Tournament of Bands 1998-99 - excerpts from the rules

TOB CHAPTER BOUNDARIES

CHAPTER 2 - (Geographically, where we are)

Counties of: (PA) Berks, Bucks (North of Rt. 663), Carbon, Montgomery (Souderton North), Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill (South of I-81), (NJ) Warren.

GROUP SIZES: (We're group 3)

Bands will be grouped according to the number of players in the band proper as follows:
Group 1 - up to 35 musicians and a maximum of 35 auxiliary
Group 2 - 36 to 55 musicians and a maximum of 55 auxiliary
Group 3 - 56 to 80 musicians and a maximum of 80 auxiliary
Group 4 - 81 or greater

SCORING: (What the judges rate us on)

Disclaimer: This is a compilation from different sources, to be used SOLELY
as a means of explaining to new band parents, members, and interested
persons what is being looked for - and NOT an explanation of what is being judged
at any given competition. Each Band Competition circuit has their own set
of Rules and Regulations, and explicit Judging criteria, and what is presented
below may not apply to that individual organization.

Specialty awards - Will also be 20 point captions
Percussion - Auxiliary - Drum Major - Brass - Woodwinds

GIMMICK EFFECTS:

Any instrument carried by a member of the auxiliary and/or Drum Major(s) can be considered a gimmick, and as such will be judged by the appropriate judge. This will not affect class size. Any instrument carried by a member of the auxiliary and/or Drum Major(s) and is utilized in a manner that contributes to the musical effect or content of the program will also be judged by the appropriate music judges. Such performers then become countable in adhering to group size classification.

AMPLIFICATION: - (We don't use any)

There are no restrictions to the number or types of amplification other than the performance must be "live" and not "prerecorded". It is the unit's responsibility to provide their own electrical source, not the show host. Due to the safety factor of utilizing this type of equipment, it is the responsibility of the Chief Judge to address the problems created by adverse weather.

Now for what you REALLY want to know:

With thanks to the Erie, PA Iroquois Marching Braves

    MARCHING

    - Specific Factors
  • Straight line and uniform distance
  • Properly executed turns
  • Early start and false stops
  • Movement at "halt" position
  • March out of step
 

    MARCHING

    - General effect
  • Showmanship, variety of visual effects
  • Timing of drill with music
  • Continuity of performance
  • Use of intricate drills
  • Entrance and exit
  • Originality and creative concepts
  • Precision and dignity
   

    MUSIC

    - Execution
  • Attacks and releases
  • Rhythm and uniform beat
  • Tone Quality
  • Precision of wind, brass and percussion sections
 

    MUSIC

    - General Effect
  • Showmanship and variety of effects
  • Emotional appeal
  • Program highlights
  • Coordination of drill and music
  • Use of percussion
  • Music expression and interpretation
  • Quality of music performance
   

TIMING

Each performance must last at least 8 minutes not more than 11 minutes 		 

    PENALTIES

  • Talking
  • Heels not together
  • Overtime - Undertime

From "Bands Of America" Pages - Overview of the Judging System

Below is an explanation of how each score is obtained, how many judges are in each caption, and how they judge follows. Please note that where the pronoun "he" is used it is understood to mean "he" or "she."

MUSIC PERFORMANCE (INDIVIDUAL):

This judge is located on the field. He is free to move about the field. He judges the entire show from beginning to end. He uses a tape recorder and a judging sheet for comments. There is one judge in this caption.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE (ENSEMBLE):

This judge is located in the stands or in the pressbox, whichever location affords him the best vantage point. His location is fixed during the entire competition. He judges the entire show from beginning to end. He uses both a tape recorder and a judging sheet for comments. There is one judge in this caption.

VISUAL PERFORMANCE (INDIVIDUAL):

This judge is located on the field. He is free to move about the field. He judges the entire show from beginning to end. He uses a tape recorder and judging sheet for comments. There is one judge in this caption.

VISUAL PERFORMANCE (ENSEMBLE):

This judge is located in the stands or in the pressbox, whichever location affords him the best vantage point. He judges the entire show from beginning to end. He uses both a tape recorder and a judging sheet for comments. There is one judge in this caption.

The two Music Performance judges have their scores averaged for a total of 20 points.
The two Visual Performance judges have their scores averaged for a total of 20 points.

GENERAL EFFECT VISUAL:

This judge is located in the pressbox. He uses both a tape recorder and a judging sheet to record comments. There is one judge in this caption, and his score is not averaged with any other score.

GENERAL EFFECT MUSIC:

There are two judges in this caption, and both are located in the press box. They judge the entire show from beginning to end, using both a tape recorder and judging sheet to record their comments; their scores are not averaged.

The adjucation process utilizes a balance and correct mix of seven (7) adjudicators, and is designed to give achievement credit for all aspects of program design and performance.
All score sheets are subjective. Bands begin with zero and earn credit proportionate to the positive presentation of design, performance, and proficiency. Judges are positioned in the stands or on the field depending upon the caption. This gives them the best vantage point of the individual or total ensemble.
Judges are equipped with cassette tape recorders and are expected to provide a flow of dialogue appropriate to the caption they are adjudicating. The Criteria Reference System and the process of impression, analysis and comparison is the method whereby number grades are earned.
It should be understood that individual band scores may vary from contest to contest. Obviously, performance variations are a factor, but impact is also made with the dynamics of the contest. The number of contestants and the overall level of achievement of those contestants may impact scoring within scope of a particular criteria reference. Although impression and analysis may indicate a score within a particular criteria reference box, it is through comparison that a specific score and subsequent scores within that range are determined.

    The primary responsibilities of the judge include:
  1. Being professional at all times.
  2. Ranking the bands in the assigned caption.
  3. Rating the bands in the assigned caption.
  4. Assisting the bands in the improvement of their performance through commentary and constructive criticism.

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