Western Band Association
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Western Band Association (WBA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes high school music education in California, Arizona and Nevada. Specifically, the WBA organizes marching band competitions for high school students. Its championships event is considered to be one of the largest marching band championships in the United States.[1]
In addition to marching band events, WBA also organizes concert band festivals, symposia, and musical and leadership clinics. In 2008, over 12,000 students in 133 bands performed in WBA events in multiple competitions hosted throughout the state.[1]
History
The Western Band Association was started in 1979 by marching band directors from five Northern and Central California high schools: Mike Rubino (Live Oak High School), Ramiro Barrera (James Logan High School), Dan Smith (Independence High School), Gary Runsten (Modesto High School) and Mel Stratton (Clovis High School).
In 1984, Gary Gilroy (Moreau High School) coined the name "WSMBC" Western States Marching Band Conference, which would later be shortened to WBA by Ramiro Barrera (James Logan High School) in 2002. The first WSMBC Championship was held in conjunction with the 1984 Music Bowl Prelims at James Logan High School. In 1995, John Hannan (Mission Viejo High School) helped expand the organization's efforts to include Southern California bands as well.
In recent years,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". bands have also competed under the "WBA" banner from nearby states, including Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. The scoring system also grew to become a two-tiered criteria based curriculum designed for bands of various size memberships, assuring that the small band would have the same opportunity as the large band to achieve a high score measuring their unique orchestration and design options.
In 2006, the competition schedule has grown to offer consecutive contests in each of the three Regions (Northern, Central and Southern California) helping to alleviate the costs of travel for the bands.
In 2012, James Logan High School and Ayala High School tied for first place at the WBA Championships, with both scoring 93.40. However, the tie was broken based on Ayala's General Effect score. The tiebreaker settled Ayala as the WBA Champions.
Marching band circuit
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Historic classes
Available classes:
| 1984–1999 | 2000–2003 | 2004–present |
|---|---|---|
| A-60 | 1A | |
| A-90 | ||
| 2A | ||
| 3A | 3A | |
| 4A | 4A | |
| 5A | ||
Class alignment
Below is an incomplete table of class alignments based on number of performers. Classes were re-aligned in 2021, 2023, and 2024.[2]
| Class | 2004–2021 | 2021–2023 | 2023–2024 | 2024–present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | up to 60 | up to 45 | up to 50 | up to 60 |
| 2A | 61–80 | 45–65 | 51–70 | 61–80 |
| 3A | 81–100 | 65–85 | 71–90 | 81–110 |
| 4A | 101–140 | 86–115 | 91–125 | 111–141 |
| 5A | 141 or more | 116 or more | 126 or more | 141 to more |
Championship format
Class champions are determined at the conclusion of preliminary competition. After prelims, the bands then move on to one of two finals competitions: the A/AA/AAA Championship and the AAAA/AAAAA Championship. The top three bands from each division move on to their respective championship and the remaining field is filled by the next highest scoring bands.
The Finals field is composed of:
- The top 3 bands from each of Class A, AA, and AAA, then the next highest 6 bands from those 3 classifications combined (regardless of class and score) for a total of 15 bands in finals.
- The top three bands from each of Class AAAA and AAAAA, then the next highest 9 bands from those 2 classifications combined (regardless of class and score) for a total of 15 bands in finals.
Adjudication
Each individual judge is assigned to a specific caption (Individual and Ensemble Music, Individual and Ensemble Visual, General Effect, Auxiliary, and Percussion). General Effect and Music are each worth 30% of the total score, Visual is worth 20%, and Auxiliary and Percussion are each worth 10%.
Awards are released by division. The band with the highest award points for each caption per division is awarded a caption award, while the band with the most overall points in each division is awarded first place-prize. The band with most points in A/AA/AAA combined classes and AAAA/AAAAA combined classes are awarded a "sweepstakes award", with that band removed from the rankings of their class; the next band in placement in that class is moved to "first place" and so on (only for that class). Each competition will have two Sweepstakes winners, one each for A/AA/AAA and AAAA/AAAAA.
Past champions
Below is an incomplete list of past class champions and sweepstakes winners:
Class champions
| Year | 1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000Script error: No such module "string".(17th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Riverbank | Trabuco Hills | Buchanan | James Logan | |
| 2001Script error: No such module "string".(18th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Buena | Live Oak | Buchanan | James Logan | |
| 2002Script error: No such module "string".(19th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Gilroy | Live Oak | Buchanan | James Logan | |
| 2003Script error: No such module "string".(20th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Newbury Park | Valley Christian | El Toro | Clovis West | |
| 2004Script error: No such module "string".(21st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Modesto | Live Oak | Valley View | Cerritos | James Logan |
| 2005Script error: No such module "string".(22nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Newbury Park | Live Oak | Fred C. Beyer | Trabuco Hills | James Logan |
| 2006Script error: No such module "string".(23rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Newbury Park | Independence | Fred C. Beyer | Nogales | James Logan |
| 2007Script error: No such module "string".(24th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Independence | Fred C. Beyer | Fountain Valley | James Logan |
| 2008Script error: No such module "string".(25th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Madera South | Fred C. Beyer | El Diamante | James Logan |
| 2009Script error: No such module "string".(26th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Valley Christian | Los Alamitos | Trabuco Hills | James Logan |
| 2010Script error: No such module "string".(27th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Clovis North | Los Alamitos | El Diamante | James Logan |
| 2011Script error: No such module "string".(28th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Peninsula | Clovis North | Basha | Granite Bay | AyalaScript error: No such module "string".(tie)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "string".James Logan |
| 2012Script error: No such module "string".(29th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Damien | Live Oak | Trabuco Hills | El Diamante | Ayala |
| 2013Script error: No such module "string".(30th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Damien | Cerritos | Nogales | El Diamante | Upland |
| 2014Script error: No such module "string".(31st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Cerritos | Trabuco Hills | Nogales | Ayala |
| 2015Script error: No such module "string".(32nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | Cerritos | Clovis East | Granite Bay | Ayala |
| 2016Script error: No such module "string".(33rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | Fred C. Beyer | Cerritos | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2017Script error: No such module "string".(34th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Independence | Kingsburg | Trabuco Hills | Granite Bay | James Logan |
| 2018Script error: No such module "string".(35th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Championships cancelled | ||||
| 2019Script error: No such module "string".(36th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | Oak Grove | Mission Viejo | Clovis North | Chino Hills |
| 2020Script error: No such module "string".(37th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Season cancelled | ||||
| 2021Script error: No such module "string".(38th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Regional championships only | ||||
| 2022Script error: No such module "string".(39th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | El Toro | Trabuco Hills | Gahr | Chino Hills |
| 2023Script error: No such module "string".(40th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | North | Trabuco Hills | Upland | Chino Hills |
| 2024Script error: No such module "string".(41th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | Fremont | Trabuco Hills | Clovis North | James Logan |
Sweepstakes winners
Combined 1A–3A Grand Champions
Previously known as the Class A/AA Championship.
| Year | 3rd Place | 2nd Place | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000Script error: No such module "string".(17th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Valley Christian | Clayton Valley | Trabuco Hills |
| 2001Script error: No such module "string".(18th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Bullard | Aliso Niguel | Live Oak |
| 2002Script error: No such module "string".(19th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aliso Niguel | Bullard | Live Oak |
| 2003Script error: No such module "string".(20th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aliso Niguel | Bullard | Valley Christian |
| 2004Script error: No such module "string".(21st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Independence | Valley View | Valley Christian |
| 2005Script error: No such module "string".(22nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Valley Christian | Aliso Niguel | Fred C. Beyer |
| 2006Script error: No such module "string".(23rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis | Valley Christian | Fred C. Beyer |
| 2007Script error: No such module "string".(24th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aliso Niguel | Chino Hills | Fred C. Beyer |
| 2008Script error: No such module "string".(25th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Fred C. Beyer | Clovis East | Aliso Niguel |
| 2009Script error: No such module "string".(26th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis East | Fred C. Beyer | Los Alamitos |
| 2010Script error: No such module "string".(27th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis North | Valley Christian | Los Alamitos |
| 2011Script error: No such module "string".(28th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Valley Christian | Rancho Cucamonga | Basha |
| 2012Script error: No such module "string".(29th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Los Alamitos | Rancho Cucamonga | Trabuco Hills |
| 2013Script error: No such module "string".(30th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Los Alamitos | Nogales | Clovis North |
| 2014Script error: No such module "string".(31st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Chaffey | Cerritos | Trabuco Hills |
| 2015Script error: No such module "string".(32nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Live Oak | Clovis East | Cerritos |
| 2016Script error: No such module "string".(33rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Los Alamitos | Cerritos | Trabuco Hills |
| 2017Script error: No such module "string".(34th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Cerritos | Fountain Valley | Trabuco Hills |
| 2018Script error: No such module "string".(35th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Championships cancelled | ||
| 2019Script error: No such module "string".(36th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Los Alamitos | Rowland | Mission Viejo |
| 2020Script error: No such module "string".(37th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Season cancelled | ||
| 2021Script error: No such module "string".(38th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Regional championships only | ||
| 2022Script error: No such module "string".(39th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | The King's Academy | Fountain Valley | Trabuco Hills |
| 2023Script error: No such module "string".(40th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Branham | The King's Academy | Trabuco Hills |
| 2024Script error: No such module "string".(41st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Trabuco Hills | Granite Bay | The King's Academy |
Combined 4A–5A Grand Champions
Previously known as the AAA/AAAA Championship.
| Year | 3rd Place | 2nd Place | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000Script error: No such module "string".(17th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis West | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2001Script error: No such module "string".(18th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis West | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2002Script error: No such module "string".(19th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis West | Ayala | James Logan |
| 2003Script error: No such module "string".(20th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Ayala | Clovis West | Mission Viejo |
| 2004Script error: No such module "string".(21st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Upland | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2005Script error: No such module "string".(22nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | Upland | James Logan |
| 2006Script error: No such module "string".(23rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Ayala | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2007Script error: No such module "string".(24th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | Upland | James Logan |
| 2008Script error: No such module "string".(25th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Ayala | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2009Script error: No such module "string".(26th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | Ayala | James Logan |
| 2010Script error: No such module "string".(27th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Homestead | Mission Viejo | James Logan |
| 2011Script error: No such module "string".(28th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Upland | AyalaScript error: No such module "string".(tie)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "string".James Logan | |
| 2012Script error: No such module "string".(29th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | El Diamante | James Logan | Ayala |
| 2013Script error: No such module "string".(30th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | James Logan | Upland |
| 2014Script error: No such module "string".(31st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mission Viejo | Ayala | James Logan |
| 2015Script error: No such module "string".(32nd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Upland | James Logan | Ayala |
| 2016Script error: No such module "string".(33rd)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Amador Valley | Homestead | James Logan |
| 2017Script error: No such module "string".(34th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Homestead | Ayala | James Logan |
| 2018Script error: No such module "string".(35th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Championships cancelled | ||
| 2019Script error: No such module "string".(36th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Upland | James Logan | Chino Hills |
| 2020Script error: No such module "string".(37th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Season cancelled | ||
| 2021Script error: No such module "string".(38th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Regional championships only | ||
| 2022Script error: No such module "string".(39th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | James Logan | Vista Murrieta | Chino Hills |
| 2023Script error: No such module "string".(40th)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Clovis East | James Logan | Chino Hills |
| 2024Script error: No such module "string".(41st)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Ayala | Chino Hills | James Logan |
2021 Regional Championships
The 2021 season concluded with a series of Regional Championships.
James Logan Invitational
| Class | 3rd Place | 2nd Place | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Mountain House | Independence | King's Academy |
| 2A | San Benito | Oak Grove | Santa Teresa |
| 3A | Monta Vista | Branham | Leigh |
| 4A | Lynbrook | Milpitas | Granite Bay |
| 5A | Amador Valley | Homestead | James Logan |
Kingsburg Viking Classic
| Class | 3rd Place | 2nd Place | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Exeter Union | Templeton | Selma |
| 2A | Hanford | Sunnyside | Madera South |
| 3A | No champion | No champion | Clovis West |
| 4A | Golden West | Kingsburg | Clovis |
| 5A | Lemoore | Clovis East | Clovis North |
Trabuco Hills Tournament
| Class | 3rd Place | 2nd Place | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Laguna Hills | Torrance | Don Antonio Lugo |
| 2A | Palisades Charter | Mission Viejo | Rowland |
| 3A | Murrieta Valley | El Toro | Mira Costa |
| 4A | La Canada | Trabuco Hills | Upland |
| 5A | Ayala | Vista Murrieta | Chino Hills |
See also
- Bands of America
- Northwest Association for Performing Arts
- Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association
- Tournament of Bands
References
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External links
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