THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD DO FOR A MARCHING BAND CONTEST

Band Contest Etiquette and Tips

Do NOT talk during a performance.
Do NOT leave the stands or enter the stands while a band is performing.
Have your cell phone or pager on vibrate or off entirely – return calls between performances only.
Remember all bands work just as hard as yours – No cat calls or obscene gestures!
Small children (or children that can’t sit for an 8 - 10 minute show) and babies need to be left with a sitter.
Do NOT use umbrellas (people might be behind you and this makes it difficult for them to see the show – Use ponchos for inclement weather instead.
Applaud EVERY band when it enters and exits the field. Every band deserves respect for the hard work that they do. Applause during is acceptable for solos and climaxes in the show – Cheering should be reserved for the beginning and end.
Watch all of the bands or at least as many as possible. You will want everyone to see your band’s performance; therefore, you should return the favor.
Ultimately, marching band is more art than sport. There are as many opinions as to who placed where as there are people that viewed the contest. Enjoy the day and don’t get worried or mad about what judges think. Every performer chose to do this activity instead of going home after school to play video games.
If you can’t say anything nice about a band then stay quiet. Mudslinging makes you just as dirty as the person that you are throwing it at. This goes to any disparaging remarks as well.

Frequently, no one is permitted to enter the stands while individual bands are performing. Entry is permitted only between contests and at intermissions. Bottom line: get to the contest early to avoid missing "your" band's performance.
Sit as close to the 50-yard line as possible. The best bands design their show to impress the judges that are sitting in the press box on the 50-yard line. This is the best view for a band show. If you are outside the 45 yard lines, you are getting an inferior viewing of the show.
Sit about half-way to three-quarters of the way between the press box and the front fence. Again the best bands design their show to impress the judges that are sitting in the press box on the 50-yard line. This is the best place to hear the band show. If you are outside the 45 yard lines, you are getting an inferior viewing of the show.
Buy a program. These tell you everything you should know about each band and helps you keep score in your head as to where you think each band has placed. Remember judges, band directors and parents are all human and have different ideas as to who the best band is. That is the beauty of a contest based upon subjective criteria. Programs also help support the host that is putting on the event.

Winter Drum Line (WDL) contests are invariably held indoors, frequently on a basketball court.
During individual bands' performances, entrances to the contest floor are closed. No one is permitted into the contest area except between shows.