Bands of America Northwest Ohio Regional Championship presented by Yamaha

September 20, 2025 – Toledo, OH

Information Updated: August 1, 2025

Schedules

The Northwest Ohio Championship will operate on Eastern Time.

Maps

Arrival

Band App

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

Bus/Truck Parking Location
  • Enter the parking lots from North Towerview Blvd. via Bancroft St.
  • 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 Passes
Band Check-In
  • Location: Between the 2 Bus/Truck 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 and Changing Facilities
  • Restrooms: East Concourse; accessible via Band Entrance Gate
  • Limited number of port-a-lets will be available near the Bus/Truck parking lots

Student Safety

Participant Hydration
  • 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 station.
  • These water stations will be equipped with water horses, and continuously flowing water. Bands of America will NOT PROVIDE CUPS AT WATER STATIONS.
  • LOCATION: fill in info here.

Weather

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.

Warm-Up

Warm-Up Information

BAND WARM-UP

  • LOCATION: NE of stadium; across from truck parking lot
  • SURFACE: Paved surfaces
  • Separated areas for Band, Guard, and Front Ensemble
  • 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: SW corner of Bus/Truck Parking Lots
  • SURFACE: Paved Surfaces
  • Front ensembles move to the gate 15 minutes before band report time.
  • A separate front ensemble warm-up area is available.
  • Front Ensembles can warm-up with the band, though it’s not recommended due to the distance.
  • Battery can warm up with either the band or the front ensemble, unless the event logistics page specifies otherwise.

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

Performance

Field Entry Timing

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 and to address potential issues.

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.

Gate Dimensions and Stadium Flow
  • BOA’s prop rules apply regardless of venues gate and tunnel dimensions. See Adjudication Handbook.

BAND FIELD ENTRY

  • Back, Side 1
  • Gate is 9’8” with no height restrictions

BAND 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

PROP ENTRY

  • With Band
  • Back, Side 1
  • Gate is 9’8” with no height restrictions

PROP EXIT

  • With Band
  • Front, Side 1
  • Gate is 10’8”, no height restrictions
Field Markings
  • Both NCAA/Texas High School & Traditional High School Field Markings
  • NCAA/Texas High School markings: White Paint, 60’ from the front and back sidelines and 40’ apart.  These are marked every yard.
  • High School field markings: Yellow Tape, 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
Director Viewing Area
  • LOCATION: Top of Section 4
  • ROUTE: Field level, take stairs on Side 1 35 yd. line
Adjudicators
  • LOCATION: Judges will be located in the top of the spectator seating area in section 5.
  • Adjudication Panel Biographies
  • All scores and recaps will be released after the Finals Awards Ceremony.
Adjudication Handbook
Award Ceremonies
  • 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)

Post-Performance

Student Re-Entry
  • 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.
Photography

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

Picnic Location
  • 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.