Any high school band that is a member of its state band association is invited to compete.
In
the interest of fair judging, no more than 22 bands will be accepted.
In the event 9 or less bands enter, the contest may cancel.
The
entry fee is $175. Make checks for the MID-SOUTH CLASSIC payable to
"Jonesboro Band Boosters." Make checks for the ARKANSAS OPEN payable to
"Arkansas Open."
Classification is determined by the total number of musicians performing - this INCLUDES percussion.
Bands may elect to enter a larger classification if they choose, but not a lower one.
Performance
order is determined within classifications by placement of the previous
year's competition. Bands who did not compete the previous year will
be scheduled ahead of bands that competed. The MID-SOUTH CLASSIC is essentially a reincarnation of the Redskin Classic, so the 2006 Redskin Classic results will be used.
The classes break down as follows:
Class A: 1-25 musicians
Class AA: 26-49 musicians
Class AAA: 50-79 musicians
Class AAAA: 80-105 musicians
Class AAAAA: 106 or more musicians
There
is no minimum or maximum show length. However, bands have 17 minutes
of "stadium time." This time begins when the first member of the band
enters the gate, and ends when the last member of the band exits the
gate. Excluded from this limit are people setting up pit percussion
and/or large props. Colorguard members count as band members, and will
start the time. Bands who go over their 17 minutes will be penalized
.2 points per every fraction of 15 seconds over time.
A "delay
of contest" penalty will be assigned to any band who throws the contest
off schedule by being late to their performance time.
While
these penalties may seem severe, it is not fair for all aspects of a
band to prepare for a schedule, and then have to adjust for someone
else.
A 2 point penalty will be assessed to bands whose
musicians warmup outside the designated warm up areas. This does not
apply to colorguards or marching blocks unless an amplifying sound
system is used.
No fire or fireworks will be allowed in the
stadium, nor will any prop or effect that could potentially damage the
contest field. Bands who violate this rule will be DISQUALIFIED, and
no refund given. This rule is in place to assure managers of contest
sites that their fields will not be damaged.
Penalties can only
be assessed by the contest director, and will be subtracted from the
overall band score after judging is complete. The judges will not be
informed of potential penalties. Penalties can only be assessed for
the items listed above, or for unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of
any band member, director, staff member, or PARENT.
Ties in scores will not be broken.
The
top five scoring bands, regardless of classification, will be
considered "Finalists." In the event a large number of bands have
entered, the contest reserves the right to increase the number of these
"Finalists."
The contest is
run on a caption-judged format. There are six band judges. Each judge
will be responsible for a portion of the band's total score - no scores
will be dropped, and no averages are taken.
There are two judges
each in the captions of MUSIC, MARCHING, and OVERALL EFFECT. The Music
judges will each be responsible for 20% of the band's score. Music,
therefore, will consitute 40% of the band's score.
Each of the
Marching and Effect judges will be responsible for 15% of the band's
total score. EFFECT is defined as the relationship between the musical
and visual presentations. While they may contribute to the band's
effect, audience reaction and special effects are not being judged.
There
is one judge each for PERCUSSION, COLORGUARD and DRUM MAJOR
performance. These judges determine placement and awards within their
captions - they do not affect the band's score.
A numerical
score determines the band's rating and ranking, as well as those of the
auxiliary units. Ratings are assigned as follows:
I (Superior) 80.0-100.0
II (Excellent) 60.0 - 79.9
III (Average) 40.0 - 59.9
IV (Below Avg) 0.0 - 39.9
If weather
conditions are considered by the contest director to be unsafe, the
event will be declared a rainout. Unsafe conditions include, but are
not limited to, extremely heavy rain, the presence of lightning, or the
issuance of weather warnings.
If the contest is called a rainout
before it begins, the contest will move indoors (if facilities are
available), and the competition will become a standstill music
competition. Marching performance will not be judged.
If
facilities are not available, the contest will be canceled. The entry
fees will be refunded, minus an amount to cover the judges' travel
expenses. These expenses will be totaled, divided by the number of
registered bands, and withheld equally from all bands' entry fees. The
remainder will be returned. Note: Refunds will not be made to bands
who choose to pull out of the contest before it is officially canceled.
Refunds will not be made for bands who cancel out of the event after the registration deadline.