BOA 2012 Schedule and Classification Changes

[Hostrauser]

Bands of America has announced their 2012 schedule...

September 22, 2012
LOUISVILLE, KY - University of Louisville (confirmed)
MONROEVILLE, PA (Greater Pittsburgh area) - Gateway H.S. (confirmed)

September 29, 2012
KETTERING, OH (Greater Dayton area) - Kettering Fairmont H.S. (confirmed)
DENTON, TX (Greater Dallas/Ft. Worth area) - University of North Texas (tentative site)

October 6, 2012
CONROE, TX (Greater Houston area) - Woodforest Bank Stadium (confirmed)
PONTIAC, MI (Greater Detroit area) - Silverdome (confirmed)

October 13, 2012
AKRON/CANTON, OH - Location TBD
JACKSONVILLE, AL - Jacksonville State University (confirmed)

October 19-20, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SUPER REGIONAL - Lucas Oil Stadium (confirmed)
ST. LOUIS, MO - SUPER REGIONAL - Edward Jones Dome (confirmed)

October 26-27, 2012
ATLANTA, GA - SUPER REGIONAL - Georgia Dome (confirmed)
GLENDORA, CA (Greater Los Angeles area) - Citrus College (confirmed)
TOWSON, MD (Greater Baltimore area) - Towson University (tentative site)

November 2-3, 2012
SAN ANTONIO, TX - SUPER REGIONAL - Alamodome (confirmed)
ST. GEORGE, UT - Dixie State College (confirmed)

November 7-10, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Lucas Oil Stadium (confirmed)

The only major change to the schedule is the Indy regional being moved up from November, Week 1, to the third weekend in October. (Update: Towson has now been moved to the last Saturday in October.)

Also, BOA announced a revision to the classifications for the Top 3 divisions. The new classifications, based on grades 10-12 enrollment, are...

CLASS A = 600 or fewer students (no change)
CLASS AA = 601 to 1,225 (used to be 601 to 1,220)
CLASS AAA = 1,226 to 1,674 (used to be 1,221 to 1,750)
CLASS AAAA = 1,675 and up (used to be 1,751 and up)

[bandfan88]

The SoCal Regional better not be in Hemet again or they're looking at another cancellation...

[Hostrauser]

Then someone better step up and offer a better site. The only reason BOA went to Hemet initially in 2010 was because it was LITERALLY the only place they could get.

BOA is not a big organization. I think there are only 2-3 people at BOA that are responsible for the logistics of ALL the BOA Regionals. They simply don't have the time or manpower to scour the region looking for appropriate venues (of which there aren't many, because the venue requirements for a BOA show are so specific).

[bandfan88]

If I remember correctly, it was also because Santa Clarita fell through. I also remember someone mentioning that the directors of some of the usual bands that participated in previous regionals were polled on the date and location.

[JLGORMAN]

A big problem out in CA is that most of your venues are poor relations to the rest of us folks. We have far more large venues than are available in CA, AZ, NV, WA and OR Combined. I am not a big BOA fan, however they are right to demand a quality venue. CA has a much more limited number of sites that meet their standard.

[Hostrauser]

Yep. Santa Clarita in 2009 was a big success. But College of the Canyons was unavailable going into 2010, and BOA knew that. From what I've heard, they applied to (and were rejected by) five or six other SoCal sites in the succeeding months. West Valley H.S. was a last minute find and saved the 2010 regional. They went back to 2011 primarily out of convenience, knowing they had a "friendly" site. Now, it appears, they have to find some place else if they want bands to sign up.

[jacjar1]

Yep. Santa Clarita in 2009 was a big success. But College of the Canyons was unavailable going into 2010, and BOA knew that. From what I've heard, they applied to (and were rejected by) five or six other SoCal sites in the succeeding months. West Valley H.S. was a last minute find and saved the 2010 regional. They went back to 2011 primarily out of convenience, knowing they had a "friendly" site. Now, it appears, they have to find some place else if they want bands to sign up.

If a good site in SO CAL is not found then it looks like Utah will again be the spot for those bands that can afford to travel..

ST. GEORGE, UT - Dixie State College (Site Confirmed)

[bandfan88]

I guess the problem is Bands of America doesn't have a strong presence in the region yet. Obviously it's far easier for them to secure venues like the Georgia Dome, RCA Dome, Alamo dome and so forth because of their relationship they've built with the organizations that manage the facilities over the years as repeating tenants.

That said, maybe it would be in the interest of BOA to contact the organizations that do have relationships with major stadiums here in Southern California, such as Arcadia for Citrus College or Hart for College of the Canyons to try and establish a relationship with these venues. This is, of course, assuming they haven't done so already.

[JLGORMAN]

Their are a couple of other major problems for BOA in CA.
1. BOA needs about 25 Bands to do a real good Regional Event. This means you need stadiums that can handle that many Bands and also that many bands consistently attending a BOA Event. Here in TX about 100 Bands compete during the year in BOA. Some do 2 or three events, some do only one Last fall TX Bands went to Atlanta, St. Louis, Utah, along with the three TX regionals and Grand Nationals. You need a base of Bands that are willing to do that.

2. Here is the biggest problem. BOA classes Bands by "SCHOOL ENROLLMENT" like most of us in the South and Midwest. They will not go to Band Size. Why, because in many states in the midwest, a School of 1200 kids is normal. Under BOA Rules, Los Angeles High Would compete against Arcadia. I think that it would be hard to get a lot of Bands out in CA to change their way of competing, unless they are the Big Bands like Chino, RB, Ayala, Logan, ETC. Also the differences in judging would be noticeable. BOA tends to stick to Band Awards(like UIL, OBA, ISSMA)
and not recognize percussion, soloists, guard, etc.
I think BOA can do it in CA, however it will not be easy and will demand a core of Bands that want to compete under that mantle. We have three regionals here in TX and two years ago the Rio Grande VAlley tried to stage a regional. It did not go more than one year. They had ten Bands show up and only three would committ for the next year. They were not fond of Laredo.

[bdeuph]

I liked the WBA Finals location (Santa Barbara City College). Nice stadium, plenty of rehearsal room, and many locations to spend the night, AND the view is beautiful. Could this be a possibility? I guess whatever is cheapest or free! Anywhere but Hemet!

[jacjar1]

I liked the WBA Finals location (Santa Barbara City College). AND the view is beautiful.

It was a beautiful view...even in the rain...

[Mark Stone]

It's top on my list of suggested venues...

[BDinkel]

Hear, hear. If I had a vote... WBA would be in Santa Barbara every year. Great venue.

[danrcook]

It seems as though it is more than just a venue. It also requires a liaison in the area to make it happen. There are venues, as people have stated: Santa Barbara CC, College of the Canyons, Citrus College, etc. Moorpark College used to host a substantial show and even a DCI show. Just requires a program to step up to the plate in one of these areas that has a relationship with BOA.

[Scentiment]

Just in case people didn't know, the Southern California Regional has been confirmed at Citrus College in Glendora, CA.

http://www.musicforall.org/blog/news/ci ... -confirmed
http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/m ... l-schedule