• There are separate bus and truck parking lots.
  • Buses must approach the parking lot via East Hopkins Street and then use Thorpe Lane to Robbie Lane. (Address: 340 Stadium Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666)
  • Trucks will park on the east side of the stadium in Lot A (1120 Aquarena Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666). You must approach via  TX-82 Loop/Bobcat Drive.
• 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: east of the bus parking lot
• 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: On the concourse under the spectator stands; enter via Gate 2 (not near warm-up)
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available in the west end of the bus 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 Band Exit

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: Field to the west of the Bus Parking Lot (see Site Overview Map)
  • NOTE: The path to warm-up requires crossing over railroad tracks. Trains run on these tracks daily. The crossing will be staffed to assist with student safety.
• SURFACE: Grass
• Separate area for pit percussion
• 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: Grass

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: West end of truck parking lot
• SURFACE: Paved Surfaces
• Pit percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time.
• Pit percussion can NOT warm-up with the band, due to the distance and railroad tracks

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: We will move the band to the GOAL LINE. BOA staff will count down the start of your 4-minute set-up time.

Take the Field: 4 minutes before show time, enter the field as you have rehearsed. All setup (prop staging, warm-up, etc.) MUST be within these 4 minutes.

• Props: Rehearse field entry with prop movers for a smooth performance day.
• 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 (or be making substantial progress towards the exit side) – all props, personnel, and parents.

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

BAND, PIT PERCUSSION AND PROP FIELD ENTRY

• Back, Side 1 through the loading dock
• Loading dock doors are 17′ wide with a 13′ height restriction

BAND, PIT PERCUSSION AND PROP FIELD EXIT

• Front, Side 2
• Gate is 11′ wide with a 13’7″ height restriction

• 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 103
• ROUTE: Field level stairs on the side 2 – 30 yard line

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in the middle level of the press box
• 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
  • LOCATION: Paul and Pat Gowens Family Pavilion, near Band Exit
• 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 Band Re-Entry – Gate #2. 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: west end of the warm-up fields
• 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 in the southwest corner of the Bus Parking lot. Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.