The 38th week of 2017 marks the first weekend of (announced score) marching competitions in Michigan. Countless hours have already been put into learning drill and music, and while many programs may have debuted their shows to family, friends, and football crowds, the time has come to venture into a judged marching competition.
Michigan bands will be present at six competitions this weekend: 4 Scholastic, 2 MCBA, and 1 BOA Regional. [Wait a minute… that’s 7! Battle Creek Lakeview is hosting their inaugural Cereal City Invitational – like Jenison later in the season, this contest features both Scholastic and MCBA portions.]
Trenton
In East Michigan, Trenton hosts their annual invitational. Nine bands will compete, representing classes A, B and C. The event begins at 2:00PM. It may be a “Hard Knock Life,” but always remember that the sun will come out “Tomorrow”. Trenton performs Annie in exhibition at 4:45PM; Awards follow at 5:00.
Trenton is located at 2601 Charlton Street, Trenton, MI 48183. See the schedule here.
Rockford
Heading to West Michigan, the annual competition in the Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium (at Rockford HS) begins this Saturday at 5:10PM with a performance of the National Anthem by the Rockford HS Band Seniors. Eleven bands compete here, representing classes C, B, and A. Rockford will provide some life-reflection with an exhibition of their 2017 show, Tao, at 8:30PM. Awards follow at 8:45.
Admission is $8 for adults; price discounts and family tickets are available. Rockford HS is located at 4100 Kroes St NE, Rockford, MI 49341. See the schedule here.
Grand Haven
Closer to Lake Michigan, Grand Haven hosts their annual contest, which begins at 4:40PM. Fourteen bands will be in attendance, representing all Scholastic classes. The Grand Haven Buccaneer Marching Band will revisit the Summer of Love to close the contest at 8:45PM. Awards follow at 9:00.
Find Grand Haven at 17001 Ferris Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417. See the schedule here.
Cereal City Invitational
Home to Kellogg’s, and the original headquarters of Post Cereal, Battle Creek is widely known as “Cereal City.” Lakeview High School hosts their inaugural competition, the Cereal City Invitational, this Saturday at their campus. Seven bands will be joining Lakeview at this event, representing classes D, C, and B, and Flights II, III and IV. Segmented into Scholastic and MCBA portions, Scholastic competition starts at 3:30PM with an exhibition by Eau Claire. MCBA competition begins at 5:45PM. Lakeview will perform their 2017 show, Unbreakable, at the conclusion of the contest (6:30PM). Awards for both competitions (all classes/flights) will happen at 7:00.
Expect admission to be $8 for adults, and $6 for Students/Seniors. Lakeview High School is located at 15060 Helmer Road South, Battle Creek, MI 49015. See the schedule here.
Lamphere
Back in East Michigan, Lamphere is hosting their annual MCBA competition in Madison Heights. The event begins at 4:50 with the National Anthem. Nine bands will be competing at this contest, representing Flights I, II, and III. Lamphere gets rambunctious with Scenes from the Playground at the end of competition (7:30PM). Awards for all Flights will be at 8:00.
Expect admission to be $8 for adults, and $6 for Students/Seniors. Lamphere High School is located at 610 West 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights MI, 48071. See the schedule here.
BOA Toledo
The University of Toledo once again hosts this early BOA regional. This two part (prelims/finals) competition starts bright and early Saturday morning, with gates opening at 7:15AM. Competition official begins at 8:00AM.
Twenty-seven bands will be in competition during Prelims, including the following Michigan bands:
- West Bloomfield (8:30AM)
- Plymouth-Canton (10:00AM)
- Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (10:15AM)
- Lake Orion (11:15AM)
- Jenison (1:30PM)
- Walled Lake Central (1:45PM)
The University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band performs in exhibition at the end of Prelims competition (4:30PM). Class Awards and Finals advancement will be announced at 4:45PM.
BOA events are judged regardless of class. While Class Awards (caption awards and top 3 ranks) are announced, these are determined by tabulators and not the judges). The top 10 scoring bands, regardless of class, will advance to Finals. Any class champion (first place in their class) who does not advance to finals based on score will be invited to perform in exhibition.
Finals competition will begin at 7:45PM, with Awards being held at 10:30PM. The schedule for Finals will not be available until Saturday afternoon/early evening. See the available schedule here.
Friendly Reminder: This regional is on an active university campus; parking lots may be near or far from the stadium. Please allow extra time to arrive and find parking and to travel to the stadium.
We’re pleased to announce that our Live@ series is growing this year! Like last year, we will once again be live-blogging the Hastings Marching Invitational on October 7. Additionally, we will be providing live coverage of the Lakeshore Marching Invitational on October 14. Stay tuned for more information as we approach these contests!
As always: it’s physically impossible for us to be at every competition. If you’re attending one, please find some time to send us scores or band shows that we may be missing. Any user submission greatly helps us advance our site!