Fancy yourself as the next Star of the Marching Arts?

BYBA's 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. We have categories to accommodate everyone. Play flute? No problem! The woodwind category’s for you. Want to show off your moves with a rifle? Of course! Individual colourguard is your category. Oh, you have a beatboxing grime collective? We have no idea what that is – but no worries at all! There’s the entertainment category for you.

We're pleased to share that this year's competition will return to an in-person event, held at Northampton International Academy, NN1 1AA, on Sunday 19th November. However, in an interesting twist, we are also welcoming virtual entries for the Mixed Ensemble category only.

Please find all the information below, but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with Luke at communications@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 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 2023. 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, we will send a confirmation message back to let you know we have received it. You will also receive an invoice for the entry fees owed.

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

The fee for each entry is £3, capped at a maximum of £60. However, for bands entering the virtual Mixed Ensemble class only, the fee here is £10. After entry, you will be sent an invoice with further information on how to pay.

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

Submit Your Entry!