North Coast Band Competition: Pride, Tradition, and Excellence

The stadium lights at Perkins High School are set to shine brighter than ever as our community gathers to host the 45th Annual North Coast Band Competition on Saturday, October 3, 202r. As an official Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) marching band competition, this prestigious event will bring high school marching bands from across the region to Sandusky. Each band will showcase their amazing shows, competing not only for trophies, but a superior rating in order to qualify for the State Marching Band Finals held in November.

True to the Perkins High School Band's enduring motto—"Pride, Tradition, and Excellence"—the North Coast Competition promises an exceptionally high standard of performance and hospitality. The dedication of the student musicians, directors, and support crews will be on full display. This standard of excellence extends far beyond the field, reflecting the deep rooted pride our community takes in hosting a welcoming, top tier event for visiting schools and local music lovers alike.

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Event Details at a Glance

• When: Saturday, October 3rd

• Where: Perkins High School Stadium

• Admission: $8 for adults. $5 for students and seniors.

• Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

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Judging

For spectators looking to follow the action like a pro, OMEA competitions are evaluated by a panel of expert adjudicators using a precise 100-point scale. In addition to competing directly against one another in their class, bands are evaluated against a statewide standard to earn a rating from I (Superior) down to V (Poor):

  • Music General Effect (40 points): How successfully the musical program engages and communicates with the audience.
  • Visual General Effect (20 points): The overall effectiveness, creativity, and impact of the show’s visual design and choreography.
  • Music Performance (20 points): The technical accuracy, tone quality, and overall musicality of the wind and brass sections.
  • Visual Performance (20 points): The marching precision, alignment, and physical execution of the formations on the field.

Additionally, specialty judges score Percussion and Auxiliary (Color Guard) on their own separate sheets. Any band that secures an overall Superior (I) rating at North Coast officially qualifies for the OMEA State Marching Band Finals!

How the Band Classes are Determined

To keep the field of competition fair and exciting, OMEA groups marching bands into classes determined strictly by the size of their high school's student population, rather than the physical number of members performing on the field. A school's official competitive class is determined by its total enrollment in grades 10 through 12:

·        Class C: Schools with 300 or fewer students

·        Class B: Schools with 301 to 500 students

·        Class A: Schools with 501 to 900 students

·        Class AA: Schools with 901 or more students

This classification system ensures that smaller, tight knit community bands and massive, ensembles alike compete directly against peer schools of a similar size.

Food, Fun, and Raffles!

Come hungry! Beyond the incredible field performances, spectators can enjoy a phenomenal lineup of food and treats designed to keep your hunger at bay. A full concessions menu will be available alongside favorites like Tom’s Coffee Truck and Kona Ice. In addition, our pie tent will be fully stocked and ready to serve up delicious slices.

Exciting opportunities continue off the field to help support our music program. Attendees can try their luck at the highly anticipated basket raffle, packed with incredible prizes donated by local supporters, or purchase tickets for the 50/50 raffle.

Mark your calendars, bring the family, and come out to support these incredible musicians!