Sanctioning
To
hold a sanctioned Western United States Pipe Band Association drum major
contest first contact WUSPBA for sanctioning at: sanctioning@wuspba.org.,or
go to the WUSPBA's
web site sanctioning page for contest sponsor information. Fees
and required forms for contest sponsors are posted on the sanctioning
page.
Competition
Categories
WUSPBA
sanctioned competitions offer two categories for drum major competitions
: Adult / Open, and Juvenile Under 18 years of age.
A
Competition Field
Drum
major contests are typically held on a flat and level grass field that
is mowed short, think baseball field. The field should be at
least 120 ft long by at least 25 ft wide, and there should be no
trees overhanging the course. If no grass field is available contests
may be held on the pavement provided the dimensions are correct. For
the safety of competitors the field must be free of holes, large rocks,
and debris. It is recommended the competition not be held adjacent to
other events for example: pipe band, athletics, or dancing competitions
as this may be distracting to the drum majors. The contest audience
members should be kept back a few feet from the competition area, do
not want to be accidentally struck by a flourishing mace.
COMPETITION
COURSE DIAGRAM
A
Pipe Band
Drum
Major competitions are performed with a pipe band playing a 6/8 march
for the contest. The band chosen to play for the contest should be a
grade three or better or a strong grade 4 band, the band will have to
play for several heats of drum major competitor's and must be able to
play a 6/8 march several times in a row.
Judge
WUSPBA
provides an officially approved panel of judges whom have been vetted
and credential by WUSPBA. WUSPBA sanctioned competitions must
use a WUSPBA approved judge. Only one adjudicator is needed for a drum
major contest. You will find the panel of WUSPBA judges listed
at:
http://www.wuspba.org/judging/WUSPBA-DM-Judges-2010.pdf
Score sheets
are provided by WUSPBA. Judging fees are determined by the
games or negotiated with the judge.
How
is a drum major competition organized?
Drum
major contests are competed in two sections: a dress inspection, and
a performance section. Drum major competitions therefore only require
two time slots for the entire competition: a dress inspection
time, and a competition time. No individual time slots for competitors
are needed. The inspection time should be held no sooner than forty
five minutes before the competition time slot. The earlier time for
inspection allows the judge ample time for dress inspection and will
allow the competitors time to practice after the inspection.
Awards
Usually
only the top three competitors receive awards in both categories. The
awards may be trophies or medals, typically trophies are given out,
and prize money is awarded to the Adult / Open winners, typical amounts
are: first place $100.00, second place $75, and $50 for third place.
A games sponsor my award larger amounts of prize money if they choose
too.
