Behind the Scenes at Bands of America Grand National Championships
In November, over 100 bands competed at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, many of which are long-standing clients of the Music Travel Consultants family of brands. This recap highlights the event and the role our team plays in supporting their experience.
What Is Bands of America Grand Nationals?
Each November, high school marching bands from across the country converge on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for Music for All’s Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha. It is widely recognized as the premier national marching band event in the United States.
Grand Nationals is first and foremost an educational performance opportunity. Over two intense days, bands perform in preliminary competition. Selected groups advance to semifinals and the top 12 ensembles return for Saturday night Grand National Finals in front of thousands of fans.
For students, staff and families, the weekend is an unforgettable mix of hard work, nerves and joy when the show finally hits the field.
A Big Weekend for Music Travel Family of Brands Bands
Music Travel Consultants is pleased to be the Official Student Travel Partner of Music for All and Bands of America.
This year’s Grand National Championships took place November 13–15, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
MTC was proud to support:
- 35 bands in preliminary competition
- 21 semifinalist bands
- 6 finalist bands, including the Grand National Champion, Avon High School Marching Black & Gold
Avon High School (IN) earned the national title with a Finals score of 97.825, leading a remarkable field of ensembles from across the country. See competition results HERE.
From first-time participants to seasoned Grand Nationals veterans, our goal was the same for every program: handle the logistics so directors could focus on teaching, leading and supporting their students.
What MTC Does at Grand Nationals
Behind every performance at Grand Nationals are months of rehearsals and a complex web of details. For our groups, we help manage:
- Travel logistics
Motorcoach and air arrangements that keep arrivals, equipment and people moving on schedule. - Hotel and security coordination
Properties selected with student safety, rest and convenience in mind. - On-the-ground support
MTC Tour Directors help keep the schedule on track, communicate updates and troubleshoot surprises so directors do not have to do it alone. - Rehearsal space and home rooms
Many groups choose to rehearse indoors at the Indiana Convention Center, where field-sized spaces can be taped with yard lines and hash marks. Nearby “home rooms” at the convention center give bands a central base for uniforms, instruments and downtime between blocks. These options are especially valuable when Indiana’s November weather turns cold or wet. - Meals that fit the schedule
We coordinate convenient group meals at the convention center or nearby so bands can fuel up quickly and stay close to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Every one of these details adds up to a smoother, calmer experience for students and staff on a very big weekend.
Pizza and Pasta Parties: Fuel and Fun
One of the highlights for many Music Travel groups is our pizza and pasta parties during Grand Nationals week.
These meals are designed to:
- Keep students well fed with hearty, familiar options that work for hungry performers.
- Provide valuable downtime to relax, laugh and bond away from the pressure of the field.
- Offer a controlled, convenient setting near the action, so directors are not juggling buses, traffic and long walks before or after key performances.
For some programs, the pizza or pasta party becomes a tradition of its own. It is where seniors give speeches, sections celebrate a great run and everyone gets a chance to breathe before the next big moment.
Saturday Pre-Finals Dinner and Additional Meals
For finalist bands, Saturday evening moves very quickly. There is little time between the announcement of finalists and the start of the next performance block. To make that window less stressful, many groups book a pre-finals dinner at the Indiana Convention Center, scheduled between finalist announcements and their warm-up or step-off time.
We also arrange additional group meals throughout the weekend. Breakfasts before early rehearsals, lunches between blocks and full dinners help directors take “What are we going to eat?” off their list and keep students close to the venue, rested and ready.
Celebrating Together
For more than a decade, MTC has hosted a Music & Talent Celebration during Grand Nationals for groups that choose to participate. This optional event gives students a chance to enjoy good food, live music and dancing in a supervised setting. Bands can also gather to watch the announcement of semifinalists on a big screen, surrounded by fellow performers who understand exactly what the weekend means.
Even if each band is focused on its own show, moments like these remind students that they are part of a much larger marching community.
2025 Grand Nationals Results
The 2025 Bands of America Grand National Championships once again delivered a thrilling and very close Finals. Avon High School (IN) captured the championship, with Flower Mound High School (TX) and Carmel High School (IN) rounding out the top three in a stacked field.
For complete Finals, Semifinals and Class results, directors and fans can visit the official Bands of America Grand National Championships Results page on the Music for All website.
As the Official Student Travel Partner of Music for All and Bands of America, Music Travel Consultants is honored to stand beside every band that trusts us with their Grand Nationals journey.
Looking Ahead
Planning a future trip to the Bands of America Grand National Championships, a Super Regional or a Regional event?
Music Travel would love to help you:
- Design a trip that supports your educational goals
- Build in rehearsals, performances and meaningful experiences for students
- Take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most: your program and your performers
Start a conversation with a Bennett Travel Designer today, and let’s begin planning your next Grand Nationals adventure.
