Competition Scoring
Regional band competitions are adjudicated under rules set by the Florida Marching Band Championships (FMBC) organization.
The FMBC significantly revised its rules for the 2018 season which is available as a PDF at this link. This page recaps the rules and presents the scoring results from the 10/6/2018 Seminole Sound competition as an example scoring card.
The FMBC significantly revised its rules for the 2018 season which is available as a PDF at this link. This page recaps the rules and presents the scoring results from the 10/6/2018 Seminole Sound competition as an example scoring card.
Recap of the 2018 Rules
Class sizes
Class 1A: 1-45 Students
Class 2A: 46-69 Students
Class 3A: 70-99 Students
Class 4A: 100-125 Students
Class 5A: 126 and more students
Show Bands No Restrictions
As of October 15th, 2018 the 4A & 5A class sizes will be adjusted for the remainder of the season:
Class 4A 100-145 Performing Students
Class 5A 146 and up Performing Students
Formerly only certain types of instruments were counted towards class size. Now any performing student on the field including drum major are counted. Students who remain in the performance area, ONLY to move props, etc. are NOT considered to have a performing role.
If weather conditions warrant, Authorized Non-Performing Personnel (e.g., chaperones) will be allowed to support (not move or manipulate) props. This exception is granted only under extreme weather conditions.
Caption Judging: Primary and Supplemental
Captions are like categories. Six Primary Caption judges are assigned to evaluate each of six captions. These scores are added to produce the final score overall of the performing ensemble.
The common Supplemental Captions (Color Guard and Percussion) may also be evaluated, but these scores are not used in calculating the final score of the ensemble. Some shows also optionally choose to evaluate and award Drum Majors or other specific sections of the performing ensemble, such as Woodwinds or Brass.
The six Primary Captions and their maximum point values are:
FMBC Scoring System
The FMBC has a 19-page document that illustrates the judging factors and relative point values that are used for primary and supplemental captions. If you really want to get a sense of what judges are looking for, this is an excellent guide.
Class 1A: 1-45 Students
Class 2A: 46-69 Students
Class 3A: 70-99 Students
Class 4A: 100-125 Students
Class 5A: 126 and more students
Show Bands No Restrictions
As of October 15th, 2018 the 4A & 5A class sizes will be adjusted for the remainder of the season:
Class 4A 100-145 Performing Students
Class 5A 146 and up Performing Students
Formerly only certain types of instruments were counted towards class size. Now any performing student on the field including drum major are counted. Students who remain in the performance area, ONLY to move props, etc. are NOT considered to have a performing role.
If weather conditions warrant, Authorized Non-Performing Personnel (e.g., chaperones) will be allowed to support (not move or manipulate) props. This exception is granted only under extreme weather conditions.
Caption Judging: Primary and Supplemental
Captions are like categories. Six Primary Caption judges are assigned to evaluate each of six captions. These scores are added to produce the final score overall of the performing ensemble.
The common Supplemental Captions (Color Guard and Percussion) may also be evaluated, but these scores are not used in calculating the final score of the ensemble. Some shows also optionally choose to evaluate and award Drum Majors or other specific sections of the performing ensemble, such as Woodwinds or Brass.
The six Primary Captions and their maximum point values are:
- Ensemble Music Performance (20 Points)
- Ensemble Visual Performance (20 Points)
- General Effect Music (20 Points)
- General Effect Visual (20 Points)
- Individual Field Music Performance (10 Points)
- Individual Field Visual Performance (10 Points)
FMBC Scoring System
The FMBC has a 19-page document that illustrates the judging factors and relative point values that are used for primary and supplemental captions. If you really want to get a sense of what judges are looking for, this is an excellent guide.

2017_fmbc_scoresheets_sept_16_last.pdf |
Tie-breakers
1st The total points from the Ensemble Music Judges
2nd The total points by the GE Music Judges
3rd The total points from the Music Performance Judges
Regional show hosts may choose to present duplicate awards rather than break ties.
1st The total points from the Ensemble Music Judges
2nd The total points by the GE Music Judges
3rd The total points from the Music Performance Judges
Regional show hosts may choose to present duplicate awards rather than break ties.
10/6/2018 Seminole Sound Scoring Results
As of October 2018, all Florida FBC competition scores can be found on this FMBC web page: link
The Green Devil Marching band received top marks in every category at 2018 Seminole Sound Class 1A except color guard yet finished in second place overall, just 1/10th of a point behind the first place finisher. The rules above help explain why.
Specifically, not all captions count towards the overall performance score. Of the six primary captions, SPHS finished 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 1st. Of the three supplemental captions (which don't count towards overall), SPHS finished 1st, 3rd, and 1st.
You can click on the images to expand their view.
The score images are enlarged below.