BOA Arizona Regional – Inclement Weather Finals Ticket Refunds

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, September 27, at the Bands of America Arizona Regional Championship.

While the day did not unfold as any of us hoped due to inclement weather, we are grateful that every band was able to perform and receive feedback from our adjudication panel.

The safety of students and all in attendance is always our top priority. Our lightning protocol requires pausing the show and moving participants inside to shelter in place whenever lightning is detected within the safety radius. Performances may only resume after 30 minutes without a strike within that radius. Unfortunately, multiple fast-forming storms on Saturday afternoon produced lightning for several hours, repeatedly restarting the 30-minute clock.

Although the standard ticketing policy for Music for All/Bands of America events is that tickets are non-refundable, when extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather result in the cancellation of all or a substantial portion of an event – as was the case with Finals at the Arizona Regional – Music for All has established refund policies to provide full or partial refunds as appropriate.

Finals ticket-only purchasers: We have worked with the Northern Arizona University ticket office to issue refunds to those who purchased Finals-only tickets for the 2025 BOA Arizona Regional.
Day Pass purchasers: You may request a refund for the Finals portion of your ticket, valued at $17. See how below.

Considering that Music for All still incurred the full costs of hosting the event – including stadium rental, personnel travel and housing, adjudicator fees, and other expenses – we invite our patrons to consider foregoing a refund and instead donating the value to help support these costs. If you choose this option, thank you. Upon request, we will provide you with an acknowledgment of your charitable contribution (please email tickets@musicforall.org).

If you wish to request a refund, please email tickets@musicforall.org by October 30 and include a copy of your mobile ticket. All refunds will be processed by November 30.

For questions regarding this refund policy, please contact tickets@musicforall.org.

Dr. James Weaver
CEO and President, Music for All

Ten years ago, Ethan Trace was a high school tuba player in Kennesaw, Georgia. While in high school, he participated in Bands of America Super Regionals and the BOA Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade®.

Before leaving for California, Ethan connected with local Cobb County band kids also performing with the BOA Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade®. One of these performers was Meredith, a color guard captain at the rival high school. The two instantly connected, swapping band stories about traveling across the country, indoor seasons, and everything that comes with being a band kid. Once in California, their bond deepened as they attended rehearsals, leadership sessions, and special outings.

In the months following the BOA Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade®, Ethan and Meredith would hang out every weekend at winter guard shows. Eventually, Meredith went to college out of state, but that didn’t stop their friendship. The two started a new tradition of going to see movies like the Greatest Showman during the holiday breaks.

Now, Ethan and Meredith live in different states and are removed from the band world, but still remain close. Even though Ethan’s band days are behind him, he credits band with shaping him into the person he is today. He would not be as patient, as humble, or as good of a leader if not for his experiences at BOA.

To current and future band kids, Ethan had this to say: “To any current band/orchestra members, enjoy every moment while you can. At least 50% of my core memories came from marching band. Nothing feels quite as exhilarating as spending all that time preparing for a competition and creating that final product.”