Discussions with CLASS board members and IIEA board members began earlier this week (as seen on the IIEA twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/IIEAFMA/status/96854545208053761) on working together to create a new Marching Band league that works with both CLASS and the IIEA. The idea is to make a complete set of circuits to compete with rival circuits Unspecified and Colonial Association and others. Unofficial discussion between the leaders of CLASS and the IIEA started as early as the 9th of July.

The IIEA will also be taking on more CLASS-like traits with the addition of the scheduling habits CLASS has used since season 2 when it was the North-East Combine. When IIEA founder Joseph Boboige was asked about the cooperation effort, he said "This is a great day for both CLASS and the International Indoor Ensemble Association. We were able to get approval from all members of both boards on the subject of the new Marching Band league, as well as adding the early scheduling to avoid too many IIEA shows on the same day."

The new league will be run by IIEA board member, Nick of Lakers Winterguard. When asked about the new Marching Band league, Nick had this to say, "It would be a rather smart move to try and work with CLASS to make a marching band league... ...I like how we treat our leagues like it is in the actual activity itself. It adds to the level of play and makes it more interesting."

As for how the league will work, both sides have discussed combining aspects know from both leagues. Currently, the league will use early scheduling and will use a classification system similar to the IIEA. It is not known if the classes will start in its inaugural season or if it will come later. The differentiation between Scholastic and Independent groups will likely be the first system to show up.

The name of the league has not been decided, but discussions will be found in the CLASS forum. Gary Currier, the leader for CLASS here on FMA, said he liked "BLASS" but quickly changed his mind to "FBOA". Dave Shinault, IIEA board member and director of the Envision Academy of the Arts groups said that he like the name "IBASS". Whatever the name, this league is bound for greatness with two of the longest running leagues at its backing.

A league discussion will appear in the League board soon, so be sure to check it out when it does! Also, be sure to check out CLASS and the IIEA. Information about CLASS can be found in the CLASS forum, and information on the IIEA can be found here on the website: http://iiea.bravesites.com/info

(On a personal note, this is my 1000th post!)

This truly is a great day for both organizations and the future one! A new league is born! I also dare say this is great for FMA!

I like FBOA personally.

OK! The surveymonkey to determine the new name of the marching band league is up for voting at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VLKPPWV. Please go and vote your choice today! We will finish voting by this weekend so that we can prepare for the coming season with the new chosen name!

FBOA it is!!!