Rules & Regulations
REGISTRATION FORM AND ENTRY FEE
Due to the prelims and finals format, only a limited number of performance slots are available. Once all slots are filled, we cannot accept additional applications. Performance order in prelims will be determined by the postmark date of the application. Performance order in finals will be determined by director's draw at the conclusions of prelims. All participants must submit the Showcase application signed by the band director and the school principal.
The entry fee is $75 per band. All bands are required to submit a Performance Appearance Bond, which will be returned to you upon your band's arrival at the contest. GA bands must submit a $500 bond per GMEA. Out-of-state bands must submit a $250 bond. Please submit separate checks for your entry fee and Performance Appearance Bond.
CLASSIFICATION
Classification shall be based on the number of wind and percussion performers in the ensemble. Bands may enter a higher classification but not a lower one. Bands may not change classification once application has been accepted by Showcase officials. The breakdown for classification is as follows:
A = 0-60
AA = 61-85
AAA = 86-110
AAAA = 111- up
FORMAT
Bands may enter either for contest, or for ratings only. The contest will be in a preliminary and final format with 8 bands selected for finals.
UNITS JUDGED
Percussion, drum majors, color guard, and drill team/majorettes will be judged separately. Their scores will not be used for band placement.
ADJUDICATION
The show will be judged in captions: music, visual, and general effect. A combination of judges with local, regional and national level experience will adjudicate the event. Judges will include:
two music performance, two visual, and two general effect. Each music and visual individual judge will have a point allotment of 10 points each. Each music and visual ensemble judge will have a point allotment of 20 points each. Each of the two general effect judges will have a point allotment of 20 points each, for a total of 100 possible points. Only scores from these three areas will be used for ratings and rankings. Difficulty and content will be inherent on all adjudication sheets.
SHOW RULES AND GUIDELINES
Bands will be scheduled in 15-minute intervals. All bands must enter the stadium, perform, and clear the performance area within their 15 minutes of allotted time. Performances must be between 6 and 11 minutes long. Timing begins on the first note of music and ends with the last note. A Showcase official will escort your drum majors to the field and assist them with the timing of their salute to help prevent timing penalties. Timing penalties of 1 point per minute, or an equivalent fraction thereof, for fractions of a minute, overtime will be assessed to those bands that do not adhere to the timing requirements of the contest. Penalty points will be deducted from the band's overall score.
The performance boundaries are the field, including the end zones and the pit area, which extends between the 35-yard lines and is 12 feet deep. Performers may start the show off the field but must enter the field within 60 seconds after the start of the performance. At no time during the performance may any member of the band leave the field. Performers who come onto the field after this time will be assessed a penalty.
Use of props is at the discretion of the performing band, but all equipment must be able to be brought to the field and exit the field through the designated entrance and exit in the time allocated. Pyrotechnics, discharge of arms, lights out routines, animals, or leaving excess residue (i.e. confetti) will not be allowed. This is in an effort to protect the performers, spectators, and to ensure a fair performance area for all bands.
Electronics is allowed. All electronically produced music must be played live and in real time by a student. Prerecorded music is not allowed. Sounds, such as a narrative of sound effects may be prerecorded and used. The Lassiter Band Booster Association does not take responsibility for providing power and bands should bring their own source. A 110 volt, 15 amp receptacle will be available near the pit area, but again, the Lassiter Band Booster Association takes no responsibility for its use.
At no time after the performance starts, which is defined as when the drum major(s) recognizes the announcement of their band, will any band director or staff member be allowed on the field until the performance is concluded. This violation will result in a penalty being assessed. This penalty will consist of 0.5 points for the 1st occurrence, 1.0 point for each additional occurrence.
The contest schedule will be mailed out ten days in advance of the contest date. We reserve the right to revise the overall schedule up to 5 days before the contest begins. You will be notified of any changes.
BAND COORDINATION
All bands will have a scheduled pre-performance warmup area available for their use. The location and time will be determined by the Lassiter Band Booster Association after the performance order is determined. An area will also be designated for unloading of participants, instruments and equipment. Some assistance will be available for moving of equipment from the unloading area to the performance area. Bands must inform the Lassiter Band Booster Association a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the competition of their requirements. A schedule will be forwarded to each band as soon as the performance order is determined.
FIELD
The field is 70 feet from front sideline to first row of bleachers; is of turf surface; includes a track around the field; contains 27 rows of bleachers below the press box; and is 50 feet from field to top of press box.
All bands must adhere to the following regulations when performing at Lassiter High Frank Fillmann Stadium. Failure to follow these rules will result in denied access to the field and no performance.
- Carts May Be Used! They must have pneumatic tires. This includes sideline percussion and any carts that may be used on the actual field. Carts can be rolled onto the track and unloaded. They can be used on the field if under 100 pounds. Golf Carts and ATVs are allowed on the track.
- All Pit (Front Ensemble) Equipment must be rolled (if wheels are attached) or carried into place. If your Timpanist uses a stool, it must sit on a piece of plywood or a thick rubber mat.
- Drum Major Podiums and Ladders are to be placed on the track or on plywood next to the sideline.
- No Sharp Objects!
A. Drum Major Maces must have rounded ends and/or taped. IF YOUR DRUM MAJOR STICKS THE MACE INTO THE TURF, YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES!
B. Small diameter stands that support 100 pounds or more must be placed on plywood or a thick rubber mat.
- No Fireworks! No Fire Batons!
- Any props that are placed on the field must not have sharp points or objects.
ADMISSIONS POLICY
All band directors and staff will receive passes to attend both prelims and finals and will be provided full access to all facilities all day. After receipt of your application, Showcase officials will request the names of all directors and staff members. Chaperones will be issued 1 pass per each 10 students. Individuals assisting with props must be included in the chaperone number. Bands will receive five additional passes for parents and supporters assisting with pit percussion equipment. All additional supporters of your organization must purchase tickets at the gate.
Directors of bands selected for finals will receive a separate packet at the Finalists Directors Meeting. Preliminary bands not chosen for finals will receive free admission to the finals of the competition. All chaperones will also be allowed to attend at no cost. Equipment personnel and other supporters of non-finalist bands will be required to purchase tickets at the box office in order to attend finals. Bus drivers will receive tickets to the event.
SCORING
Point allocation for the competition is as follows:
- Two (2) judges will adjudicate the Music Performance of the band. The individual judge will have a point allotment of 10 points. The ensemble judge will have a point allotment of 20 points. One judge will be at press box level and one on field.
- Two (2) judges will adjudicate the Visual Performance of the band. The individual judge will have a point allotment of 10 points. The ensemble judge will have a point allotment of 20 points. One judge will be at press box level and one on field.
- Two (2) judges will adjudicate the General Effect of the band. Each judge will have a point allotment of 20 points. One (1) judge will adjudicate the Music General Effect and one (1) judge will adjudicate the Visual General Effect. One judge will be at press box level and one on field. These judges' scores will be added together for a maximum of 40 points being possible.
- This will give a maximum allowable point total of 100 points for the overall band score.
- During the Preliminary Performance, but not the final performance, the following will also be judged:
- One (1) judge will adjudicate the drum major(s) performance. A maximum of 100 points is possible; however, none of these points will be used in scoring the overall band. This judge will be located in the press box.
- One (1) judge will adjudicate the percussion performance. This judge will adjudicate the drum line and the pit. A maximum of 100 points is possible; however, none of these points will be used in scoring the overall band. These judges will have the option of being located in the press box or on the field.
- One (1) judge will adjudicate the Color Guard, Drill Team and Majorettes performance. Color Guard and Drill Team/Majorettes will be scored separately. A maximum of 100 points is possible; however, none of these points will be used in scoring the overall band. This judge will be located in the press box.
The process of determining class ratings will be done at the time of tabulation of Preliminary Competition Scores. Ratings will be as follows:
| RATINGS: |
Superior |
- 80 and above |
| |
Excellent |
- 65 to 79 |
| |
Good |
- 64 and below |
AWARDS
Each band will receive a trophy for participation.
Classification awards will be presented at the conclusion of the preliminary competition. Each classification will have awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place bands along with Best Music, Best Visual, and Best General Effect, Percussion, Drum Majors, Color Guard and Drill Team/Majorettes. Bands achieving Superior or Excellent ratings will also receive awards.
The Finals Awards Ceremony will be for only those bands selected for the finals of the competition. Highest Achievement Awards for finalist bands for Best Music, Best Visual and Best General Effect, along with final placement awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) will be presented at the Final Awards Ceremony.
GRAND CHAMPION TROPHY
A Grand Championship Trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring band, regardless of classification.
Two sets of awards will be presented. One (1) set of awards will be presented at the conclusion of the preliminary competition, and one (1) set of awards will be presented at the conclusion of the final competition.
Awards will be as follows:
PRELIMINARY AWARDS :
The following awards will be presented for each class, beginning with Class A and ending with Class AAAA at the conclusion of the Preliminary Performance:
1 st place in class
2 nd place in class
3 rd place in class
Best Music
Best Visual
Best General Effect
Best Drum Major(s)
Best Percussion
Best Color Guard
Best Drill Team/Majorettes
In addition to the class awards, each band will receive a Participation Award, and those bands who rated Superior or Excellent will receive Band rating awards for Superior or Excellent performance.
FINALS AWARDS:
The Finals awards will be based on total finals score, regardless of class. The following awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Finals Performance:
Best Music Award
Best Visual Award
Best General Effect Award
1 st place band, 2 nd place band, etc.
The first place band will receive the Grand Champion Trophy.
