Sound of Gold Marching Championships

The Sound of Gold Marching Championships is held the 4th Saturday in October each year at the Memorial Stadium in Waycross, Ga. Home of the Ware County High School Gators and the Golden Gator Band. Performance order will be determined by post mark of completed, paid applications.

Memorial Stadium is an excellent facility for hosting the Sound of Gold. It has plenty of parking, large restrooms, numerous concession stands, ample warm up areas, easy field access for bands and their equipment.

Basic Information

ENTRY FEE:

A non-refundable fee of $100.00 each for festival or competition or $150.00 for both must accompany this application with a $500.00 refundable performance bond and be postmarked by date on application. Please notify us to expect your entry to aid our preparation. (Two separate checks for (1.) fees and (2.) performance bond)

Most communication will be done through email and this SOG website. Please refer to updates as they are posted.

BAND CLASSIFICATION:

Class is based on number of WIND playing members in the band, NOT including percussion. Bands are allowed to enter above their classification, but not below before the cut-off postmark.

CLASS A………………………..1-19

CLASS AA………………………20-40

CLASS AAA…………………….41-65

CLASS AAAA…………………..66-99 

CLASS AAAAA……………..100+

PERFORMANCE AREA:

Memorial Stadium is a standard football field clearly marked every five yards with high school hash marks. Bands must enter, perform, and exit within the 15 minute performance time allowed. ALL show related materials must be removed at the conclusion of the performance. Fireworks and fire/flames are prohibited by Memorial Stadium and the City of Waycross. A Rain policy will be determined the day of the event.

ADJUDICATION:

1. Field entrance left of visitor’s stand, and exit from the field right of visitor’s stand facing the visitor’s stand from the home side with a total of 15 minutes with entrance and exit.

2. Band Judging will be Olympic style, with 5 band judges, the highest and lowest scores being dropped. The three remaining scores will be averaged for the final ratings.

3. Ratings and numerical scores will be given to each band, auxiliary group (min. of 3 performers), percussion and pit section, and Drum Majors.

4. Ratings will be given as follows: 

1. SUPERIOR…………………85-100

2. EXCELLENT………………70-84.9

3. GOOD……………………....55-69.9

4. FAIR………………………...54.9 and below

GENERAL ADMISSION:

$8.00 for Adults, $5.00 for Students.

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

TROPHIES will be awarded to all bands, color guards, majorette, dance teams, field percussion and pit percussion sections and drum majors which receive a SUPERIOR and or EXCELLENT rating. Feature twirlers may be rated or scored.

BEST IN CLASS:

The “Best in Class” award will be based on the highest number of points. The three remaining band judges' scores after high and low are dropped will be averaged together to determine the “Best in Class” band. A “Best in Class” trophy will be awarded to the best band, color-guard, drum major(s), majorette squad, percussion and pit section, and dance team in each class. Feature Twirlers will not be eligible for the “Best in Class” award. 

OVERALL AWARDS:

Top 5 Bands, Outstanding Brass, Outstanding Woodwinds, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Drum Major and Outstanding Auxiliary Unit. The Gold Cup is the Grand Champion Award! Also a traveling trophy will be awarded to the Grand Champion band to be returned next year!