Open Section – November 2 (morning)

The Open Section is designed to cast a wide net to serve as many ensembles as possible.  Judging will be in the open.  Participating bands will be competitive or non-competitive (band’s choice) and there will be two subsections for competing bands: Youth and Adult.  Two noted educator/conductors will serve as judges/commentators.  Section awards will also be chosen.  Literature is Own Choice but must be a minimum of 16 minutes for those bands who have chosen to compete. Instrumentation is open to any brass instrument for the Youth subsection (high school or younger). Competing adult bands (high school graduates or older) must have traditional brass band instrumentation. Timing of the performance will be from downbeat to cut off of each piece performed.  A 30 minute stage time will be allotted each band.  Each band performing in the Open Section will receive a 40 minute clinic following their performance from rotating clinicians.  Each judge will record real time audio files.

Championship Section – November 2 (afternoon)

Judging will be three adjudicators in the balcony of the auditorium behind a screen in secret as at NABBA.  A fourth judge will adjudicate section awards in the open in the lower bowl of the auditorium.  No communication will be allowed between judges.  Literature is Own Choice but must be a minimum of 20 minutes. Timing of the performance will be from the 1^st note of music to cut off of each piece performed.  A 35 minute stage time is allotted each band with timing to begin when the 1^st player steps on the performance area of the stage.  Timing ceases when the last brass member exits the stage. Bands must have traditional brass band instrumentation. Each judge will record real time audio files.  Awards will be directly following the close of the Championship Section competition by 5 pm.

Participation fee: $400

Venue – Performing Arts Center at Ritenour High School.

9100 Saint Charles Rock Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63114