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Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Thunder on 9/30/2019, 11:36 am

So this thought crossed my mind this weekend.

I received the schedule for our region marching contest (middle of October) and we march early afternoon (between 1pm-2pm.)

In the past it's been hot. Like 93-96 degrees hot at the high of the day and we have the old 100% wool uniforms with a polyester liner that makes it even hotter. And of course on the turf it approaches 100.

For those who are not judges, has anyone marched without the coats at Region UIL given heat considerations?

For those who are judges, would you reduce a rating if a director chose to have their band march in pants only? I realize that there's not a "Is the band in full uniform?" on the rubric, but a "attention to detail" on uniformity of appearance.

What says the YB?

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by me on 10/1/2019, 10:32 am, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

The band that won prelims and finals at the HEB show this past weekend was the only one that chose not to wear jackets in prelims due to the heat. Take care of your kids, and give them the best opportunity to have a great performance!

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Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Judge on 9/30/2019, 9:07 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

I judge a lot and I would not count off for it if the temperature is as hot as it has been. I do like the suggestion of not putting on the coats until you get to the field.

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by LBD on 9/30/2019, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

On the flip side, one year we were the only band that chose to wear rain ponchos on the field. We had the clear ones and I still remember one judge commenitng that we looked like a bunch of ghosts on the field. Made 1s and I thought it was the best choice to protect our uniforms.

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Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by yoyo on 9/30/2019, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

I judge regularly and wouldn't consider for a second to lower a rating based on uniform decisions because of the heat. In fact, I would think it would show a mature decision made by a director.

You do have to consider how the kids will react and perform without the uniforms.

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Another Judge on 9/30/2019, 5:47 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

Everyone here pretty much covered it. I have had this happen to me and I was so worried about "what it would look like" I had 3 kids pass out before we made it to the gate. Band had a rough performance, made the only 2 I ever received at that school and I feel terrible about not doing something about it. So, just bad stuff all around. (side note - a 2 is NOT bad, just that the kids could easily perform at a 1 so my actions caused them to get a 2)

As a judge, I would see it as a good thing. Risk/Reward ratio is in your favor. You might get a grumpy judge who would look down on this but most (close to all of them) would get it and understand.

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Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by a judge on 9/30/2019, 3:46 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

All I care about is

1. Does the band play well?

2. Does the band march in step with good stride, carriage and spacing?

3. Does the band hit sets on time and get stepoffs and halts right?

4. The finally, does the band have a uniform appearance?

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Yup on 9/30/2019, 3:24 pm, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

Could you carry the jackets to the gate and put them on at the last minute before they take you into the stadium? That would mean 15-20 minutes in full uniform rather than an hour.

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Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Thunder on 9/30/2019, 3:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

In the past two years I've actually sacrificed 5 minutes of warm-up time and did exactly that. It seems it has helped the past two years. But honestly, if there's no clouds and it's 92+, I'd consider taking the coats off.

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by DesertJazz on 10/1/2019, 6:40 am, in reply to "Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

I also advise this is a good compromise. When we arrived at out contest Saturday I looked at all of the bands who already had their full uniforms on in the lot. In fact man of my kids had put on their coats and I immediately told them to take them off. There is no judge in the lot, the warm-up area, or even really paying attention in the slightest until you get to the field. Keep the coats and hats off so they have a better chance to have their upper body cool. Combine that with hydrating constantly and you'll have less issues. We had one kid we had to take care of afterwards who hadn't hydrated all day like we had ordered, but far better than the two ambulances that were active when we arrived at the stadium!

To the OP if you think it's hot enough and you're in the middle of the day by all means make the best decision for your band! This is Pre-UIL for everything anyway still! Even in UIL the judgement is 'uniform appearance' not that you have on a specific uniform. The more time goes on the more I think the short sleeve uniforms that DCI has gone to might be wise for all of us, especially in the southern end of the state.

Re: Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms

Posted by Judge on 9/30/2019, 11:55 am, in reply to "Marching Contest, weather, and uniforms"

I've judged several UIL marching contests and although I may say something on recording or sheet (something like...it's hot out there, thank you for looking out for your students. I'd like to see the whole production with uniforms, but maybe another time), it would have no deciding factor on the rating the band earns.

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