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6 Steps to Prepare for Festival/Contest Season
by Barry Harper
Every band director I know is looking for a “sure-fire” way to succeed at concert contests and festivals. Even though this might not be at the forefront of your mind with all your marching band responsibilities, let’s explore 6 steps you can start now to ensure a successful concert contest experience.
Step 1 – Define Your Philosophy on Attending Contests and Festivals
What do you want your students to gain from this experience? If your only goal is to get a “one,” you may not be creating the best scenario for your students. To me, a great performance is the reward, along with the process of improving musicianship while preparing quality literature for “three old guys in the balcony.” Strive for the best performance possible, and the rating will take care of itself.
Step 2 – Familiarize Yourself with the Judges/Adjudication Sheets
This applies to any contest. If you haven’t reviewed the sheets lately, take time to do this immediately. Chances are, the sheets are available online for all participants. If not, you should be able to get a copy from your state association or the contest host (if attending a festival). I’ve attended BOA marching contests where some directors had not even looked at the adjudication sheets. Don’t be that director! Know what the judges are looking for.
Step 3 – Music Selection
This is a big one. The next major hurdle is selecting quality music that fits your group. If you’re required to choose from a contest list, familiarize yourself with selections for your classification. Selecting the right music is probably the biggest issue I see when attending or judging contests. So, where to begin? I always start by identifying the best individual musician and the strongest overall section in the band. It puzzles me when an all-state musician is underutilized while another instrument struggles with a piece beyond their skill level. Choose music that highlights your ensemble’s strengths (and don’t forget about your percussion section). After I sight-read a potential contest piece, I note whether we breezed through it (too easy) or had to stop every couple of measures (too hard). I find something in the middle works best.
Step 4 – Consult Others When Preparing for Concert Assessment
As you prepare for contest season, ask experienced directors for recommendations on musical selections and techniques to get your ensemble ready. They likely have favorite pieces that could suit your group. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from veteran directors. Now is also the time to schedule a clinician to work with your band as you prepare. This is an invaluable resource, and I’m glad Palen Music has several former directors who are eager to help. Most directors wait too long before bringing in a clinician. You’ll want plenty of time to implement suggested changes and let the students get comfortable with them. The music doesn’t have to be “contest ready” before the clinician comes in. Another tip: record your band regularly, even if it’s just with your phone. This helps you identify what to fix in the next rehearsals. Start recording three to four weeks before the contest.
Step 5 – Get Familiar with the Performance Area
As part of your planning, find out about the stage you'll perform on, whether there’s a shell, and if any sections might sound particularly “bright” on that stage. Ask the contest host about percussion balance and whether the equipment provided is in good condition. Ideally, rehearse or perform on the stage before the contest, if possible. If not, gather as much information as you can. Also, ask about the warm-up and sight-reading rooms—will students have to go outside before entering the stage? Knowing these details will help with your preparation and reduce stress on contest day. And remember, don’t panic in the warm-up room if something goes wrong. Students take their cues from the director, so stay calm and focused.
Step 6 – Recap
Once it’s all over, revisit the performance and the judges' comments, focusing on areas to improve for the future—regardless of the rating. If you don’t receive the top rating, don’t blame the judges. They’re only getting a snapshot of your program. If we blame them for bad ratings, we’d have to give them credit for good ratings (and I don’t want to do that). As we say at Palen Music, it’s about the kids, not the judges.
And finally, enjoy the experience! Festival/contest week usually means summer is just around the corner!
-Barry Harper
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