The band performs at 4 competitions each year, all on
October Saturdays.
Competition 101
At each competition, bands are divided into classes, usually
based on school size. Bands compete within their classes for trophies and
against all bands in the event for the “Grand Champion” or similar trophy.
Bands are judged on a number of factors, which vary by competition but
generally include some or all of the
following:
- Music
- Marching
- Effects
- Overall show
- Drum Majors
- Percussion
- Guard/Auxiliary
In addition to overall trophies, most competitions award “captions,”
or awards in specific categories, such as drum majors, percussion, or Auxiliary.
What Students and Parents Need to Know
Call times will vary, depending on the performance times and
distances traveled. Parents are welcome to travel separately from the band to
attend competitions. (No parent chaperones are needed on the busses.) Students
must travel with the band to the competition, but they may travel home with their
parents. If you will be taking your child home in your car, you must first sign
your student out with the band directors.
All competitions have modest entry fees. Concessions are
available.
Students will need the following:
- Grey shirt and shorts or long underwear. These items *must* be worn under their
clothes. If the band does not change into uniform until arriving at the
competition, they will be changing in the buses and must have their “greys” on
already for modesty’s sake.
- Food or Money to purchase food at concessions. The
students will be gone several hours from the time they leave the school until
they return.
- A Jacket and/or Blanket. No matter how warm it is
when the band leaves Mahomet, it will be cool by evening, when awards are
announced. At this point, they will be in their street clothes and will need
the warmth of a jacket.
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