Each BAND is event specific. Join the 2025 BAND here.

• Enter the parking lots via S. College Avenue
  • Trucks will turn onto Marvin Street to enter the lot west of the stadium (Address: 625 S College Ave., Newark, DE 19713)
  • Buses will turn onto Inspiration Boulevard to enter the lot directly north of the STAR Health Sciences Complex (Address: 468 S College Ave., Newark, DE 19713)
• 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
• For safety reasons, participants MUST use the crossing guards to leave the lots and cross to warm-up and the stadium.

Parking Pass (PDF)

• Location: northwest corner of the Bob Carpenter Center
• 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: stadium concourse
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available near 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 hockey fields, south of the Bob Carpenter Center
• SURFACE: field hockey turf
• 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: field hockey turf

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: sidewalk directly southeast of the Bob Carpenter Center
• SURFACE: concrete
• 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 terrain.

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 AND PROP FIELD ENTRY

• Back, Side 1
• Gate is 16’ wide, with no height restrictions

BAND AND PROP FIELD EXIT

• Back, Side 2
• Gate is 13’ wide, no height restrictions

PIT PERCUSSION FIELD ENTRY AND EXIT

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

• Both NCAA/Texas High School & Traditional High School Field Markings
• NCAA/Texas High School markings: white, 60’ from the front and back sidelines and 40’ apart.  These are marked every yard.
• High School field markings: yellow, 53’4” from the front and back sidelines and 53’4” apart. These markings will be placed every five yards.
• Livestream microphones will be placed 1 foot outside the 15-foot line on the 35 and 50-yard lines

• LOCATION: Top of Section C

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in 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: stadium press box
• 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 group, section, and field-level action photos and awards photos. See Site Overview Map for group photo location.

Ordering information is available online at joleschenterprises.com.

• Outside food and beverage are NOT allowed to be brought into the stadium.
• LOCATION: south of the truck parking lot by the retention pond
• 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 parking lot west of the Bob Carpenter Center (Address: 637 S. College Ave.). Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.