The Bridgeland High School marching band placed seventh overall at the Bands of America Grand National Championships held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 14-16. Bridgeland is the first CFISD band to be named a BOA Grand National Championships finalist.

Nov. 21, 2024—The Bridgeland High School marching band finished seventh overall at the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 14-16.  

This 2024 championships featured approximately 113 high school marching bands from 19 states. Bridgeland was selected as one of 35 semi-finalists and one of 12 finalists.

“What an unbelievable journey this has been,” said Shawn McAnear, Bridgeland head band director. “From opening the school eight years ago to being named a UIL State and BOA Grand Nationals finalist is surreal. We are fortunate to belong to a supportive school district and community with students, staff and volunteers that work unbelievably hard to make performances like this possible. I am excited to see what the feature holds!”

Bridgeland is the first CFISD marching band to be named a BOA Grand National Championships finalist and is the second CFISD school to compete at the national competition. Cypress Falls High School competed in 2006.

Bridgeland now joins other greater-Houston area marching bands to be named finalists. The list of finalists includes Spring, Klein, Westfield, The Woodlands, Pearland and Stephen F. Austin high schools.

BOA is a program of Music for All, a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to create, provide and expand positively life changing experiences through music. Music for All believes that music is a core pillar in a student’s well-rounded education and must be accessible for all students.

Visit the Music for All website for more information.