ST. LOUIS — Ten thousand students have descended on the city of St. Louis for a battle of the bands.
The Dome at America's Center is hosting the St. Louis Super Regional Championship for Bands of America. Seventy bands will compete for a few coveted slots in the Grand National Championships.
"We're so excited to be experiencing this," James Stephens with Music for All said, describing the fresh turf at the Dome. "The staff and team that is presenting this has rolled out the green carpet in this case is exceptional."
From the fine details that span 100 yards to ones that only take up a few square feet, it's the security details that are taking priority at this weekend's event.
Stephens said, "We do every thing we can to just sort of take the perimeter and make everybody feel safe including our spectators."
Safety task force members are out at crosswalks, watching for traffic as excited and nervous band kids cross the street. Scanners are up to ensure safety inside the building.
Security is in place as if it were a big name concert. While it's not Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, this is a huge concert of sorts.
"Seventy bands, 14 states," described Stephens. "it is a competition, at the end of tomorrow there is going to be some trophies and awards. Fourteen bands move to finals."
The final day of competition is Saturday. The preliminary competition begins at 7:15 a.m. and the presentation of awards will be at 10:45 p.m.