Scoring & CLASSIFICATION

Scoring System

  • The Bands of America scoring system/sheets is used for this event. It is the position of Bands of America that music is the more important aspect of the performance, with marching as the presentation and visual enhancement of the program.

  • Similarly, more emphasis has been placed on the effectiveness to the audience and to general effect judges, than on fine-line perfection of the performance judges - which may be an aspect to work on for even better effectiveness.

  • Consequently, the weight of the numbers in the Bands of America scoring system places 60% of the value on music and 40% on visual, and at the same time, 60% of the score is within the area of general effect and 40% within the performance area.

  • The point allotment for the competition is as follows:

    • 20 points* | Music Performance (Individual) evaluated from the field

    • 20 points* | Music Performance (Ensemble) evaluated from the pressbox

    • 20 points** | Visual Performance (Individual) evaluated from the field

    • 20 points** | Visual Performance (Ensemble) evaluated from the pressbox

    • 20 points | Visual General Effect, evaluated from the pressbox

    • 40 points*** | Music General Effect, evaluated from the pressbox

    • Averaging

      • *Music Performance Scores Averaged

      • **Visual Performance Scores Averaged

      • ***Music Effect is judged by two adjudicators, scores averaged

  • Timing & Penalties (or warnings) as assessed by the T&P judge, evaluated from the field level

  • In the event of a tie, the high placement will be awarded to the band with the higher raw score (subtotal before penalties).

  • If after using this criterion a tie still exists, the highest General Effect total will be used to determine placement. This will only be used only to determine Class Champions in the prelims and overall placing in the finals competition.

CLASSIFICATION

How are competing bands classified ?

  • Competing bands are classified by school enrollment, grades 10-12 only.  Under the four-class system:

    • Class A is 600 students or fewer

    • Class AA is 601-1325 students

    • Class AAA is 1326-1850 students

    • Class AAAA is 1851 and above

  • For purposes of determining enrollment, each principal must certify enrollment and consider all those students in the grades 10-12 population as reported on fall semester State and/or FTE funding reports.

AWARDS

PRELIMS CEREMONY

  • Following the last band's preliminary round performance, all unit drum majors will gather in uniform near the exit gate to arrange for preliminary awards. 

  • Following a recognition of all participants from the preliminary competition, awards will be presented as follows:

    • For each classification

      • Outstanding Music Performance (highest of the 2 averaged music performance scores)

      • Outstanding Visual Performance (highest of the 2 averaged visual performance scores)

      • Outstanding General Effect (highest composite of all three GE scores)

      • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Placing Bands (in each class)

    • From among all prelims competitors

      • Outstanding Percussion (scoring not factored into overall preliminary competition)

      • Outstanding Color Guard (scoring not factored into overall preliminary competition)

  • Following the presentation of preliminary awards, the 12 finalist bands will be announced in random order.

FINALS CEREMONY

  • The event will feature a full-band retreat with all finalists bands in massing. Pre-staging will take place outside of the stadium to the north. Performers will enter the stadium in single-file. A map will demonstrate the flow.

  • Participation awards will be presented to finalist bands for 12th through 4th place.

  • Trophies will be presented to bands placing 3rd through 1st.

  • Highest-Achievement Awards for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect will be presented.

  • Awards for Outstanding Percussion and Outstanding Color Guard will bill be presented, though these aren’t figured into the total scoring process.

  • At the conclusion of the Finale awards presentation, performers will be dismissed to congratulate each other.

  • Medallions will be awarded to the Grand Champion ensemble’s student performers.

  • Recaps of both prelims & finals scores will available after the CONCLUSION of the finals competition awards retreat.

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