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Now that we have gone beyond learning basic marching skills, we need to focus on one of the most exciting parts of being in the marching program: Competition.
Band Reviews are formal competitions. They differ from parades as they include: an inspection, multiple judges and are limited to junior and senior high schools. Parades contain cars, animals, floats, drum corps, as well as bands - junior/senior high and adult. Band reviews are where we focus all of our recently learned music and marching skills and refine them to compete against thirty to forty other schools from all over California.
Competition is where our marching program is categorized by the "size of band" or by "school enrollment". We compete against other schools for music, marching, showmanship and overall scores. There are separate categories for Drum Major, Percussion, and Auxiliary. units.
There are several stages of the band review as follows:
Formation Area: |
Where we prepare & warm-up
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Report Area: |
Where we step off into the line of march
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Inspection: |
Where individuals, uniforms, equipment, & instruments are scrutinized
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Warm-up Zone: |
Step off from inspection to our Competition March as a dress rehearsal for the formal judging zone
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Silent Zone: |
Where one drummer provides only a "rim-tap" for a cadence. No other sounds except for a halt whistle. No Talking
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Competition Zone: |
Where you perform your best music, marching, and showmanship in an area 500 feet long.
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Percussion Competition: |
Where our percussion line performs and is judged on its formal cadence. |
Any error in inspection or performance is called a “tic” and is subtracted from our scores. Penalties are also given for larger errors: Lateness to any zone: Playing in the Silent zone; Talking in the Silent and/or Performance zone.
At the end of competition, after we have been given final announcements, we change out of our uniforms, Hang Them Up, and get some time to relax and eat. Then we meet as a group for awards where we do cheers and listen for awards. Here's how you can help us to do our best! :
Uniforms are to be hung properly in the garment bags to avoid wrinkles and marks that cause "tics" in inspection. We normally have the uniforms dry cleaned before Comp. season so they should be kept spotless. Your gloves should be washed as well. Don't take the chance that “they won't notice" because the inspection judge knows where to look! This goes for shoes and spats as well. Wash/rinse off any dirt in the ridges of your shoes, then polish them the night before comp. - it's too late in the morning. All scuffs and marks need to be removed with window cleaner. Black socks are a must and should be packed with your shoes. Not brown, Not blue, Black! Make sure that you have your hat and plume. One of the inspection rules includes: No hair is to be touching the back collar - if you have longer hair, plan on putting it up into the hat. Bring rubber bands/hairpins that match you hair - no colors. The uniform "moms" will help to make sure that you will pass inspection – somehow . . .
Instruments/Equipment should be wiped clean so that fingerprints, dirt/water marks of any kind are not found in inspection. All drums should be polished with window cleaner - this includes the drum heads. All sticks should be uniformly taped with the same color of vinyl tape. Wind players should carry extra reeds, valve oil, or anything that you might need in the pocket of your uniform jacket. Dust and/or tarnish should be carefully removed from all wind instruments.
Bring a change of clothes, jacket and comfortable shoes; food/snacks.
The Night before Comp get lots of rest. Get to bed early.
The Day of Comp be sure to eat breakfast - you have a long day ahead of you. Remove all jewelry and make-up. Do another check of your uniform, hat, shoes, instrument, etc. Help others out with theirs if you have time.
Comp is a lot of "hurry up and wait" - Be patient and we'll have fun! |
