The Holiday Classic Virtual Drumline & Marching Band Competition Guidelines

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Who may participate

The virtual competition is open to scholastic ensembles worldwide, including middle school, high school, and combined-grade school programs. Independent, collegiate, and community ensembles are not eligible. Only ensembles based in the United States are eligible for the January 16 live NBOTB performance invitations.

Express scoring classifications for Judged Portion: 

• Middle grades 6–8 (0.95)

• High grades 9–12 (1.00). 

• Community Division Jr.  (0.95)

• Community Division Sr. (1.00)

A grade-level category must comprise at least 65% of registered performers to determine a combined ensemble’s classification. If none reaches 65%, the director may select an appropriate classification represented in the roster. 

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Performance formats and limits

• Drumlines: maximum 4 minutes. A drumline feature, selected cadences, or a combination is acceptable.

• Marching bands: maximum 10 minutes. A complete field show, stand performance, dance routine, selected production segment, or a combination may be presented.

• Existing performance footage or a recording made specifically for this competition may be submitted. Choose the presentation that best showcases musical performance and some form of coordinated movement.

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Video preparation and delivery

• Submit landscape 16:9 footage at the highest practical resolution.

• Multiple camera angles and transitions are permitted. Do not add logos, text, graphics, watermarks, or other overlays; official event branding will be applied by organizers.

• Audio may be mixed and equalized for clarity and balance, but must not be doctored to misrepresent the actual performance.

• Send downloadable video links using Google Drive, Dropbox, or another accessible download service to events@percussionleague.com; Ensure download permissions remain active.

• Videos will be uploaded to official event platforms for public voting and access by adjudicators. By submitting, the director confirms authority to share the performance and obtain necessary permissions.

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Stage 1 — Preliminary fan voting

Fan voting takes place December 7–12 through one official voting portal with separate Band and Drumline tallies. Each IP address is permitted one voting submission for the voting period, with the opportunity to select one band and one drumline in that submission. Shared networks may therefore have only one available submission.

The top three bands and top four drumlines advance. When there is a tie at the advancement cutoff, all tied ensembles advance, even if this increases the number of finalists. Organizers may invalidate fraudulent or manipulated voting activity.

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Stage 2 — Judged virtual championship

Finalists are announced December 14. Advancing ensembles may reuse their preliminary video, use a second video provided with initial registration, or provide a new video. All video updates or alternate selections must be received by December 19. If no update or alternate selection is received, the preliminary video will automatically be used for judging; there is no penalty solely for reusing that footage.

Championship performances will be evaluated by directors and instructional staff of colleges and universities participating in NBOTB.

 

The Percussion League Express percussion rubric and the adapted Marching Band Express rubric use Music (50 points) and Visual (50 points), with the applicable grade-classification multiplier. Preliminary fan votes do not carry over into championship scoring.

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The finals will air December 26, with winners announced at the conclusion of the virtual event. The Band Division will name a champion; Drumline Division results will identify the two highest-ranked eligible groups for the live NBOTB battle.

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NBOTB live performance opportunities — January 16, 2027

• One U.S.-based band will be invited to give a featured performance at the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands in Palm Beach, Florida.

• Two U.S.-based drumlines will be invited to compete in a separate live battle that determines a new winner for that event. The live battle will use the Express rubric; detailed procedures will be communicated before January.

• An international group may win a virtual championship title but cannot take a live performance slot. That invitation passes to the next highest-ranked eligible U.S.-based ensemble in the same division.

• Invitations are conditional on eligibility, acceptance, organizer approval, and the live event proceeding as planned.

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Admission and financial responsibility

For each confirmed invited ensemble, complimentary admission is limited to up to 180 verified performers, up to 8 authorized staff, and up to 5 chaperones (maximum 193 admissions per ensemble). These are ticket allocations, not cash awards or guarantees of additional services.

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NBOTB, The Percussion League, Synergy Network, and their partners are not responsible for travel, buses, airfare, lodging, meals, instrument transport, equipment, insurance, parking, or other participation costs. Schools and organizations must independently arrange and fund these items. No additional financial benefits or reimbursements are promised unless expressly agreed in writing by the responsible organization.