The following format outlines the guidelines to be observed by ALL bands participating in the field show competition.

1.     The field show competition will be classified according to MSHSAA guidelines for member school on the basis of enrollment in grades 9-12:

Class 1 - up to and including 130 students.
Class 2 - 131-245 students.
Class 3 - 246-577 students.
Class 4 - 578-1202 students.
Class 5 - 1203 or more students.

 

2.     A band will be permitted to move from their entering class to a class with higher enrollment, but not to a class with lower enrollment.

 

3.     A practice field will be available across the street west of the high school ag building. It is a ten-to-fifteen minute walk from the stadium. Bands will be escorted to the staging area fifteen minutes prior to their step-off time. PLEASE DO NOT WARM UP IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHERE THE BUSES ARE PARKED NOR IN THE GRASSY AREAS AROUND THE SCHOOL COMPLEX. The sound carries directly across to the football field where performances are going on. Use only the designated practice area.

 

4.     Each band wanting to use the practice field will be given fifteen minutes to do so. This time slot will be scheduled three bands ahead of your performance time.

 

5.     The performance area will be a regulation football field. The boundary lines will be marked. The field will be lined every five yards. One-yard lines will be visible on the front and back boundary lines. Hash marks will divide the field into thirds. Flags will be used to mark the four corners of the field. Yardline markers will be provided on the concert side of the field as well as painted on the field.

 

6.     Enter the stadium area through the northwest gate and proceed clockwise onto the track area. You may enter the performance field only after the previous band has exited the performance field. Please make your entrance on a click. Exit will also be through this northwest gate. If desired you may troop the stands following your performance by exiting to the band’s left and then marching left-to-right in front of the covered grandstands. You may exit with full percussion.

 

7.     Bands may enter and exit the field from any endline or sideline. While bands are encouraged to contain their performance to the confines of the competition area, there are no penalties or adverse opinions from the judges for violating the boundaries of the field. Bands may conclude their performance on or off the contest field. Timing requirements must be met throughout the entry, performance, and exit.

8.     Bands will proceed to a pre-set and/or warm-up position immediately following the proceeding band’s performance conclusion. A one-minute warm-up will be permitted from the starting position prior to the start of the performance. However, penalties will be assessed if timing violations are made.

 

9.     Due to the time element, the official contest announcer will announce all bands. Information from your entry form will be used to prepare this announcement.

 

10.  Competition will begin with the introduction of your band over the public address system at your appointed performance time. After the competing band has proceeded to their “ready” position on the field, set up, and/or warmed-up, the announcer will say: “___ High School, is your band ready?” A salute, call to attention, or other obvious acknowledgement of this question by the band’s drum major(s)/field commander(s) should be clearly made. The announcer will then say: “___ High School, you may enter the field in competition.” The drum major(s)/field commander(s) should then be prepared to immediately begin their show.

 

11.  Each band will be given a fifteen-minute time slot to perform their show from the time the preceding band clears the field. This means you have fifteen minutes from your entrance through the conclusion of your exit. Judging will begin with the first note or the first step of any band member. The total musical performance must be a minimum of seven minutes up to a maximum of twelve minutes in length. Each band will have a maximum of two minutes to clear the field following the conclusion of their performance.

 

12.  Dropped equipment will not be penalized, but may affect the General Effect of the performance.

 

13.  Should a fall occur, that member may return to an upright position and resume marching without penalty.

 

14.  The use of mechanized vehicles, animals, and pyrotechnics of any type including fireworks, fire batons, the discharge of firearms, or any hazardous materials shall not be permitted.

 

15.  Use of the National Colors is optional, but if it is used, it must always be guarded by a rifle, saber, or sidearm within three paces of the flag. The guard may be positioned anywhere within a 360 degree radius. There will be no trailing violations. The National Colors shall never be dipped in any direction or to any person; shall never be permitted to touch the ground; and the bearer shall not engage in back steps, side steps, dance steps, etc.

 

16.  Five judges will be used to evaluate the areas of music, marching and maneuvering, general effect, auxiliary, and drum major. Taped and written comments will be given.

 

17.  Three trophies will be awarded in each class.

 

There will be three main captions used in judging the field show:

Music 40 points

Marching and Maneuvering 30 points

General Effect 30 points

Auxiliary units and drum majors/field commanders will be judged on separate 100-point scale. An auxiliary unit is defined as all non-playing members in the performance.

Points accumulated through your performance will be interpreted as follows:

100-90 = SUPERIOR. This rating is awarded for a clearly superior performance. The performance is worthy of the distinction of being recognized as among the very best for the event and for the class of participants being judged.

89-80 = EXCELLENT. This rating is awarded for an excellent performance. The performance is one of distinctive quality, reflecting secure fundamental techniques and a strong musical performance, yet not quite worthy of the highest rating due to minor flaws.

79-70 = GOOD. This rating is awarded for a good performance. The performance shows accomplishment and marked potential. The results of sound, fundamental training are evident. However, the performance may be lacking in consistency of execution and/or in essential musical effect.

69-60 = FAIR. This rating is awarded for a fair performance. The performance is lacking in one or more fundamental techniques or in convincing musical effect. This rating indicates room for significant improvement in preparation and execution.

Less than 59 = PARTICIPATION. This rating describes a performance with obvious weaknesses in many areas. This rating may indicate a performance with numerous errors in fundamental techniques or a lack of adequate preparation.