Judging

Awards & Criteria

Sunset Festival of Bands provides not just a judging result, but a critique and feedback opportunity for each participating band prior to the competition phase of the event.

Awards to be presented in both Division I and Division II:

1st Place Award
2nd Place Award
3rd Place Award
Best Music Award
Best Drum Major(s) Award
Best Percussion Award
Best Color Guard Award

Awards to be presented overall divisions:

Most Improved Performance Award

Color Guard Scoring:

PROGRAM CONTENT: OVERALL VOCABULARY

Use of Form, Body & Equipment
Use of Expressive Components of Space, Time, Weight & Flow
Variety
Visual Musicality
Interpretation of Music
Staging
Integration
Totality & Unity
Use within the Overall Design Process
Clarity & Emphasis
Musical Structure, Phrasing & Nuances

ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH FORM, BODY & EQUIPMENT

Demonstration of Training
Compatibility
Clarity of Form, Body & Equipment
Precision
Variety of Responsibilities
Clarity of Style & Technique
Consideration of the Overall Environment
General Expressive & Technical Skills

Drum Major Scoring:

LEADERSHIP

Contribution through time
Variety
Depth of Musical Demand
Professionalism
Communication
Intensity
Showmanship

PERFORMANCE

Timing/Accuracy
Precision
Salute
Control
Style
Demand
Clarity

Music Individual

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICIANSHIP

Shaping
Inflection
Phrasing
Expression
Idiomatic Interpretation
Depth of the Musical Challenge
Consideration of Total Environment

METHOD AND TIMING

Note Accuracy and Tuning
Attacks and Releases
Uniformity of Articulation
Enunciation
Tongue Control and Stick Control
Arm and Wrist Technique for Percussionists
Control of Tempo and Pulse
Depth of the Physical Challenge
Depth of the Environmental Challenge

Music Effect

EFFECTIVENESS OF REPERTOIRE

Coordination
Pacing
Concept
Interpretation of the Music
Tension/Release
Impact and Climaxes
Aesthetic/Intellectual/Emotional Qualities
Creativity and Originality

EFFECTIVENESS OF PERFORMERS

Communication
Emotional Intensity
Nuances and Artistry
Expressive Effect
Achievement of Technical Excellence as Effect

Percussion Scoring

ACHIEVEMENT OF MUSICIANSHIP

Shaping
Phrasing
Expression
Style and Idiomatic Interpretation
Communication
Quality of Sonority
Balance and Blend of All Elements
Tempo Control
Tuning

QUALITY OF TECHNIQUE

Timing/Accuracy
Clarity of Articulation
Ensemble Cohesiveness
Pitch Accuracy
Appropriateness of Timbre
Quality of Sound/Consistency of Timbre
Uniformity of Technique
Technical Proficiency

Visual Individual

TECHNIQUE AND TRAINING

Demonstration of the Fundamentals of Chosen Technique
Individual Alignment and Intended Variations
Effort Qualities and their Variety
Demonstration of Principles: Balance, Posture, Weight Shifts
Understanding Overall Environment of Performance Recovery
Variations through Equipment
Demonstration of Control of Challenges in Meter and Velocity

ACHIEVEMENT

Variety of Responsibilities
Challenge of the Visual Responsibilities
Timing
Overall Control of Form and Music
Spacing and Alignment of Form in Small Segments
Precision with Respect to the Challenge

Visual Effect