March-a-thon
Next Saturday is essentially just an extended practice from 9am - 8pm. They will have lunch again on their own and Feed the Band will serve them dinner. They will also take their band pics this day so they will need their uniform.
BOA Regional @ The University of Toledo - October 1
Bands of America (BOA) is the National organization that we compete in. When we go to Indy (see below) this is also a BOA event. This event is held on Saturday, October 1 at the Glass Bowl (Univ. of Toledo) which is an OUTDOOR stadium (so be prepared for the weather). There will be a preliminary performance (we are currently scheduled for 1pm) and then the finals later in the evening. Jenison usually competes in the finals so be prepared for them to have a very late evening. The students will leave Jenison on a charter bus relatively early and will get back very late (no overnight stay). Lots of families choose to attend this competition but many do not.
Homecoming
October 8 is Homecoming and there is no practice this day.
Grandville Invitational (Scholastic) - Oct 15
The Grandville Invitational will be very similar to the Rockford Invitational.
Jenison Invitational (Scholastic & MCBA) - Oct 22
The Jenison Invitational will require the students to perform twice in exhibition. This means they perform and are judged for a score but they are not in competition. The reason they perform twice is because there are two different sections. The morning is Scholastic Competition and the afternoon/evening is Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA). Some bands only compete in Scholastic competitions which are not as competitive as MCBA. In Scholastic competition we compete in Class A and in MCBA competition we are considered Flight II. Both are based on size of the HS. Those who only compete in Scholastic competitions do not go to state or Nationals.
The students usually arrive about an hour before they perform to warm-up. They can leave between performances. The first one is usually around 2:30 and the second will be near 10:00pm. If your student is in percussion or guard, they may have additional practice during the day.
Westshore Invitational (Scholastic) - Oct 29
This invitational is held at Rockford but is run by Reeths-Puffer (our biggest rival). The schedule for the day will be similar to Rockford and Grandville.
MCBA State - (MCBA) - Nov 5
Every year the times rotate for this competition. For example one year it's Flight I, Flight II, Flight III, Flight IV. The next year its Flight IV, Flight I, Flight II, Flight III, etc. This year Flight II starts at 3:45pm. This competition will have great bands that you haven't seen previously so it is fun to watch. It's also nice that you don't have to get up terribly early and you won't get home too late! The students will take a charter bus again. Plan for them to be gone all day and to arrive back late.
BOA Grand Nationals - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis - Nov 10 - 12
The final competition will be at the Grand Nationals. The students will leave early on Thursday, Nov 10 as their preliminary performance is around 2:30pm on Thursday. Friday evening (there are two days of preliminary competition) they will announce who moves on to Semi-finals. Semi- finals begin early Saturday morning and then Finals are Saturday night. Sometimes Jenison makes it to the Semi-finals, sometimes they do not. They generally do not make the Finals but they do stay to watch them. Once finals performances are complete they get on the busses and head back to Jenison arriving in the middle of the night. If you plan to attend Grand Nationals you might want to look for a hotel room now as they will fill up.