OFFICIAL COMPETING DIRECTORS INFORMATION PACKET BELOW:
|
|
THIS WEBPAGE IS YOUR OFFICIAL COMPETING BAND PACKET
most of your questions can be answered below:
*******************************************************************
2024 Parking Guide:
Click this link to download Parking Map and instructions. Times are approximate. Only equipment vehicles on your KMEA registration form will be admitted to this area.
All buses and equipment trucks will enter from the stoplight at 700 N 12th St, Murray, KY 42071
Full Schedule - Downloadable - This is the official time schedule for FOC 2024
FORMAT
Finals Format:
Festival of Champions is a prelims/finals format contest.
The top 12 scoring bands in prelims will perform in finals.
Awards: Prelim Awards: Best in Class (1st, 2nd ,3rd in each class), best percussion, and best color guard
Final Awards: Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass will be based on finals performances.
Finals Draw will happen when you arrive on campus. Each band will draw a number 1-18. The higher the number you receive = equals the later you perform in your block of bands for the finals competition
Block placement will be determined by overall band score in prelims.
TOP 1-6 scoring bands will perform in the last 6 slots at finals
PLACE 7-12 will perform in the early block of bands at finals
*******************************************************************
Site Information - Graphics showing parking, band entrance, gates, etc.
Southeast view from Pressbox.pdf
Northeast view from Pressbox.pdf
WARM-UP AREAS (these have not changed since 2019)
Warm-up Areas A and B.pdf
Warm-up Areas C and D.pdf
Warm-up Layout Graphic.pdf
Full Stadium Flow Map.pdf
File Sharing (Judges audio and Video)
This will be handled by Competition Suite and KMEA this year. Look for information from John Stroube explaining access to your drive.
VIDEO: We will post video shortly after performances. Videos might not download very quickly (BIG files).
Last year videos posted within 2 hours of performances.
Wireless Logon information:
The MSU wireless network doesn’t work in the parking lot. You should be able to access the guest network MSU Guest when in the concourse or stadium seating area. It has some simple instructions when you try to logon. The link for new users is at the bottom of the page.
Murray has a good 5G network and you probably will be able to download most files using your data network through your phone’s provider.
http://support.murraystate.edu/admin/virtual/docs/Information%20Systems/MSUGuest_instructions.pdf
Dressing Rooms:
Dressing facilities (bathrooms) will be available in CFSB on the Upper concourse level from 8:30am-10pm. Students are not allowed to hang out in CFSB. Please supervise your students while in CFSB) This is not a meeting or rehearsal space. Do not cross the barricades, use only the designated changing area. Additional changing areas are available in the stadium concourse 10:00am-10:00pm Basketball is practicing in the arena. they have been very gracious and allowed us to use the arena for changing. What I have promised them is they won’t see or HEAR US. Students must be quiet in the arena, and arena rest rooms while changing. If there is a problem all changing will be moved to the stadium bathrooms.
Warm-up (The same as past years)
You will get a 15 set-up stretch time and 30 minutes of music warm-up (See the maps and new schedule). “The hill” sidewalk will be very busy (HEAVY TRAFFIC ZONE). Please give right away to bands coming down the hill going to perform. When entering/exiting the warm-up fields..please give right of way to bands exiting the warm -up areas.
A few guidelines for warm-up areas:
Warm-up A & B Face brass face west
Warm-up C & D Face brass face north (Towards Lowes)
During 15 minute stretch--No Playing-- No Glock Blocks --etc
The last note of warm up must @ on time
The group next near you will start be set-up and start playing @ exactly on time
There will be no time keeper-stay on time
Murray State Guides will help you to your area
PLEASE be courteous if using a MET during warm-up - we don't want it to bleed into the performance area
Electric power at field level:
YES
Power will be available at the 50 yd line--we will have a chord that will reach the pit area for you
Spectator Parking:
The most convenient parking for spectators is behind Regional Special Events Center (CFSB Center). The CSFB lots are traditionally full by 1pm. Suggest to your fans parking near Cracker Barrel or the MSU lots south and west of the stadium. There is additional spectator parking near Cracker Barrel and the Church of Christ.
Handicap Parking: must enter from the southwest/roundabout area.
If that area fills up(always does) handicap fans can enter through band entrance and park in the handicap spots near the pit entrance. There will golf carts to help these people up to main concourse.
Food Service:
If you are providing food service (grilling etc.) @ the stadium area, we want you to use the grass picnic area (Northeast corner of stadium area). If this creates a problem, call. It would be ideal, if food service vehicles got to the stadium as early as possible. We can pull food service trucks into the grass area. There is a curb, but it is possible to get food vehicles in the grass area. Please have parents cook and serve food in the grass area next to the parking lot. Serving food in the parking lot area creates a safety hazard. We will provide dumpsters in the parking lot area. Thanks for helping keeping the parking lot clean. The band feeding area will be tight. Please be considerate to other bands, the grass area is a common space for all bands to use.
Please let parents and bus drivers know that there is no "hospitality room".
Bus and Equipment Truck Information:
When your band arrives at Murray State, please have all vehicles enter the stadium parking lot from Highway 641 (across from Cracker Barrel). The stadium parking area is divided with equipment trucks/buses on one side, and cars on the other. This can be less than ideal for parents, but it is safer for the students to keep all cars out of the north end of the lot.
Please inform parents they will not be able to park with the buses.
Pit Gate Area:
The north east corner of the stadium/baseball area/pit gate is very congested area. Please refrain from congregating/meeting in this area. Please do not do a group stretch in the parking lot area. This creates several safety and logistical problems.
Complimentary Passes:
The Murray State Drum Majors will greet you as your busses enter the parking lot and will give you an information packet, program link, and chaperone/bus driver complimentary tickets as outlined in the KMEA rules. There will be no band guide. If you need a tour of the stadium, the MSU drum majors will take you on a guided tour- via golf cart (a 5 minute tour).
All Directors and weekly teaching staff will get FOC staff badges.
These badges are for staff that teach on a weekly basis.
On arrival, you will also receive 1 complimentary pass (ticket) for each 10 band members
Please clarify for your parents who receives these passes.
All others parents/support staff need to purchase tickets.
**We will not make staff passes for staff members that are Murray State Students.
Other Instructions:
Bands will enter the stadium through the north gate and will exit through the south gate (scoreboard).
Pit equipment and large props will enter and exit from the equipment gate at the northeast end of the stadium. You may use as many personnel necessary to get your pit and props on, but all those people must exit the south gate and re-enter the stadium from the spectator entrance with a ticket or pass.
You may store props after prelims in the north side of the stadium.
The NCAA painted hash marks on the field are at 32 steps from the front and back sidelines. We will tape a second set of high school hash marks at 28 steps for you (RED TAPE). We will try to make sure a complete set of hashes is on the field when your band starts it's performance. It is possible the hashes will come up as you march over them. We will do our best to make sure they stay down. If you have any questions give us a call.
Lost and Found will be in the ticket booths or in the press box
No one is allowed in the press box (includes your own video personnel).
MSU food service is helping with concessions. They will take credit cards and have expanded our food options.
Concessions will be available from our two professional music fraternities.
Please inform your students and parents that Band T-shirts and band related items will be for sale in the concession area.
There are facilities for filling large coolers of water @ the North end of stadium near the band entrance.
The stadium will no longer be cleared between prelims and finals. We are only selling one ticket and that is good for all day.
At the conclusion of Prelims, we will announce the 12 finalists in PERFORMANCE order based on your draw and placement.
Each director will draw for finals when you arrive on campus. Your order will be based on both the number you draw and the block in which your prelims score falls.
ALL AWARDS will be given at the conclusion of finals. Please have a drum major/band representatives come to the track as soon as the Racer Band concludes their performance.
There will be a water station on the south end of stadium as you exit your performance.
Field rules:
No confetti, gum, sunflower seeds, food or drink(except water), etc. are allowed on the field.
No heat generating source should touch or reflect on the turf. Small vehicles will be allowed on the track and turf, but we will ask you to make wide turns in the grass areas.
Anything on the field with wheels, must have large/wide tires. Most marching equipment has this type wheel.
All pit vehicles (that go on turf) must be smaller type vehicles (golf carts, 4 wheelers, etc.).
You are liable for repair of any damage to the track or field.
Be sure all wheel locks are off when moving equipment.
All pit vehicles must have a bib underneath the entire under carriage.
MSU & KMEA provide no assistance in moving your equipment.
Comment Sheet and Recap Distribution:
This year all will be distributed electronically.
There will be no composite given at the end of prelims (we will give out prelims and finals composites at the end of finals as per KMEA rules).
Prelim Awards:
Best in Class (1st, 2nd , 3rd in each class), best guard, best percussion
Awarded after Finals
Final Awards:
The finals award ceremony will be drum majors only. Drum Majors should report to field after Racer Band performs @ finals 9:00PM.
Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass, Overall Guard, and Overall Percussion awards will be based on finals performances. Overall Percussion, and Overall Guard awards will be based on prelims performances to give every competing unit an opportunity to place.
Tickets:
Tickets at the gate will be available on contest day for the following prices:
Adults Children
Under 12 (MSU Student w/ID)
Combination $20.00 $10.00
(Prelims and finals) - There will be NO individual tickets this year therefore we will NOT clear the stadium. It is $20.00 to get in and that lasts throughout the entire competition.
We are delighted that you will be joining us and look forward to your arrival on our campus. If you have any questions please feel free to call!
Brent Johnson
Director of Bands
270.929.4544 cell
[email protected]
Ashley Shoupe
Asst. Director of Bands
630.913.2000 cell
[email protected]
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Archives for future(IGNORE)
Finals Format:
Festival of Champions is a prelims/finals format contest.
10 Finalist if we have under 20 bands (10-19)
12 Finalists if we have 20 or over bands
The finalists will be the top score in each class (5 Bands) and the next 5/7 highest scores regardless of class. Following the announcement of the finalist bands, the finalist band directors should report to the Racer Room for a drawing for the finals order. There will be a BOA type finals draw. The top 5/6 highest scores regardless of class will draw for the latest 5/6 time slots. The 5/6 lowest prelim scores will draw for the earliest 5/6 time slots. Finalist score packets will be in the Racer Room. The Racer Room is located on level one of Stewart Stadium (take the elevator on the main concourse down to level one). If the 2nd place band in any class does NOT qualify for finals competition, these bands will perform in competition starting @ 6:00pm (they go first in finals-reverse order). If all classes have two bands qualify for finals, there will be no extra finalists added. (the finals schedule will be adjusted) There will be no more than three additional finalists, should four 2nd place bands (2nd place in class) not qualify for finals, the top three scoring of 2nd place (in each class) bands will be in finals.
Awards: Prelim Awards: Best in Class (1st, 2nd ,3rd,4th in each class),
Overall Percussion, and Overall Guard awards will be based on preliminary performances.
Final Awards: Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass will be based on finals performances.
*******************************************************************
2024 Parking Guide:
Click this link to download Parking Map and instructions. Times are approximate. Only equipment vehicles on your KMEA registration form will be admitted to this area.
All buses and equipment trucks will enter from the stoplight at 700 N 12th St, Murray, KY 42071
Full Schedule - Downloadable - This is the official time schedule for FOC 2024
FORMAT
Finals Format:
Festival of Champions is a prelims/finals format contest.
The top 12 scoring bands in prelims will perform in finals.
Awards: Prelim Awards: Best in Class (1st, 2nd ,3rd in each class), best percussion, and best color guard
Final Awards: Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass will be based on finals performances.
Finals Draw will happen when you arrive on campus. Each band will draw a number 1-18. The higher the number you receive = equals the later you perform in your block of bands for the finals competition
Block placement will be determined by overall band score in prelims.
TOP 1-6 scoring bands will perform in the last 6 slots at finals
PLACE 7-12 will perform in the early block of bands at finals
*******************************************************************
Site Information - Graphics showing parking, band entrance, gates, etc.
Southeast view from Pressbox.pdf
Northeast view from Pressbox.pdf
WARM-UP AREAS (these have not changed since 2019)
Warm-up Areas A and B.pdf
Warm-up Areas C and D.pdf
Warm-up Layout Graphic.pdf
Full Stadium Flow Map.pdf
File Sharing (Judges audio and Video)
This will be handled by Competition Suite and KMEA this year. Look for information from John Stroube explaining access to your drive.
VIDEO: We will post video shortly after performances. Videos might not download very quickly (BIG files).
Last year videos posted within 2 hours of performances.
Wireless Logon information:
The MSU wireless network doesn’t work in the parking lot. You should be able to access the guest network MSU Guest when in the concourse or stadium seating area. It has some simple instructions when you try to logon. The link for new users is at the bottom of the page.
Murray has a good 5G network and you probably will be able to download most files using your data network through your phone’s provider.
http://support.murraystate.edu/admin/virtual/docs/Information%20Systems/MSUGuest_instructions.pdf
Dressing Rooms:
Dressing facilities (bathrooms) will be available in CFSB on the Upper concourse level from 8:30am-10pm. Students are not allowed to hang out in CFSB. Please supervise your students while in CFSB) This is not a meeting or rehearsal space. Do not cross the barricades, use only the designated changing area. Additional changing areas are available in the stadium concourse 10:00am-10:00pm Basketball is practicing in the arena. they have been very gracious and allowed us to use the arena for changing. What I have promised them is they won’t see or HEAR US. Students must be quiet in the arena, and arena rest rooms while changing. If there is a problem all changing will be moved to the stadium bathrooms.
Warm-up (The same as past years)
You will get a 15 set-up stretch time and 30 minutes of music warm-up (See the maps and new schedule). “The hill” sidewalk will be very busy (HEAVY TRAFFIC ZONE). Please give right away to bands coming down the hill going to perform. When entering/exiting the warm-up fields..please give right of way to bands exiting the warm -up areas.
A few guidelines for warm-up areas:
Warm-up A & B Face brass face west
Warm-up C & D Face brass face north (Towards Lowes)
During 15 minute stretch--No Playing-- No Glock Blocks --etc
The last note of warm up must @ on time
The group next near you will start be set-up and start playing @ exactly on time
There will be no time keeper-stay on time
Murray State Guides will help you to your area
PLEASE be courteous if using a MET during warm-up - we don't want it to bleed into the performance area
Electric power at field level:
YES
Power will be available at the 50 yd line--we will have a chord that will reach the pit area for you
Spectator Parking:
The most convenient parking for spectators is behind Regional Special Events Center (CFSB Center). The CSFB lots are traditionally full by 1pm. Suggest to your fans parking near Cracker Barrel or the MSU lots south and west of the stadium. There is additional spectator parking near Cracker Barrel and the Church of Christ.
Handicap Parking: must enter from the southwest/roundabout area.
If that area fills up(always does) handicap fans can enter through band entrance and park in the handicap spots near the pit entrance. There will golf carts to help these people up to main concourse.
Food Service:
If you are providing food service (grilling etc.) @ the stadium area, we want you to use the grass picnic area (Northeast corner of stadium area). If this creates a problem, call. It would be ideal, if food service vehicles got to the stadium as early as possible. We can pull food service trucks into the grass area. There is a curb, but it is possible to get food vehicles in the grass area. Please have parents cook and serve food in the grass area next to the parking lot. Serving food in the parking lot area creates a safety hazard. We will provide dumpsters in the parking lot area. Thanks for helping keeping the parking lot clean. The band feeding area will be tight. Please be considerate to other bands, the grass area is a common space for all bands to use.
Please let parents and bus drivers know that there is no "hospitality room".
Bus and Equipment Truck Information:
When your band arrives at Murray State, please have all vehicles enter the stadium parking lot from Highway 641 (across from Cracker Barrel). The stadium parking area is divided with equipment trucks/buses on one side, and cars on the other. This can be less than ideal for parents, but it is safer for the students to keep all cars out of the north end of the lot.
Please inform parents they will not be able to park with the buses.
Pit Gate Area:
The north east corner of the stadium/baseball area/pit gate is very congested area. Please refrain from congregating/meeting in this area. Please do not do a group stretch in the parking lot area. This creates several safety and logistical problems.
Complimentary Passes:
The Murray State Drum Majors will greet you as your busses enter the parking lot and will give you an information packet, program link, and chaperone/bus driver complimentary tickets as outlined in the KMEA rules. There will be no band guide. If you need a tour of the stadium, the MSU drum majors will take you on a guided tour- via golf cart (a 5 minute tour).
All Directors and weekly teaching staff will get FOC staff badges.
These badges are for staff that teach on a weekly basis.
On arrival, you will also receive 1 complimentary pass (ticket) for each 10 band members
Please clarify for your parents who receives these passes.
All others parents/support staff need to purchase tickets.
**We will not make staff passes for staff members that are Murray State Students.
Other Instructions:
Bands will enter the stadium through the north gate and will exit through the south gate (scoreboard).
Pit equipment and large props will enter and exit from the equipment gate at the northeast end of the stadium. You may use as many personnel necessary to get your pit and props on, but all those people must exit the south gate and re-enter the stadium from the spectator entrance with a ticket or pass.
You may store props after prelims in the north side of the stadium.
The NCAA painted hash marks on the field are at 32 steps from the front and back sidelines. We will tape a second set of high school hash marks at 28 steps for you (RED TAPE). We will try to make sure a complete set of hashes is on the field when your band starts it's performance. It is possible the hashes will come up as you march over them. We will do our best to make sure they stay down. If you have any questions give us a call.
Lost and Found will be in the ticket booths or in the press box
No one is allowed in the press box (includes your own video personnel).
MSU food service is helping with concessions. They will take credit cards and have expanded our food options.
Concessions will be available from our two professional music fraternities.
Please inform your students and parents that Band T-shirts and band related items will be for sale in the concession area.
There are facilities for filling large coolers of water @ the North end of stadium near the band entrance.
The stadium will no longer be cleared between prelims and finals. We are only selling one ticket and that is good for all day.
At the conclusion of Prelims, we will announce the 12 finalists in PERFORMANCE order based on your draw and placement.
Each director will draw for finals when you arrive on campus. Your order will be based on both the number you draw and the block in which your prelims score falls.
ALL AWARDS will be given at the conclusion of finals. Please have a drum major/band representatives come to the track as soon as the Racer Band concludes their performance.
There will be a water station on the south end of stadium as you exit your performance.
Field rules:
No confetti, gum, sunflower seeds, food or drink(except water), etc. are allowed on the field.
No heat generating source should touch or reflect on the turf. Small vehicles will be allowed on the track and turf, but we will ask you to make wide turns in the grass areas.
Anything on the field with wheels, must have large/wide tires. Most marching equipment has this type wheel.
All pit vehicles (that go on turf) must be smaller type vehicles (golf carts, 4 wheelers, etc.).
You are liable for repair of any damage to the track or field.
Be sure all wheel locks are off when moving equipment.
All pit vehicles must have a bib underneath the entire under carriage.
MSU & KMEA provide no assistance in moving your equipment.
Comment Sheet and Recap Distribution:
This year all will be distributed electronically.
There will be no composite given at the end of prelims (we will give out prelims and finals composites at the end of finals as per KMEA rules).
Prelim Awards:
Best in Class (1st, 2nd , 3rd in each class), best guard, best percussion
Awarded after Finals
Final Awards:
The finals award ceremony will be drum majors only. Drum Majors should report to field after Racer Band performs @ finals 9:00PM.
Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass, Overall Guard, and Overall Percussion awards will be based on finals performances. Overall Percussion, and Overall Guard awards will be based on prelims performances to give every competing unit an opportunity to place.
Tickets:
Tickets at the gate will be available on contest day for the following prices:
Adults Children
Under 12 (MSU Student w/ID)
Combination $20.00 $10.00
(Prelims and finals) - There will be NO individual tickets this year therefore we will NOT clear the stadium. It is $20.00 to get in and that lasts throughout the entire competition.
We are delighted that you will be joining us and look forward to your arrival on our campus. If you have any questions please feel free to call!
Brent Johnson
Director of Bands
270.929.4544 cell
[email protected]
Ashley Shoupe
Asst. Director of Bands
630.913.2000 cell
[email protected]
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Archives for future(IGNORE)
Finals Format:
Festival of Champions is a prelims/finals format contest.
10 Finalist if we have under 20 bands (10-19)
12 Finalists if we have 20 or over bands
The finalists will be the top score in each class (5 Bands) and the next 5/7 highest scores regardless of class. Following the announcement of the finalist bands, the finalist band directors should report to the Racer Room for a drawing for the finals order. There will be a BOA type finals draw. The top 5/6 highest scores regardless of class will draw for the latest 5/6 time slots. The 5/6 lowest prelim scores will draw for the earliest 5/6 time slots. Finalist score packets will be in the Racer Room. The Racer Room is located on level one of Stewart Stadium (take the elevator on the main concourse down to level one). If the 2nd place band in any class does NOT qualify for finals competition, these bands will perform in competition starting @ 6:00pm (they go first in finals-reverse order). If all classes have two bands qualify for finals, there will be no extra finalists added. (the finals schedule will be adjusted) There will be no more than three additional finalists, should four 2nd place bands (2nd place in class) not qualify for finals, the top three scoring of 2nd place (in each class) bands will be in finals.
Awards: Prelim Awards: Best in Class (1st, 2nd ,3rd,4th in each class),
Overall Percussion, and Overall Guard awards will be based on preliminary performances.
Final Awards: Best Visual Performance, Best Music Performance, Best GE, Best Woodwinds, Best Brass will be based on finals performances.
*******************************************************************