Bourbon County Marching Band Takes 4th Place in Class A Pre-lims at Bands of America Grand Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The Bourbon County Marching Colonels have once again proven themselves to be one of the premier small-school marching bands in the country, securing a 4th Place finish in Class A Pre-lims at the 2025 Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships held at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Competing on the nation’s biggest stage, Bourbon County stood out among a crowded field of elite ensembles, continuing a decades-long tradition of excellence for the Paris, Kentucky program.

Understanding the “Class A” Distinction

To understand the significance of this achievement, it is important to understand how the Bands of America classification system levels the playing field. BOA separates bands into four classes based on school enrollment for grades 10–12:

• Class A: 600 or fewer students
• Class AA: 601 – 1,250 students
• Class AAA: 1,251 – 1,750 students
• Class AAAA: 1,751+ students

Bourbon County competes in Class A, the division for the smallest schools. While they may have fewer students to draw from than the massive 4,000-student high schools they share the stadium with, Class A bands are renowned for their creativity, individual musician responsibility, and precision. A 4th-place finish here means Bourbon County is ranked among the top tier of all small-school bands in the United States.

A Gathering of the Nation’s Best

The Grand National Championships is not just a regional contest; it is the “Super Bowl” of high school marching band. This year, approximately 112 bands descended upon Indianapolis to compete.

The level of commitment required to attend is staggering. While Bourbon County made the relatively short trip from Kentucky, many of their competitors traveled thousands of miles to be there. The event consistently draws powerhouses from coast to coast, including bands from Texas (such as Flower Mound and The Woodlands), Oklahoma (Broken Arrow), Mississippi, and even as far as California and Utah. To place 4th in your class amidst a field of this geographic magnitude is a testament to the Colonels’ world-class preparation.

A standout example of this dedication was the Kenai Central High School Band from Alaska. Traveling over 3,500 miles to compete, their presence underscored the national reach of the event. Their commitment and positive attitude did not go unnoticed, as they were honored with the prestigious Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award, a recognition given to the group that best exemplifies the camaraderie and spirit of the marching arts.

A Unique “Base” of Operations

For their accommodation, the Marching Colonels opted for an experience that reinforced their discipline and teamwork. Instead of a standard hotel, the band stayed at Camp Atterbury, an active National Guard training center located in Edinburgh, Indiana, about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis.

The post frequently opens its barracks to bands competing at Grand Nationals, offering a distinct alternative to the typical road trip experience. Living in open-bay barracks rather than isolated hotel rooms fosters a unique sense of community. The military environment—focused, communal, and free of distractions—mirrors the precision required on the marching field, allowing the students to eat, sleep, and prepare as a single, cohesive unit throughout the week.

The Road to Finals: A Three-Day Marathon

Grand Nationals is a test of endurance as much as musicality, spanning three intense days of competition. The event kicked off with Preliminary performances spread across Thursday and Friday. Bourbon County began their journey early, taking the field at 9:00 AM on Thursday, setting the bar high for the competitors that followed.

Camaraderie Amidst Competition

Friday served as a “day off” for the Colonels as other bands completed their preliminary rounds. To help unwind from the stress of waiting for results, the Anderson County Marching Band—fellow Kentuckians also competing in Indianapolis—reached out to organize a meetup.

The two bands came together for a much-needed “playdate,” putting aside competitive rivalries to bond over inter-band Dodge Ball, Pickle Ball, and mobile games. Students spent the morning simply sitting, talking, and enjoying the shared experience of being at Nationals. This gathering highlighted the true spirit of the marching arts: while teams compete fiercely on the field, off the field they are a united community of musicians supporting one another.

The Final Push

After two full days of preliminary performances, the atmosphere turned electric on Friday night as the drum majors gathered for the announcement of the Semi-Finalists. Bands that advanced earned the right to perform again on Saturday morning. From that elite pool, the field was narrowed down one last time for Saturday night, where the top 12 Finalists competed under the lights for the title of Grand National Champion. Surviving these multiple rounds of cuts requires immense consistency and focus from the students.

A Storied Legacy of Success

This year’s 4th place finish adds another chapter to one of the most decorated histories in Class A competition. The Marching Colonels have been a dominant force at Grand Nationals for nearly two decades.

Their track record at Lucas Oil Stadium speaks for itself:

• Grand National Class A Champions (6 times): 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2023
• Grand National Class A Runner-Up (2nd Place): 2024
• Grand National Class A Third Place: 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022
• Grand National Class AA Third Place: 2011

Congratulations to the students, directors, and boosters of the Bourbon County Marching Band on another outstanding season and for keeping their name in the upper echelon of the marching arts.