‘March Contest’ and

‘Show Parade Contest’

Following a proposal by Hertfordshire Showband a UK version of the

World Music Contest (WMC) ‘street style’ contests are to be trialled at

‘Summer Rhythm Contest’

in Corby on Sunday 8th July 2018.

Entry into this trial ‘Street Style’ contests is open to

Members of BYBA, TYMBA and any other associations.

Neil Wright –Chairman British Youth Band Association says -

‘This will be a really great venture and we look forward to a great turn out. The British Youth

Band Association is pleased to be associated with a contest that encourages so many more to get

involved and be part of the fun.’

Andy Downton - Chairman of the Traditional Youth Marching Bands Association says -

"We are proud and excited to be part of this new event this year!

I'm personally looking forward to seeing the bands perform in this new competition and hope

that we can see it grow in the future.“

Harrie Reumkens – Artistic Director, The World Music Contest (WMC) says -

“Great news to see, that the marching contest “WMC-style” will be going ahead this summer.”

The March Contest

• Seeks to improve and expand what bands can do in street

parades/carnivals etc.

• It is progressive as the band works to improve all aspects of drill

and smartness.

• Works with 9 to 90 players, with any instrumentation!

Show Parade Contest (Known as ‘March Parade Contest’ in Europe)

• Same benefits as ‘March Contest’ but with ‘moves’ added to

enhance the music, making it even more entertaining along the

street, and a lot of fun to learn!

The good thing is you don’t throw away what you learn

each contest season!

MARCH AND SHOW PARADE CONTESTS Contests will be based on World Music Contest (WMC) rules which are -

• All instruments must be carried for the whole performance.

• Bands must stay in the ‘street layout’ on the arena.

• Any instrumentation is allowed and judged equally under the WMC system.

• The contest is totally open age.

Arena Layout - (Made smaller for UK in this trial)

• UK Arena size 70 yards wide x 50 yards deep.

• If not able to mark on pitch then set out with 16 cones linked with tape/cord, in 4 oblongs to form a ‘street design’.

• All the streets to be 10 yards wide.

• Outer boundary marked with a cone at each corner and each halfway point.

The March Contest UK Using the red route on the following arena diagram -

1. March on (without adjudication): Upon a signal from the organization the band marches whilst

playing to the START-mark and comes to a full stop, stopping the music at the same time.

After this the band presents itself to the adjudicators and the audience.

2. The performance (with adjudication): As soon as the band is ready to start the performance,

the drum major of band leader must clearly indicate this to the announcer. The announcer

will then give permission to start the performance. At the end of the circuit the band comes

to a halt in front of the Grandstand after which the adjudication stops.

3. From the start position bands will march across the arena.

Manoeuvre left at the far corner

Manoeuvre left at next corner and march across middle of arena.

English Counter march or American countermach (or similar)

Manoeuvre left

Manoeuvre right 3 times more, before coming to a halt in front of the Grandstand

4. After the performance the band will march off by the quickest route.

Please note that at the WMC the street was curved at each corner, we will have just 90 degree

corners this year at least.

WMC Example – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUG3ZC8RsC4

March Contest UK will just use red route in early years.

The Show Parade Contest UK See the following arena diagram – 1. March on (without adjudication): Upon a signal from the organization the band marches whilst

playing to the START-mark and comes to a full stop, stopping the music at the same time. After

this the band presents itself to the adjudicators and the audience.

2. The performance (with adjudication): As soon as the band is ready to start the

performance, the drum major or band leader must clearly indicate this to the announcer.

The announcer will then give permission to start the performance.

At the end of the circuit the band comes to a halt in front of the Grandstand after which

the adjudication stops.

3. From the start position bands will march forward.

Manoeuvre left or right at middle junction

English Counter march or American countermarch (or similar) then ….

‘Freestyle’ within the streets…. Coming to a halt and DM making salute when finished.

4. After the performance the band will march off by the quickest route.

Please note that at the WMC the street was curved at each corner, we will have just 90 degree

corners this year at least.

Example – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrCJclsE72w

Show Parade

March Contest -

• Set route with 7 listed compulsory manoeuvres (eg. L/R turns, countermarches)

2017 WMC Winner in World Class (has additional manoeuvres)

Adest Musica - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRe01sgxHmQ&t=84s

NB. Some top bands get extremely adventurous with some of their ‘turns’ etc

Show Parade -

• Time 9 to 13 minutes. 2 Initial set manoeuvres (around 2 minutes).

Freestyle for the remainder.

2017 WMC Winner in World Class

Sneek Avendo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXAbfAcmhn4

• Judging based on achieving a standard –

• What is ‘great’ for that type of band, what percentage of ‘great’ did they achieve?

• What did they do – how well did they do it?

Gold Performance is awarded at 80 percent/points

Silver Performance is awarded at 70 percent/points

Bronze Performance is awarded at 60 percent/points

At Summer Rhythm Contest bands can be judged, but probably with a simplified format

for this year.

If bands feel unready for adjudication this year, they can perform without being judged.

Up to 3 bands will be allowed to enter each format this year just to see how it works.

At the very least Hertfordshire Showband will demonstrate both formats, and invite band

leaders and members to come along to view, even if not competing..

WMC style Adjudication

If you or your band are interested in the following new style contest, but need to understand more about it, then please contact me, and I can talk you through the 2 contest formats. If you know you definitely want to take part this year, please email me and we will formalise this with Dale at ‘Summer Rhythm’.

Closing date for entry for the 2018 is 10th May 2018. Terry Barnes 07802 258 655 01707 650209 terry@hertfordshire-showband.org

Why have we made this proposal?....It seems that ….. DCUK contests cater for forward facing DC style shows with pit & guard. Primarily with valve bugles. BYBA contests also lean towards forward facing arena shows, possibly with pit and guard.

TYMBA contests cater for more formal military style performances.

We propose an alternative competitive way, that is simple to

put together and helps build members skills and confidence.

It prepares bands for quality entertaining performances in

carnivals and street parades…………..

Forward facing DC style

Traditional style Both equally good

but does not suit all bands …..

Two main styles of

band contests in UK

At Hertfordshire Showband We produced

forward facing shows

for many years.

BUT………………….

………. we found

• A forward facing arena show needs much preparation.

• Our Arena shows were seldom seen by the general public, other than at contests.

• It was ‘thrown away’ after each contest season. Huge commitment to ‘start a new

show’ every time.

• We found no UK contests suited our style as we were usually ‘between two stalls’ with

what we wanted to do.

• No one in the UK ran the simpler ‘street style’ contest as in Europe.

• We particularly love the ‘Show Parade’ format, as it is fun to do,

entertaining to the public, and it is easier to move individuals around if

someone is absent.

• Best of all once learned it can be retained, and pulled out when

needed/wanted!

Why open age ? • European contests are open age, so our bands could compete there on equal terms,

and if bands from Europe want to travel to UK to compete they can do so without

dropping members.

In Hertfordshire Showband we have found over the years –

• Young/new people are more likely to join a strong band.

• Members go to university but still take part, and many return fully once qualified.

• Retention of older members helps maintain high standards, and provides an

excellent source of tutors for the youngsters.

• Young adults join who are musicians but never been in a marching band before. They

often add much in musical skills, help build a strong band, and find a fun hobby for

themselves.