Dr. Jones Speaks: How is the Marching Band Scored?

Scoring a marching band performance is difficult to explain because each competition uses slightly different categories or “captions” as they are called in the competition.  However, I will try to touch on the commonly used techniques.  The first questions usually asked is “How do they determine what class we compete in?”  This is tough.  Some competitions determine classification by band size, others use school size.  But there are variations here as well.  For example, in Missouri, school size is determined by the number of students enrolled in grades 9-12.  However, in Iowa, school size is determined by enrollment in grades 10-12.  Also, some smaller schools are 7-12 so they use that number to determine size classification.  Other competitions determine classification by band size.  This means that schools our size compete against much larger schools because we have more students enrolled in the band.  Both practices are common.

            The next question is usually “what are the judges looking for in the street competition?”  Judges evaluate the band’s performance in three categories: marching, playing, and corner execution.  In the marching category, bands are judged on the uniformity of step (called stride), consistency of instrument angles, alignment of ranks (side to side alignment), alignment of files (front to back alignment), and alignment of diagonals.  Consistency of interval between musicians front to back and side to side is also considered. Uniformity of appearance is an element.  Are the uniforms being worn the same by all band members?  Are the pants too long?  Is the hat worn at the same position on all musicians?  Are the shoes polished?  Are the instruments polished?  Do the musicians all hold the instrument at the same position when not playing?  Consistency of body carriage and style is also a factor.  And, the judge considers if the band marches with pride and confidence.  In short, all visual elements are considered.

            The playing category addresses all areas of the band’s musical performance.  In this area judges evaluate phrasing, dynamic contrasts, note accuracy, tone quality, balance, intonation, projection of sound, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, difficulty of music, and effectiveness of the band at portraying the spirit of the music.

            The corner judge evaluates the band’s ability to turn a corner.  In this category the judge looks at rank alignment, file alignment, and diagonal alignment.  Intervals between players and consistency of pivot points (where the band members actually turn) is also judged. Whether or not the band plays while executing a corner is unique to each competition.  Some competitions requiring while executing the corner, others do not.  Some competitions state that playing is viewed as an option and is only included in point determinations if the judge feels the musical performance adds to or detracts from the execution of the turn.

            On the field, the band’s performance is evaluated on the same categories of musical execution and marching execution but there are also categories for music general effect and marching general effect.  In the area of music general effect, the judge evaluates the band’s musical performance in terms of their ability to draw a reaction from the audience with their performance of the selected music.  In the area of marching general effect, the judge is looking at the visual performance and how those visual elements create audience reaction.  In other words, does the show design convey the mood of the music visually?  Auxiliary is the final category of a field performance.  In this category the judge is looking at the contribution of the auxiliaries and color guard at enhancing the visual impact of the marching show.  Overall trophies such as the Grand Champion trophy at Northwest Missouri State University are awarded to the band with the highest point total overall regardless of size classification.  Each field competition is different.  In some competitions all judges are in the press box.  In others, there are judges on the field.  Placement of judges is left to the decision of the competition manager. 

I hope this has shed a little light on the process of evaluating a marching band’s performance.  Each performance and each competition is slightly different but this is the basic framework.  However, from my perspective the real evaluation comes from the band and the parents.   What we are really looking for is continuous improvement.  As long as each performance or competition is better then the one before and if the students march off the field or end a parade knowing that they just gave the best performance they could then the score is really not that important.