The Georgia State University School of Music and the Panther Band will host the inaugural Georgia State Marching Band Championship (GSMBC) on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.

Nearly 3,000 students from 23 high schools across the Southeast will compete in one of five class divisions. GSMBC expects more than 6,000 spectators to be a part of the inaugural event.

Highest Achievement Awards and Class Placement Awards will be presented as for each class, A, AA, AAA, AAAA and AAAAA, based on total scores. The Grand Champion will receive a trophy for its performance and will have possession for one year of the trophy. The trophy will have the name of the champion permanently engraved and will return after one year, in time for the next Georgia State Marching Band Championship.

“We are excited to launch the premier marching competition in the state of Georgia,” said Chester Phillips, director of athletic bands at Georgia State. “Our focus from the beginning has been on creating an amazing performance venue and experience for students while providing world-class education and feedback for directors and programs.”

With the addition of Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field) to the university campus, students, directors and spectators will have a first-rate venue for a late-season marching show.

GSMBC is committed to offering an education-based format devoted to the enrichment of students and directors while providing evaluation that presents opportunities for program growth and development. The world-class evaluation panel, with more than 200 combined years of experience, is drawn from elite pageantry arts organizations, including Drum Crops International and Winter Guard International designers, instructors and judges as well as university music professors.

The panel includes: Becca Anderson, color guard choreographer, designer and judge; Mike Anderson, visual designer for the Georgia State Panther Band and WGI/DCI judge; George Boulden, associate director of bands, University of Kentucky; Chip Crotts, brass caption head of the 2018 Drum Corps International World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard; Colin McNutt, [ercussion caption head for Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps; John Meehan, brass caption head and arranger for the 18-time DCI World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps; Jim Sturgeon, visual designer and adjudicator.

The event is open to the public. General admission tickets are available for $18.