• Enter the parking lot from Tamarack Ave. You must approach from North 23rd St. See Site Overview Map.
• BOA staff will be on hand to meet you and give your drivers parking instructions
• There is no eating, warm-up or stretching allowed in the parking lots
• BOA does NOT provide bus driver hospitality areas

• Location: Press Box Elevator Lobby
• Opens 30 minutes after the first parking lot arrival time. See Prelims Schedule.
• Each band must check in to receive their check-in packet (final schedule, participant segment patches, and event credentials) and complete the Pre-Draw for Finals

• Restrooms: Inside McAllen H.S.  – between parking lots and warm-up
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available near the truck parking lot

• It is the responsibility of each band to ensure proper hydration of its members throughout the duration of the event.
• Bands of America will provide a potable water bottle filling station.
• These water stations will be equipped with water horses and continuously flowing water. Bands of America will NOT PROVIDE CUPS.
• LOCATION: near the warm-up area
  • NOTE: McAllen H.S. also provides a chilled bottle of water at band exit for all participants courtesy of H.E.B.

• After your Physical and Music Warm-Up, your band will travel indoors to allow for a brief cooling time and access to water/restrooms prior to performance.
• Each participating band should plan appropriately for the care of its students throughout the duration of the event. Supplies and the provision of water service itself are ultimately the responsibility of the participant.
• Shakos and jackets are not required for high achievement at BOA events.
• BOA, the City of McAllen, and McAllen ISD strongly encourage you to plan for good hydration and heat mitigation prior to arrival on site. 

Bands of America defers to the weather policies and safety protocols of the facilities in which we operate. On-site updates will be provided via the BAND app for this event.

BAND WARM-UP

• LOCATION: Tennis courts
• SURFACE: Paved surfaces
• Separate areas for Pit Percussion and Color Guard Warm-up
• Groups MUST report to their assigned warm-up at their scheduled time, as BOA doesn’t provide guides. Late arrivals cannot extend their time.
• BOA staff will monitor time and direct groups to the gate, providing 15 and 5-minute warnings. Groups must exit by the end of their time, starting to move out at 2 minutes.
• New groups can enter as the previous one exits, following BOA staff directions.
• Warm-up/rehearsal on-site is only allowed during the assigned time and location.

BATTERY

• LOCATION: With the band in the Band Warm-Up Area
• SURFACE: Paved surfaces

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: Bulldog Road
• SURFACE: Paved surfaces
• Pit percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time.
• Pit percussion can warm-up with the band, though it’s not recommended due to the distance and space available.

COLOR GUARD WARM-UP

• LOCATION: between the high school and Bulldog Road
• SURFACE: grass

WIRELESS SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS

• Wireless microphone transmitters, wireless networks, and audio and/or lighting control devices may not be used in warm-up areas.
• Wired instruments, including guitars, keyboards etc. may be used in warm-up at reasonable volumes or while not amplified.

• A small repair kit and limited number of instruments will be available at Band Check-In.

The full entrance sequence and announcement examples are listed in the BOA Adjudication Handbook.

THE SEQUENCE

At the Gate: Band arrives at the gate per schedule (no band guides). Explain your setup to BOA Staff for clarity.

Goal Line: Just before pre-set, we’ll move the band to the GOAL LINE. BOA staff will countdown the start of your 4 minute set-up time.

Take the Field: 4 minutes before show time, enter the field as rehearsed (drum taps, pre-show music, etc.). Short warm-ups are allowed within this time. All setup (props/staging) MUST be within these 4 minutes.

• Props: Rehearse field entry with prop movers for a smooth performance day. No extra time for prop movement/assembly.
• Front Ensemble: A BOA official will coordinate this entrance at the same time as the band entrance.

Announcement: At 3 minutes 15 seconds (of the 4 minutes), the announcement begins. BOA Staff can cue your drum major(s) for the announcement and salute (optional).

• Note: The BOA announcement does NOT ask, “Is your band ready?”

Perform: Begin after the announcement. All adults must be off the field at this time.

Clear the Field: You have 2 minutes after your show to clear the field – all props, personnel, and parents.

• BOA’s prop rules apply regardless of venue’s gate and tunnel dimensions. See Adjudication Handbook.

BAND AND PIT ENTRY

• Bands and Pit have to enter two separate gates to get to the field
• STADIUM GATES:
  • Northwest Corner
  • Gate is 8’ with a 10′ height restriction
• FIELD GATES
  • Front, Side 1
  • Gate is 13’ with no height restrictions

PROP ENTRY

• Props have to enter two separate gates to get to the field
• STADIUM GATES:
  • Southwest Corner
  • Gate is 13’ with no height restriction
• FIELD GATES
  • Back, Side 1
  • Gate is 13’ with no height restrictions

BAND, PIT AND PROP EXIT

• • Front, Side 2
  • Gate is 13’ with no height restrictions

• NCAA/Texas High School markings: white, 60’ from the front and back sidelines and 40’ apart.  These are marked every yard.
• Livestream microphones will be placed 1 foot outside the 15-foot line on the 35 and 50-yard lines

• LOCATION: Top of Section 4
• ROUTE: Field level, take stairs at Side 1 35 yd. line

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in the pressbox, above section 5.
• Adjudication Panel Biographies are posted online on the event’s Spectator Guide. Caption assignments will be released on event morning at Band Check-In.
• All scores and recaps will be released after the Finals Awards Ceremony.

• PRELIMS: This is a Drum Majors ONLY ceremony.
• A Finalist Directors Meeting will be held right after Preliminary Awards. Drum majors are encouraged to attend. You’ll receive the finals schedule, field passes, and Finals Awards information.
• FINALS: Full band Olympic style retreat.
• Class champions not advancing to finals are invited to perform in exhibition and the Finals Awards.
• Read the Awards Ceremony Walkthrough.
• Finale Staging Map (PDF)

• LOCATION: Students should enter as a group at the Band Re-Entry gate. See Site Overview Map.
• Students receive wristbands at band check-in for spectator entry (Prelims AND Finals)
• Only clear bags and emergency bags will be permitted.

Jolesch Enterprises will be on-site taking action photos on the field level and awards photos. Ordering information is available online at joleschenterprises.com.

• Outside food and beverage are NOT allowed to be brought into the stadium.
• LOCATION: across Tamarack Ave. in Municipal Park
• The stadium will be cleared, and concessions will be closed during the dinner break between Prelims and Finals.
• Food Delivery: There will be a designated food delivery drop-off zone located at Municipal Park near the corner of Tamarack Ave. and Bicentennial Blvd. There is a small lot near the pool. Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.