USBands

USBands, formally United States Scholastic Band Association^[1] 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.

USBands allows their bands to classify themselves into three groups:

• Open Class: Seasoned ensembles that demonstrate expanded skill sets and are adjudicated on a scale supporting intermediate to advanced skills.
• A Class: Ensembles who demonstrate a fundamental to intermediate skill set and are adjudicated on a scale representing fundamental to intermediate skills.
• Regional A Class: Ensembles who demonstrate a basic to fundamental skill set (may be building/rebuilding their program) and are adjudicated on a scale representing basic to fundamental skills.
• Performance Class: Ensembles may choose not to compete, while participating in a substantive experience and engaging evaluation platform, at any USBands-sanctioned event.  Ensembles in this classification receive evaluation based on the points of comparison found on the A Class sheets and commentary by adjudicators and will be awarded ratings of Superior, Outstanding, Excellent, Good, or Fair.  The rating will be announced at the awards ceremony. No scores will be given.

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 (Texas: 1-45)
• Group II - 39 to 53 members (Texas: 46–80)
• Group III - 54 to 70 members (Texas: 81–115)
• Group IV - 71 to 95 members (Texas: 116–160)
• Group V - 96 to 130 members (Texas: 161–200)
• Group VI -131 and more members (Texas: 201+)^[2][3]

For 2020, USBands created an additional sizing and eliminated the "Open Class" as part of its "v-USBands" virtual adjudication platform.^[4] Individual musicians, guard performers, small ensembles, and group Sizes for marching bands were classified as:

• Division I - 26 to 50 members
• Division II - 51 to 74 members
• Division III - 75 to 99 members
• Division IV - 100 and more members
• Bands with fewer than 26 members were permitted to be included in Division I or as an Ensemble.

For 2021, USBands restored its Open Class for all competitions in Texas and for all national competitions, effective September 25. Group sizes changed to:^[5]

• Group I - 1 to 39 members (Texas: 1-59)
• Group II - 40 to 59 members (Texas: 60–99)
• Group III - 60 to 79 members (Texas: 100–139)
• Group IV - 80 to 100 members (Texas: 140–169)
• Group V - 101 or more members (Texas: 170+)

Group VI has been eliminated

For 2022, group sizes again changed with Texas events remaining the same as 2021:^[6]

• Group I - 1 to 39 members (Texas: 1-59)
• Group II - 40 to 54 members (Texas: 60–99)
• Group III - 55 to 74 members (Texas: 100–139)
• Group IV - 75 to 99 members (Texas: 140–169)
• Group V - 100 or more members (Texas: 170+)

For 2023, group sizes have been changed as follows (Texas events group sizing remains the same as 2021).

• Group I - 1 to 35 members (Texas: 1-59)
• Group II - 36 to 49 members (Texas: 60–99)
• Group III - 50 to 64 members (Texas: 100–139)
• Group IV - 65 to 89 members (Texas: 140–169)
• Group V - 90 or more members (Texas: 170+)

For 2024, Texas group sizes changed slightly as follows (National events group sizing remains the same as 2023).

• Group I - 1 to 35 members (Texas: 1-59)
• Group II - 36 to 49 members (Texas: 60–99)
• Group III - 50 to 64 members (Texas: 100–139)
• Group IV - 65 to 89 members (Texas: 140–170)
• Group V - 90 or more members (Texas: 171+)

For 2025, group sizes changed for both National and Texas events

• Group I - 1 to 39 members (Texas: 1-69)
• Group II - 40 to 59 members (Texas: 70–99)
• Group III - 60 to 74 members (Texas: 100–129)
• Group IV - 75 to 99 members (Texas: 130–169)
• Group V - 100 or more members (Texas: 170+)

For 2026, National group sizes were restructured with different group sizes in Group Regional A & A and Open Class (Texas group sizing remains the same as 2025).

• Group I Regional A/Group I A - 1 to 39 members
• Group II Regional A/Group II A - 35 to 44 members
• Group III Regional A/Group III A - 45 to 59 members
• Group IV Regional A/Group IV A - 60 to 89 members
• Group V Regional A/Group V A - 90 or more members
• Group I Open - 1 to 44 members (Texas: 1-69)
• Group II Open - 45 to 64 members (Texas: 70-99)
• Group III Open - 65 to 84 members (Texas: 100-129)
• Group IV Open - 85 to 100 members (Texas: 130-169)
• Group V Open - 101 or more members (Texas: 170+)

• Official website