July 2013

WORTHINGTON KILBOURNE

Marching Band PARENT GUIDE

(What you REALLY need to know about marching band!)

Prepared by the Worthington Kilbourne High School Band Boosters.

www.kilbournebands.org Band Office: 450-6477

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Welcome to the Worthington Kilbourne Marching Band!

From Band Family to Band Family… As band parents, we want to share how band has been an important and enriching experience for our children. Marching Band is more than just something to do.

Our marching band is a great opportunity for members to further develop their musical skills while having fun! Friday night section dinners and football games, participating in community events such as parades and Market Days, competing in contests, and traveling with friends will add memories that will last a lifetime.

Band creates an instant social network of friends. Of course, for teens it’s all about the social life! Starting in middle school students begin to form friendships which carry through 8th Grade Night, four years of high school and on to Alumni Night! Marching Band students get to know each other during August band camp, and this results in the freshmen having a group of friends in every grade that will help them through the “ins and outs” of high school. Many Marching Band members go on to participate in Indoor Drumline, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Solo and Ensemble competitions and Pit Orchestra, which all offer even more social opportunities. A bonus for parents: your child is connected to great kids!

Band is life-changing. Students grow to be stronger musicians and, more importantly, well-rounded individuals. There are many leadership opportunities in our band program, and all students develop skills they can enjoy for a lifetime. Our students work together to master challenging music and drills in order to demonstrate perfection at concerts and competitions; this results in an understanding of the importance of teamwork and personal responsibility as part of an ensemble. As band parents we have had many moments of excitement and pride as we have watched our children perform at their very best.

A lot of information is given at the spring marching band meeting, and it can be hard to absorb everything. This booklet tries to answer some of the nitty-gritty questions you might have about the program. Not sure of something? Ask the band director, one of the marching band staff members, a veteran band parent, or check our website www.kilbournebands.org. Sincerely, The WKHS Band Boosters

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CONTENTS

Cost of Marching Band 1 Time Commitment 1

Attendance 1 Report Time 1 Practice Schedule 2 Length of Season 2 Marching Band Activities Overview 2

Parades 2 Memorial Day Parade 2 July 4 Parade 2 Polaris Mall March 2

Band Camp: Getting Our Show on the Field 3 Pre-Camp 3 Fitting Day 3 Band Camp 3 Parent Tailgate and Preview 3 Tag Day 4

Game Day 4 Section Dinners 4 3rd Quarter 4 Personal Possessions 4

Contests 5 Uniform Care and Requirements 5 Transportation 6 Our Seniors 6 Trips 6 How Can I Support The Band Program? 6

WKHS Band Boosters 7 Still Pictures and Videos 7 Band Camp 7 Performance Needs 8 Be a Fan! 8 Fundraising 9

Other Parental Concerns 9 Drug & Alcohol Documents 9 Parent Shirts and Jackets 10

Appendix: Marching Band Competitions 11

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Cost of Marching Band The band contract shows the cost to participate each year. The contracts are distributed in April and are to be returned with payments by the date stated on the contract. No one will be denied the opportunity to be a part of the marching band because of the financial situation of the student. If this situation arises, please contact the band director prior to the date that band contracts are due, and assistance will be discussed. Also, download payment assistance information under the Booster tab at kilbournebands.org. The membership fee pays for uniform maintenance and savings for replacement uniforms (we are benefiting from the savings of groups that have come before us!), a pair of black gloves for all members except percussionists, one set of show shirts, meals for band camp, and all contest entry fees. Separate items that may be ordered (but are not included in the membership fee) include summer uniform shirts and shorts (all rookies must order these, veterans may order new sizes if needed) and marching shoes (for all rookies and any veteran needing a new pair). For pricing on these items, please see the Marching Band Membership Contract. Additionally, all marchers are required to purchase solid white tennis shoes and short white sport socks (low-cut or “no show” style) to be worn with the summer uniform, and solid black socks (crew length or taller) to be worn with the marching band full uniform. These are a mandatory part of the summer and winter uniforms and must be worn at each performance. In early August, the Boosters offer separate spirit wear orders for items including garage signs, extra show shirt sets, marching band jackets and duffle bags, and parent show shirts. Please note, a co-curricular fee is charged by Worthington Schools. This is paid directly to WKHS and can be paid during schedule pickup, but must be turned in to the co-curricular office before the first contest (usually the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of September). Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches can have the co-curricular fee waived or reduced. Time Commitment Attendance Participation in all practices and performances is mandatory. Other activities or appointments should not be scheduled during this time. Missed practices could result in your child not performing on game day or contests. For specific attendance requirements and penalties, please read the Marching Band Student Handbook. Report Time For the band to be successful, we need to make the most of our rehearsal time. “Report time” is not when marchers show up. Rather, it is the time when everyone must be on the field, ready to play.

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Practice Schedule During the school year, full band practice is at WKHS Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 3:30 PM until 6:00 PM, for the entire marching season, unless otherwise specified by the directors. Attendance is mandatory, and students may leave only when all equipment for the entire band is put away. Additional practices for individual sections could be called if necessary. Extra practice times for the entire marching band are sometimes scheduled prior to contests and will be announced by the director. The Guard and Percussion Sections hold additional practice times (sectionals) as scheduled by their directors. Length of Season The marching band season begins in May with rehearsals for the Memorial Day parade and continues until all activities are completed (parades, contests and football games). If the football team goes to play-offs and championship games, the band will be there and all members are expected to participate. Marching Band Activities – An Overview

Late May: Rehearsal for the Memorial Day Parade Late June: Rehearsal for the 4th of July Parade July 4: Worthington Hills 4th of July Parade Late July/August: Music Rehearsals Fitting Day Band Camp Aug. – Nov. Tag Day Fundraiser Football Game performances Community Performances (Market Day, Polaris Mall March) Marching Band Contests (MSBA and OMEA)

Parades Memorial Day Parade The Worthington Memorial Day Parade is for marching band veterans only (including graduating seniors)! Check the band website for the rehearsal schedule; typically the band begins practice at 3:15 p.m. and has three rehearsals prior to the parade. July 4 Parade The Worthington Hills 4th of July parade is the first official performance for our rookie marchers! Check the band calendar for rehearsal times and dates. Polaris Mall March In November, the marching band participates in Polaris Mall’s Magical Night of Giving. Part of this night is a parade featuring characters and mascots from local stores and sports teams, as well as the first appearance of Santa in the mall.

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Band Camp: Getting Our Show on the Field Pre-Camp Music for the season’s halftime show is available on the kilbournebands.org website so that students will have time to familiarize themselves with the music. Students can go to the band website, click on “Resources”, then “Marching Band Downloads”, then “Downloads” to get to the download site. The username is “wkhsband” and the password is “kilbourne”. Pre-Camp is a mandatory one-week activity during which music for the half-time show and school songs are practiced as a full band. In addition, half of the rehearsals are designated to learning marching fundaments. This is important preparation as we head into band camp to learn our drill for the competition show. Fitting Day All members (rookies and veterans) are assigned uniforms (including uniforms for the curricular bands), and measurements for alterations are taken on this day. In order for all alterations to be completed by the beginning of the season, all fittings must be done on this day. Attendance is mandatory! Raincoats, gloves and gauntlets are also sized during this session. (Marching shoes are sized during the week of band camp.) An orientation for rookies and their parents is held on the same day—you won’t want to miss it! Band Camp Band Camp is a mandatory, two-week time commitment in August to get the program ready for the year. Camp is held at WKHS. Physical exam cards MUST be in the hands of the directors, or the student will not be allowed to participate. All marchers must bring water bottles, comfortable athletic shoes (flip-flops or sandals are not acceptable shoes), sunscreen, hats, etc. They will be out in the heat and sun every day, and must come prepared for the weather. We try to break up the day, but band camp is hard work. Students come home hot and tired, and rookie marchers in particular may get discouraged during this time. Be prepared to offer lots of encouragement! The work pays off soon, but during band camp even the first game of the season can seem very far away. At the end of the second (shorter) week of band camp, the band hosts a parent preview night where they display what we have worked on at camp and perform what they have completed of the year’s competition show. Typically this is the week of the District’s teacher convocation. The Kilbourne and Thomas band alternate years playing for this event. Kilbourne plays on even years, and details for this performance will be on the calendar and sent home in the Blurb the preceding week. Parent Tailgate and Preview Parents are invited to the annual potluck tailgate, typically held during the second week of band camp at the end of the tunnel near the stadium. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other band families before the Parent Preview! The Boosters provide hotdogs, buns, plates, napkins, plastic ware, and condiments. Families contribute to the meal by bringing their own drinks and providing a dish to share (appetizers, side dishes, desserts). The tailgate concludes with the appearance of the band in the tunnel and transitions into the Parent Preview in the stadium. This is your chance to learn what your students have been doing during pre-camp and band camp and to celebrate the fruits of their labor!

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Tag Day This is the main fundraiser for the band program, and participation is mandatory for all members. The date for Tag Day varies from year to year, occurring on a Saturday (9:00 AM to 5:00 P.M.) in either August or September. A full description of Tag Day appears in the “Fundraising” section on Page 8. Game Day Section Dinners After school on football Fridays, many sections (ex. flutes, trumpets, guard, percussion, etc.) will go to an early dinner together; this is bonding time for each of the groups. The event can be at an individual’s home or at a restaurant. If you host a section dinner at your home (and we encourage you to take a turn!), a parent must be present at all times. The dinner may be provided by the host, but members should be prepared to pay the cost of the meal, usually $3.00-$4.00. Upperclassmen and section leaders usually take care of all the planning. NOTE: This is NOT a school-sponsored event. The directors will not know where anyone or any group will be, as they are not responsible for students during this time. Transportation is the responsibility of each member. Many juniors and seniors have cars and will take underclassmen. Please note that state law prohibits drivers under the age of 17 from having more than one passenger in their car. If you are not comfortable with your child riding with section members, or there aren’t enough students with cars, please feel free to offer to drive. Usually parents do not stay for dinner but just drop off and pick up. Friday section dinners are not mandatory for anyone. If your child chooses not to go, it’s okay. Members will know report time and must be back at school on time. 3rd Quarter The members have third quarter “off,” provided they have learned and memorized all of the music and drill for the contest show. They can get a snack or visit parents and friends in the stadium. Students need to take a few dollars with them to games and contests. At home games there is water on the sidelines for our band members. Each marcher is asked to bring in a case of water (24 bottles) before the beginning of the season to help keep the supply available. The water can be dropped off in the band room any time during pre-camp, band camp, or post-camp;; it is helpful if you label your donation with your student’s name. Personal Possessions The Band room is locked during performances and games, and many students leave their backpacks in the band room. However, it is recommended that valuables be locked in band lockers. We have experienced some thefts of cash from purses that were left out in the band room. Some students have left items in their cars. Please remind them never to leave valuable items in sight or out in the open. The parking lot is not patrolled during away games.

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Contests The Worthington Kilbourne Marching Band goes to 4 or 5 Marching Band contests each year. The band competes in two different circuits, OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) and MSBA (Mid States Band Association). These events occur on Saturdays throughout the fall and can be in the area or up to a two-hour drive away. Many times a practice is scheduled before the band leaves. Typically, the Boosters offer a light meal for students upon arrival at the contest site; students are asked to contribute $3-$4 to offset the cost of this meal. Contests are ALL DAY events. Don’t try to schedule anything else for your child on contest days. At contests bands are usually scheduled by class from smallest to largest. Many parents like to arrive early and stay to watch other bands perform and the award presentations. Kilbourne is usually on the contest grounds for several hours. Parents are encouraged to carpool to contests or away games and to try to sit together in the stands. NOTE: During a contest, you may enter the stands between marching band performances, but no one may enter or leave the stands while a marching band is performing. We therefore suggest arriving at a contest site 30 minutes before our band is scheduled to perform to allow you ample time to park, purchase tickets, and be admitted to the stadium. For more information about contest circuits and how they are judged, see the Marching Band Competitions appendix at the end of this guide. Uniform Care and Requirements Members are responsible for bringing a black t-shirt, solid dark black crew length socks, and their marching shoes for each performance. Under the uniform, the students must wear a black t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts, flannel pants, tights, etc. No cargo shorts, jean shorts, etc. are acceptable under the uniform. In order for members to take the field they must be in full uniform (black socks, marching shoes, black t-shirt and appropriate pants/shorts, bibs, jacket, black gloves, etc.), all hair must be pinned up so it does not show under the uniform hats, and all jewelry must be removed. Please note, for contest performances each member is required to wear his/her purchased show shirt. Students not meeting the uniform dress code will not be allowed on the field. This is non-negotiable. When the weather gets cold, members may wear Under Armour® or flannel pants under their bibs. Hand and feet warmers (“hot hands and toasty toes”) are also used to help keep warm. Sometimes new students think this is silly, but after one very cold game, minds change quickly. Also, coats and jackets can be worn in the bleachers as long as they have “Kilbourne” on them somewhere.

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Transportation Worthington school buses provide transportation to and from all away football games and contests. Students are expected to ride the buses. Occasionally, a student will need to leave a game early or will want to ride home with parents. Notification needs to be given in writing, to the directors, BEFORE students leave Kilbourne. Attendance is taken on the buses before they leave the school, and again before they leave the event. Transportation to other events, such as parades, is usually the responsibility of the student. Driving directions to all away events will be posted on the band website for parents wishing to attend these events.

Our Seniors There are special events just for seniors.

Senior Dinner – A nice dinner is sponsored by the Band Boosters for all marching band seniors and the directors. It is an opportunity for them to relax and enjoy some time together as they close out their time with our program.

Senior Night – The last home football game is Senior Night. Marching Band, Cheerleading, and Football Seniors and their parents are introduced and walk across the field during pre-game. A special show, designed by the Seniors, is performed at half-time. The Junior class prepares “cry towels” for the Seniors to use on Senior Night.

We have one additional event for the “other” seniors in our lives: our grandparents! Grandparents’ Night occurs on a home football Friday, usually in September. Grandparents eat dinner and are admitted to the football game as guests of the Boosters; meals for other family members are available for a small cost. Check the band calendar for date and time information. Trips Every four years the band (this includes the Marching Band and Wind Symphony) goes on a trip during Spring Break. The last trip was to Los Angeles in 2010. Each band will have at least one performance during this trip. Additional fees are necessary for these trips, but the Band Boosters provide Market Day as a fundraising opportunity to help defray the cost of this trip. How Can I Support the Band Program?

The Worthington Kilbourne Marching Band needs the help of family and friends at every performance and activity. There is a place for all who want to be a part of your child’s band experience. The band program cannot succeed without the help of its VOLUNTEERS! In order to do this, all prospective volunteers must have a FREE background check completed at the Worthington Education Center (on the second floor in Human Resources).

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They open at 7 a.m. daily to better accommodate parent work schedules. You will receive a volunteer badge with an expiration date five years from the date of issue; if you have a current badge (less than 5 years old) from your other volunteer experiences with the district, that works, too! Thank you in advance for taking the time to do this—it protects you and everyone who is involved in the band program! Please note that parents who agree to chaperone an overnight band trip are required to secure a more involved background check, which is also completed at the Worthington Education Center. To see and sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities, please visit SignUp Genius, available through the band site (Boosters tab, Volunteers) or through the following tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/wkhsbandvolunteers Sign up sheets for many opportunities will also be available at the Ice Cream Social, Rookie Parent Orientation, and Parent Tailgate. Or, contact a member of the Booster Executive Board. WKHS Band Boosters This is the support organization for the Band program at Kilbourne and its feeder schools (McCord, Phoenix, and all five elementary schools). It is a great way to meet other parents and get involved. All band parents are encouraged to join the Boosters and volunteer to support their child’s band experiences. All Band Booster meetings are held in the band room, and dates/times are listed on the band website (typically the 4th Monday of the month). The meetings offer the opportunity to get to know what is going on in the program, what is being planned, and how to support the efforts of our directors and all band students. Still Pictures and Videos A detailed history of the year is taken for the year-end video. If you love to take photos and videos, this is the place for you. Some contest venues allow video recording, others do not, so please check with the directors prior to a contest for the specific rules for a particular performance. We like to include photos from all band events, including marching band practices, curricular rehearsals, as well as all performances, and, of course, fun candid shots of the kids enjoying their band activities and friendships. At the end of the school year, a DVD will be available for purchase. Band Camp This is a very busy, exhausting time. Parental help is absolutely necessary. Popsicle Runs – A favorite of the marchers and staff: Around mid-morning a parent brings popsicles for our members to enjoy while working hard outside. Dinner – Dinner is a provided meal on the long days, but parents are needed to set up, serve, clean up, and provide desserts. Supplemental Drinks – All marchers are expected to bring cold water to camp each day. Knowing that the supply will not last, a parent ensures that extra ice water will be available throughout the day and after dinner. Parent Monitors – Parents are needed to help monitor members while they are practicing on the field. Although all marchers are expected to bring cold water to camp each day, we know that the supply will not last; parent monitors ensure that extra ice water will be available throughout

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the day and after dinner. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on and something to drink. Parents are also needed to aid students who may require first aid or other medical attention. Picture Day – This is the first day members are put into full uniform. Professional pictures are taken one day, usually towards the end of band camp, for the football program. There is also the option to purchase individual and group photos. Volunteers are needed to distribute and collect uniforms before and after pictures. Performance Needs It truly takes a team of volunteers to get our marching band looking and sounding good on the field! The following areas are opportunities for parents to volunteer: Chaperones – Chaperones are needed at every performance (home and away games, parades and contests). Chaperones are responsible for head count on buses, distribution of water, emergency needs of marchers, and other tasks. Chaperones are also needed for social activities during the season, such as the pool party and fall fun event. Pit Crew – This group helps with loading and unloading the equipment trailer and getting the front ensemble equipment and podiums on and off the field. The band takes a tremendous amount of equipment to football games and contests, so it is imperative that this group is fully staffed. Uniform Crew – Uniforms are kept at school. At each performance, help is needed to distribute and collect uniforms, and help with any last-minute repairs. There is an ongoing need to adjust hems and make minor repairs throughout the season. At least 15 volunteers are needed for Fitting Day, which is the beginning of the season for the uniform crew. Washing Crew - Uniforms are washed 5-6 times throughout the season (depending on the weather a few more may be added). The task is split so that there are only two loads of laundry per person. It takes at least 10-12 volunteers each time to have all uniforms ready for the members the following week. Uniforms are distributed for washing after a game or contest and must be returned by the following Tuesday. This is a great way to support the band if you can’t attend the games and contests, because all the work is done at home! Be a fan! Parents are encouraged to support our marching band throughout our season by attending games and contests and cheering on our Marching Band. Unless you are a chaperone or a working member of the pit crew at a performance, you must purchase a ticket to enter all football games and contests. Even though the marching band show is the same throughout the season, it is fun to watch the improvements our students make from week to week as they learn more of the show or “clean” parts to improve their performance quality. It is truly a fascinating thing to watch the show develop throughout the season!

During the season help line the band hall with pictures and posters with words of encouragement or inspiration to support the marching band.

Meet the band in the tunnel (on the west side of the building) and cheer them on as they play the fight song before entering the stadium!

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Wear your show shirts and Kilbourne Band jackets to show support for our program (order forms are available in early August on the band website).

Sit with other band parents in the south side of the stands at home games and at away games and contests.

Fundraising The Band Boosters organization coordinates a number of fundraisers throughout the year.

Tag Day is a fundraiser that provides the majority of our operating funds. This is the main fundraiser for the band program, and participation is mandatory for all members. For this fundraiser, members work in small groups going door-to-door asking for donations from households in the WKHS attendance area. Parents drive the members to the planned areas and keep the students in sight at all times. All band members dress in their summer uniform, including their solid white tennis shoes and white “no show” socks. Many parent drivers (you can do the full 8 hours or a 4-hour shift in either the morning or afternoon) are needed to make this event successful. The date for Tag Day varies from year to year, occurring on a Saturday (9:00 AM to 5:00 P.M.) in either August or September; please refer to the band website for specific date and time information.

Friends of the Band is a fundraiser that we ask all band members to participate in. Students and parents are asked to find business or organizations to help support the band programs.

Kroger Rewards are an easy way to support the program. Directions for signing up are on the band website (Boosters, Fundraising—scroll down).

Market Day orders are a way to make some of your grocery shopping a little more convenient, and all proceeds help defray the cost of band trips. To order, go to the band website (Boosters, Fundraising)

Parking: The band program has been given the opportunity to collect parking donations at some home football games. Parent volunteers help collect money before the game, and they may sign up to help at all or just one of the games when we collect parking donations. Volunteers are in the stadium by halftime and get into the game for free.

Other fundraising activities, including Bleed for the Band, fruit and candy sales, the Santa Breakfast, and the Mattress Sale (a great fundraiser, really!), will be made available throughout the year. Refer to the band web site for announcements. Other Parental Concerns A.T.O.D. (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs) Paperwork The Worthington School District requires all co-curricular programs to have a meeting before each season explaining their policy regarding Drug & Alcohol use. This is incorporated into the spring parent meeting, and the document must be on file in Co-Curricular in order for students to participate.

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Parent Shirts and Jackets Whether you are a chaperone or just an admiring supporter of the band, parents can buy show t-shirts, parent polos, and/or Kilbourne Bands jackets to wear to performances. Order forms for these spirit wear items are available in early August.

Our directors are open to discuss any concerns of our parents. So if you hear something that just doesn’t sound right, or your child is having a particular problem that you cannot resolve, please contact the directors and make an appointment to talk.

www.kilbournebands.org Band Office: 450-6477

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Appendix: Marching Band Competitions: MSBA & OMEA What are they and what’s the difference?

The marching band participates in two different types of competition, MSBA and OMEA. Both associations have slightly different rules, regulations and classifications. Although it is important to understand the way these competitions operate, it is most important to remember that the marching band is an extension of the music classroom where education is paramount. We set out each season to better ourselves by consistently improving through hard work and dedication in a music-focused team atmosphere. These competitions serve as a measuring stick for our own progress throughout the season not as a measuring stick to compare our band to other band programs. Judging can be very difficult so please keep in mind that no matter how far the judging community has come in efforts to be completely objective, there is always some subjectivity when judging the arts. Opinions, likes, and dislikes will always have some influence in judging. It is important to keep in mind that competitions are great performance opportunities for our band to show off all of the hard work the students do on a daily basis. What is most important to us is improvement from week to week, not which bands we “beat” or don’t beat. Contests, in the end, are supposed to be FUN! Below are descriptions of how MSBA and OMEA operate. Mid States Band Association (MSBA) - www.midstatesba.org The Mid States Band Association welcomes bands from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. The association is governed by a board of elected directors. Judges are trained through the Central States Judges Association. Judged categories include:

• Music Performance Ensemble (in Pressbox) - 20 points • Visual Performance Ensemble (in Pressbox) - 20 points • 2 Music General Effect - 20 points each • Visual General Effect - 20 points

These scores are added for a possible total of 100 points There are also two judges who judge percussion performance and color guard performance, but those scores do not figure into the total score. Classification is determined by the number of playing members in the band. This means that color guard and drum majors are not included in the overall number count unless they play an instrument at some point during the show. Classes are: A (1-35), AA (36-54), AAA (55-70), AAAA (71-100) and Open (101+). MSBA sponsors a championship competition each year in early November. To qualify for this event bands must compete in one local MSBA event. At MSBA Championships, bands are sorted by class at different performance sites. Up to 30 bands in a single class can compete in a preliminary competition. Once they have performed, the top ten bands, based on total score, are selected to move on to finals competition. Those ten bands perform for a second time that evening to determine the Class Champion for the year. This is the culminating event in the MSBA season.

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Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) - www.omea-ohio.org OMEA, governed by the Ohio Music Education Association, is the most common competitive circuit for bands in central Ohio. Judges are mostly retired and current Ohio band directors. Classification of bands determined by school size, in grades 10-12 only. Classes are C, B, A, and AA. WKHS is in the largest school class as AA. • Judges include: - 2 Music Judges – 90 points each then averaged - 1 Percussion Judge – 10 points - 1 Visual (Marching) Execution Judge - 50 points - 1 Visual Effect Judge – 50 points - 2 General Effect Judges- 100 points each then averaged - 2 Auxiliary Judges (color guard) – 100 points then average • These scores (excluding the auxiliary) are then totaled for 300 total points. • Awards may be given for best music, visual, general effect, percussion, color guard, grand champion (most total points), etc. • Ratings (I = Superior to V = Poor) are slightly more complicated. The overall band rating is determined by the total ratings given by each of the 7 main judges. Their individual ratings must fall in a certain point range for their caption. You need to score 80% of the points possible in a caption or higher to receive a Superior rating, so a GE score must be 80 or above, and a Music score must be 72 or above, etc. The final rating is determined by adding up all of the judges’ ratings. 7 Superiors (1s) would equal 7 points and would be a Superior rating. Any combination of ratings up to 10 points is an overall Superior Rating. • State Finals Competition - Any band receiving a Superior Rating at a local competition qualifies for the OMEA State Marching Band Finals. This event is held in late October or early November at multiple sites around the state. - At State Finals bands perform for a rating only. There are no placements or other awards.