Bands of America Grand Nationals Returns to Indy

(photo courtesy of Lucas Oil Stadium)

Nearly 100 high school marching bands from 18 states will descend upon Lucas Oil Stadium beginning Thursday for the 2021 Bands of America Grand National Championships. The championships are returning after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The three-day event will begin with two days of preliminary competition. Up to 38 bands could qualify to the semi-finals on Saturday, with the top 12 scoring bands advancing to the finals on Saturday night.

“The enthusiastic return of the bands performing at this championship is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and hard work of these young student musicians, their teachers, school administrators, parents, and families,” said Dr. Jeremy Earnhart, chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based nonprofit Music for All, which hosts the event. “The Bands of America Grand National Championships is a celebration of music education at its finest, showcasing the excellence, teamwork, and student leadership of the region’s outstanding marching bands. These young performers and their achievements advocate for the importance of music education in schools locally and nationwide.”

You can learn more about the event by clicking here.