Marching Band Adjudication Season Is Underway

From General Effect at Stagg to Music Performance at Plainfield South

Marching band season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. After months of camps, rehearsals, show design, drill, music, and preparation, September is when programs finally get the opportunity to put their work in front of an audience and an adjudication panel.

This past Saturday, my “office” was the press box at the 46th Annual Stagg Marching Band Jamboree in Palos Hills, Illinois, where I had the opportunity to serve on the adjudication panel providing General Effect commentary.

It was a great way to begin my 2026 adjudication season.

More Than a Score

One of the things I enjoy most about adjudicating is the opportunity to experience a program from a completely different perspective.

As an educator, clinician, designer, and instructor, I spend a lot of time helping students and staffs build performances. Adjudication gives me the opportunity to step outside that process and evaluate what is communicating from the field.

The score is certainly part of competition, but I believe good adjudication should provide more than a number.

My goal is to recognize what students are already achieving, identify opportunities for continued development, and provide directors and staffs with useful commentary they can take back to their next rehearsal.

Every performance represents countless hours of work. Students, directors, instructional staffs, parents, and volunteers all contribute to what eventually appears on the field for those few minutes on a Saturday.

That deserves thoughtful and constructive evaluation.

Thank You, Stagg

I want to thank Bob Mecozzi and the staff at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School for the invitation and for hosting such a well-run competition.

I enjoyed the performances, the conversations with the other members of the adjudication panel, and the opportunity to begin another competition season doing something I genuinely enjoy.

And now it’s already time to prepare for the next one.

Next Stop: Plainfield South

This Saturday, September 19, I’ll be heading to the Plainfield South Marching Band Invitational for my next adjudication assignment.

This time, I’ll be evaluating Music Performance – Individual.

Moving from General Effect at Stagg to Music Performance – Individual at Plainfield South requires a different listening perspective, and that is something I really enjoy about adjudicating different captions.

Instead of primarily considering the overall effectiveness and communication of the production, I’ll be listening closely to the musical achievement of the performers on the field—including sound quality, timing, accuracy, intonation, balance, clarity, and musical expression.

Ultimately, though, the purpose remains the same: provide students and educators with meaningful feedback that can help them continue improving.

A Busy Fall Ahead

Plainfield South is only the next stop in what will be a busy 2026 marching season.

Throughout the fall, I’ll continue working with marching programs through adjudication, clinics, instruction, design, and CK Marching Services, while continuing my year-round teaching and music services through Chris K Music.

I’ve spent many years in the marching arts, but every season brings new programs, new productions, new students, and new opportunities to learn.

I’m looking forward to seeing where the “office” takes me next.

Best of luck to all of the students, directors, staffs, and families competing this weekend. Have a great performance and a great rest of the 2026 season!