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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.
