Mark Your 2011 Marching Band Calendar!

COMING SOON: The 2011 FCS Universal Application in PDF

 
Some Frequently Asked Questions (click for answers)

What is the Fall Classic Series?
Is the Fall Classic Series a circuit?
Why am I in a different class at different Fall Classic events?
How do I register my band for a Fall Classic Series event?

 
September 24, 2011
The 32nd Neptune Marching Marlin Fall Classic
All Size Bands
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Bayside High School, Virginia Beach, VA
Jay Allsbrook, Director - 757.473.5050 x59560 - james.allsbrook@vbschools.com
http://www.baysidebands.com

 
Click Here to register online for this show

 

October 8, 2011
The 3rd Annual Manassas Park Fall Classic
All Size Bands
Saturday, October 8nd, 2011
Manassas Park High School, Manassas Park, VA
Lisa Eckstein, Director - 703.361.9131 x16111
- lisa.eckstein@mpark.net
MPHS Band Web Site


 

October 8, 2011
The 29th Annual Bluestone Invitational
All Size Bands

Saturday, October 8th, 2011
Bluestone High School, Skipwith, VA
Ricky Allgood, Director - 434.372.5702
- rallgood@meck.k12.va.us
http://www.bluestoneband.org


 

October 29, 2011
The 21st Annual Powhatan Fall Classic
All Size Bands
Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Powhatan High School, Powhatan, VA
Scott Gordon, Director - 804.598.5710 x345 - scott.gordon@powhatan.k12.va.us
http://www.powhatanbands.com

 
Click Here to register online for this show

 

November 5, 2011
The 15th Annual Godwin Invitational
All Size Bands
Saturday, November 5th, 2011
Mills E. Godwin High School, Richmond, VA
Leon Auman, Director - 804.750.2657 - vlauman@henrico.k12.va.us
http://www.godwinband.org


All competitions will feature:

  • A competition sensitive to the needs of bands at all levels of development

  • Clinic Judging at the end of the performance

  • 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place trophies for each class and each caption

  • Fair class sizes that will not put smaller bands at a disadvantage.

  • A hospitality tent for each band’s staff

  • Positive and constructive judging

  • High quality, informational caption-style judging sheets

Look for registration materials in the mail this August
and soon at this site!

 

Fall Classic Series FAQ
 

What is the Fall Classic Series?  In 1991, David Duffy, then director of Powhatan High School, started the Powhatan Evening Classic.  Having an excellent small band of his own, Mr. Duffy saw a need and designed a show for small bands where they would be able to perform in the evening "under the lights."

Since 1992, director Scott Gordon has fostered the growth of the small bands concept to include judges who only evaluate what is on the field, flexible class sizes to keep a limited range of like-sized bands together for healthy competition, comprehensive sheets that fully explain the scoring system, and a non-scoring clinic judge to have direct interaction with the band right after their performance.

By 1996, the show had grown so popular that it was forced to start before sundown.  Thus, the event was renamed the Powhatan Fall Classic.

In 2003, Powhatan expanded the competition to include all size bands, but has continued to maintain the healthy small bands environment by retaining the original class size structure (adding classes for larger bands), continuing to have a grand champion for the small bands classes, and ensuring a panel of judges sensitive to the world of the small band program.

In 2005, Powhatan exported its format to Middlesex High School, and thus the Fall Classic Series had been born.  In 2006, Bayside High School and Mills Godwin High School joined in, lending the power of their outstanding competitions to the Fall Classic philosophy.

Is the Fall Classic Series a circuit?  No.  The Fall Classic Series competitions are independent shows led by folks who share the same commitment to educational quality.  Our loose association provides bands of all sizes a consistency in judging style, philosophy, and format.

Why am I in a different class at different Fall Classic events?  The Fall Classic Series tailors each show to ensure bands are grouped in like sizes per show and not based on an arbitrary fixed number ahead of time.  There may be two to four classes between 1-75 playing members depending on the number of participating units and their numbers of playing members.  Optimally, the largest band in a class is no more than about ten playing members larger than the smallest band in its class.  As a result, the same size band may end up in a different class week to week.

Units with more than 75 playing members will encounter more traditional class divisions.

How do I register my band for a Fall Classic Series event?  When available (check at the top of the page), you can download the universal Fall Classic Series application in PDF format.  Virginia bands will receive hard copies of the entry materials in early August, as well.