Rules & Regulations for NCBA Events

Parade Rules

NCBA Parade Rules – Updated 2022

NCBA Parade Policies and Procedures – Updated 2022

NCBA Instructions for Parade Committees – Updated 2022

Parade classification is determined by the number of performers on the street.  This includes everyone – Wind musicians, percussion, color guard, drum major, back flags, escorts, auxiliary units, etc.

Division # Performers
Middle School JB 1-50
Middle School JA 51+
High School A 1-35
High School 2A 36-50
High School 3A 51-70
High School 4A 71-90
High School 5A 91-110
High School 6A/Open 111+
    1. Bands must update numbers with show hosts before September 15 of the given year.
    2. Bands can move to the Open division at any point in the season.
    3. Bands may compete in a higher division than their numbers, but not a lower division.  Bands may not change after their first competition, or the second weekend in October.
    4. Bands may not move down in class after their first competition of the season.
    5. Schools may combine from the same school district.  Combined schools must compete in the open division regardless of band size.

Field Show Rules

NCBA Field Show Rules – Updated 2023

NCBA Field Policies and Procedures – Updated 2023

NCBA Instructions for Field Committees – Updated 2023

Classification is based on ALL student performers on the field including guard/auxiliaries, pit, drum major, winds and battery.

Division # Performers
High School A 1-50
High School 2A 51-70
High School 3A 71-90
High School 4A 91-120
High School 5A 121-150
High School 6A/Open 150+
    1. Bands must update numbers with show hosts before September 15 of the given year.
    2. Bands can move to the Open division at any point in the season.
    3. Bands may compete in a higher division than their numbers, but not a lower division.  Bands may not change after their first competition, or the second weekend in October.
    4. Bands may not move down in class after their first competition of the season.
    5. Schools may combine from the same school district.  Combined schools must compete in the open division regardless of band size.

Additional Parade and Field Rules

NCBA Awards Ceremony Guidelines For Parade and Field – Updated 2022

NCBA Personnel Request Form Parade & Field – Updated 2022

Concert/Jazz Rules

NCBA Concert & Jazz Competition Rules – Updated 2023

NCBA Concert & Jazz Festival Rules

Winter Rules

NCBA Winter Guard Rules (updated December 2022)

NCBA Winter Percussion Rules (updated December 2022)

NCBA Winter Drum Major Rules (updated December 2022)

Adjudicator Information and Score Sheets