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The Judge's Box |
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Question: How can it be fair for a small band to
compete against a large band? |
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Answer: Since KMEA switched last year to classes
based on school enrollment, this has been a hot topic. Actually, I
think Kentucky is one of the few states where you regularly see the
smaller bands being very competitive with the larger groups. When
evaluating music or visual performance, keep in mind that those
adjudicators are constantly sampling not only the entire ensemble
but smaller groups as well (sections, individuals, etc. depending
upon their vantage point). If a band with 30 members is showcasing
the same range of responsibilities as a band with 160 members (and
assuming the level of excellence is consistent among the two), you
would expect those two groups to score very similar in those
captions. Within the effect captions, it’s all about the packaging
as well as the performance level. I’ve seen some programs from
smaller units that have been brilliantly designed to take advantage
of that particular group’s strengths and level of talent. I’ve also
seen larger groups that have not utilized design elements well and
frankly have had mediocre performance levels at best. In the end,
it all ties back to the criteria on the sheet. If a small band is
achieving at a certain level of criteria and a large band isn’t,
then by all means the smaller group should score higher.
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the Staff, Students, Alumni, Parents and Fans of
Kentucky School Bands. |
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