BYBA North

The Performance Portfolio includes a very healthy competition calendar with contests staged nationwide from June to September, with the National Championships in October. Scores from contests are counted towards a league system. The top bands of each division are invited to the annual Finals to decide the National Champions. Away from 'summer season', The "Individuals & Ensembles Showcase" is run in a theater setting, where individuals and small groups can perform against their peers, based on age groups, irrespective of their unit's Division in the summer season. At any BYBA event you are likely to see anything from the traditional Boys' Brigade Bugle Band to a flamboyant American-style Drum Corps complete with flags and rifles in the Colour Guard.

BYBA Judging has come a long way in the last several years since the introduction of the European Marching Band (EMB) Judging System in 2007. A system that is entirely supportive of all styles of Marching Band; Catering for Traditional, Show Band and Drum & Bugle Corps alike. It's unique blend of technical assessment detail and overall effectiveness of the the performance, regardless of style, makes it the only Judging System in Europe that provides 'any' organization with a chance to compete in the British Youth Band Association. With more system training in place, the doors of BYBA Judging have now opened up a whole range of opportunities for individuals to learn to fully assess and appreciate all types of performance. Full training is provided free of charge to interested individuals and is delivered by some of Europe's most senior and experienced Judges, making training a truly unique educational benefit for all that attend. If you would like to get involved, or even just come along to a training session please feel free to email the BYBA Judging team at judging@byba.org.uk or simply speak to any of the Judges who will be happy to put you in contact with the Judging Administrator, or the Chairman of Judging.

The main aim of BYBA's Education Committee is to inform, to facilitate or to provide the means of fulfilling our perceived shortfall of educational needs for the benefit of all BYBA members. Education has many facets, however, for the purposes of BYBA this covers anything from the needs of the Marching Member to our Chairperson and could include: * Musical Skills * Choreographed Displays * Marching Drill * Instrument Care * Instructional Techniques * Team Leadership * Management Skills * Financial Skills * Skills in Special Needs * Disciplines within the Voluntary Sector * Supporting of Organisations That list is not exhaustive and each facet can also be subdivided into equally long lists. Primarily all of the above Facet Skills, to a lesser or greater degree, exists within each membership band and committees. Although the first three are capable of stealing the show, it is the next eight that consistently win the supporting role. As a voluntary organisation many skills that we use are brought into the Association through personal competence and experience gained both within and external to the Association.