Directors
Seasons
USBands Marching has grown to become the largest competitive marching band circuit in the nation, delivering the best venues, adjudicators and overall educational experience in the marching arts. Each fall more than 600 schools participate in over 120 local, regional, state and national marching competitions in the country's most exciting venues.
Fall Marching Championships
USBands Regional Championships are held throughout the regions in which USBands is currently active. A Regional Championship is composed of up to 50 competing bands and is usually held at a college or professional football facility. Bands competing at a USBands Regional Championship are evaluated by an excellent panel of adjudicators who communicate information on design and execution to band directors and instructors for use in further developing the program.
USBands State Championships are held near the end of the season, based in part on stadium availability. In past years, State Championships have been held in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Bands in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island compete in the New England State Championships, and bands from over a half-dozen states often end their season at the Southern States Championships in Chattanooga, TN.
USBands National Championships are held in mid-November in three separate events. Over 150 bands perform over the course of three days at the A Class National Championships, Open Class National Championships, and National Championship: Western Edition. The A Class Championships are traditionally held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa., and the Open Class Championships take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The National Championship: Western Edition takes place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, TX.
How-To Series for Marching Band
Some of the finest composers, designers, teachers and musicians will share their expertise in creating every aspect of a marching band program. From music and visual design, to guard and percussion design, we will set you up for success in designing your own shows. Each subject has three levels of instruction that starts with the fundamentals and ends with the making of a champion. Rounding out the series is a complete student leadership program that will prepare your leadership team for the upcoming school year. Whether you have a brand new leader or a returning senior, they have all your bases covered.
Online Judging via e-Adjudicate
We have re-imagined judging for the 21st century by offering ensembles a chance to be evaluated by professionals in a virtual environment. Members of USBands receive one free upload.
USBands Indoor was established in 2010 to serve various disciplines including marching, standstill and concert percussion ensembles, as well as winter color guard programs. Primarily focused on scholastic programs, USBands Indoor has expanded to allow independent ensembles of all proficiency levels to perform and compete.
Winter Indoor Classification
USBands, like many other indoor circuits, offers a variety of classifications based on skill level and program design in an effort to best serve our member units and the performers.
For assistance in placing your unit accurately and setting every program up for success, we advise all directors to review classification.
Questions about classification can be directed to USBands at sking@usbands.org.
Advocacy
USBands has many strategic partners who support music education across the nation:
- NAfME: The National Association for Music Education
- NAMM Foundation: National Association of Music Merchants