2024 NATIONAL WIND BAND HONORS ENTRY INFORMATION & GUIDELINES
The Foundation for Music Education is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of music education.
MARK OF EXCELLENCE
The Mark of Excellence project seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school bands. The project will gather entries from throughout the United States and provide valuable feedback for all entrants. A unique competitive environment is created which allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to other outstanding groups from across the country.
HOW IT WORKS
Directors upload a WAV file of their ensemble from the current 2023-24 school year. The adjudicator will listen to entries and provide detailed recorded comments and brief written comments. All entrants will receive a compilation recording of the winning band performances. Winners will also be recognized in regional and/or national publications and at national and regional conventions. It is hoped the critiques and the compilation recordings will prove helpful in improving performances and will spread knowledge of quality literature.
NEW MUSIC DIVISION
High schools & middle schools of any enrollment may enter this division if their major work is written by a living composer. This division may be entered solely, or in addition to the school size classification. An additional $375 fee and set of scores will be needed. It is entirely up to the level one adjudicator as to how many groups are National Winners or Commended Winners in this classification.
SELECTION PROCESS
1. Upload a WAV file recording containing both selections, mail one set of scores of the two (2) selections. These selections may be of any level or source, but higher consideration will be given to works of appropriate difficulty for the school classification. Marches are appropriate, but not required.
2. The level one adjudicators will listen to recordings and record a live critique as they listen, as well as brief written comments.
3. The level one adjudicator will select the top 50% to advance to level two. If there are nine (9) or less entries in a classification, the level one adjudicator will make the final selection of winners.
4. The level two adjudicator will select the top 25% (half of those advanced) as the National Winners. National winners will be recognized in regional and/or national publications, at national and regional conference, and receive a trophy. Level two adjudicators will also provide recorded and written critique.
5. One work by each national winner will be selected for inclusion in the compilation recording which is provided to all entrants.
6. If you wish for your students to be considered for an outstanding soloist award, you will need to list their names and instruments in the registration form.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
June 5, 2024 (Results announced September 15, 2024)
PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES
• High School Concert Band
• Middle School Concert Band
• New Music Division
CLASSIFICATION OF PERFORMING GROUPS
• AAAAAA High Schools with an enrollment of 2190 and above in grades 9-12
• AAAAA High Schools with an enrollment of 1150 to 2189 in grades 9-12
• AAAA High Schools with an enrollment of 1149 and below in grades 9-12
• AA Middle Schools with an enrollment of 600 and above in grades 7 and 8
• A Middle Schools with an enrollment of 599 and below in grades 7 and 8
RECORDING/AUDIO GUIDELINES
The audio submission should be in compliance with the Mark of Excellence guidelines and not engineered, edited, or tampered with in any way except:
• Editing to eliminate excess time between movements of a multi-movement work.
• Editing to eliminate audience applause or announcements
• Combining multiple tracks of a multi-movement work into a single audio file for submission.
• Matching of volume from track to track. Recorded selections must have been recorded at a live concert during the current school year
There should be no announcements or any verbal identification on the recordings submitted.
Verification of unethical recording practices is grounds for disqualification. Examples of unethical practices are:
• Private recording sessions
• Recording in a recording studio or under studio conditions (i.e. use of microphones for individuals or small groups, or multiple microphones placed within the ensemble. – an exception is made for jazz entries.
• Multiple recordings of the same selection during a concert
• Any engineering, editing, or tampering with the recording after the performance in any way.
• Splicing within a single composition
• Any other practice which could be construed as being unprofessional, unethical, or in violation of the spirit of the competition.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
After submitting the form online application, print a copy and include with the entry materials.
• Copy of the online application
• One set of scores with the school name deleted
• $375.00 application fee (Check payable to The Foundation for Music Education/Mark Of Excellence)
• Postmark Deadline is June 5, 2024
Mail to:
Rick Yancey
Mark of Excellence Registrations
39 Travis Park Dr.
Sugar Land, TX 77479
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will my scores and materials be returned?
Yes
Are marches appropriate?
Yes! Many bands submit a march.
Can I enter just the New Music Division?
Yes, or you may enter this in addition to a school size classification. Additional scores and fees are necessary.
Can I enter a higher school classification?
Yes, but you may not enter a lower one.
What type of music is appropriate for the New Music Division?
One selection must be music of a living composer, but the adjudicators seem to prefer recent works and nontraditional forms.
Do both selections have to be new music?
No
How will I receive my compilation recording?
You will receive a download code to download the recording from Mark Custom Recording.
OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS
If you wish your students to be considered for outstanding soloist awards, please list their names in the Music Selection section of the Registration Form.
Example: Spring Breezes
Violin, Toni Wu
Harp, Mary Smith
Can middle schools enter the New Music Division?
Yes, they may enter as a varsity group, or in the New Music Division.
What if I only have a video recording of my ensemble?
Please contact your local recording professional to extract a WAV audio file. If that is a problem or too expensive, please contact us for assistance.