12). Classes are used to determine preliminary placements and awards and are not announced to the judges or audience with the intention to not influence scoring. The top twelve highest-scoring bands regardless of class advance to the finals performance. Class champions who do not advance to finals are invited to perform in exhibition. Bands of America attempts to keep the number of competing bands in each class, across the entire championship system, evenly distributed. Classes AA, AAA, and AAAA are realigned every three years based on data provided by participating bands. Class A's requirement of 600 or fewer enrolled students remains unchanged. The next realignment period is scheduled for 2028. The following classes are available : Historic classes Competitive classes available from 1976 to the present. Classes were realigned in 1980, 1986, and in 2009. } Adjudication The adjudication system used by Bands of America is a single-tier "criteria reference system, in which a band showing proficiency in particular criteria, or meeting certain criteria at a certain level." == Past champions ==

Grand National Championships (1976–present) From 1976 to 1979, Grand National Championships were hosted at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in June of each year. In 1980, the Grand National Championships weekend transitioned to November where it has remained since. The class system was realigned in 1980, 1986, and in 2009. to allow table to expand properly on small displays. --> } Summer National Championships (1980–1989) In 1980, the Summer Workshop and Festival was relaunched as the Summer National Championship. The 1989 Summer National Champion, Christian Brothers, was a combined band representing four schools from the Chicago metro-area: Brother Rice, Mother McAuley, St. Laurence, and Queen of Peace high schools. to allow table to expand properly on small displays. --> } == Notes ==