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

• Enter the parking lots from North Towerview Boulevard via Bancroft Street
  • Buses will park in lots 1N & 1S
  • Trucks will continue on and park in Lot 10
• 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

Parking Pass (PDF)

• Location: Between the two bus parking lots
• 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 in both the Visitor and Home Concourses
• Limited number of port-a-lets will be available near the bus parking lots

• 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: between band entrance and 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: NE of stadium, across from truck parking lot
• SURFACE: Paved surfaces
• Separated areas for band, guard, and 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: Paved surfaces
• Battery can warm up with either the band or the front ensemble.

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: SW corner of Bus/Truck Parking Lots
• SURFACE: Paved Surfaces
• Pit percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time
• Pit percussion can warm-up with the band, but they have to follow the pit percussion report time per the prelims schedule
• Battery can warm up with either the band or the pit percussion

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 9’8” with no height restrictions

BAND AND PROP FIELD EXIT

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 10’8”, no height restrictions

PIT PERCUSSION FIELD ENTRY

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 10’8”, no height restrictions

PIT PERCUSSION FIELD EXIT

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 10’8”, 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 4
• ROUTE: Field level, take stairs on Side 1 – 35 yard line

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in the top of the spectator seating area in 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.
  • LOCATION: The lower level of the press box via the north elevator
• 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: grassy area NW of stadium
• 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 cutout on Rocket Drive next to the Performing Arts Center. Use the bridge to cross the river into the picnic area.

Music for All and Potbelly Sandwich Works have teamed up to offer participating bands low-cost, individual boxed meals to assist in meal plans for lunch or dinner on event day.

Contact – Megan Coss from Potbelly can provide quotes and order confirmations.
megan.coss@potbelly.com      Call: 847-954-7125

Easy Ordering – Order forms are available online HERE. Just complete the order form and send to Megan 10 days before event day.

Delivery – Potbelly will deliver your meals to your band’s point of contact on event day, at the designated food drop-off location.