Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association

The Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA) was a governing body and summer high school marching band competition circuit based in the Upper Midwest.[1]

Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association
AbbreviationMACBDA
Formation1972; 52 years ago (1972)
PurposeSummer high school marching band competition circuit.
Region
Midwestern United States

The circuit's competitive season traditionally began in June, and previously included field, parade, and concert band competitions hosted throughout the Midwestern United States. Beginning in 2008, almost all competitive events were hosted in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and were limited to field band competitions with occasional parade band presentations.[2]

The most recent circuit championship was at Perkins Stadium, in Whitewater, Wisconsin on July 14, 2019.[3] The association had twenty-five member bands in 2008, but only five remained active as of July 2018.[4][5] Competitions were not held in 2020–21 due to the Covid pandemic. As of the 2022 season, the association has not scheduled any competitions.

About

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MACBDA was founded in 1972 by a group of high school band directors who wished to develop a summer competition circuit, similar to competitive junior drum corps.[4] A summer season was preferable, as average autumn temperatures in the Midwest are often considered too cold for marching bands to perform successfully.

The circuit hosted member bands from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.[citation needed] Prior to 1991, bands competed in three activities; concert band, parade, and field band.[citation needed] As of July 2018, only five field bands remained active members of the circuit.[5]

Governance

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The circuit was governed by a two executive officers, a President and Vice President.[6] It is unclear how the circuit was organized, whether it be as a public benefit nonprofit corporation or as an unincorporated entity, or in which state the circuit was registered. MACBDA was not an IRS 501(c) tax exempt organization.

Archive and past scores

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No official archive of MACBDA's proceedings exists and very few caption recaps or scores have been preserved from past competitions. The official website only listed score summaries for the current year’s competitions, and no recaps.

Some score summaries can be recovered via the Internet Archive, or via fansites such as Marching.com.[7]

Membership

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Competing bands were often attached to high school band programs, and supported by band booster clubs. Other bands were supported by nonprofit organizations and accepted performers from multiple schools or communities. All band members were required to be enrolled in high school, and were eligible to compete the summer following graduation.[a] However, bands that pre-dated the founding of the circuit could accept members up to age 21.[citation needed]

Members as of 2021

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Unit Sponsor Location
Lighthouse Brigade of Racine Racine Unified School District (formerly)[8] Racine, Wisconsin
Sound of Sun Prairie Sun Prairie High School / Sun Prairie Band Boosers[9] Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Green Beret Marching Band[10] Janesville, Wisconsin
Rock River Concord Fort Atkinson High School[11] Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Columbus Saints Drum and Bugle Corps Saints Performing Arts, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Former members

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Unit Sponsor Location
Band of the Black Watch Kenosha Unified School District[12] Kenosha, Wisconsin
Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts Bishop Grandin High School Calgary, Alberta
Blackhawk Brigade Prairie du Chien High School Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Calgary Stampede Showband Calgary Marching Showband Association[13] Calgary, Alberta
Crimson Express Murphysboro High School[14] Murphysboro, Illinois
CYO Emerald Knights Band Catholic Youth Organization (Kenosha)[15] Kenosha, Wisconsin
Dakota Marching Indians Dakota Junior Senior High School Dakota, Illinois
Dundee Scots West Dundee, Illinois
Edmonton Ambassadors[citation needed] Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton Crusaders
Heraldry Guard[16] Crystal Lake Central High School
Crystal Lake South High School
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Hibbing Blue Jackets Hibbing High School Hibbing, Minnesota
Lena-Winslow Band Lena-Winslow High School Lena, Illinois
Lutheran Vanguard Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod[17] Appleton, Wisconsin
Newman Pride Newman Central Catholic High School Newman, Illinois
Oregon Shadow Armada Oregon High School Oregon, Wisconsin
Pride of the Lions Regina, Saskatchewan
R Troop Romeoville High School Romeoville, Illinois
Renegade Regiment Sandwich Community High School Sandwich, Illinois
Rocori Spartans Rocori High School Cold Spring, Minnesota
Saskatoon Lions Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Trojan Guard Chesterton High School Chesterton, Indiana
The Lake Band Lake Band Parents Inc. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Warren Junior Military Band Warren, Ohio
Whitnall Falcons Whitnall High School Greenfield, Wisconsin

Competitive season

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Classification

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Bands were split between A and Open classes, based on the number of performing members.[5] A third class, AA, was previously available according to results archived on Marching.com.[18]

AAA Class was removed and replaced with Open Class between 2006 and 2007.[19]

Field band adjudication

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MACBDA utilized a single-tier adjudication handbook for field band competitions. There were no adjustments or recommendations for scoring large and small bands. The annual Youth in Music Band Championships utilized the MACBDA scoring format.

Captions and rubric

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Scoring was based on two broad categories: Performance, and Effect. The categories were further divided into four reference criteria or captions, with each given a maximum value of 200 points, or up to 20 points when factored. Percussion and Auxiliary, or color guard, captions were also available, each given a maximum value of 100 points, or ten points when factored.[20] The final score was tabulated by adding all captions, less any penalties.

Captions and their maximum values were:
Category Performance + Effect = Points
Music
Music Performance (200) / 10
+
Music Effect (200) / 10
=
50.00
Percussion (100) / 10
Visual
Visual Performance (200) / 10
+
Visual Effect (200) / 10
=
50.00
Auxiliary (100) / 10
Subtotal
=
100.00
Timing & Penalties
=
- 0.00
Total
=
100.00

One adjudicator was assigned to each caption, and one each to percussion and auxiliary. An additional adjudicator was responsible for timing and penalties. In addition to a tabulator, each competition required eight personnel.

MACBDA did not have captions for drum majors, twirling teams and majorettes, or dance teams. Performance excellence by a drum major was recognized by the Effect or Performance adjudicators where appropriate. Twirlers and dance teams would fall under the responsibility of the Auxiliary adjudicator. Almost all participating bands performed with a color guard team.

Placements and awards

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Placements and total scores were announced for each class following the last band's performance. Caption awards were also announced for "High Music Execution", "High Visual Execution", "High Music General Effect", "High Visual General Effect", "High Percussion" and "High Auxiliary'. The awards recognized the highest placing band in each caption, regardless of class.

A Drum Major excellence award was also announced, but did not affect the overall score for any of the competing bands.[3]

Parade band adjudication

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Parade band adjudication fell under three captions: Marching, Effect, and Music. The two captions with the largest impact on a band's final score are Effect and Music, valued at up to 40 points each. Effect emphasizes overall ensemble performance, while music execution favors quality of tone and musical intonation.[20]

Parade competitions could have up to nine judges, three per caption. Scores are averaged within captions, and then summed.[citation needed]

Captions and their maximum values are:
Caption Points
General Effect & Showmanship (40)
40.0
Music Execution (40)
40.0
Marching & Maneuvering (20)
20.0
Subtotal
100.0
Penalties
- 0.0
Total
100.0


Past champions

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It is unclear when MACBDA championships were first hosted or which event was sanctioned as a championship prior to 1979. The following is an incomplete and unverified list of championship results:

Year A class[α] Open Class[β] Ref(s)
1972–1978 No data No data
1979[b] Heraldry Guard [21][22]
1980 Dundee Scots
1981 Dundee Scots
1982 Heraldry Guard
1983 Band of the Black Watch
1984 The Lake Band
1985 R Troop Band of the Black Watch
1986 R Troop Band of the Black Watch
1987 No data Band of the Black Watch
1988 Band of the Black Watch
Year A class[α] AA class[α] AAA Class[γ] Ref(s)
1989 Newman Pride Oregon High School Band of the Black Watch
1990[c] Dakota Marching Indians Oregon High School Sound of Sun Prairie [23]
1991 No data No data No data
1992[c] Dakota Marching Indians Pride of the Lions [24]
1993[d] No data Warren Junior Military Band [25]
1994[e] Green Beret Rocori Spartans Oregon High School [26]
1995 No data
1996 Dakota Marching Indians Edmonton Crusaders Pride of the Lions [27]
1997 Dakota Marching Indians Rocori Spartans Pride of the Lions [28]
1998 Dakota Marching Indians Rocori Spartans Sound of Sun Prairie [29]
1999 Edmonton Crusaders Rocori Spartans Sound of Sun Prairie [30]
2000 Green Beret No data Sound of Sun Prairie [31]
2001 Dakota Marching Indians Crimson Express Sound of Sun Prairie [32]
2002 Dakota Marching Indians Crimson Express Sound of Sun Prairie [33]
2003 Renegade Regiment No data Pride of the Lions [34]
2004 Renegade Regiment Sound of Sun Prairie [35]
2005 Dakota Marching Indians Renegade Regiment Sound of Sun Prairie [36]
2006 Warren Junior Military Band Renegade Regiment Lighthouse Brigade [18]
2007 Green Beret Renegade Regiment Sound of Sun Prairie [4]
Year A Open Class[β] Ref(s)
2008 Saskatoon Lions Oregon High School [19]
2009 CYO Emerald Knights Oregon High School [37]
2010 Green Beret Oregon Shadow Armada
2011 No data Calgary Stampede
2012 Green Beret Oregon Shadow Armada
2013 Green Beret Oregon Shadow Armada
2014 No data Sound of Sun Prairie
2015 Oregon Shadow Armada
2016 Sound of Sun Prairie
2017 Lighthouse Brigade [3]
2018 Rock River Concord Sound of Sun Prairie
2019 Green Beret Sound of Sun Prairie
  1. ^ a b c Unverified location or championship results.
  2. ^ a b Also known as AA Class.
  3. ^ Also known as Open Class

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Rules and regulations published by MACBDA pertained only to field band competitions.
  2. ^ Source names the competition as the National Cherry Festival, and not MACBDA Championships.
  3. ^ a b Source names the competition as Racine Fourth Fest Band Championships, not MACBDA Championships.
  4. ^ Source names the competition as National Championships, and not MACBDA Championships.
  5. ^ Source names the competition as Lighthouse Brigade Band Championships and not MACBDA Championships.

References

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  1. ^ "News". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  2. ^ "Schedule". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  3. ^ a b c "2018 Results". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  4. ^ a b c "MACBDA Grand Championships". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  5. ^ a b c "Members". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  6. ^ "Contact". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  7. ^ "Site Map". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  8. ^ "Lighthouse Brigade of Racine". www.lighthousebrigade.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  9. ^ "SOSP". Sun Prairie Band Boosters. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  10. ^ "Welcome to the Green Beret Marching Band". greenberetmarchingband.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  11. ^ "Rock River Concord". www.fortatkinsonmusic.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  12. ^ "Summer Music | Kenosha Unified School District". www.kusd.edu. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  13. ^ "Who Do We Support?". cmsba.info. 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  14. ^ "crimson | CRIMSON EXPRESS". www.crimsonexpress.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  15. ^ "www.cyomusic.org". www.cyomusic.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  16. ^ Engelhardt, Jeff (2014-09-22). "Crystal Lake's award-winning Heraldry Guard marching band to reunite (with video)". Northwest Herald. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  17. ^ "Official statement from LVW concerning 2018 season". www.lutheranvanguard.org/. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  18. ^ a b "Scores from the 2006 Marching.com Featured Events". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  19. ^ a b "Scores from the 2007 Marching.com Featured Events". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  20. ^ a b "Downloads". www.macbda.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  21. ^ Engelhardt, Jeff (2014-09-22). "Crystal Lake's award-winning Heraldry Guard marching band to reunite (with video)". www.nwherald.com. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  22. ^ "Heraldry Guard at 1979 Cherry Royale Parade (excerpt)". 1979-07-04. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2018-08-26 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "Bands play to win". Journal Times. 1990-07-01. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  24. ^ "Saskatchewan band wins championship". Journal Times. 1992-07-06. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  25. ^ "Brigade takes first in parade competition". Journal Times. 1993-04-17. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  26. ^ "Battle of the Bands". Journal Times. 1994-07-04. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  27. ^ "The Marching Emporium: Scores". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  28. ^ "The Marching Band Event Registry Score Report: www.marching.com". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  29. ^ "The Marching Band Event Registry Score Report: www.marching.com". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  30. ^ "High School Marching Band Score Reports". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  31. ^ "High School Marching Band Score Reports". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  32. ^ "High School Marching Band Score Reports". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  33. ^ "High School Marching Band Score Reports". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  34. ^ "High School Marching Band Competition Scores". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  35. ^ "High School Marching Band Competition Scores". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  36. ^ "High School Marching Band Competition Scores". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  37. ^ "Scores from the 2009 Marching.com Featured Events". www.marching.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
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