Here is what is listed so far on the BOA/MFA site for history.
2008 • BOA's Sound Check is the first marching event in the new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and the first Grand National Championships to be held in the new stadium. • Music for All is awarded its largest grant to date, $495,000 from the Lilly Endowment, to support implementation of a mature fundraising program. • Music for All wins six IFEA awards.
2007 • Music for All launches a new website, www.musicforall.org. • BOA hosts a record 21 events during the Fall marching band season. • Music for All debuts the Jazz Band of America. • Newly-named Music for All National Festival comprises National Concert Band Festival, National Percussion Festival and Orchestra America National Festival. • 2007 Grand National Championships will be the final marching event in the RCA Dome before moving to Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008. • MFA presented with 10 IFEA Pinnacle Awards.
2006 • Bands of America and Music for All Foundation merge to create Music for All, Inc. • The Orchestra America National Festival debuts in Hilbert Circle Theatre in cooperation with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra • INergy, Indy's Official Musical Ambassadors, debuts as a coproduction of Bands of America and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. • BOA launches non-competitive Fall Preview Experiences • BOA is awarded seven IFEA Pinnacle Awards • Music for All's California research and policy efforts pay off: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Legislature allocate $500 million as a reinvestment into music and arts education in public schools.
2005 • BOA celebrates 30 years of positively life-changing experiences! • BOA Honor Band performs before millions January 1 in the Tournament of Roses Parade with more than 330 outstanding high school band members from across the nation • Orchestra America, a division of BOA, debuts the Honor Orchestra of America at the National Concert Band Festival
2004 • BOA and the National Band Association agree to partner to present the NBA conference in conjunction with the BOA Summer Symposium.
2003 • BOA holds its first Super Regional in San Antonio, TX at the Alamodome. • BOA opens its new headquarters office suite in historic Union Station, downtown Indianapolis. • BOA creates the Bands of America Hall of Fame and inducts the inaugural class. • BOA receives an invitation for the Bands of America Honor Band to perform in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade.
2002 • Bands of America debuts a program of instruction for string musicians at the Summer Symposium. • The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents a special Bands of America tribute concert at the National Concert Band Festival & National Percussion Festival. • BOANetwork tops 60,000 members. • The new www.bands.org is unveiled featuring online event registration. • BOAis honored with three IFEA Pinnacle Awards.
2001 • The BOA Summer Band Symposium hits its highest-ever enrollment to date with more than 1,900 student, director, instructor & booster participants. • BOA receives the Silver Medal for Best Newsletter and the Gold Medal for Best Sponsorship Video from the IFEA.
2000 • Bands of America celebrates 25 years of Positively Life-Changing experiences! • BOA wins four medals at the 2000 IFEA awards ceremony including Silver Medal-Best Newsletter, Bronze Medal-Best Website, Bronze Medal-Best Sponsor Solicitation Video Production, Bronze Medal-Best Television Production (Grand Nationals).
1999 • The BOA Honor Band of America conducted by H. Robert Reynolds presents a concert tour of Japan, performing exchange concerts with top Japanese bands. • BOA Grand National pin program wins IFEA award for best fundraising program.
1998 • The Regional Championship schedule expands to 12 events nationwide. • '97 Grand National video program wins Gold Award, Best Television Program, from International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA).
1997 • The National Concert Band Festival moves to Indianapolis, IN. Percussion ensembles perform for the first time. • The Honor Band of America travels to Europe for performances including at the World Association of Symphonic Bands & Ensembles conference in Austria. • The first BOA Regional Concert Band Festival is held at the University of North Texas. • Yamaha Corporation of America becomes BOA's first National Presenting Sponsor. • BOA Newsletter wins Silver Award from IFEA.
1996 • Grand Nationals expands to 80 bands-3 day prelims/semi-finals/finals format. • The Regional Championship schedule expands to 10 events nationwide. • The first BOA Express summer camp is held in Texas. • BOA web site wins Bronze Award from IFEA.
1995 • BOA Web Site bands.org launched. • BOA Newsletter wins Gold Award from IFEA.
1994 • BOA wins four awards for newsletter & program books from IFEA.
1993 • BOA wins three Gold Awards for newsletter & program books from IFEA.
1992 • The National Concert Band Festival debuts-a non-competitive performance event for high school concert bands. • The Summer Band Symposium moves to Illinois State University.
1990 • The Summer Band Symposium expands to include concert band & jazz band. The World Percussion Symposium is added in 1991. • BOA wins two Gold Awards for print & promotions from IFEA.
1989 • The final Summer National Championship is held at the Summer Workshop/Festival. • The first BOA Marching Percussion Festival is held during the Grand National Championship weekend. • BOA wins award from IFEA for promotion design.
1988 • The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Bands of America, Inc. as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, retroactive to 1984 when BOA filed for status. • Bands of America is now governed by the laws regarding non-profit organizations by the IRS.
1987 • Grand Nationals is held in the Pontiac (MI) Silverdome in 1987 & 1988.
1986 • The Student Leadership Workshop is added to the Summer Workshop.
1984 • Grand Nationals moves to the newly completed Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, IN. • 1984 marks a major turning point in Bands of America's history. Formerly part of a parent company, BOA separates to become a new self-supporting organization renamed Bands of America, Inc. • On November 15, 1984, BOA files for not-for-profit status with the IRS. • Scott McCormick becomes executive director.
1983 • Dave Gillum named executive director.
1981 • Tim Lautzenheiser succeeds Nick Valenziano as executive director. • Grand Nationals held at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City in 1981, 1982 & 1983.
1980 • First BOA Grand National Championships held at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL.
1978 • First Bands of America Regional Championships held. Dr. Nicholas Valenziano succeeds Beckner as executive director.
1976 • First Bands of America marching band championship is held-the Summer National Championship in Whitewater, WI, part of the Summer Workshop/Festival.
1975 • Bands of America is founded as "Marching Bands of America," a subsidiary of a band supplies company. • Gary Beckner is the first executive director.