9NEWS Parade of Lights: Get Involved

Calling all Marching Bands!

MARCHING BAND APPLICATION

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Selection Process

Six high school marching bands will be selected to participate in the parade based on their music and marching ability, the detail and anticipated quality of their lighting/overall presentation as described in their application, and their musical selection. We also strive to have geographic representation from throughout the metro area.

2019 9News Parade of Lights | High School Marching Band Competition

The Street Parade Competition, endorsed by the Colorado Bandmasters Association, is designed to recognize High School marching bands for their music and marching abilities as well as their ability to capture the magic of the holiday season with spectacular lighting displays. The following outlines the judging criteria for both categories, as well as the cash prizes available!

  • Music and Marching Competition
    • Win a trophy and $500.00 – Marching Band Champion Friday
  • Participating bands will be judged in an open class competition per the criteria listed below:
    • Music (30 points) – Quality of musical performance, ability to perform selected piece, etc.
    • Visual (30 points) – Placement, stride, consistency in formation, keeping in step, etc.
    • Overall General – Movement, use of props, unity of auxiliary unit and band, appropriateness
    • Effect (40 points) – Performance to music, audience appeal, etc.
  • TOTAL SCORE: 100 points

Under no circumstances may a band stop to perform at any point along the parade route (unless a parade official has asked you to do so). Stopping will disqualify a band from the competition. Judges from the Colorado Bandmaster Association will adjudicate the competition. Judging will take place at the grandstand seats in the telecast zone. Your goal is to play as often as possible throughout the two-mile route and you will be judged accordingly. Judging for music and marching will take place on Friday, December 6th .

  • Lighting and Overall Presentation Competition
    • Win a trophy and $500.00 – Marching Band Champion Friday
  • Participating bands will be judged in an open class competition per the criteria listed below:
    • Concept/Design (30 points) – The creative use of lights/accessories, relationship to music.
    • Quality (30 points) – Quantity of lights, placement, color blend, visibility and means of attachment.
    • Overall Presentation (40 points) – Appearance of the unit as a whole. Cohesiveness of band and auxiliary squad. Overall impact of lights and costumes.
  • TOTAL SCORE: 100 points

Band members must perform in uniform. Auxiliary squads may use costumes as part of their presentation. All members of the band must use lighting in some way. Band members may use holiday-oriented accessories to supplement their lighting presentation. The same lighting presentation must be used both nights. Judging will take place at the grandstand seats in the telecast zone. Judging for lighting and overall presentation will take place on Saturday, December 7th.

2019 9News Parade of Lights |Honorarium and Lighting Reimbursement Information

Honorarium

All performing bands will be awarded a $1,000 honorarium for their participation. Bands that do not make the same presentation both nights, or do not adhere to parade rules and regulations, may be disqualified from receiving the honorarium and/or any prize money. This includes, arriving on time and following instructions of the on-site Parade staff.

Lighting Reimbursement

Each participating marching band is eligible to receive up to $350.00 in reimbursement for lighting expenses, which includes lights and power source only. Parade Producers have the right to deny reimbursement if the lighting presentation is not consistent both nights and if the producers feel an inadequate effort was made in the lighting presentation (i.e. poor overall illumination of unit).

This form must be received at the Downtown Denver Partnership office (Attn: Parade of Lights Marching Band 1515 Arapahoe Street Tower 3, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202) no later than Wednesday, December 18 to receive a reimbursement. No exceptions will be made.

Please download and fill in all information. Be sure to attach the original receipts.

Lighting Reimbursement Form

Applications for the 2019 Parade of Lights are now closed. Please check back in mid-2020 for the application for the 2020 Parade of Lights!