INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Three local bands will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium this week in Indianapolis as Bands of America Grand Nationals kicks off Thursday.
The Reeths-Puffer, Jenison and Rockford marching bands will be among more than 110 bands competing this week from around the country.
Every year, the competition brings some of the most premier marching bands in the country to Indianapolis.
13 ON YOUR SIDE was able to catch up with members of the Reeths-Puffer marching band. They've been working since March on their show called "Seen, Unseen."
A lot of hours have gone into perfecting the show in the last eight months. Hard work that members say they're excited to show off on such a big stage.
"It is so much of an honor to like be able to be shown on that field, because Lucas Oil, Lucas Oil is a great stadium," said Amani Starr, the band's junior drum major. "It's huge. We go like every other year, and it's just a great thing to be recognized on that platform."
"It's been a really hard season, but it's been great," said Asher Kolmus, a sophomore mellophone section leader. "And so I think we have really pushed ourselves to a great spot for nationals."
Rehearsals for the band start in March, and they ramp up toward the end of the summer until they hit the school year. That's when the band gets very busy, starting their competition circuit.
The Reeths-Puffer band just took top honors in Flight 3 of the Michigan Competition Band Association State Championships, held earlier this month at Ford Field in Detroit.
While the state competition is a great way to see what other bands are doing within the state, Grand Nationals gives each band the opportunity to see what other bands around the United States are doing, said Director of Bands Sean Harris.
"Whether it's performing in front of thousands, or just being able to say that you stepped on the same field as these other great bands from across the country, it's a great feeling and something to remember for the rest of their lives," said Harris.
Grand Nationals starts this Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, with the prelim round starting Thursday and extending through Friday.
Reeths-Puffer takes the field Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Rockford's prelim round is at 3:15 p.m. Friday.
Jenison's band will take the field for their prelim performance at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Semifinals and finals take place Saturday.
You can find more performance information for BOA Grand Nationals by clicking here.