Rules and Regulations

1. The competition field will be the size and shape of a regulation football field with five and ten-yard lines, hash marks (53’4”), and sidelines clearly marked.

2. Bands will be classified according to the number of wind instrument players. Bands may enter a higher classification but not a lower one. (​Classes are aligned with the GMEA suggested class breakdowns)

Class A - up to 24 winds

Class AA - 25-49 winds

Class AAA - 50-74 winds

Class AAAA - 75-100 winds 

OPEN CLASS - 101+ winds

3. Bands are scheduled at fifteen to twenty (15-20) minute intervals.  Performance times should be within a six-minute minimum and a twelve-minute maximum.  Timing starts with the first note of music or movement after the band has been given the field for competition.  A penalty of  -.5​ points for each minute or part of minute will be assessed by the timing judge for times exceeding the maximum allotted interval.​  Penalties will not be assessed without notification of the band director.

4. Bands will be given the field for competition after the salute from the drum major. If the band has a soundscape that announces the band/show, please let us know ahead of time to ensure that your show is presented in the best possible light!

5. Order of performance within each class is determined by application postmark and/or electronic submission time-stamp.  Earliest postmark/electronic submission time-stamp performs last in competition. For electronic submission timestamp to be valid, registration fees and bond must be received by application deadline.

6. All bands must perform in uniform

7. The Gathering uses adjudication forms for Caption style judging, with two music scores and two visual scores. Percussion Scores are factored into music scores as 25% of the music score. Guard and Danceline Scores are factored into visual scores at 25% of the music score. Bands that have one auxiliary unit and not the other will not be penalized. Because Guard counts toward the Visual Score, if a band does not have a Guard, the Danceline score will serve as the visual component for auxiliary. 

POINT SPREAD FOR CONTEST SCORING

Superior: 85 – 100

Excellent: 70 – 84.99

Good: 55 – 69.99

Fair: 0 – 54.99

8. Rating awards will be announced for superior and excellent ratings in contest. Festival Bands will receive a plaque with their festival ratings. Contest awards are decided by class. The grand championship trophy will be presented to the best overall judged band in their division regardless of classification. In an effort to recognize the contribution of the bands, additional awards will be presented:

 AWARDS BY CLASS: A, AA, AAA and AAAA 

Best in Class Band

2nd in Class Band

Best in Class Drum Major

2nd in Class Drum Major

Best in Class Percussion

2nd in Class Percussion

Best in Class Guard

2nd in Class Guard

Best in Class Danceline

2nd in Class Danceline

 SILVER DIVISION BAND 

3rd Place Silver Division Band

2nd Place Silver Division Band

 GOLD DIVISION BAND 

3rd Place Gold Division Band

2nd Place Gold Division Band

 SILVER 

Champion DM

Champion Percussion

Champion Guard

Champion Danceline

 GOLD 

Champion DM

Champion Percussion

Champion Guard

Champion Danceline

 GRAND CHAMPION 

Silver Division Grand Champion Band

Gold Division Grand Champion Band

Corps Style Grand Champion Band

Traditional Style Grand Champion Band

9. No director, parent, or student from any participating band will be allowed in the press box or judging area

10. All band & auxiliary officers who will participate in the awards ceremony must be in full uniform. Officers are to line up on the front hash mark. No other students will be allowed on the field during the awards presentation.