Vote In The Southern Indiana Marching Band Poll

If you've made it out to a Friday night football game or a local marching band invitational this fall, you already know Southern Indiana has some seriously talented students. These kids have poured in hour after hour – on the practice field, in the band room, and in parking lots – to put together performances that genuinely give you chills. And now the season is building toward its biggest moment yet: the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) competitions.

How the ISSMA Competition Works

Here's the quick rundown of how the competition works. Indiana marching bands compete in two main groups. The Scholastic Class levels the playing field for smaller schools or those with fewer resources, giving everyone a fair shot at the spotlight. The Open Class covers everyone else. Both groups are then broken down further by school enrollment, which keeps the competition close and the excitement high.

Key Dates for the 2026 Marching Band Season

These dates will decide who takes home the 2026 ISSMA titles:

October 3 – Scholastic Class Prelims
October 10 – Open Class Regionals
October 17 – Scholastic Class Finals
October 24 – Open Class Semi-State
November 7 – Open Class State Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy

We may not have a say in the official ISSMA scores, but that doesn't mean we can't have our own fun. The Southern Indiana Marching Band Poll below is your chance to rally behind your favorite band and give them a little extra hometown pride.

Cast Your Vote!

It couldn't be easier. Schools are listed alphabetically, and there's a write-in option in case we accidentally left anyone off (sorry in advance!). Love more than one band? Great — vote for as many as you'd like, as many times as you'd like. It's unlimited voting, open through the end of the day on October 4, 2026.