USBands


USBands, formally United States Scholastic Band Association and sometimes referred to as USSBA, was formed in the Fall 1988 to provide high school marching bands an opportunity to compete in a circuit featuring top judges from across the continent. USBands is based in Concord, CA and is a programming offering of BD Performing Arts.
USBands includes over 700 participating high school marching bands. Bands are offered over 200 opportunities per year including competitions and clinics.
In competitions, bands are classified by size and compete with bands within their classification. The classes include range from Group 1, the smallest, to Group 5, the largest. Bands are also classified by skill level. The skill classifications include the Regional A Class for inexperienced bands, A Class for bands that have recently moved to a larger size group and the Open class for established programs. In total, there are 15 classifications ranging from Group I Regional A to Group V Open, who perform and compete with bands of similar size and talent.
USBands has also begun supporting competitive indoor events, and provides cooperative fundraising opportunities. In the winter of 2012, USSBA changed their name to USBands.

Classifications

USBands allows their bands to classify themselves into three groups:
  • Performance Class: Ensembles who prefer a non-competitive experience at any USBands sanctioned event
  • A Class: Ensembles who demonstrate a basic to intermediate skill set and are adjudicated on a scale representing fundamental to intermediate skills.
  • Open Class: Seasoned ensembles that demonstrate expanded skill sets and are adjudicated on a scale supporting intermediate to advanced skills.

    Group size

2016 to 2019

Between 2016 and 2019, groups were classified by the following size, which includes playing members, auxiliary, and command personnel drum majors, and bands from Texas had group sizes that varied from the national ranges:
  • Group I - 1 to 38 members
  • Group II - 39 to 53 members
  • Group III - 54 to 70 members
  • Group IV - 71 to 95 members
  • Group V - 96 to 130 members
  • Group VI -131 and more members

    2020

For 2020, USBands created an additional sizing and eliminated the "Open Class" as part of its "v-USBands" virtual adjudication platform. Individual musicians, guard performers, small ensembles, and group Sizes for marching bands were classified as:
For 2021, USBands restored its Open Class for all competitions in Texas and for all national competitions, effective September 25. Group sizes changed to:
  • Group I - 1 to 39 members
  • Group II - 40 to 59 members
  • Group III - 60 to 79 members
  • Group IV - 80 to 100 members
  • Group V - 101 and more members
Group VI has been eliminated

2022

For 2022, group sizes again changed with Texas events remaining the same as 2021:
  • Group I - 1 to 39 members
  • Group II - 40 to 54 members
  • Group III - 55 to 74 members
  • Group IV - 75 to 99 members
  • Group V - 100 and more members

    2023

For 2023, group sizes have been changed as follows.
  • Group I - 1 to 35 members
  • Group II - 36 to 49 members
  • Group III - 50 to 64 members
  • Group IV - 65 to 89 members
  • Group V - 90 and more members

    Past USBands Open Class champions

Past USBands A Class champions