Education through musical involvement.
It is our firm belief that controlled competition can be a positive educational tool wherein the process of music education can greatly enhance general education and life skills.
About Cavalcade of Bands
The Cavalcade of Bands is a nonprofit 501c3 organization, founded in 1958, composed of member schools coming together to compete on the interscholastic level. It is the continuing philosophy of Cavalcade to provide students with a broad array of educational opportunities for the development of abilities in music and the performing arts. Through competitive and noncompetitive evaluation, the primary goal is to promote the ongoing development and mastery of technical and artistic skills reflecting contemporary educational principles.
While traditionally a Southeastern Pennsylvania organization, we have grown within the Mid-Atlantic region to include Northern and Central Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. On average, our membership consists of 100 K-12 school districts within these geographic boundaries.
CBA’s efforts are focused on providing resources to these schools through their school music programs, directors, and instructors. The intent is that these resources benefit the students of those programs on the field and on the stage. At our sanctioned events, the primary audience is the parents of said performing students, neighbors, community members, and fans of the performing arts.
On average from September through April we host about fifty marching, jazz and indoor events. These all conclude with championship competitions at the end of each season. Marching band events draw the most spectators, with thousands of patrons helping to support our students, their local shows, our championship events and overall music education.
Marching Band
Elevating talent, inspiring audiences
On weekends from September through early November, marching bands perform at local football stadiums in competitive events. In addition to receiving verbal judged commentary numeric scores, each school has the opportunity to perform to hundreds of thousands spectators.
There are five competitive performance groupings based on the total number of members. Within each division, there are three classes based on the ability level of the group. Our Open groups are at the highest competitive level and will be seen attending national events such as BOA and WGI regionals. Our A class groups are focused on growing their programs and training the performers on the field for eventual advancement to the open class. We also offer a Freedom class for bands that are not competitive in the traditional nature, but are still looking for feedback and commentary from the adjudicator panel.
Over the course of the championship day this fall, we will have 75 groups, 7,000 spectators, 4,000 performers, and 900 support staff active throughout the day.
Jazz
Building artistry through performance
From mid February through April, high school jazz bands perform in a festival type settings with feedback given by three jazz educators. Verbal commentary and ratings are presented instead of scores. A similar class structure to marching band is in place, with groups divided into both Open and A based on the repertoire and skillset of their students.
In addition, best soloist and best section awards are provided at each festival. Show hosts also have options to provide additional opportunities at their shows such as guest soloists and clinicians from within the judging roster.