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ABOUT ISSMA
ISSMA is our state scholastic music competitive circuit in Indiana. In 1981, the Northern Indiana School Band, Orchestra, and Vocal Association (NISBOVA) combined with the Indiana School Music Association (ISMA) to create this statewide organization to govern competitions and promote music education in the state of Indiana. Today, ISSMA hosts various events for concert bands, jazz bands, marching bands, and solos and ensembles all across the state at about 120 sites, and using over 1,000 judges.
MARCHING CONTEST
In the state of Indiana, school bands competing in ISSMA marching competitions are able to compete in one of two circuits, either Open Class or Scholastic Class. Scholastic Class bands are divided into two divisions (large and small) based on school enrollment. Depending on which division depends on the membership limitations for on-field performers during the competition. Open Class bands are divided into four divisions (A, B, C, and D) based on school enrollment. There is no maximum membership for on-field performers in Open Class. Currently, Edison Jr-Sr High School is classed as an Open Class D school based on school enrollment.
During the marching band season, ISSMA hosts several invitations, as well as Regionals, Semi-State, and State Finals. For Open Class bands, the divisions are split into two regionals (North and South) which alternate show sites every year. At each regional, the top 10 scoring bands will advance to the Semi-State competition. From the Semi-State competition, again, the top 10 scoring bands will advance to State Finals held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
CONCERT CONTEST
For concert contest, bands are able to choose from 5 different competitive classes based on skill level (Group I-V). For the hardest levels (Groups I & II) bands are required to perform literature from a selected list that meets the criteria for that class. For each level, there is an optional sight-reading assessment which judges the band based on their ability to perform a piece which they have only been able to see for about 10 minutes. Bands who select the "state qualifier" option are eligible to advance to the state contest.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
1940 NISBOVA District I Class C Rating I
1949 NISBOVA District Excellent
1950 NISBOVA District Superior
1951 NISBOVA District Excellent
1954 NISBOVA State Excellent
1956 NISBOVA District Superior
1956 NISBOVA State Excellent
1957 NISBOVA State Excellent
1958 NISBOVA District Excellent
1972 NISBOVA State Superior
1973 NISBOVA State Superior
1976 NISBOVA State Superior
1977 NISBOVA State Superior
1978 NISBOVA State Superior
1980 NISBOVA State Superior
1983 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Sight Reading Distinction
1984 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold)
1985 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold)
1986 ISSMA State Festival Div. II (Silver) Group II
1988 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group II Sight Reading Distinction
1989 ISSMA State Festival Div. (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1990 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1992 ISSMA State Festival Div. II (Silver) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1994 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III
1995 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1996 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1997 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1998 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
1999 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
2001 ISSMA State Festival Div. II (Silver) Group III Sight Reading Distinction
2002 ISSMA State Festival Div. I (Gold) Group III
2003 ISSMA State Festival Gold Group III Sight Reading Distinction
2004 ISSMA State Festival Gold Group III Sight Reading Distinction
2005 ISSMA State Festival Silver Group II
2006 ISSMA State Festival Silver Group III Sight Reading Distinction
2007 ISSMA State Festival Silver Group III
