Lucas Oil Stadium will ring with the sounds of IPS high school bands on Nov. 11, 2009, during the IPS Marching Band Tournament Presented by Yamaha and Sharp Business Systems.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with a performance by 650 elementary students representing 25 schools performing The Star-Spangled Banner alongside the Indiana State University Marching Band. The young musicians are helping to showcase that this year all IPS elementary schools have instrumental music programs. Funding for the programs is due to the generous support of the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and Bright House Networks, which have donated more than $1.1 million worth of instruments over the past 10 years.

Once the competition gets underway, Broad Ripple High School will try to defend its championship title against five contenders: Arsenal Technical, Emmerich Manual, George Washington, T.C. Howe, and Northwest high schools. The Rockets also took home last year's coveted Spirit Award. To earn this award, a panel of celebrity judges scores spectators on their school spirit. The winning school earns a trophy and a $1,000 scholarship to support the school's music program. Award criteria are: Pride (including cheers, banners, signs and school color representation), Sportsmanship, Noise Level and Attendance.

The IPS band tournament heralds the start of the annual Bands of America Grand National Championships held Nov. 11-14, 2009, in Indianapolis.