Thank you to everyone who participated in the MICCA Marching Band state finals this year. Our facility in Lowell provided a wonderful venue for audience members and performers alike.

Congratulations to all of the bands who performed. Your hard work and dedication was evident and you should be extremely proud of your performance.

A special thank you to the marching bands from UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst for incredible exhibition performances. Many of these band members were once students in high school marching bands throughout Massachusetts, and it was thrilling to see what the future can hold for current high school band members.

Thanks also to all parents and educators who made the event such a success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

You are cordially invited to participate in any or all of the events sponsored by MICCA. In keeping with the "medal" concept currently used in the MICCA concert band festival, there is no "sweepstakes"-type competition. All events will be based on a "star" and medal award standard rather than straight-out competition.

MICCA has compiled a comprehensive list of respected names from all over the country to serve as adjudicators for these events. Outstanding educators from the college ranks have been invited to offer their expertise and broad musical and marching band backgrounds to our activity. I am sure you will be pleased with the quality of judging available to evaluate your program this fall.

You may wish to enter your band in more that one district event, regardless of your particular geographic location. This schedule has been arranged so there will be NO CONFLICTS with other MICCA sponsored district events. However, you need not perform in a district event to participate in the State Finals. Those who do participate in district performance will be given preferential starting time, based on their highest overall band star rating. In the Preview Show, all bands received taped judge's comments, a clinic following the performance and a participation plaque--no star ratings are given at that show. Registration forms for all five events are enclosed for your convenience. The cost of the Preview Show is $100, each district event is $150.00 and the finals are $300.00. Please send each district registration and fee to the appropriate host.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact me or any of the hosts at the numbers listed.

I look forward to seeing you at the MICCA FESTIVALS 2009!

MICCA PREVIEW I Mr. Douglas Lepisto Gardner High School 200 Catherine Street Gardner, MA 01440 Phone School: 978-632-1600 Checks payable to: Gardner Music Boosters	MICCA PREVIEW II Mr. Mike LaCava Chelmsford High School 200 Richardson Road North Chelmsford, MA 01863 Phone School: 978-251-5111 ext. 4274 Checks payable to: Chelmsford Friends of Music
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT Mr. Steve Conant Norwood High School Nichols Street Norwood, MA 02062 Phone School: 617-769-2333 Checks payable to: Norwood Parents Music Association	CENTRAL DISTRICT Ms. Cindy Snow Shepherd Hill Regional High School Dudley-Oxford Road Dudley, MA 01571 Phone School: 508-943-6700 Ext 226 Checks payable to: S.H. Music Parents
NORTHEAST DISTRICT I Mr. Thomas H. Walters Methuen High School 1 Ranger Road Methuen, MA 01844 Phone School: 978-681-1388 Checks payable to: Methuen Rangers Band Parents	NORTHEAST DISTRICT II Mr. Tom Bankert Wakefield High School 60 Farm Street Wakefield, MA 01880 Phone School: 617-246-6440 Checks payable to: Wakefield Music Boosters
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS Mr. Steve Conant Norwood High School 249 Nichols Street Norwood, MA 02062 Checks payable to: MICCA