Date

5-22-2024

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Music Education (DME)

Chair

Nathan Street

Keywords

Marching Band, Small Schools, Kansas

Disciplines

Music

Abstract

This quantitative, casual-comparative study examines how small school marching bands, classified as 1A, 2A, and 3A, compare scores and ratings to those of larger school marching bands, classified as 4A, 5A, and 6A. In Kansas, high schools of all sizes maintain a marching band, whether parade only, halftime show only, or competitive corps-style. Smaller schools may be competitively disadvantaged compared to more sizable schools, but the data supporting such a notion are not substantive. These disadvantages may be economic-based or participation-based. This casual-comparative study is based on a survey research quantitative analysis of judges’ scores and ratings from various 2023 Kansas marching band festivals and competitions and comparing the scores based on school classification. This study includes up to 246 bands from classes 1A, 2A, and 3A. The 188 schools in class 1A are divided into four divisions during football season: 1A 11-man, 8-man division I, 8-man division II, and 6-man. Schools in this classification may experience challenges in fielding a marching band due to student participation and funding, or they do not have a band program. Once scores for small and large schools have been compared and observations have occurred, the data provides a more precise analysis of how small school bands’ scores compare to those of larger schools. This study will help directors at small schools to understand how scores for small schools can compare with larger schools and what aspects of the scoring rubric would be most beneficial to focus on to find success in competition.

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