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 & VOCABULARY
- Variety of Form, Body & Equipment
- Use of Expressive Components of Space, Time, Weight & Flow
- Staging & Spacing
- Integration with Winds & Percussion
- Use of the Color Guard Within the Overall Design
- Totality & Unity
- Visual Musicality -- Phrasing, Nuances, Support
ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH FORM, BODY & EQUIPMENT
- Demonstration & Compatibility of Training
- Clarity of Form, Body & Equipment
- Accuracy & Precision
- 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 Effect Scoring:
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REPERTOIRE
- Communication of Musical Intent
- Audio/Visual Coordination & Interpretation
- Variety of Music Effects
- Creativity & Originality
- Nuance, Artistry & Expression
- Coordination of All Musical Elements
- Pacing & Development
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PERFORMANCE
- Communication of the Musical Intent (Expression, Emotion, Etc.)
- Provide Sustained Mood -- Audience Engagement
- Demonstrate Excellence to Enhance the Program
- Demonstrate Artistic Technique & Musicianshio to Create an Effective Musical Program
Music Ensemble Scoring:
COMPOSITION
- Shaping
- Inflection
- Phrasing
- Expression
- Idiomatic Interpretation
- Depth of the Musical Challenge -- Including Simultaneous Responsibilities
- Consideration of the Totality of the Environment
ACHIEVEMENT
- Consistency of Timbre and Sonority
- Tuning of Winds & Percussion
- Unified Approach to Instrumental Technique That Produces Ensemble Sound
- Balance of Winds/Percussion
- Cohesiveness with Respect to Tempo
- Consistency of Articulation -- Vertical Alignment of the Full Ensemble
- Consideration of the Total Environment -- Simultaneous Responsibilities
Music Individual Scoring:
MUSICIANSHIP (CONTENT)
- Shaping, Inflection, Phrasing
- Expression -- Sound & Tone in a Variety of Ranges & Dynamic Levels
- Idiomatic Interpretation
- Depth of the Musical Challenge(s)
- Consideration of the Total Environment & Simultaneous Responsibilities
- Depth of the Physical Challenges
ACCURACY/TECHNIQUE (ACHIEVEMENT)
- Timing, Note Accuracy & Tuning
- Tuning & Intonation Control
- Uniformity of Articulations & Releases
- Control of Tempo & Pulse
- Control of the Environmental & Simultaneous Responsibilities
- Tone Quality/Characteristic Sound
Percussion Scoring:
TBA LATER
Visual Effect Scoring:
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REPERTOIRE
- Coordination of All Visual Elements
- Pacing -- Shaping, Contouring Over Time, Impacts, Resolutions, Etc.
- Concept -- Production Value That Supports the Concept
- Visual Musicality -- Interpretation Through Form, Body & Equipment
- Variety of Effects -- Aesthetic, Intellectual & Emotional
- Creativity & Originality
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PERFORMANCE
- Communication of Roles, Characters, Theatrics, Storytelling, Etc.
- Communication of the Concept -- Expression, Emotion, Understanding
- Demonstrate Excellence to Enhance the Program
- Ability to Provide Sustained Mood -- Audience Engagement
Visual Ensemble Scoring:
COMPOSITION
- Logical Development That Supports the Unified Plan
- Depth & Breadth -- Includes Simultaneous & Environmental Challenges
- Totality & Unity -- Integration of All Elements
- Variety in Design Which Includes Staging, Color, Sets, Etc.
- Clarity of Emphasis -- Focus
- Visual Musicality -- Reflection of the Audio, Placement of Voices
- Detail & Nuance Through Form, Body & Equipment
ACHIEVEMENT
- Demonstration of Ensemble Training -- Space, Line, Timing, Orientation, Etc.
- Demonstration of Concentration, Stamina & Recovery
- Clarity of Form, Body & Movement
- Precision Through the Ensemble
- Adherence to Style, Role, Character, Technique
Visual Individual Scoring:
RANGE OF TECHNIQUE (CONTENT)
- Demonstration of Fundamentals of Chosen Technique
- Individual Alignment & Intended Variations
- Qualities of Efforts Among Individuals (Space, Weight, Time, Flow)
- Demonstration of Principles of Balance, Posture, Weight Shifts, Etc.
- Poise, Confidence & Recovery
- Variations Among Equipment/Instrument(s)
- Demonstration of Control of Challenges in Meter and Velocity
ACHIEVEMENT
- Variety of Responsibilities
- Challenge(s) of the Visual Repetoire
- Timing & Articulation of All Choreography
- Overall Control of Form & Music
- Spacing & Alignment of Form in Small Segments
- Precision with Respect to the Challenge(s)
