Individuals and Ensembles 2025

Fancy yourself as the next Star of the Marching Arts?

BYBA and TYMBA's joint Individuals and Ensembles (I&E) competition is your chance to stand up and show the rest of the banding world what you're capable of. Film yourself playing your favourite piece of music, or performing your best guard routine, and send us the video and an entry form.

You can either enter via your band or submit your entries directly to us - there is no charge to enter. We are also welcoming entries from bands that are not members of either association.

On the 23rd November, we will broadcast all the entries on our Facebook page. There will be a short break for the judges to confer, then the results will be announced.

Each entrant will receive a certificate of participation. If you win your class, you will also receive a shiny BYBA medal!

To enter, first complete the official entry form. You will then be sent an email containing the next steps!

Entries close at 11.59pm on the 9th November.

For further information, please contact IandE@byba.online.

Rules

Eligibility

  • This is a showcase for members of marching bands in the UK. Marching bands do not
    need to be members of BYBA or TYMBA to participate
  • All competitors must be bona-fide members of the organisation or ensemble that they
    represent
  • The minimum age for a competing member is six. There is no maximum age
  • Age is the competitor’s age on 31 August 2025. This is to facilitate ensembles within one
    school year

Entries

  • A competitor may enter as many categories as they wish, but may only enter once in
    each category
  • All entries must be made on the official Entry Form
  • Once your entry form has been sent, you will receive an email with the next steps!

Categories

  • Ensembles must have a minimum of four members. There is no maximum limit.
    Ensembles may have a conductor
  • "Wind" categories can be brass, woodwind or a combination of brass and woodwind
  • "Percussion" categories can be drums, tuned percussion or a combination of tuned and
    untuned percussion
  • "Fanfare" may include two optional percussionists, a conductor and can include timpani
    and handheld cymbals
  • "Mixed ensembles" may include any combination of brass, woodwind and percussion
  • "Entertainment" is open to anyone of any age and to any size of group. There are no
    restrictions on what may be performed
  • The organisers reserve the right to combine similar categories if there are insufficient
    entrants. Affected entrants will be informed in advance

Performance

  • Backing tracks can be used in all categories
  • The minimum length of performance is 1 minute
  • The maximum length of performance is 4 minutes

Judging

  • Wind and percussion entrants will be judged on a) content and b) achievement
  • Guard entrants will be judged on a) design and b) performance
  • "Entertainment" will be judged by a panel made up of audience members

Payment

There is no charge to enter I&E this year.

Class List

  • A1 - Brass Solo 10 & Under
  • A2 - Brass Solo 14 & Under
  • A3 - Brass Solo 18 & Under
  • A4 - Brass Solo Over 18
  • B1 - Woodwind Solo 10 & Under
  • B2 - Woodwind Solo 14 & Under
  • B3 - Woodwind Solo 18 & Under
  • B4 - Woodwind Solo Over 18
  • C1 - Drum Solo 10 & Under
  • C2 - Drum Solo 14 & Under
  • C3 - Drum Solo 18 & Under
  • C4 - Drum Solo Over 18
  • D1 - Mallet Solo 10 & Under
  • D2 - Mallet Solo 14 & Under
  • D3 - Mallet Solo 18 & Under
  • D4 - Mallet Solo Over 18
  • E1 - Bugle Solo 10 & Under
  • E2 - Bugle Solo 14 & Under
  • E3 - Bugle Solo 18 & Under
  • E4 - Bugle Solo Over 18
  • F1 - Guard Solo 10 & Under
  • F2 - Guard Solo 14 & Under
  • F3 - Guard Solo 18 & Under
  • F4 - Guard Solo Over 18
  • G1 - Wind Duo/Trio 10 & Under
  • G2 - Wind Duo/Trio 14 & Under
  • G3 - Wind Duo/Trio 18 & Under
  • G4 - Wind Duo/Trio Over 18
  • H1 - Percussion Duo/Trio 10 & Under
  • H2 - Percussion Duo/Trio 14 & Under
  • H3 - Percussion Duo/Trio 18 & Under
  • H4 - Percussion Duo/Trio Over 18
  • I1 - Guard Duo/Trio 10 & Under
  • I2 - Guard Duo/Trio 14 & Under
  • I3 - Guard Duo/Trio 18 & Under
  • I4 - Guard Duo/Trio Over 18
  • J1 - Wind Ensemble 14 & Under
  • J2 - Wind Ensemble All Ages
  • K1 - Percussion Ensemble 14 & Under
  • K2 - Percussion Ensemble All Ages
  • L1 - Guard Ensemble 14 & Under
  • L2 - Guard Ensemble All Ages
  • M1 - Mixed Ensemble 14 & Under
  • M2 - Mixed Ensemble All Ages
  • N - Fanfare All Ages
  • O - Entertainment