For a most enjoyable and entertaining day, you, and your family, won't want to miss watching the competitions that make up the Grape Bowl Classic.  The Review is is basically a two-part event held at two different locations.

     The Parade Competition, Concert Competition and the Jazz Competition are held in the morning on or around the Lodi High School campus.  The Field Show Competition is held in the late afternoon and evening at the Lodi Grape Bowl stadium, located approximately 2 miles away.

     There is no admission charge to watch the events in the morning at Lodi High School.  The Awards presentation for the morning events are held early in the afternoon at the Lodi Grape Bowl and there is no cost for admission charge to attend this Awards presentation.  After the Awards presentation for the morning events, the Lodi Grape Bowl stadium must be cleared of all spectators so that the stadium can be set-up for the evening Field Show Competitions. 

     There is an admission charge to watch the Field Show Competition at the Lodi Grape Bowl.  The admission cost is $7.00 for general admission and children 12 and under 5 is $5.00.

     At both locations you will find food vendors readily available, selling snack and food items at a very reasonable price.  Souvenirs are also available at both locations.  Profits from these vendors benefit the band programs located at the Lodi Unified School District's High Schools.

     For more specific information concerning all of these events, click on one of the links to your right.  The information in these links will be updated as soon as there are any changes.  You may want to check back every so often to see what is new or what may have been changed.

Monday, October 20, 2008

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     There is parking available for Band Buses and Support vehicles at both of the Grape Bowl Classic locations.  Details concerning the parking locations will be sent to the respective bands prior to the event.  Please note that vehicles that are not transporting bands or their equipment will not be allowed to park in the same area as the buses and support vehicles.

     Parking for Spectator's vehicles is somewhat limited.  There is no parking along the Parade route, even for those people that live on the Parade route's streets during the morning of the event.  This does cause a limited amount of parking close-by for spectators.  For those that do arrive early enough, parking spots can be found relatively close-by on the residential side streets in the area.  Please be courteous to the residents living in these areas by not blocking their driveways or parking next to fire hydrants or any area officially marked as "No Parking".

     At the Lodi Grape Bowl stadium, there are parking lots located to the East and west of the stadium.  Buses and support vehicles will have reserved parking in a lot immediately north of the stadium.  Again, vehicles that are not transporting bands or equipment are not allowed to park in this parking lot.  Please arrive early enough to secure a spot in one of the public parking lots.  Once these are filled, parking is only available in the residential areas around the stadium and everyone will appreciate it if you do not block their driveways or park next to fire hydrants or any area officially marked as "No Parking".

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    The various competitions within the Grape Bowl Classic are judged by Division.  Bands compete in a Division based upon the size of the particular school's band.  The larger schools, with larger bands, are placed in the high Divisions and those with less band students are placed in the lower Divisions.

     Typically the Divisions are labeled as Division AA for the highest Division and progress downwards as Division A, B, C, D and E.

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         In the Band Review Parade Competition, the performance and appearance of the band proper are the major factors considered by the judges.  In the Field Show Competition, however, innovation and special effects are vital to an award-winning performance.  Bands are especially proud and eager to display their musical and marching expertise before an appreciative audience and the watchful eyes of the fine judges provided by the Grape Bowl Classic.

     The bands will have 15 minutes to enter, set-up, warm-up, perform and exit.  The performance is to last for a minimum of 7 minutes.  The performance usually consists of four to five musical selections, one of which may be a concert piece.  The band and attached units, (Color Guards, Dance or Percussion), must execute precise marching maneuvers as they move through their musical selections.

     Judges scrutinize the band's performance on the field from a standpoint of musical performance, showmanship, marching and maneuvering.  All judges work on a buildup scoring system as follows:

     Music Performance - 500 Points

     Showmanship - 250 Points

     Marching and Maneuvering - 250 Points

     Thus, a maximum of 1,000 points is possible.  Scores are converted to a total based upon 100.  Penalty points are then deducted to arrive at a total score.

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     Bands participating in band reviews want to have an enjoyable experience for all and are looking for a good educational evaluation of their performance.  They are judged and scored by the best qualified judges available.  Judging often begins with an inspection, where the judge evaluates uniform dress, neatness, cleanliness and general condition of equipment and instruments.  The bands then enter a warm-up area where they may practice their performance.  A silence area follows where the bands must march quietly, except for one drummer playing on the rim of the drum to mark cadence for the band.  This allows bands performing in the competition area directly ahead to perform without distractions.

     The Grape Bowl Classic competition area is 450 feet long.  Each band must stop with the front rank of the band on the 'Halt' line and wait until directed to enter competition.  When directed to enter, bands step-off smartly and are required to move forward.  Bandsmen must play the first note of music before the last rank of the band passes the 'Competition Begins" line.  The drum major must salute the reviewing judges.  The band must march and continue playing until the last rank of the band crosses the 'Competition Ends' line.  Bands are permitted 2 minutes and 30 seconds in each competition area.  Music judges evaluate the technical aspects and overall performance of the competition march.  Showmanship judges evaluate the entire band from a standpoint of general impact, visual effects and confidence.  Marching and Maneuvering judges scrutinize the band for its ability to stay in step and maintain the symmetry of ranks and files.  Five other judges evaluate the competition performances of twirlers, percussion, tall flags, identification units and the drum major.  The competition area for the Grape Bowl Classic parade competition is located on Elm Street in front of Erma B. Reese School.

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    The Perpetual Grand Sweepstakes Trophy represents the finest all-round performance by any band in the Grape Bowl Classic review.

     Possession of the perpetual trophy for one year is awarded to the band attaining the highest combined parade and field competition scores.  Accompanied by an engraved plaque commemorating their victory, and to be retained by the band, the perpetual trophy itself is returned the following year to be 'defended' by the champion.