Bryant High School will be represented among seventeen high school bands from three states in the inaugural Bentonville Marching Invitational (BMI). The event will take place at Tiger Stadium at Bentonville High School, Saturday, October 6th. According to Bentonville Schools, a renowned judging panel of experts in music, marching and visual effects will score each band and provide critical insights the bands may use to improve as their seasons unfold at other regional and national competitions.
Each band will perform their show during the preliminary competition, and the top 12 bands will perform again in the evening finals session for an additional round of scoring and feedback. The host band, the award-winning Bentonville Pride, will debut its 2018 competition show “Modern Marie” prior to the finals session. It depicts the story of Marie Antoinette, but with a modern twist. The Bryant band will perform last in the prelims, scheduled to come onto the field at 4:15 p.m. See the full schedule below.
The BMI will provide a preview into the upcoming Bands of America Super Regional competition, in St. Louis, later this month. Six of the participating bands – as well as the Bentonville Pride – will take part in that prestigious event, featuring many of the best bands in the central U.S. The Pride and Lake Hamilton High School (of Hot Springs) will also take their shows to the Bands of America Grand National Championships, in Indianapolis, in November.
This year’s Bentonville Marching Invitational is made possible, in part, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Visit Bentonville. BMI has drawn wide support from the business community and more than 6,000 participants and spectators are expected to be on hand.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the first band scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are good for both sessions. They can be purchased in advance at https://bentonhsband.ludus.com/index.php or at the gate the day of the show.
SCHEDULE:
2018 Bentonville Marching Invitational
TIME – SCHOOL NAME, LOCATION
11:00 – Gentry High School Gentry, AR
11:15 – Cotter High School Cotter, AR
11:30 – Shiloh Christian High School Springdale, AR
11:45 – Berryville High School Berryville, AR
12:00 – OPEN OPEN
12:15 – Forsyth High School Forsyth, MO
12:30 – LUNCH BREAK
1:15 – Willow Springs High School Willow Springs, MO
1:30 – Tahlequah High School Tahlequah, OK
1:45 – Gurdon High School Gurdon, AR
2:00 – Ozark High School Ozark, MO
2:15 – Francis Howell North High School St. Charles, MO
2:30 – Greenwood High School Greenwood, AR
2:45 – BREAK
3:00 – Alma High School Alma, AR
3:15 – Blue Springs South High School Blue Springs, MO
3:30 – Bentonville West High School Centerton, AR
3:45 – Cabot High School Cabot, AR
4:00 – Lake Hamilton High School Lake Hamilton, AR
4:15 – Bryant High School Bryant, AR
4:30 – PRELIMS AWARDS
4:50 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINALIST BANDS
5:00 – STADIUM CLOSES
6:30 – STADIUM RE-OPENS (Reserved Seating Available)
FINALS SESSION
6:45 – Bentonville Pride – Debut of Competition Show “Modern Marie”
7:00 – Qualifying Bands Perform, Time Based on Draw
10:15 – FINALS RESULTS ANNOUNCED