About Us
The Homestead Spartan Alliance Band is an elite Indiana high school marching band with a storied 50-plus year tradition of excellence. Band members build leadership skills, rehearse and refine musical performances and drill techniques, and form friendships carved from shared experiences.
The band includes talented musicians, color guard members, and drum majors who perform intricate shows before cheering crowds at regional, state, and national competitions.
Our mottos “We believe!” and “There is no finish line!” are value statements reflecting the confidence and pride our directors, staff, alumni, and parents have in the hard work and undeniable commitment put forth by all of our band and color guard members.
The band includes talented musicians, color guard members, and drum majors who perform intricate shows before cheering crowds at regional, state, and national competitions.
Our mottos “We believe!” and “There is no finish line!” are value statements reflecting the confidence and pride our directors, staff, alumni, and parents have in the hard work and undeniable commitment put forth by all of our band and color guard members.
We believe!
The Spartan Alliance Band believes in artistry, musicianship, perseverance, leadership, respect, and fellowship.
We believe success is not measured by what we start, but by what we complete.
We believe in the pursuit of excellence. Band members learn and hone personal responsibility and time management skills. They discover individual effort is critical to the success of the group.
We believe in community. Spartan Alliance alumni span multiple generations. Current band members and parents feel connected to the past and share traditions while creating their own stories.
We believe in fellowship. Band members build meaningful, lasting friendships forged by the challenges of band camp, the thrill of performing at Lucas Oil Stadium and other unique venues, and the shared commitment to excellence and each other.
We believe in arts education. Involvement in the arts is widely associated with growth in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills. Arts learning improves motivation, confidence, focus and teamwork skills - and is fundamental to building social bonds.
We believe success is not measured by what we start, but by what we complete.
We believe in the pursuit of excellence. Band members learn and hone personal responsibility and time management skills. They discover individual effort is critical to the success of the group.
We believe in community. Spartan Alliance alumni span multiple generations. Current band members and parents feel connected to the past and share traditions while creating their own stories.
We believe in fellowship. Band members build meaningful, lasting friendships forged by the challenges of band camp, the thrill of performing at Lucas Oil Stadium and other unique venues, and the shared commitment to excellence and each other.
We believe in arts education. Involvement in the arts is widely associated with growth in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills. Arts learning improves motivation, confidence, focus and teamwork skills - and is fundamental to building social bonds.
Membership
Spartan Alliance band members do not need to audition to participate. However, at times, band members will serve as understudies. Band members are expected to adhere to established codes of conduct.
Performances
Performances begin in early September and competitions are held most Saturdays through early to mid-November. The season includes performances at ISSMA contests, Bands of America competitions, and select invitationals. The band also performs at home football games.
History: State Finals
- 2023 – Fifth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Rhapsodic, 205 members
- Jordan Cain, Director; Jason Witzigreuter, Associate Director; Alec Shilling, Assistant Director
- 2022 – Sixth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Wild as the Wind, 192 members
- Bryen Warfield, Director; Jason Witzigreuter, Associate Director; Richard Karkosky, Assistant Director
- 2021 – Sixth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, This Is Sparta, 206 members
- Bryen Warfield, Director; Jason Witzigreuter, Associate Director; Richard Karkosky, Assistant Director
- 2020 – No competitions (Covid), Class A, Order and Chaos, 212 members
- Bryen Warfield, Director; Jason Witzigreuter, Associate Director; Richard Karkosky, Assistant Director
- 2019 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, The Reclamation Project, 250 members
- Brad Wadkins, Director and Bryen Warfield, Assistant Director
- 2018 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Model, An Artist’s Journey, 262 members
- Brad Wadkins, Director and Bryen Warfield, Assistant Director
- 2017 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, Of Fire and Ice, 272 members
- Brad Wadkins, Director and Bryen Warfield, Assistant Director
- 2016 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, A Time to Turn, 288 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2015 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Poiesis – An Act of Creation, 300 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2014 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Dance of the Wind Spirits, 311 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2013 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, The Night Circus, 285 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2012 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class A, The Lost Melody, 263 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2011 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, Children of the Sun, 241 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2010 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Becoming My Creation, 212 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2009 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Reactions, 225 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2008 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Magnetism, 231 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2007 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Expressions, 241 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2006 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Within, 264 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2005 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class A, Balance, 247 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2004 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Half the Fun is Getting There, 275 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2003 – Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A, Gravity, 267 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2002 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Sybil - The Art of Insanity, 281 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2001 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Credentium, 271 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 2000 – Fourth place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Reflections of Earth - A Celebration of Time, 241 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1999 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class A, Dance Movements, Partitia, Symphony in Three Movements, 251 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1998 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class A, Sonora Desert Holiday, Pampeana #3, 281 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1997 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class A, Symphonic Movement, Symphony in C, 267 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1996 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, The Spirits of Earth, Water, & Fire, 261 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1995 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, Thompson's Symphony #3, Hindemith Symphony in E Flat, 237 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1994 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, Lizzie Borden, 235 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1993 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class A, Adagio for Strings, Overture to School for Scandal, The Storm, 231 members
- Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
- 1992 – Indiana State Champion, Class A, New World Symphony, The Rite of Spring, 192 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1991 – Indiana State Runner-Up, Class B, Copeland's Third Symphony, 170 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1990 – Indiana State Runner Up, Class B, Appalachian Spring, The Tenderland, The Red Pony Suite, 145 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1989 – Fifth place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, Rocky Point Holiday, Mass, Savannah River Holiday, 135 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1988 – Ninth place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, Symphony No. 5 (by Shostakovich), 130 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1987 – Ninth place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, Fanfare & Allegro, Korean Folk Song, Firebird, 120 members
- Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1986 – Class B, 105 members
- Robert W. Schultz, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
- 1985 – ISSMA North Regional, Division 1, Class B
- Robert W. Schultz, Director; Lori Hummer, Assistant Director
- 1984 – ISSMA North Regional, Division 2, Class B
- Robert W. Schultz, Director; Lori Hummer, Assistant Director
- 1983 – Class B, 55 members
- Ted Piechocinski, Director; Lori Hummer and Marie Ann Gass, Assistant Directors
- 1982 – Class B, State Preliminaries, Division 2
- Ted Piechocinski, Director and Judy Peterson, Assistant Director
- 1981 – Class B, State Preliminaries, Division 1, 95 members
- Ted Piechocinski, Director
- 1980 – Third place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, 114 members
- Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
- 1979 – Second place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, 118 members
- Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
- 1978 – Eighth place - Indiana State Finals, Class B, 112 members
- Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
- 1977 – Indiana State Fair Band Day, 106 members
- James Kibby, Director
- 1976 – Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest, Class B, 140 members
- James Kibby, Director
- 1975 – 11th place - Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest, Class B, 150 members
- Marvin Hicks, Director
- 1974 – Indiana State Fair Band Day, 164 members
- Marvin Hicks, Director
- 1973 – Fifth place - Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest, Class B, 110 members
- Marvin Hicks, Director
- 1972 – Indiana State Fair Band Day, 102 members
- Marvin Hicks, Director
- 1971 – NISBOVA, Class B, Division 2
- Robert R. Smith, Director
- 1970 – Homestead High School established
History: Bands of America (recent)
2023 – BOA Grand National Championships - Second place, Class AAA
2022 – BOA Grand National Championships - Semi-finalist
2022 – BOA Northwest Ohio Regional - Grand Champions
2019 – BOA Grand National Championships – 10th place overall
2019 – BOA Indianapolis Super Regional Championship - Fifth place overall
2019 – BOA Northwest Ohio Regional - Grand Champions
2018 – BOA Grand National Championships - Class AAA Prelims Second place (winning visual caption), Eighth place overall
2018 – BOA Indianapolis Super Regional Championship - Class AAA Prelims Champion (winning visual and general effect captions), Fourth place overall
2017 – BOA Northwest Ohio Regional - Grand Champions
2017 – BOA Northwest Ohio Regional - Class 4A Champions
2016 – BOA Grand National Championship - 11th place overall
2016 – BOA Indianapolis Super Regional Championship - Third place overall
2015 – BOA Grand National Championship - 12th place overall
2014 – BOA Grand National Championship - Eighth place overall
1994 – BOA Grand National Championship – 10th place overall
1994 – BOA Indianapolis Regional Championship - Third place overall
Other notable events:
In 2024, the band traveled to Disney World during Spring Break and performed in a parade at the Magic Kingdom. Band members spent one day each at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. At Epcot, band members, chaperones, directors, and parents enjoyed a private dinner and a private area to watch the fireworks.
The band also participated in Disney World parades in 2019, 2015, 2011, 1995, and 1993.
In 2017, the band traveled to Washington, DC and performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and in a private performance at the Russian Embassy.
In 2013, the band traveled to Washington, DC and performed.
In 2003, the band performed at the 114th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California in front of more than one million live viewers along the parade route and another 430 million worldwide via television. The band performed at Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom and visited Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood. The band toured the Hollywood area, went to Hollywood and Highland, the Kodak Theatre, the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, and Santa Monica Pier along the Pacific Ocean.
In 2000, the band earned the Fiesta Bowl Parade Grand National Champion title in Class A. The honor included a 1st place for music performance. The Fiesta Bowl is held each year in Phoenix, Arizona. The band has performed in the parade four times.
The band has also twice performed during halftime at Indianapolis Colts’ games.