Parents, please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section. Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters. We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance. Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments. This is not like concert season. A lot of applause is highly encouraged!

Many contest venues charge an admission fee. Watch for an article on our website and in the Band Buzz as an event approaches. If a website is available, it will be listed in the article so that you can get more information specific to each contest. There is no admission fee for UIL.

What is unique about a band contest is that everyone is there to see and hear their band. When parents sit together in a block of blue, our kids see that from the field and get really pumped up for the performance. At bigger competitions such as Bands of America and Sam Houston State, there will be blocks of several colors. In fact, it is sometimes a matter of pride for the parents to see who brings the biggest crowd. Hopefully you will be able to join us at our competitions this season.

University Interscholastic League

Texas is fortunate to have a countless number of strong extracurricular programs throughout the state. The governing body of many of these programs is the University Interscholastic League, or UIL. It was formed in 1910 by the University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school athletic and debate teachers. Over the last century, it has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world and now includes music, academic, and theater competitions. Classification in UIL events is based on school enrollment.

Region Marching

Region Marching Contest takes place in mid-October every year. Three judges give the band a rating of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 with 1 being the best. A consensus of two judges determines the overall rating. Therefore, if two judges give the band a 1 and the other gives the band a 4, the overall rating is a 1. In the rare instance where no two judges agree, the middle rating is what prevails. For example, a 1-2-3 is a 2.

What to DO and what NOT to DO

… attend every band competition and cheer loudly for your Charger Band.

Don’t

… stay at home on contest days and assume the students don’t need 100% of your support.

… wear your black, blue, silver and white in support of Charger Nation.

Don’t

… wear red, blue, maroon, green, or orange.

… support our friends from other schools and understand that band competitions are about recognizing high achievement.

Don’t

… boo our friends from other schools and think band competitions are where second place is the first loser.