Elements of Field Show Judging

MUSIC

This is the most important caption and receives the largest percentage of the total score. In general, the judges are looking at these areas of music performance:

Musicianship: Tone quality, dynamics, intonation, interpretation, phasing and style.

Technique: Articulation, attacks, releases, and rhythmic accuracy, blend and balance (without individuals or sections dominating the band sound).

Ensemble: Dynamic contrasts, projection, precision, tempo and pulse.

Musical Content: Music challenge, style, continuity/transitions and suitability.

GENERAL EFFECT

Arguably the most subjective and difficult area to judge.

Program Effectiveness: Content, staging, continuity/flow, variety, tension and release, moods, contrast, imagination, creativity and utilization of all elements.

Performance Effectiveness: Musical impression, style projection, precision as to effect, poise, pride/spirit/confidence, expression and attention to detail.

Showmanship: Audience appeal, appearance, entertainment value, effectiveness of auxiliary units and visual interpretation of music.

Coordination of Elements: Total interrelationship of all visual and musical elements to properly present musical style and various moods. Consider adaptability of elements, staging, continuity-flow and culmination.

MARCHING

Basically an execution caption. Judges usually look at how well you do what you do, rather than evaluating the content of the show.

Marching/Movement: Style, in phase/in step, appropriate size of step, execution, precision, anticipation/hesitation and body control.

Ensemble Technique: Alignment, interval, distance, clarity of form, movement and development of forms.

Individual Technique: Posture/carriage, discipline, pride and bearing, individual alignment and instrument/equipment angle.