In all corners of our country, marching band is part of the high school performing experience. Students marching this fall have already gathered at area schools to meet with their instructors and fellow participants. They have begun the journey of learning to perform marching shows for the upcoming competition season. In view of the pending marching band competition season, today's post discusses how to get the most out of your marching band adjudication tapes.
What are the judges evaluating?
The judges responsibilities are threefold when evaluating marching bands. First, rate each band according to the position the performing group belongs in the scoring rubric as it relates to their particular caption. Second, rank the position of each band compared to their competitors. Third, provide audio commentary in real time that evaluates the content the band is performing, and how well the students are performing the content.
1. Don’t Become Preoccupied with Your Score
Band directors should want to know what needs to improve and how to go about making the performance better. The score alone will not tell the performing group how to improve. Don't become distracted with numbers. Generally, the judges are looking for how many demands are being placed on the performers in relation to the groups’s level of achievement of that content. In the end, the students performance that day will determine the score.
2. Listen for Occasions when Multiple Judges Agree
Don't stress about individual comments. Reacting to all of the judges comments is impossible. Listen for when multiple judges make similar comments about a particular aspect of the show. These comments may be from across the same judging panel in a competition or from multiple judges in multiple competitions. Make these comments your top priority.
https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/FPA/music/prideofthemountains/index.aspx
3. Judges are People Too!
Judges are human beings. They have a small window of time to make commentary and record their numbers. Don't expect the adjudicators to have all the intimate details of your show as part of their frame of reference. Understand, the adjudication panel is reacting in real time to what the band's performing and how the students are performing. Similarly, as the band director, you do not have the same perspective the judges have when comparing each band in succession. While, your band may be performing a demanding show both visually and musically. Keep in mind, some of your competitors may also be demonstrating comparable performance skills.
4. Listen for Big Picture Items
What fundamental concepts does the judge discuss in their commentary? Listen for the overall themes of what the judge believes you should spend the band's rehearsal time on. It's not about the individual comment, but all about the general meaning of all of the judges comments. Make certain you listen to the tapes through to the end. Often times, adjudicators will reveal what they believe to be the "big ticket" items in their summary at the end of the tape.
Post Featured in
National Association for Music Education: Music In A Minuet
Available at: https://nafme.org/four-tips-getting-most-your-marching-band-adjudication-tapes/ [Accessed 2 Oct. 2018].