“The Tin Can,” “The Echodome,” or just simply “The Dome”: whatever you like to call it, The Silverdome in Pontiac is playing host to a Bands of America regional contest that is drawing 17 bands from as far south as Georgia and west as Nebraska this Saturday, October 8.
Of those 17 bands in competition, 8 are from Michigan, 4 from Illinois, 3 from Ohio, and 1 each from Nebraska and Georgia. Preliminary competition begins at 11am with Godwin Heights (MI). A full schedule of events for Prelims can be found here. The Silverdome is located at 1200 Featherstone Rd in Pontiac.
A full finals schedule will not be available until after preliminary competition concludes. Gates will open for finals at 6:45pm and the first finalist band will start at 7:45. Exhibitions, if necessary, will occur before this. Awards will be at 10:30pm.
If you aren’t familiar with BOA competition, the bands are organized into classes based on grades 10-12 school population. This differs from Michigan, where we use grades 9-12. The classes are as follows:
- A – 600 or Less
- AA – 601-1220
- AAA – 1221-1750
- AAAA – 1750 and Above
When preliminary competition ends, the top three placements in each class as well as caption awards in music, marching, and general effect are announced. After those awards, the top 10 scoring bands (regardless of class) are announced as finalists. Should a class champion not be among those top 10, they will be asked to perform in exhibition during finals.
Note to Spectators: Parking at this event will be through gate 5 off of Featherstone Rd and costs $10. This price includes in and out privileges. Tickets for this event are $17 for prelims, $17 for finals, or $26 for a day pass (all general admission). There are also a plethora of discounts available:
- Children 10 and under = Free general admission!
- Children 11 to 18 and College Students with Valid ID = $7 dollars off any general admission ticket type
- Seniors 62 and Over and Active Military Personnel = $3 off any ticket type