The 2017 Bands of America Grand National Championships kicked off Wednesday evening, November 8 with a festive celebration of music, pageantry, and friendship as the annual Indianapolis Marching Band Tournament graced the Lucas Oil Stadium field. The event was especially momentous for Arlington, Broad Ripple Magnet, and Northwest High Schools in the final competition for those bands due to school closure.
The coveted Spirit Award ensures audience participation plays a major role at this event with a $1,000 scholarship given to the school with the most enthusiastic boosters. Crispus Attucks H.S. brought a huge group of people and won the award for the fourth consecutive year. Music for All CEO Eric Martin also announced a $1,000 pledge to each of the four remaining IPS bands to support music education in those schools.
Arsenal Technical H.S. won for the third time in a row in the Corps-style Division, creating a cinematic spectacle with selections from action and thriller movies. George Washington Community H.S. finished second, shaking the building with music from the soundtrack of blockbuster motion picture Godzilla.
Broad Ripple Magnet H.S. took the Show-style crown for the third straight year by playing hits of Beyoncé, featuring a talented vocalist and a dance line with moves that would make the Superstar proud. Runner-up Crispus Attucks H.S. showcased their eye-catching majorette line with a tribute to legendary rapper Tupac Shakur.
The limber dancers of Arlington H.S. contorted into positions the human body should not be able to do, while Northwest Community H.S. gave a rousing final performance of “Goodbye” with an array of tunes about saying farewell. Two special exhibition performances from our Aloha State neighbors, Mililani H.S. and Maui H.S., provided even more excitement, plus an exciting show by the Marian University to close the evening.
Please join us as we celebrate the achievements of the best and brightest of America’s future. To the winners in life who took the field, we salute you all. Go for it! Break ranks!
