Contest History

At ISSMA festivals, ensembles are given a rating of Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation based on judges evaluations of their performance on three prepared selections. Sight-reading is also considered at the High School level. An ensemble earning an extremely high Gold rating may be given the rating of "Gold With Distinction," ISSMA's highest ensemble honor (except for a state finals appearance).  Once festivals conclude, school music programs could earn the ISSMA All-Music Award.  

The All-Music Award is earned by completing the following:

HS Band: a) A Gold Division rating at any Marching Band event, or qualifying for State Marching Band Finals; b) A minimum of one soloist and one ensemble in a Group I Wind or Percussion event that qualifies for State Solo and Ensemble participation; c) A Gold rating in a Jazz Organization event; d) A Gold rating in a High School Organization event.

J.M.E. Band: a) A Gold rating on at least one solo and one ensemble entering Group III, II, or I. Departments that meet the solo and ensemble requirement and elect not to participate in the State Solo and Ensemble event or that have Group II or III qualifying entries must validate the meeting of the requirement with the ISSMA office via submission of copies of the adjudication sheets that prove the meeting of the requirement, no later than March 1st; b) A Gold rating in a Jazz Organization event; c) A Gold rating in a J.M.E. Organization event entered in Group III, II, or I.

ISSMA All-Music Award

Band: 

J.M.E. Band: 

Total Department:

Bomber Brigade

ISSMA Scholastic B

Finals: 

Prelims: 

ISSMA Festival                                       

Gold:                          

Silver:                                   

Jazz Band

Gold: 2024 (II)

Silver: 

HS Band

Gold: 2024 (III)/Sightreading

Silver: 

MS Bands

Gold: 2024 (III) (6-7th) and (8th) 

Silver: