4,000 Miles – Kenai Central Band’s Historic Journey to BOA Grand Nationals

In November, the Kenai Central Band from Kenai, Alaska, stepped onto the field of one of the biggest events in marching band: the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships. Many in the stadium had been following their travels from Alaska to Indianapolis: Kenai was the second band from Alaska in BOA history to ever make the trek. For the director, students and parents, this moment was a dream long in the making.

For the first step of their journey, the group took a three-and-a-half-hour bus from Kenai to Anchorage. They then flew from Anchorage to Chicago where the students had a chance to take in the city. They visited the Museum of Science + Industry and were excited to see the “Bean” at Millennium Park. Finally, the band took another three-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Indianapolis.

Altogether, the Kenai Band traveled a total of approximately 4,000 miles.

Making such a long journey with all the equipment and instruments needed for a marching band competition poses some challenges. Some instruments were transported in plastic storage totes, while others were borrowed from Mt. Vernon HS (IN) in Fortville.

Another Indiana school also welcomed the Kenai Band. The Avon (IN) HS band, the soon-to-be 2025 BOA Grand Nationals Champion, hosted the Kenai Band at a rehearsal where the students got to know and encourage one another before the week of events.

Bands of America Grand Nationals was not only the Kenai Band’s first BOA event – it was their first competition ever. With band considered a club activity rather than an curricular offering, the Kenai Band’s dedication to their craft began long before hitting the road.

Rehearsing outside in Alaska poses unique challenges. Band members described practicing wearing headlamps and scraping layers of frost off their instruments.

Parents and the community also rallied around the band to make traveling to Grand Nationals a reality. “The entire town maybe is smaller than some of the high schools here,” said a Kenai band parent.

For Kenai Central Band Director Christian Stephanos, this trip has been years in the making. “This was part of my 5-year plan,” he shared in an interview with Box5 Media. Stephanos built the marching band program from the school’s pre-existing drum line and color guard.

“I decided we were going to have a full-fledged marching band when I took the job. In year one, I talked to the kids. I said, “Here’s our five-year plan: we’re going to go to Grand Nationals. We’re going to go compete for the first time.”

And compete they did. The Kenai Band, comprised of 26 band members and three color guard members, presented, “Call of the Wild,” based on the novel by Jack London. Their show featured the music of Ennio Morricone, Antonio Vivaldi and John Mackey.

The second band to ever travel to Grand Nationals from Alaska, Kenai Central received a standing ovation after their historical preliminary performance.

The Kenai Band’s Grand Nationals experience ended on a special note. They were invited to the field during the finals awards ceremony and presented with the Al Castronovo Memorial Esprit de Corps Award. Open to all competing bands regardless of score, this honor celebrates character.

“The recipient [of the award] is determined as the group that best exhibits pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, camaraderie, and unity of purpose for the marching band activity, as observed and evaluated by the Bands of America staff and volunteers throughout the weekend championship.” – Music for All

The Kenai Central Band’s performance became a uniting highlight of the 2025 BOA Grand National Championships. The marching band community rallied around the band, flooding social media with encouraging messages. The students’ long journey was an inspiring reminder of what makes the activity so special.

Do you have a band travel dream? Let MTC help you make it a reality.