Frank Bischoff

Frank Bischoff has been one of the most familiar faces of Bands of America events for more than four decades, serving as the dean of Bands of America’s front sideline, in the dual roles of field manager and timing and penalty judge. Frank has been a contributor through the years in the development of Bands of America operations, as it evolved from a focus on rule enforcement to an emphasis on smooth operations and field management, embracing performance creativity in a safe and fair competitive environment.

Through his proactive approach of working with bands to comply with the rules while achieving their creative objectives, Frank has helped transform a role focused on enforcement to one that actualizes our “positively life- changing experience” attitude, and environment. Starting in the early 1970’s, Frank worked as a timer for local band shows and for the University of Illinois Marching Band Festival, and then moved on to Association judging. This led to drum and bugle corps shows, color guard competitions (including Winter Guard International) and early Percussive Arts Society events in the late 70’s and 80’s. Frank’s passion has always been for marching band events such as Bands of America (since 1976), the Illinois State University”Band Day” (since 1977), and the Lake Park “Lancer Joust” (since 1981).

He has been on the field for more than 150 Bands of America Regional and Grand National events, logging more than 2,500 hours of on-field service in support. Frank is an active contributor to the Bands of America’s Adjudication Handbook rules committee, and a virtual encyclopedia of current and prior Bands of America rules, regulations, and precedents.

Frank is retired from careers in manufacturing management and systems development. He is happily married for 32 years to Lisa, a former band booster president and tabulator. They are the parents of two adult daughters, one working in primary education and one in music education.