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 normally a two-part event held at two different locations.  This year, due to construction at the Lodi Grape Bowl Stadium, all of the events will be located at the Tokay High School campus.

     The Parade Competition, Concert Competition and the Jazz Competition are held in the morning on or around the Tokay High School campus.  The Field Show Competition this year will also be located at the Tokay High campus.

     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 Tokay High and there is no cost for admission charge to attend this Awards presentation. 

     There is an admission charge to watch the Field Show Competition at Tokay High.  The admission cost is $7.00 for general admission.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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     There is parking available for Band Buses and Support vehicles.  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 available at the parking lot at Tokay High at the corner of Ham Lane and Century Blvd.  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".

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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. 

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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.