A place for every sound.

Individual competition supports exceptional high-school musicians with an opportunity to compete on their own merit even when their band may not place in the top three.

• Flute — including Piccolo & Bass Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet — including Bass Clarinet
• Saxophone — Alto, Tenor and Soprano
• Trumpets — including Cornets
• Horns — French Horn, Mellophone, Eb Horn, F Horn
• Trombone — Bass Trombone, Valve & Slide Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone
• Tuba — including Sousaphone
• Strings — Violin, Viola and Cello
• Piano — keyboards accepted using piano sounds
• Marimba — including Glockenspiel & Xylophone
• Guitars — Electric, Bass and Acoustic
• Snare Drum
• Toms
• Drum Kit

Accompaniment rules

• Piano/keyboard accompaniment is permitted.
• Drum kit accompaniment is permitted.
• Prerecorded accompaniment may be played via Bluetooth or flash drive.
• The participant must remain the lead and clearly audible.

Marimba Bands may include marimba performers using mallets together with additional percussion. Primary School Groups may use a conductor or accompaniment, not both.

• 20 or less members.
• Jazz, Chamber Music and TV themes are included.
• Primary School Groups may use a conductor or accompaniment, not both.

• 20 or less members.
• Jazz, Pop & Rock.
• Vocals are permitted.
• Electronic instruments such as guitars and keyboards are permitted.
• No prerecorded clips or loops.

• More than 20 members.
• No electronic instrumentation such as guitars or keyboards.

• More than 20 members.
• Any instrumentation and equipment.
• Electronic instruments permitted.
• Auxiliary sound equipment permitted.
• No prerecorded music.

Intended for schools operating full music centres.

• Strings
• Reeds
• Brass
• Percussion

Drumlines centre on rhythmical percussion, technical rudiments, coordinated marching or dancing movements, and performance showmanship such as back-sticking and stick tricks.

• Permitted: Snare Drums, Toms, Tenors, Bass Drums, Cymbals, Bongos, Congas and other rhythmical percussion.
• Melodic percussion is excluded.
• Technical rudiments form part of the performance focus.
• Marching/dancing movements are permitted.
• Back-sticking and stick tricks/showmanship are permitted.

The Parade Bands category is built around disciplined street-parade movement and leadership. It is the only category where Drum Majors are adjudicated, reflecting the leadership role of the Drum Major.

• Minimum 200m street parade.
• Route includes four blocks, four corners and one intersection.
• The Drum Major leads the band.
• Prescribed movement includes Mark Time, Forward, Wheels and Counter-March.
• Street width: 9 metres.
• An obstacle with a 3m opening is included.
• Field layout is referenced in the Official Guideline.
• Drum Major showmanship forms part of the category.
• Drum solos are discouraged; maximum drum solo is 90 seconds.
• Use all instrumentation throughout.
• Drum Major prescribed movements: 120–130 BPM.

This category places strong emphasis on show and performance while protecting the musical standard.

• Running, dancing, crawling and props are permitted.
• Music must not be compromised.
• Choreography counts 30%.
• Drum Major and Color Guard are permitted.
• Drum Major and Color Guard are adjudicated as part of choreography.
• Aligned to international rules.
• American Football-style field.
• 5-yard / 4.5m intervals.

A Pep Band is a high-energy, horn-driven ensemble derived from marching or concert bands and designed to bring entertainment and crowd enthusiasm to sporting events. The idea connects to a “pep talk” or “pepping up” the audience, and Pep Bands are also known as Pepper Bands.

• Five-minute performance.
• Fight Song.
• Crowd Song.
• Stadium Jam.
• Audience participation is encouraged.

For information, contact liaison@sasba.co.za.