The Cavalcade of Bands is one of many competitive band organizations in the United States and is one of several major circuits in the mid-Atlantic states (other circuits include Tournament of Bands and USBands). Cavalcade was founded in the late 1958 by the members of the Mid-Atlantic Judges Association and its member high schools. The organization currently has over 145 member schools. It provides competitive performance opportunities for marching bands and jazz ensembles. Cavalcade sanctions approximately 42 field band events as well as about 25 jazz ensemble events annually.
From 1971 to 2020 Cavalcade sanctioned color guard, percussion ensemble, and dance team competitions via the CIDA (Cavalcade Indoor Drill Association), later the CIA (Cavalcade Indoor Association).[2]
Marching Band
The Cavalcade of Bands sanctions about 42 high school marching band competitions throughout each fall from September to mid-November. Bands are judged on a 100-point linear scale by judges both on the field and in the press box. Bands are placed into one of five classes based on their size, and judged only within their class.[1][1]
The five classes are:
Independence (0-35 members)
American (36-50 members)
Liberty (51-70 members)
Yankee (71-95 members)
Patriot (96+ members)
During championship week, bands are divided once more within their class based on their average score throughout the season. Bands with the higher scores are placed into the "Open" division and bands with the lower scores are placed into the "A" division.
On January 1, 2019, the Cavalcade of Bands Honor Band performed in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The band included over 100 students from 20 high schools in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Indoor activities
Cavalcade of Bands has discontinued indoor activities (winter guard, dance, percussion ensemble and indoor marching bands) in 2019.[2] Prior to the COB's reorganization the early 2000s, the indoor season was organized by the independent Cavalcade Indoor Drill Association (CIDA), later known as Cavalcade Indoor (CIA).
Past champions
Open Class (1959–present)
The first Cavalcade of Bands Championships were hosted in 1970 at the Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to 1970, members would designate a competition in October or November as the de facto championship event, but not all member bands would attend. Champions from 1959 to 1969 were included in lists of Open Class Champions after 1970.
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US$189,000 [1] (2024)