Just like other sports, Marching Band participates in scored contests.

These contests usually take place on Saturdays. Competitions are divided into Preliminary Performances and Final Performances. Please consult the Marching Band Calendar for the dates of contests.

UIL is the organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, musical, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in Texas. At UIL competitions, schools compete against other schools in the same UIL conference (we are 5A).

Review the UIL Scoring Rubric >

Bands of America is an independent company that hosts competitions throughout the nation. BOA is not connected to the school districts. When competing at BOA bands are assigned to a competing class based on the total enrolled students at each band's high school enrollment levels (grades 10 through 12).

Classes are used to determine preliminary placements and awards. The highest-scoring bands regardless of class advance to the finals performance. Class champions who do not advance to the finals are invited to perform in the exhibition. Link to the BOA scoring rubric:

Report times will differ for each contest, and you can find schedules on the Marching Band Calendar.

A typical Competition Day Schedule is:

• report to the band hall

• rehearsal

• students will gather uniforms & supplies

• load the busses

• arrive at the competition site

• unload

• rehearse

• perform in the Preliminary round

• regroup and take a break (if able)

• gather for the announcement of awards

Finals:

If we are selected for Finals…
we rehearse, perform, and wait for the final awards, and then we will head back to the school.

If we are not selected for Finals…
we load up the students, and head back to the school.

No, the entire band stays together until the competition is over.

The time between performances is used to rehearse or for study time.

Yes, meals will be provided on competition days. Meal times will vary according to the competition performance schedule. The schedule will alert families to exactly which meals will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring snacks.

Please send your student with money in case we can stop at Buc-ees! We try to stop whenever our schedule/route allows us the opportunity!

Yes! If time allows we do allow students to shop for souvenirs.

Also, we always stop at Buc-ee's if our schedule/route permits us the opportunity!

You may videotape UIL & Football game performances.

You ARE NOT allowed to videotape at BOA performances.

Prices for competitions vary.

• UIL competitions only require one (1) ticket.

• BOA competitions have separate tickets for the Preliminary Performance and the Finals Performance. You do have the option of buying each separately, or you can purchase the combined ticket.

Yes! In fact, we encourage you to make some noise for our band!

Please read through this document on Competition Etiquette to get the lowdown on competition behavior.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

• How well does the band play?

• Are they in tune?

• Are they together?

• Do they have an "ensemble sound"?

VISUAL PERFORMANCE

• How well do they march?

• Are they in step?

• How clean (together) is the color guard work?

• How is their body carriage?

• How are the horn angles?

• How is the spacing?

GENERAL EFFECT

• Is the music conveying a mood or message to the audience?

• Is the entire visual program conveying a mood or message to the audience?

• Are the forms and movements readable?

• How well do both music and visuals integrate into a total package that represents the theme?

PERCUSSION

• How clean (together) is the percussion section?

• Are they playing musically?

• Is the front ensemble (pit) playing with the rest of the ensemble?

• How well do they balance with the wind section?

AUXILIARY

• How clean (together) is the color guard?

• Is their choreography properly reflecting the music?

• Is the difficulty of the work appropriate for the performers?