ISSMA CONTEST HISTORY
Ensembles participating in ISSMA festivals are evaluated based on judges’ assessments of their performances of three prepared selections. Ratings awarded include Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation. Participants select their entry levels across various “Group” categories (except for Marching Band, which lacks such distinctions). The difficulty of the music determines these levels, ranging from “V” (easiest) to “I” (most difficult). At the High School level, sight-reading is also factored into the assessment. Ensembles achieving an exceptionally high Gold rating may receive the prestigious “Gold With Distinction,” ISSMA’s top accolade for ensembles, second only to those advancing to state finals.
The Perry Meridian High School Band program is an ISSMA All-Music Award winner for 2002-2003, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, & 2025-2026.
*denotes a Gold in sightreading
^denotes a with Distinction award
Concert Bands
State Finalists: 1989, 1987, 1986 (7th place)
Wind Ensemble
Group I
Gold: 2026^*, 2025, 2024, 2023^*, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016^*, 2015*, 2014, 2013*, 2012*, 2011*, 2010*, 2009*, 2008*, 2007*, 2006*, 2005*, 2003*
Silver: 2018*
Symphonic Band
Group I
Gold: 2002*, 1997*, 1996*, 1995*, 1992*, 1989*, 1987*, 1986
Silver: 1994*
Group II
Gold: 2026*, 2024*, 2022^, 2018*, 2015*, 2013*, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009*, 2008*, 2003
Silver: 2025*, 2017, 2014, 2007*, 1983
Group III
Gold: 2023*
Silver: 2019*, 2016*
Concert Winds
Group III
Gold: 2026*, 2025*, 2024*, 2022, 2019*, 2003, 2002*, 1997, 1996, 1993
Silver: 1995, 1994, 1987, 1986, 1983
Group IV
Gold: 2023, 2010, 2009
Silver: 2008
Jazz Bands
PMHS Jazz Band #1 (Meridian Street Blues)
Group I
Gold: 2026, 2025, 2024^, 2023^, 2022^, 2021, 2020^, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2003, 2002, 1997, 1994
Silver: 2014, 2008, 2007, 2006
PMHS Jazz Band #2 (Falcon Jazz Collective)
Group II
Gold: 2026, 2025
Jazz Lab (2022-23 School year: Blue (B) and Silver (S), 2023-24 and beyond: 2 O’Clock (2) and 3 O’Clock (3) Jazz Labs – unmarked years dictate only 1 ensemble in existence)
Group III
Silver: 2023 (S), 2022
Group IV
Gold: 2026, 2025, 2024 (2), 2024 (3), 2023 (B)
Marching Falcons
ISSMA District/Open Class Invitational/Scholastic Prelims
Gold: 2024^, 2023, 2022^, 2021, 2019^, 2018^, 2017^, 2015, 2014, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1973
Silver: 2016, 2013, 2006, 2000, 1989, 1980
ISSMA Regionals
Gold: 2025, 2023, 2022, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982
Silver: 2003, 2001, 1999, 1990, 1981
ISSMA Scholastic Finals
2021 – 5th place
2019 – 5th place
Participant – 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014
Indoor Percussion
IPA State Finals
2026: Scholastic A 12th Place
2024: Scholastic A 13th Place
2023: Scholastic A 3rd Place
2022: Scholastic A 6th Place
2021: Scholastic A 14th Place
2019: Scholastic A 7th Place
2018: Scholastic A 6th Place
2017: Scholastic Open 7th Place
2016: Scholastic Open 4th Place
2015: Scholastic Open 4th Place
2014: Scholastic A 7th Place
2012: Scholastic A 10th Place
2010: Scholastic AA 4th Place
1999: Scholastic A 6th Place
Winter Guard
IHSCGA State Finals
Varsity Guard/JV Guard
2026: Scholastic A 3rd Place (V)/Regional A 12th Place (JV)
2025: Scholastic A 8th Place (V)
2024: Scholastic Open 13th Place (V)
2023: Scholastic Open 10th Place (V)
2022: Scholastic A 20th Place (V)
2021: Scholastic A 14th Place (V)
2016: Regional A 5th Place (JV)
2015: Scholastic A 7th Place (V)
2014: Scholastic AA 1st Place (V)
Other Notable Performances & Recognitions
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education Recipient: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Marching Falcons: Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Participant: 2024, 2025
Marching Falcons: Performance for President Gerald R. Ford’s visit to Indianapolis: April 1976. Roy Geesa, Director.
Jazz Bands: Multi-year participants at Franklin College, Purdue University, Bloomington, Butler University, DePauw University, University of Louisville, Pendleton Heights, and Arsenal Tech Jazz Festivals.
Jazz Band: Indiana Music Educators Association Conference Performances: October 28, 1982. Lissa Fleming, Director. January 12, 2024. Michael Richardson, Director
Symphonic Band: National Festival of the States “A Musical Salute to America Celebrating 200 Years of Washington D.C.” Performance, Washington D.C.: April 2, 1991. Bill Deal, Director
Symphonic Band: Festival of States We the People 200 Performance, Philadelphia, PA: June 29, 1987. Lissa Fleming, Director
Wind Ensemble: IMEA demonstration group “Forgotten Grade 2-3 Works for Band” – January 10, 2003. Rick Granlund, Director
Indoor Percussion: 2019 WGI Scholastic A World Finalist; 2022, 2019, 2018 WGI Indianapolis Regional Finalist
Winter Guard: Indiana High School Color Guard Association Charter Member, 2026 Tri-State Marching Arts Scholastic A – 3rd Place