The Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association is a governing body and summer high schoolmarching band competition circuit based in the Upper Midwest. The circuit's competitive season traditionally begins in June, and previously included field, parade, and concert band competitions hosted throughout the Midwestern United States. As of 2018, all competitive events are in Wisconsin and are limited to field band competitions, with occasional parade band competitions. The 2019 circuit championship was at Perkins Stadium, in Whitewater, Wisconsin on July 14, 2019. The association had twenty-five member bands in 2008, but only five remain active as of 2018.
About
MACBDA was founded in 1972 by a group of high school band directors who wished to develop a summer competition circuit, similar to competitive junior drum corps. A summer season was preferable, as average autumn temperatures in the Midwest are often too cold for marching bands to perform successfully. The circuit has hosted member bands from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. Prior to 1991, bands competed in three activities; concert band, parade, and field band., only five field bands remain active members of the circuit.
No official archive of MACBDA's proceedings exists. And very few caption recaps or scores have been preserved from past competitions. The official website only lists score summaries for 2018 competitions, and no recaps. Some score summaries can be recovered via the Internet Archive, or via fansites such as.
Membership
Competing bands are often attached to high school band programs, and supported by band booster clubs. Or bands are supported by nonprofit organizations and accept performers from multiple schools or communities. All band members must be enrolled in high school, and may compete the summer following graduation. However, bands that pre-date the founding of the circuit accept members up to age 21.
Current members
Former members
Competitive season
Classification
Bands are split between A and Open classes, based on the number of performing members. A third class, AA, was previously available according to results archived on Marching.com. AAA Class was removed and replaced with Open Class between 2006 and 2007.
Field band adjudication
MACBDA utilizes a single-tier adjudication handbook for field band competitions. There are no adjustments or recommendations for scoring large and small bands. The annual Youth in Music Band Championships utilizes the MACBDA scoring format.
Captions and rubric
Scoring is based on two broad categories: Performance, and Effect. The categories are further divided into four reference criteria or captions, with each given a maximum value of 200 points, or up to 20 points when factored. Percussion and Auxiliary, or color guard, captions are also available. Each given a maximum value of 100 points, or ten points when factored. The final score is tabulated by adding all captions, less any penalties. One adjudicator is assigned to each caption, and one each to percussion and auxiliary. An additional adjudicator is responsible for timing and penalties. In addition to a tabulator, each competition requires eight personnel. MACBDA does not have captions for drum majors, twirling teams and majorettes, or dance teams. Performance excellence by a drum major is recognized by the Effect or Performance adjudicators where appropriate. Twirlers and dance teams would fall under the responsibility of the Auxiliary adjudicator. Almost all participating bands will perform with a color guard team.
Placements and awards
Placements and total scores are announced for each class following the last band's performance. Caption awards are also announced for "High Music Execution", "High Visual Execution", "High Music General Effect", "High Visual General Effect", "High Percussion" and "High Auxiliary'. The awards recognize the highest placing band in each caption, regardless of class. A Drum Major excellence award is also announced, but does not affect the overall score for any of the competing bands.
Parade band adjudication
Parade band adjudication falls under three captions: Marching, Effect, and Music. The two captions with the largest impact on a band's final score are Effect and Music, valued at up to 40 points each. Effect emphasizes overall ensemble performance, while music execution favors quality of tone and musical intonation. Parade competitions may have up to nine judges, three per caption. Scores are averaged within captions, and then summed.
Caption
Points
Past champions
It is unclear when MACBDA championships were first hosted or which event was sanctioned as a championship prior to 1979. The following is an incomplete and unverified list of championship results:
