MBDA - Fall 2024 Judging Manual by mghihp

Philosophy and Sheets

Judges Code of Conduct: Page 3

Social Media Policy Page 4

Contest Details: Page 5

Overview of Scoring System: Pages 6-8

Fall 2024 Sheets Page 9

• Music Analysis/Drum Major

• Music Effect/Drum Major

• Ensemble Visual

• Visual Effect

• Percussion

• Colorguard

JUDGES CODE OF CONDUCT

Judges for MBDA are expected to accept and act in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined within this Code of Conduct.

By the acceptance of an assignment, judges agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. A failure to adhere to the code of conduct may subject the judge to revocation of all remaining assignments. MBDA also reserves the right to remove said judge from future work with MBDA.

MBDA will not tolerate conduct that impacts negatively on the organization, either in terms of a judge’s individual work performance, workplace safety, or the interests and image of MBDA. All judges must consider themselves as an ambassador of MBDA. You are not only expected to uphold all policies yourself, but to help remind others of them when necessary.

Further, MBDA reserves the right to discipline, discharge or suspend any judge who engages in or is alleged to have engaged in unlawful activity outside the workplace to the extent consistent with applicable law.

Our reputation depends on the conduct of all judges. All those judging for MBDA must play a part in maintaining that reputation to the highest ethical standards. Good manners, courtesy, and common sense are generally all that is required to ensure appropriate conduct and behavior. Conduct or language that could be perceived by a reasonable person as being rude, inappropriate, abusive, disorderly, derogatory, immoral, or threatening will not be tolerated.

HARRASSMENT

Behavior that may be considered inappropriate or may be deemed as harassment is not allowed. Harassment refers to a wide spectrum of offensive behavior. When the term is used in a legal sense, it refers to behaviors that can be found to be threatening or disturbing, and beyond those that are sanctioned by society. Conduct that creates a hostile working environment is prohibited. Such conduct may include:

• Repeated unwanted sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions

• Verbal abuse of a sexual nature

• Verbal comments about an individual’s body

• Sexually degrading words used to describe an individual

• Unwanted physical contact

• Any other behavior that is not socially acceptable in a professional environment

Any judge who is found after an appropriate investigation to have harassed another judge, volunteer, performer, or patron of MBDA will be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions, including dismissal or suspension.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Judges for MBDA will abide by the following Social Media Policy (this mimics the MJA Policy).

POLICY

This policy provides guidance for members use of social media, which should be broadly understood for purposes of this policy to include blogs, wikis, microblogs, message boards, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and other sites and services that permit users to share information with others in a contemporaneous manner.

PROCEDURES

The following principles apply to professional use of social media on behalf of MBDA Judges as well as personal use of social media when referencing MBDA.

• MBDA Judges need to know and adhere to MBDA’s Code of Conduct, found in this manual.

• Judges should be aware of the effect their actions may have on their images, as well as MBDA’s image. The information that members post or publish may be public information for a long time.

• Judges should be aware that MBDA may observe content and information made available by judges through social media. Judges should use their best judgment in posting material that is neither inappropriate nor harmful to MBDA, its members, or the groups that we serve.

• Although not an exclusive list, some specific examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content, or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or that can create a hostile judging environment.

• Judges are not to publish, post or release any information that is considered confidential or not public. If there are questions about what is considered confidential, they should check with the Chief Judge who will consult the MBDA Board.

• Social media networks, blogs and other types of online content sometimes generate press and media attention or legal questions. Judges should refer these inquiries to the Chief Judge who will consult the MBDA Board.

• If a judge encounters a situation while using social media that threatens to become antagonistic, they should disengage from the dialogue in a polite manner and seek the advice of the Chief Judge who will consult the MBDA Board

• Judges should get appropriate permission before you refer to or post images of current or former judges, groups that we service, or our circuit partners. Additionally, judges should get appropriate permission to use a third party's copyrights, copyrighted material, trademarks, service marks or other intellectual property.

• Social media use shouldn't interfere with a judge’s responsibilities in MBDA.

• Online activity that violates MBDA’s Code of Conduct or any other association policy may subject a judge to disciplinary action, loss of judging certification, or removal from the MBDA judging roster.

• If a judge publishes online content that involves work or subjects associated with MBDA, a disclaimer should be used, such as this: “The postings on this site are my own and may not represent MBDA’s positions, strategies or opinions.

CONTEST DETAILS

Contest reminders will always be sent via email one week before an assignment.

Report time will always be one hour before the show start time. Show schedules can always be found on the MBDA website at: https://www.mebda.org/home.

Dress code will always be business casual. No jeans are allowed. Be sure to prepare for varying climates as temperatures are typically cooler in Maine. You will be given an MBDA judging badge, so please be sure to wear it at every MBDA show.

Recordings/Scoring: Personal phones using Competition Suite are used by MBDA for commentary and scoring. In emergencies, digital recorders will be provided. A show worksheet will be provided for your convenience. Use the provided show worksheet for your own personal reference and as a back-up confirmation for the tabulators in case of any technical issues or discrepancies.

Critiques are held for all groups at each show except for the Finals. Critiques will run in order of appearance. We will have two groups in at a time – split by all music/percussion judges and visual/color guard judges. Each group will get 5 minutes with each of those groups of judges.

There will always be a chief judge assigned to each show. All judging questions/concerns should be directed to that person. Also, the chief judge is responsible for assigning a timekeeper for the critique.

MARCHING BAND

A review of the Scoring System

For Marching Band

Information Included:

Overview of the Scoring System

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Music Analysis/Drum Major

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Music Effect/Drum Major

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Ensemble Visual

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Visual Effect

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Percussion

Sheet and Criteria for Judging Color Guard

AN OVERVIEW OF THE 2024

MARCHING BAND SCORING SYSTEM

The evaluation system is designed to assist groups with the training and development of the students as they grow throughout the course of the season. The five-tiered scoring system provides criteria designed to reward the groups through this process and is applied to all groups similarly. Each band will be evaluated independently of one another and have no relativity regarding scoring. It is important that this concept is understood by judges, directors, instructors, and students.

One judge evaluates Music Analysis/Drum Major. Music Analysis/Drum Major scoring embodies all aspects of Content and Achievement. It credits Content (What) with respect to the quality of the orchestration, depth of design, visual musicality, variety, and unity of design and the Achievement (How) by individuals and small groups with respect to the active demonstration of skills in all facets of the musical performance. Drum Major is also evaluated by this judge and credits quality of conducting technique and musicality.

One judge evaluates Music Effect/Drum Major. Music Effect/Drum Major scoring embodies all aspects of Design Effect and Performer Effect. It credits Design Effect (What) with respect to coordination, creativity, pacing, concept, and range of effects , and the Performer Effect (How) by the performers for their ability to bring the program to life.

One judge evaluates Ensemble Visual. Ensemble Visual scoring embodies all aspects of Composition and Excellence. It credits Composition (What) with respect to the quality of orchestration, depth of design, visual musicality, variety, and unity of design and the Excellence (How) by the ensemble with respect to the active demonstration of skills in all facets of the visual presentation .

One judge evaluates Visual Effect. Visual Effect scoring embodies all aspects of Design Effect and Performer Effect. It credits Design Effect (What) with respect to the substantive development of Design thoughts and concepts by the design team and their effectiveness, and the Performer Effect (How) by the performers for their ability to bring the program to life.

One judge evaluates Percussion. Percussion scoring embodies all aspects of Content and Achievement. It credits Content (What) with respect to quality of orchestration, depth of design, visual musicality, variety, and unity of design, and the Achievement (How) by individuals and small groups with respect to the active demonstration of skills in all facets of the percussion performance.

One judge evaluates Color Guard. Color Guard scoring embodies all aspects of Vocabulary and Achievement. It credits Vocabulary (What) with respect to appropriate vocabulary in relation

to performer ability, range of artistic expression, range of form and orientation, range of meter and tempo, simultaneous responsibilities, musicality/interpretation/enhancement and the Achievement (How) and active demonstration of skills in all facets of the visual presentation.

The Chief Judge coordinates the efforts of all evaluators at each show and serves in a coordinating role on the field to maintain pacing of the show and a safe environment for all performers.

You will find copies of all sheets on the following pages.

Below are the box designations. Box designations would apply to all captions. Along with a star rating, a numeric rating is now also assigned . The numeric rating will be used by the unit to monitor their growth over the course of the season and will NOT be announced during awards. Only the final star ratings will be announced. It is important to remember that the numeric rating is to be used for each group independently and is not to be used as method to “compare” groups. Remember, this is NOT a competition. It is an individual group evaluation of each group with an evaluation assigned. Groups must be encouraged to use numeric ratings for their own growth and development and NOT to compare their performances to any other group.

Along with box descriptors, we have added a 4th line of “Learning Steps” that can be referred to when assigning your rating for a group. The hope is that your commentary will match the rating that you assign by using language that is applicable to the box assignment that you choose.

Also note : as of Fall 2023, a group must match 75% of the box descriptors to enter that box.

Fall 2024 Sheets

A Unit must

match 75%

of the box descriptors to enter that box.

Numeric ratings are used to indicate box placement for monitoring growth and readiness for advancement within a box or movement to a new box.

NUMERIC RATINGS ARE NOT TO BE SHARED OR COMPARED

Show/Unit Name:

MUSIC ANALYSIS DRUM

MAJOR

Emphasis shall be placed on the content and the achievement of excellence by individuals and small groups with respect to the active demonstration of technical skills in all facets of the musical performance. Evaluate the entire performance.

For the evaluation reference chart listed below, Line 2 represents Box Descriptors and Line 4 represents Learning Steps.

(What)

 QUALITY OF THE ORCHESTRATION

 DEPTH OF DESIGN

 VISUAL MUSICALITY

 VARIETY

 UNITY OF DESIGN

Achievement (How)

 EXCELLENT AND TECHNIQUE  METER, PULSE, AND TEMPO CONTROL  ENSEMBLE CONTROL  ADHERENCE TO STYLE/ROLE

 PRESENCE

 RECOVERY

Drum Major

 QUALITY OF CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE AND MUSICALITY

o CONSIDER CLARITY AND ACCURACY OF CONDUCTING PATTERNS, APPROPRIATENESS OF STYLE, AND MUSICALITY OF CONDUCTING.

MUSIC ANALYSIS

Content (What) Achievement (How)

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 QUALITY OF THE ORCHESTRATION - To what extent does the written program craft and utilize a combination of design choices such as careful staging of voices, props, colors, and students to create events over time?

o Horizontal Orchestration – The logical progression of ideas.

o Vertical Orchestration - The layering of events within the design progression.

 DEPTH OF DESIGN – To what extent does the written program exhibit care, refinement, and attention to detail over time?

 VISUAL MUSICALITY – To what extent is there a reflection or enhancement to the musical structure such as phrases, dynamics, accents, etc.?

 VARIETY – To what degree does the written program afford the performers a number or range of skills that are different or distinct in character or quality?

 UNITY OF DESIGN – To what degree does the written program display a purposeful agreement among the elements of design?

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 EXCELLENCE AND TECHNIQUE – To what degree of precision do the performers achieve with respect to the challenges and responsibilities placed upon them?

 METER, PULSE, AND TEMPO CONTROL – To what degree of precision do the performers display accuracy and timing of feet and/or body, equipment, and/or choreography?

 ENSEMBLE CONTROL – To what degree is the ensemble (performers) able to maintain accuracy, clarity, and control with respect to space, time, and line?

 ADHERENCE TO STYLE/ROLE – To what degree do the performers apply a consistent application of a chosen style or role(s)?

 PRESENCE – To what degree are the performers able to elevate the written program beyond technical accuracy?

 RECOVERY – To what degree are the performers able to make timely and appropriate adjustment to inconsistencies in the presentation?

A Unit must match 75% of the box descriptors to enter that box.

Numeric ratings are used to indicate box placement for monitoring growth and readiness for advancement within a box or movement to a new box.

NUMERIC RATINGS ARE NOT TO BE SHARED OR COMPARED

Show/Unit Name:

MUSIC EFFECT DRUM MAJOR

Design Effect (What)

 COORDINATION OF AUDIO/VISUAL

 CREATIVITY/IMAGINATION & ORIGINALITY

 PACING OF PLANNED EFFECTS

 PROGRAM CONCEPT & PRODUCTION QUALITY

 RANGE & VARIETY OF EFFECTS

Performer Effect (How)

 DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE AS AN EFFECT

 EMBODIED/SUSTAINED IDENTITY

 ESTABLISHED/SUSTAINED CONNECTION TO THE AUDIENCE

 PERFORMERS ABILITY TO DELIVER & SUSTAIN EFFECTS

Drum Major

 CONDUCTING EFFECTIVENESS

 CONSIDER APPROPRIATE AND ACCURATE CONTROL OF THE BAND, PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE, AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.

MUSIC EFFECT

Design Effect (What) Performer Effect (How)

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 COORDINATION OF AUDIO/VISUAL - To what degree is there integration between the audio and visual throughout the written program?

 CREATIVITY & ORIGINALITY – To what degree is there uniqueness and imagination integrated into the written program?

 PACING OF PLANNED EFFECTS – To what degree does the written program generate effect over time?

 PROGRAM CONCEPT & PRODUCTION QUALITY – To what degree do the costumes, choice of color, equipment choices, props, staging, etc. enhance the written program and lead to the full realization of the concept?

 RANGE & VARIETY OF EFFECTS – To what degree does the written program include a diversity of events using emotional, intellectual, and/or aesthetic design choices?

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE AS AN EFFECT – To what degree do the performers elevate the written program through achievement?

 EMBODIED/SUSTAINED IDENTITY – To what degree do the performers offer strength of role(s) and identity(ies) to elevate the written program?

 ESTABLISHED/SUSTAINED CONNECTION TO THE AUDIENCE – To what degree do the performers communicate with and elicit an emotional response from the audience through time?

 PERFORMERS ABILITY TO DELIVER & SUSTAIN EFFECTS – To what degree do the performers successfully embody their responsibilities to achieve and maintain effective moments through time?

A Unit must match 75% of the box descriptors to enter that box.

Numeric ratings are used to indicate box placement for monitoring growth and readiness for advancement within a box or movement to a new box.

NUMERIC RATINGS ARE NOT TO BE SHARED OR COMPARED

Show/Unit Name:

Credit the Orchestration and Quality of the Composition with respect to form, body, and equipment and the Achievement of Excellence by the ensemble. Emphasis is to be placed on the active demonstration of skills in all facets of the visual presentation. Evaluate the entire performance. It is important that all performers have sufficient training to support the Composition.

For the evaluation reference chart listed below, Line 2 represents Box Descriptors and Line 4 represents Learning Steps.

Composition (What)

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 Horizontal Orchestration – The logical progression of ideas.

 Vertical Orchestration - The layering of events within the design progression.

 DEPTH OF DESIGN – To what extent does the written program exhibit care, refinement, and attention to detail over time?

 VISUAL MUSICALITY – To what extent is there a reflection or enhancement to the musical structure such as phrases, dynamics, accents, etc.?

 VARIETY – To what degree does the written program afford the performers a number or range of skills that are different or distinct in character or quality?

 UNITY OF DESIGN – To what degree does the written program display a purposeful agreement among the elements of design?

Excellence (How)

Consider how the following factors, individually and in totality, apply to this unit when assigning your rating.

 EXCELLENCE AND TECHNIQUE – To what degree of precision do the performers achieve with respect to the challenges and responsibilities placed upon them?

 METER, PULSE, AND TEMPO CONTROL – To what degree of precision do the performers display accuracy and timing of feet and/or body, equipment, and/or choreography?

 ENSEMBLE CONTROL – To what degree is the ensemble (performers) able to maintain accuracy, clarity, and control with respect to space, time, and line?

 ADHERENCE TO STYLE/ROLE – To what degree do the performers apply a consistent application of a chosen style or role(s)?

 PRESENCE – To what degree are the performers able to elevate the written program beyond technical accuracy?

 RECOVERY – To what degree are the performers able to make timely and appropriate adjustment to inconsistencies in the presentation?

A Unit must match 75% of the box descriptors to enter that box.

Numeric ratings are used to indicate box placement for monitoring growth and readiness for advancement within a box or movement to a new box.

NUMERIC RATINGS ARE NOT TO BE SHARED OR COMPARED

Show/Unit Name:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the program and its achievement. Credit the substantive development of intellectual, aesthetic, and emotional factors by the design team. Reward the performers for their ability to bring the program to life. Evaluate the entire performance. For the evaluation reference chart listed below, Line 2 represents Box Descriptors and Line 4 represents Learning Steps.

Design Effect (What)

 COORDINATION OF AUDIO/VISUAL

 CREATIVITY/IMAGINATION & ORIGINALITY

 PACING OF PLANNED EFFECTS

 PROGRAM CONCEPT & PRODUCTION QUALITY

 RANGE & VARIETY OF EFFECTS

Performer Effect (How)

 DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE AS AN EFFECT

 EMBODIED/SUSTAINED IDENTITY

 ESTABLISHED/SUSTAINED CONNECTION TO THE AUDIENCE

 PERFORMERS ABILITY TO DELIVER & SUSTAIN EFFECTS

VISUAL EFFECT