Contests

Our Marching Band will compete in a few contests to receive official feedback from judges from the Colorado BandMasters Association (CBA). This feedback is vital to our directors so we can make adjustments to our show and score the best placement as the season goes on. We have described the basics of Marching Band Competitions below.

Terminology

There are two types of competitions:

• • A “one and done”: We perform, we get our score, then we leave. This is the format for most of the competition we attend.

  • A “prelims & finals”: There are two phases in this type of competition. This is the most common type of competition for larger schools.

    • In the preliminary round there could be from 10 to 20 bands performing, usually about every 15 minutes with some breaks throughout the day. Sometimes, after the last band performs, there will be an exhibition performance by the host school while the judges tally the scores. 

    • Depending on when in the schedule we perform during prelims, the kids will take off parts of their uniforms, eat food, relax, etc. Sometimes the students will go sit in the assigned stands to watch the remaining bands.

    • Then, they have a prelims awards ceremony (Drum Major Retreat).  The awards ceremony takes about 15 minutes. Awards are typically given out by Division (for example: 1A, 2A, 3A). Some contests also have caption awards for different aspects of the show (best music, best guard, best general effect, etc...). Then, finally the top 10-12 overall rankings (regardless of Division).

    • If we advance to the finals, the directors will get an assigned finals performance time. The kids will get back into uniform, warm up again and perform the show again. This is usually later in the evening. We will not know the finals time until after prelim awards. This is where everyone needs to be flexible. 

    • Lastly, there will be a final awards ceremony. Sometimes this is a Full Retreat where the entire band goes on the field, other times it will be a Drum Major Retreat, where only Drum Majors are on the field. Depending on the contest, this will usually happen between 8:00 - 9:00 pm (sometimes later).

​​Etiquette

During all competitions, no one is allowed to walk into the stands while a band is performing. This ensures there is little movement in the stands to distract the bands while they perform. It also means that no one’s view is blocked by anyone standing in the aisles.

Our school program has a strict 'no badmouthing' policy. If you have negative opinions about a show you watched, a decision that was made, or any other issue that might come up in the day, we ask that you save that conversation for the ride home inside your own vehicle. It's important that we support all marching bands and the hard work they have put in toward their show. It's also important that we support our own kids by not talking bad about other bands and any unfairness we perceive at a competition.

If you do have questions or concerns about the competition, please visit with the Director and the Booster Board president about any issues regarding volunteering. It's important to ask while the issue is fresh rather than months later when we can't address the issue and make changes.

Families: When planning your arrival, give yourself PLENTY of time to park and get to a seat before our performance time. Parking can be tricky to find at most competitions. You should not have to pay for parking at most competitions. 

Parent Checklist

Contest days can be long for parents too! There are some things you might consider bringing with you:

• CLEAR BAG – Most stadiums have a clear bag policy so it’s easiest if you just always plan for this policy. The last thing you want to do is have to walk all the way back to your vehicle to put stuff away.
  
  

• Sunscreen and Bug Repellent
  
  

• Bottled Water (Please be aware that some stadiums do not allow outside food or drinks).
  
  

• Portable snacks (granola bars, crackers, raisins, trail mix, etc.)
  
  

• Money for concession (Most stadiums accept credit cards but it’s always a good idea to have some cash on you)
  
  

• Umbrella (for rain AND shading the sun)
  
  

• Stadium Chair
  
  

• Hat
  
  

• Rain Poncho
  
  

• Camera
  
  

• Tylenol/Band Aids/Tissues
  
  

Pit Crew and Down Time

Many parents signup to be part of the Pit Crew that assists the band in getting props moved on and off the field during a performance. We assist with warmups and moving the equipment from the truck to the staging area while the students are in rehearsal.

Sometimes we parent volunteer will have a few hours in between performance and awards, depending on performance schedule. So, what do parents do during the long competition days?  Some hang out at the truck and bus area. Some parents stay in the stands and watch all of the bands perform. Depending on the location of the competition some may go home and come back. If you are hanging out at the truck, you could bring a camp chair and possibly an umbrella to shield the sun.  There are also some parents that have little kids at home that don’t want to bring their kids out all day at a contest. The Directors will announce our prelim results via sportsYou App, so you will know when the assigned rehearsal and finals time is to come back.

Swag & Costs

• Souvenirs: Most contests have souvenirs for sale. There is usually a shirt designed for each competition, and also patches for the competition. If you think your kids might want a t-shirt, budget $30.00+.  Patches are usually $6.00+. 

• Admission Fee: All contests will have admission fees. You can either buy just prelims, just finals or an all-day pass. Each contest is different in how much they are, and tickets could be purchased online.  

• Parking: Some contests charge a parking fee.
  
  

After an Event

After an event, students are required to unload their belongings from the bus, put their shakos (hats) in the assigned boxes in the band room, and then the entire band unloads the truck of all props and instruments at the end of the long day. This is a team effort and it goes MUCH faster when the entire band stays to help carry things back into the school and to the storage pod at BHS. AFTER the truck is unloaded, personal belongings are removed from the bus, and all band items are locked up, students are dismissed.

Please keep in mind, while you may see the bus return to the school, it usually takes another 30-40 minutes to unload instruments and props. Often, the parents will help unload so we can all go home quicker. 

Qualifying for Colorado State Marching Competition

Each band will compete at their assigned Regional Marching Contest (one and done, no finals) and will find out after the week of Regionals are complete before we advance to the State Marching Competition. The State competitions is a prelim/finals competition so it will be an all-day event. Itineraries for the competition will be send through both email and the SportsYou App.

Traveling Overnight

Due to the rotating schedule of classification order and a rotating schedule of set locations, there are some contests that require the band to travel and stay overnight in another city in the state. When this happens, there will be an additional fee to help cover the students’ hotel, entry fees to the competition venue, and meals while we are away. The locations for State Marching Band Competition are Pueblo, CO at the Colorado State University Pueblo campus, and Grand Junction at the Colorado Mesa University campus. More details about the dates and location of any competitions will be posted on the CBA Website.