A-State Open Rules and Guidelines (Updated 9/20/22)

Any high school band that is a member of its state band association is invited to compete.

No more than 20 bands will be accepted for the Arkansas Open. In the event that 10 or fewer bands enter, the contest may be canceled. Performance order will be determined by band size. 

The entry fee is $250. Bands are not officially entered until their entry fee is received.

The A-State Open is a marching competition for high school bands where bands are classified by band size, not by high school enrollment. Band size includes all musicians participating in the performance, including brass, woodwinds, drum line, and front ensemble. Bands may elect to enter a larger classification but not a smaller one.

Class A: 1-25 members
Class AA: 26-50 members
Class AAA: 51-74 members
Class AAAA: 75-105 members
Class AAAAA: 106 or more members

There is no minimum or maximum show length. However, bands have 16 minutes of “Stadium time.” This time begins at the scheduled performance time, unless a band has caused the competition to run behind. Any band who causes the contest to adjust the scheduled times for other bands will be assessed a 2 point “delay of contest” penalty.

The bands’ overall music score will break ties in score.

The contest is run on a caption-judged format. There are 3 music judges, 2 visual judges, a percussion judge, a color guard judge, and a drum major judge. The music and visual judges’ scores will be compiled for the bands’ final scores, rating, and rankings. Each judge will be responsible for 20% of the score meaning that music will comprise 60% of the final score and visual will comprise 40%. Color guard, percussion, and drum major judges will determine placement and awards within their captions but will not affect the bands’ final scores.

A numerical score determines the band’s rating and ranking, as well as those of the auxiliary units. Ratings are assigned as follows:

I (Superior) 80.0-100.0
II (Excellent) 60-79.9
III (Average) 40-59.9
IV (Fair) 20-39.9
V (Poor) 1-19.9

If weather conditions are considered by the contest director to be unsafe, the event will be declared a rainout. Unsafe conditions include, but are not limited to, extremely heavy rains, the presence of lightening or the issuance of weather warnings.

If the contest is called a rainout before it begins, the contest may be moved indoors if facilities are available.

If facilities are not available, the contest will be canceled. The entry fee will not be refunded. If a band withdraws from the competition before the contest is canceled, the entry fee will not be refunded. If a band withdraws from the competition after October 1 for any reason, their entry fee will not be refunded.