POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Eligibility
Participation is open to any Nebraska band whose band director is a current member of NSBA. Membership dues and application form may accompany the Festival Application and fee. (Separate checks are necessary.) Each competing band member must be a properly enrolled, full-time student at the school represented by the band, or a student at the feeder school of the participating high school.

• Penalty: No NSBA Membership. Voided application and entry fee returned.

Classification
Schools shall be divided into five classes with classification based on the enrollment in grades nine, ten and eleven according to the enrollment figures submitted to the Department of Education on the last Friday of September of the preceding school year. This is the NSAA Classification method.
Class D..................0-74 Students
Class C.............. 75-150 Students
Class B............ 151-300 Students
Class A ............301-600 Students
Class AA...........601+ Students

Bands must perform in the class their enrollment dictates. Bands will not be allowed to move up or down in classification.

Entry Options
Bands will have the opportunity to enter as “Festival Class” or “Competitive Class”. Entry will have no bearing on performance order. Judges will not be made aware of classification.

Those bands entered as “Festival Class” will have their numerical scores in each sub-caption converted to a corresponding division rating and entered as such on the recap. These ratings will be used in a formula to determine the overall division rating, similar to district music contests. Those scores will not be made public, or distributed to the director and only held at the AA class level by the marching chair to determine seeding for the following year. “Festival Class” bands will be eligible for division trophies only.

Those bands entering “Competitive Class” will have their numbers recorded on the recap and be eligible for division trophies, caption awards and placement awards.

Fee
The entry fee is $150.00. The NSBA Executive Board will set the fee.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: NEBRASKA STATE BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION.

No refunds will be given for any reason.

• Penalty: Fee must accompany applications or application will not be accepted.

 

 

Application
The application deadline will be set each year by the Marching Chairperson. An email will be sent to acknowledge the proper arrival of the application materials and entry form.

• Penalty:

Schools with incomplete entry information/fees/or copyright permission by the application deadline will be placed in a random drawing for the first performance block of time as established in their class.

Copyright Requirements
NSBA requires all enrolled bands to comply with copyright laws in regard to performance and/or arrangements of copyrighted music, visual images and other materials, as well as the use of copyrighted audio or spoken text, and the display of copyrighted words and images.

No band will be permitted to perform if it is not in compliance with the copyright laws of the United States. As such, each participant shall take such steps necessary to obtain and provide NSBA with evidence that it has purchased or otherwise obtained permission/license to use and arrange music performed by it, as well as any visual and/or audio images presented.

All bands must provide evidence of written permission for custom musical arrangements from the copyright holder before they will be allowed to perform in the NSBA State Marching Contest.

Special Note: Permission to Arrange is granted to specific arrangers, for specific performances, by specific bands, within a given year. If a band has gained permission to arrange in the past, it does not necessarily guarantee that permission will automatically be granted again.

• Proof of copyright compliance must be presented to the Marching Chair by two weeks before the contest or a registered letter will be sent to the director and principal stating that if copyright compliance is not competed by the end of school the Friday before the contest, the band will not be allowed to participate.

CONTEST SCHEDULING

Order of Appearance
Class AA bands will compete at one site, while the Class A-B-C-D Bands will compete at another site.

Performance order at the A-B-C-D site is by random draw, by class, with the smallest class performing first.

Performance order at the AA site will be in three evenly divided blocks, based on competitive placement from the previous year. Highest scoring bands will appear in the last block, lowest scoring bands in the first block. Once blocks are established, a random draw will occur to determine placement within each block. New AA bands to the contest will be placed in the middle block.

Schools may trade time slots within in their own time block. The marching chair must be notified. If a conflict results in a school changing to a time outside of their assigned block, the marching band chair must approve the switch, with the understanding that the next year the school will be placed again according to their score.

Schools with incomplete entry information/fees/or copyright compliance by the application deadline will be placed in a random drawing for the first performance block of time as established in their class.

The host school(s) will have the option to perform first or last, with the traveling host school receiving first preference.

Performance Times
NSBA Contests usually begin around 12:30 pm to avoid ACT or PSAT Test conflicts.

Recording
All bands will be videotaped at the NSBA State Contest. Each band will receive one free copy of their performance. Additional copies may be purchased from the contracted video company.
ADJUDICATION

Tabulation
Each band will receive a score based on a total of 100 possible points, after converting the 1000 point total by moving the decimal one place to the left. The final score is the total of the averaged music score, the averaged visual score, and the two effect scores. Point allocations for each caption are as follows:

MUSIC The Average of 200 points possible in Individual Music Performance Ballot & 300 points possible in Ensemble Music Performance Ballot.

VISUAL The Average of 200 points possible in Individual Visual Performance Ballot & 300 points possible in Ensemble Visual Performance Ballot.

EFFECT The total points earned from the 200 point Visual General Effect Ballot &
300 points from the Music General Effect Ballot.

The scoring system emphasizes Music, with a total of 55 points. Visual contributions are scored with a total of 45 points. Execution and Effect are equal with 50 points each.

Festival Class only – Once scores have been given, aggregate numbers in each sub-caption will be converted to their corresponding division ratings and totaled. As with district music contest, a lower total number is better.

The Percussion and Auxiliary judges will provide comments for each band. The judge will then assign a score for each group based on the criteria reference material found on the back of the ballot. This score is not factored into the band’s overall rating however it will appear on the recap sheet.

These numbers will be used to determine the High Guard and High Percussion awards for those bands entered in Competitive Class.

Captions
All NSBA field competitions will use approved adjudicators. At each competition, one adjudicator in each of the following captions will evaluate all bands from the indicated location.

Individual Music Performance Field Level
Ensemble Music Performance Press Box
Individual Visual Performance Field Level
Ensemble Visual Performance Press Box
Music Effect Press Box
Visual Effect Press Box
Percussion Field Level
Auxiliary Press Box
Timing and Penalty Press Box
Tabulator Press Box

Each effect adjudicator will provide comments regarding the band's performance on DVD at the state contest. The other judges will provide their comments on cassette tapes. All judges will make remarks on the aspects of their adjudication assignment for each band's performance. Both the band director and students should benefit from the commentary.

Awards
All bands will be rated and presented either a Gold Trophy for a Superior Performance, a Silver Trophy for an Excellent Performance, or a Certificate of Participation for Good, Fair and Poor Performance. Division ratings will be announced for all bands, in performance order, regardless of entry designation. No scores will be announced during the presentation of ratings.

All awards listed below will be given for each class of participation (A-B-C-D and AA)

Criteria are listed below for the two entry designations:

Division	Competitive Class (raw score)	Festival Class (total of all sub-caption division ratings)
Division I- Superior	75-100	15-22
Division II - Excellent	55-74.9	23-37
Division III - Good	45-54.9	38-52
Division IV - Fair	40-44.9	53-60
Division V - Poor	0-39.9	61+
For bands entering Competitive Class, the following awards will be announced after division ratings have been presented:
High Color Guard	High score from the Color Guard sheet
High Percussion	High score from the Percussion sheet
Best Music	High average of Ensemble Music and Individual Music
Best Marching	High average of Ensemble Visual and Individual Visual
Best Effect	High total of General Effect Music and General Effect Visual
3rd Place, 2nd Place and 1st Place will be announced, with trophies for each place. No score totals will be announced.
Recaps will be placed in director packets and be made available for distribution following the contest.

FIELD COMPETITION RULES

The NSBA Marching Band Chairman will assign a delegate to assess all penalties for rules violations. The person(s) shall be an NSBA board member or a trained designee.

Any and all penalties will be assessed based on aggregate score, prior to any conversion to festival designation.

Performance Area
The performance area will be a regulation size football field (end line to end line, and sideline to sideline), 160 feet wide by 360 feet long and lined every 5 yards. This includes the area beyond the goal line. In-set or hash marks will be marked according to the Nebraska eleven man football field guideline. College fields will have high school hash marks either painted or taped on. There are no boundary-line penalties, except for the initial field entrance and exit. Bands may cross any line at any time during their show.

Field of Performance
The Field of Performance shall be defined as the entry point to begin the 15-minute interval time, and the exit line to end the 15-minute interval time. Except for the beginning and end of the show, there will be no boundary line penalties. Band members (including drum majors) may cross any boundary line at any time, but they may NOT enter the stands or seating area for any reason. The pit area can be any place within the competition area and will not contain any specific markings or designations.

Performers
All aspects of the field show performance must be performed by students. No adult activity during the performance may contribute directly to the music or visual program.

Exceptions:
• Adults may conduct the band at any time during the performance, outside the boundary of the actual football field.
• Adults may set up and take down equipment before and after the performance.
• Adults must be clear of the Performance Field for the duration of the Performance.
This includes backfield and those assisting in setting props or equipment.

Penalty: Minimum penalty five-points, maximum, disqualification.

Timing
Each band will have 15 minutes for field entry, warm-up, performance, and exit. The minimum show performance time is 5 minutes. The first note of music or the first step by a member of the band proper will start the timing of your performance. Judging will begin immediately following the introduction of the band and cease at the conclusion of the band's performance. The 15-minute interval time begins when the band crosses the entry line as designated in the following section, and end when all members, equipment and props cross the exit line as defined in the following section. (Judges are advised to not judge the band's exit.)

• Penalty: Interval time in excess of 15 minutes will result in 2.5 points deducted from the total score for the first second over and 0.1 point per second thereafter. Less than five minutes performance time will result in 2.5 points deducted from the total score for the first second under and 0.1 point per second thereafter. Points are deducted from the possible 100-point total.

 

Field Entrance
Entry to the field of performance, designated as the entry point to begin the 15-minute interval time, shall be the goal line or the plane of the goal line extended to the stands. The entry point for pit, stationary percussion, or sideline guard equipment shall be the 10-yard line. The entry point for large props (anything that would obscure the view of the audience) shall be the goal line or the plane of the goal line extended to the stands. No portion of the ensemble may cross the entry line prior to the signal from the field manager. No equipment, props or pit, will be allowed to move past the plane of the 10-yard line, (entry boundary line for sideline equipment), until the 15-minute interval time begins.

Once the 15-minute time interval has begun, all portions of the performing group, including staff and performing members may enter the performance field from the entry point or backside. No competing band member with the exception of the front line percussion, posted wind instruments, or performers presetting equipment shall enter the field of performance from the front with the intent to perform, as this area is reserved for the removal and set-up of pit, stationary percussion, props, and color guard equipment.

The 10-yard line entry boundary line for pit percussion, etc. may be adjusted in different performance venues. For a specific site, NSBA may require modifications to the band’s entrance or exit routines. Site-specific information (field markings, entrance and exit areas, etc.) will be provided to participants approximately one month before the contest.

• Penalty: Any band not in compliance with the field entry rules will be assessed a (5) five-point penalty.

Field Exit
The exit boundary line to end the 15-minute time interval will be the goal line or the plane of the goal line extended to the stands. All portions of the ensemble must cross the exit boundary line prior to the end of the 15-minute interval time. Once the interval time has ended, all portions of the performing group including all performing members, equipment and props must be across the exit line, or goal line. (the goal line being used for and in the direction of the exit) All playing of any kind (including percussion) must stop once the Field of Performance is vacated or the goal line is crossed.

• Penalty: Any band not in compliance with the field exit rules will be assessed a (5) five-point penalty.

Performance Procedure
Bands will begin their performance in increments of 15 minutes. With a lapsed time of 13:30 (13 min., 30 sec.) of the previous band’s performance, the next band to perform will leave the pre-staging area and be staged behind the entry point. (goal line or plane of the goal line extended to the stands) ready to enter the performance field at the beginning of their 15 minute time interval. All performers, including any members or stagehands used for on field staging of equipment during the performance must enter as described in the field entrance.

Introduction
The 15-minute time interval begins when any portion of the band crosses the entry boundary line. It is possible that the announcer might be reading the optional announcement of the exiting band while the next band is entering the field. The official introduction for the next band should be read by the announcer on a cue given by the field manager from the drum major or band director.

“Joining us from __________, Nebraska… please welcome the __________ High School Marching Band!”
(pause for audience response and wait for a cue from the field manager before proceeding)

“Their musical selections include the following:”
(Announcer reads their selections)
If the drum majors are going to salute, it should occur no later than when the announcer says:

“The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association is proud to present in competition
Drum Majors __________ and__________ and the ________High School Marching ‘nickname.’”

A drum major salute is not necessary to indicate that the band is ready to start. Adjudication will begin immediately following the announcement as listed above.

 

Equipment
Dropped equipment of any kind will not be penalized. A band member, NSBA official, or judge may retrieve equipment, without penalty to the band.

Off-road mechanized vehicles (defined as golf carts, garden tractors, ATV All-Terrain-Vehicles, etc.) will be allowed to pull equipment trailers for set up and take down unless prohibited by an individual site. A protective bib must be rigged underneath the vehicle so no fluids drop to the turf. Pick-up trucks or similar vehicles are not permitted.

The following are NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME:
- Pyrotechnics of any kind, including fireworks, discharge of arms, or any hazardous materials that may cause damage, present a safety hazard, remain on the field after the conclusion of the band’s performance or disrupt the scheduled flow of the contest.
- Lights-out routines
- Animals
- Hazardous equipment or illegal use of equipment.

The following are NOT ALLOWED in stadiums with ARTIFICIAL TURF:
- Powder, glitter, or any material that may damage or affect the artificial turf (“carpet”)
- Props that leave excessive residue (paper wrappings, etc.)

• Penalty: Minimum 5 points, maximum, at the discretion of contest director, up to disqualification.

Props
All props and equipment must be designed and be of a quantity so that they may be brought into the Performance Area from the band entrance gate during the band’s normal set up time. In order to minimize distraction from the preceding band’s performance, props and equipment may not be preset anywhere in the Performance Area prior to the beginning of the band’s 15-minute time interval. No pre-staging in loading docks, stadium tunnels, stadium corridors, or other stadium areas will be allowed. Following the end of the band’s performance, all props and equipment must be in continuous movement until entirely removed from the stadium. No post-staging in loading docks, stadium tunnels, stadium corridors, or other stadium areas will be allowed.

American Flag
Use of the American Flag is optional. It is the director's responsibility to see that proper flag etiquette, as outlined in the American Legion Manual for Flag Etiquette, is shown at all times.

• Penalty: Any display of the flag not in keeping with the American Legion Manual for Flag Etiquette will draw a penalty from the contest director. Use of the American Flag is optional. It is the Director's responsibility to see that proper flag etiquette, as outlined in the American Legion Manual for Flag Etiquette, is shown at all times. Minimum penalty 5 points, maximum, disqualification.

Unsportsmanlike Behavior
The contest director will penalize any band exhibiting extraordinary behavior that results in the disruption of the contest proceedings, for such exhibition.

• Penalty: Minimum penalty 5 points, maximum, disqualification.

Practice
All pre-show warm-ups should be done in the prescribed areas, or far enough away from the stadium so as not to interfere with the performance of another band.

• Penalty: After one warning, musical warm-up, or any sound disrupting a competing band or the adjudication of a band, will result in a 5-point penalty.

 

Communication with Judges

Competing band directors may contact the Starter/Timer or the Contest Director. Directors may not contact any judge during the competition, except when they are in critiquing sessions.

• Penalty: A 5-point penalty will be assessed any band if the director contacts a judge during the Competition.

Announcement of Ratings With Penalty
The Director of a band being assessed a penalty shall be informed prior to the awards ceremony of the penalty infraction and the penalty assessed. No discussion will be allowed. Bands receiving a lowered division rating as a result of a penalty will be announced as follows:

____________________High School - Penalty assessed, Division_____, _______________.

Electronic Equipment
All electronically produced music must be “live” and played in “real time” by a student. Performing students must operate any electronic equipment used to balance and project sound. All other (“prerecorded/sequenced”) music, whether instrumental or vocal, may not be used.

Sounds other than music, such as narration or sound effects, may be prerecorded and used without penalty. Any prerecorded sounds used that are copyrighted must have permission obtained for their use, similar to copyright considerations for music. Evidence of such authority must be included on the Music Information Form required for your participation.

NSBA takes no responsibility for supplying power. If available, site host will provide an electrical outlet at front center field with an extension cord to reach the field, however if power is available it will be used at the band’s own risk!

Awards Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony at the conclusion of the NSBA State Marching Contest will be a “Drum Majors/Guard Captain, in uniform, only retreat.” Directors will not participate. The only exception will be during the recognition of the directors receiving 20-year plaques, when directors are invited to the field. All of the other competing band members must be in the stands or on the track away from the area where the awards are being given.

DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES, Students will not be permitted to “storm” or run onto the field at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.

Penalty: Bands with students who run on the field following the awards ceremony will not be eligible to enter the NSBA State Marching Contest the following year.