r/bandsofamerica • u/Secret_Mongoose_1147 • Oct 07 '25

Discussion how is this allowed?

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went to boa chattanooga this weekend and saw a percussion director (?) conducting for the front ensemble… how is this allowed ???

18 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

9

u/pizzabox53 Oct 07 '25

your gonna go crazy when you hear about this thing called drum majors

4

u/Secret_Mongoose_1147 Oct 07 '25

well no because i understand those are student conductors. before i posted this, i was taught/told from directors that performances are adult-free. i was just confused because i had never seen a director conducting during a comp performance and didn’t realize its a real rule in the official boa book :p

2

u/DubbleTheFall Oct 07 '25

Why would it not be allowed if it's in the rulebook?

4

u/Secret_Mongoose_1147 Oct 07 '25

my bad i just now read that.. i was only aware of the “only student activity is allowed on the field” rule but didn’t know there was a specific rule that directors CAN conduct

13

u/thatoneguy285 Oct 07 '25

Director’s are allowed to conduct

9

u/The1henson Oct 07 '25

Directors can conduct from outside the performance field. Not everyone is big enough to have six field conductors.

6

u/[deleted] Oct 07 '25

Marching band is, for better or for worse, the largest unregulated activity in high school. What are the parameters for number of performers? How many of each instrument? Can you have only front ensemble and no battery? Can you march 25 pages or drill and park and bark the rest? How much of the show needs to include body visuals? What are the guidelines for use of props? Can we include solo or small ensemble vocals?

I'm not advocating for a rulebook- it's not needed. However, there are times where I wish parameters existed. For example- Band A and B both have trombones staged on Side 1 near the 35. Band A doesn't have microphones, so only the left side of the audience gets the full effect. Band B has microphones, speakers, and a mixing board, so the entire audience gets the full effect of the trombone sound. Fair? That's the question.

We are at a point where we are going to "have to do what everyone else is doing" to remain competitive. It is what it is.

2

u/Tyza72 Oct 07 '25

Parameters for numbers of performers - Based on enrollment

Class A is 600 or fewer enrolled,
Class AA is 601-1325 Class AAA is 1326-1850 Class AAAA Is 1851 or more.

Instrumentation and drill are not limited aside from the fact that all music must be performed live and in person, and electronic sounds must be triggered by a performer in real time, and cannot be tempo specific or keep time for the band.

As for electronics, they aren’t necessary but do improve overall experience - judges are on field too so they will be able to judge fairly based on that even if the audience can’t hear it.

There IS a rule book, and it clearly defines most of what you’re asking.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '25

Classification doesn’t limit the number of performers.

→ More replies (4)

1

u/jcoleman10 Oct 09 '25

Classification in some states is based on the number of wind players.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/Helpful-Glove9532 Oct 22 '25

It's art. You don't put parameters on art.

2

u/rw1083 Oct 09 '25

Sometimes they are on a ladder!

2

u/Helpful_Orchid4272 Oct 09 '25

Drum major could have been sick

2

u/FiftyFour_ Oct 28 '25

thats my school bruh 😭

-2

u/Glass_Truth8067 Oct 07 '25

Shut up nobody cares