# USBands

USBands, formally United States Scholastic Band Association and sometimes referred to as USSBA, was formed in the Fall 1988 to provide high school marching bands an opportunity to compete in a circuit featuring top judges from across the continent. US Bands is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the event is managed by BD Performing Arts.
Members of USBands include over 700 participating high school marching bands. Bands are offered over 150 festival opportunities and invitations annually to compete at major regional championships and at the U.S., Scholastic Band Championship.
In competitions, bands are classified by size and compete with bands within their classification. The classes include range from Group 1, the smallest, to Group 6, the largest. Bands are also classified by skill level. The skill classifications include the A Class for inexperienced bands, new bands, and bands that have recently moved to a larger size group and the Open class for established programs. In total, there are 12 classifications ranging from Group I A to Group VI Open, who perform and compete with bands of similar size and talent.
USBands has also begun supporting competitive indoor events, and provides cooperative fundraising opportunities. In the winter of 2012, USSBA changed their name to USBands.

## Classifications

USBands allows their bands to classify themselves into three groups:
* Performance Class: Ensembles who prefer a non-competitive experience at any USBands sanctioned event
* A Class: Ensembles who demonstrate a basic to intermediate skill set (may be building/rebuilding their program) and are adjudicated on a scale representing fundamental to intermediate skills.
* Open Class: Seasoned ensembles that demonstrate expanded skill sets and are adjudicated on a scale supporting intermediate to advanced skills.

## Group size
### 2016 to 2019

Between 2016 and 2019, groups were classified by the following size, which includes playing members, auxiliary, and command personnel drum majors, and bands from Texas had group sizes that varied from the national ranges:
* Group I - 1 to 38 members (Texas: 1-45)
* Group II - 39 to 53 members (Texas: 46–80)
* Group III - 54 to 70 members (Texas: 81–115)
* Group IV - 71 to 95 members (Texas: 116–160)
* Group V - 96 to 130 members (Texas: 161–200)
* Group VI -131 and more members (Texas: 201+)

### 2020

For 2020, USBands created an additional sizing and eliminated the "Open Class" as part of its "v-USBands" virtual adjudication platform. Individual musicians, guard performers, small ensembles, and group Sizes for marching bands were classified as:
* Division I - 26 to 50 members
* Division 2 - 51 to 74 members
* Division 3 - 75 to 99 members
* Division 4 - 100 and more members
* Bands with fewer than 26 members were permitted to be included in Division 1 or as an Ensemble.

### 2021

For 2021, USBands restored its Open Class for all competitions in Texas and for all national competitions, effective September 25. Group sizes changed to:
* Group I - 1 to 39 members (Texas: 1-59)
* Group II - 40 to 59 members (Texas: 60–99)
* Group III - 60 to 79 members (Texas: 100–139)
* Group IV - 80 to 100 members (Texas: 140–169)
* Group V - 101 and more members (Texas: 170+)
Group VI has been eliminated

### 2022

For 2022, group sizes again changed with Texas events remaining the same as 2021:
* Group I - 1 to 39 members (Texas: 1-59)
* Group II - 40 to 54 members (Texas: 60–99)
* Group III - 55 to 74 members (Texas: 100–139)
* Group IV - 75 to 99 members (Texas: 140–169)
* Group V - 100 and more members (Texas: 170+)

### 2023

For 2023, group sizes have been changed as follows (Texas events group sizing remains the same as 2021).
* Group I - 1 to 35 members (Texas: 1-59)
* Group II - 36 to 49 members (Texas: 60–99)
* Group III - 50 to 64 members (Texas: 100–139)
* Group IV - 65 to 89 members (Texas: 140–169)
* Group V - 90 and more members (Texas: 170+)

## Past USBands Open Class champions

| Year | Group I-Open | Group II-Open | Group III-Open | Group IV-Open | Group V-Open | Group VI-Open |
| 2024 | East Haven HS Co-op Marching Band (East Haven, Connecticut) 91.400 | Calvert Hall College High School (Baltimore, Maryland) 96.900 | King Philip Regional High School (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 95.900 | Dartmouth High School (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 97.650 | Upper Moreland Senior High School (Willow Grove, Pennsylvania) 98.100 | Class Inactive |
| 2023 | West Perry HS Marching Band (Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania) 87.550 | Delran HS (Delran, NJ) 92.300 | Perkiomen Valley HS (Collegeville, Pennsylvania) 94.950 | Loudoun County HS (Leesburg, Virginia) 96.800 | Dartmouth High School (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.050 | Class Inactive |
| 2022 | Lenape Regional HS (Medford, New Jersey) 90.35 | Allentown HS (Allentown, New Jersey) 93.25 | Council Rock High School South (Southampton, Pennsylvania) 93.75 | Edison High School (Edison, New Jersey) 96.5 | Dartmouth High School (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 97.7 | Class Inactive |
| 2021 | Glen Ridge HS (Glen Ridge, New Jersey) 90.1 | Passaic HS (Passaic, New Jersey) 94.9 | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 94.6 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 95.20 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.00 | Class Inactive |
| 2020 | Shepherd Hill Reg HS (Dudley, Massachusetts) 92.0 | Edison HS (Edison, New Jersey) 94.67 |
| 2019 | Burlington City HS (Burlington, New Jersey) 92.45 | Shepherd Hill Reg HS (Dudley, Massachusetts) 95.9 | Calvert Hall College HS (Baltimore, Maryland) 95.425 | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 98.325 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.575 | Norwalk HS (Norwalk, Connecticut) 96.050 |
| 2018 | Burlington City HS (Burlington, New Jersey) 94.463 | Shepherd Hill Reg HS (Dudley, Massachusetts) 95.288 | Calvert Hall College HS (Baltimore, Maryland) 93.750 | Edison HS (Edison, New Jersey) 97.588 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.075 | Norwalk HS (Norwalk, Connecticut) 95.600 |
| 2017 | Burlington City HS (Burlington, New Jersey) 95.425 | Shepherd Hill Reg HS (Dudley, Massachusetts) 96.400 | Calvert Hall College HS (Baltimore, Maryland) 96.588 | Newtown HS (Newtown, Connecticut) 97.363 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.350 | Norwalk HS (Norwalk, Connecticut) 97.775 |
| 2016 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) 96.475 | Calvert Hall College HS (Baltimore, Maryland) 96.875 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 97.438 | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 97.425 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 97.063 | Trumbull HS (Trumbull, Connecticut) 97.100 |
| 2015 | East Stroudsburg HS North (Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania) 95.538 | Shepherd Hill Reg HS (Dudley, Massachusetts) 96.100 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 95.788 | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 96.963 | Mechanicsburg HS (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) 97.363 | Norwin HS (Irwin, Pennsylvania) 97.200 |
| 2014 | Haddon Heights HS (Haddon Heights, New Jersey) 94.450 | Lenape Regional HS (Medford, New Jersey) 96.425 | Edison HS (Edison, New Jersey) 98.300 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 97.975 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 97.95 | Norwalk HS (Norwalk, Connecticut) 97.375 |
| 2013 | Haddon Heights HS (Haddon Heights, New Jersey) 90.25 | Edison HS (Edison, New Jersey) 95.738 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 96.138 | Smithfield-Selma HS (Smithfield, North Carolina) 96.875 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 96.6 | West Genesee HS (Camillus, New York) 95.687 |
| 2012 | Cedar Cliff HS (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania) 92.288 | Susquehanna Twp HS (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) 96.8 | Old Bridge HS (Old Bridge Township, New Jersey) 96.375 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 97.075 | Immaculata HS (Somerville, New Jersey) 96.587 | Wagner HS (San Antonio, Texas) 97.288 |
| 2011 | Monsignor Farrell HS (Staten Island, New York) 93.650 | Frank W. Cox HS (Virginia Beach, Virginia) 95.7 | Montville Twp (Montville, New Jersey) 97.588 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 96.938 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.225 | Munford HS (Munford, Tennessee) 98.013 |
| 2010 | Perkiomen Valley HS (Collegeville, Pennsylvania) 96.063 | Williamstown HS (Williamstown, New Jersey) 97.06 | Rancocas Valley Reg HS (Mount Holly, New Jersey) 97.875 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 97.400 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.55 | George Walton HS (Marietta, Georgia) 97.650 |
| 2009 | Perkiomen Valley HS (Collegeville, Pennsylvania) 97.35 | Timber Creek Reg HS (Sicklerville, New Jersey) 97.163 | Rancocas Valley Reg HS (Mount Holly, New Jersey) 97.2 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 97.45 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 97.813 | Roxbury HS (Roxbury, New Jersey) 98.188 |
| 2008 | Biglerville HS (Biglerville, Pennsylvania) 93.92 | River Hill HS (Clarksville, Maryland) 98.25 | Cedar Cliff HS (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania) 96.9 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 98.575 | Dartmouth HS (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) 98.275 | Immaculata HS (Somerville, New Jersey) 96.05 |
| 2007 | Deptford Township HS (Deptford Township, New Jersey) 93.35 | Century HS (Sykesville, Maryland) 96.3 | River Hill HS (Clarksville, Maryland) 95.55 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 97.5 | Upper Darby HS (Upper Darby, Pennsylvania) 96.425 |
| 2006 | Fluvanna County HS (Palmyra, Virginia) 94.675 | Shawnee HS (Medford, New Jersey) 94.675 | Waterford HS (Waterford, Connecticut) 95.85 | Absegami HS (Galloway Township, New Jersey) 96.9 | Cheshire HS (Cheshire, Connecticut) 95.8 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 98.475 |
| 2005 | Shawnee HS (Medford, New Jersey) | Cheshire HS (Cheshire, Connecticut) 97.15 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 97.150 |
| 2004 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) | McLean HS (McLean, Virginia) 92.85 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 97.40 |
| 2003 | Point Pleasant Borough HS (Point Pleasant, New Jersey) | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 98.0 |
| 2002 | Point Pleasant Borough HS (Point Pleasant, New Jersey) | Union HS (Union, New Jersey) 95.700 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 96.4 | Cheshire HS (Cheshire, Connecticut) 97.9 |
| 2001 | Point Pleasant Borough HS (Point Pleasant, New Jersey) | Upper Moreland HS (Willow Grove, Pennsylvania) 95.200 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 96.20 |
| 2000 | Point Pleasant Borough HS (Point Pleasant, New Jersey) | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 96.300 | McLean HS (McLean, Virginia) 95.600 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 97.500 |
| 1999 | Brick Memorial HS (Brick Township, New Jersey) 93.60 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 96.900 | Cheshire HS (Cheshire, Connecticut) 95.000 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 96.900 |
| 1998 | Glen Ridge HS (Glen Ridge, New Jersey) | South Hadley HS (South Hadley, Massachusetts) 93.10 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 97.400 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 97.200 |
| 1997 | Gov Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) and Waterford HS (Waterford, Connecticut) 90.90 | Nazareth Area HS (Nazareth, Pennsylvania) 95.500 | Immaculata HS (Somerville, New Jersey) 95.1 | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 95.500 | N/A |
| 1996 | Dunellen HS (Dunellen, New Jersey) 86.700 | Central Regional HS (Bayville, New Jersey) 91.30 | Brick Memorial HS (Brick Township, New Jersey) 93.80 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) 93.30 | Piscataway HS (Piscataway Township, New Jersey) 95.90 | N/A |
| 1995 | King Philip Regional HS (Wrentham, Massachusetts) | North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) 95.800 | N/A |
| 1994 | Morris Knolls HS (Denville, New Jersey) | Piscataway HS (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| 1993 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) | Piscataway HS (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| 1992 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) | Piscataway HS (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| 1991 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) | Piscataway HS (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| 1990 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) | Piscataway HS (Piscataway, New Jersey) |
| 1989 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) |
| 1988 | Governor Livingston HS (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) |

## Past USBands A Class champions

| Year | Group I-A | Group II-A | Group III-A | Group IV-A | Group V-A | Group VI-A |
| 2024 | B.M.C. Durfee High School (Fall River, Massachusetts) 96.000 | Group IIA: Immaculata High School (Somerville, New Jersey) 95.800 Group IIAA: Hackettstown High School (Hackettstown, New Jersey) 93.600 | Nutley High School (Nutley, New Jersey) 96.100 | Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood, New Jersey) 94.300 | Marriotts Ridge High School (Marriottsville, Maryland) 94.900 | Class Inactive |
| 2023 | Mainland Regional High School (Linwood, New Jersey) 94.40 | Group IIA: Central Dauphin East High School (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) 92.700 Group IIAA: Bethel High School (Bethel, Connecticut) 94.0 | Parkside High School (Salisbury, Maryland) 95.4 | Tenafly High School (Tenafly, New Jersey) 94.9 | Fort Lee High School (Fort Lee, New Jersey) 95.4 | Class Inactive |
| 2022 | Group IA: East Haven HS Co-op Marching Band (East Haven, Connecticut) 95.80 Group IAA: Northern HS (Owings, Maryland) 94.60 | Group IIA Northern Valley HS at Old Tappan (Old Tappan, New Jersey) 95.50 Group IIAA: Lenape Valley Regional HS (Stanhope, New Jersey) 96.70 | Nutley HS (Nutley, New Jersey) 93.60 | Pequannock Twp HS (Pompton Plains, New Jersey) 95.50 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 95.00 | Class Inactive |
| 2021 | Delran HS (Delran Township, New Jersey) 96.200 | Allentown HS (Allentown, New Jersey) 93.900 | West Milford HS (West Milford, New Jersey) 94.800 | Loudoun County HS (Leesburg, Virginia) 96.300 | Port Chester HS (Port Chester, New York) 89.800 | Class Inactive |
| 2019 | Calvert HS (Prince Frederick, Maryland) 92.705 | East Haven HS Co-op (East Haven, Connecticut) 95.940 | Pequannock Twp HS (Pompton Plains, New Jersey) 93.860 | Council Rock HS-South (Southampton, Pennsylvania) 94.350 | Loudoun County HS (Leesburg, Virginia) 98.400 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 94.340 |
| 2018 | Somerset-Berkley Reg HS (Somerset, Massachusetts) 94.400 | Montville Township HS (Montville, New Jersey) 94.438 | Thomas S Wootton HS (Rockville, Maryland) 97.275 | Loudoun County HS (Leesburg, Virginia) 97.512 | West Milford HS (West Milford, New Jersey) 93.650 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 94.263 |
| 2017 | Weehawken HS (Weehawken, New Jersey) 92.113 | Lenape Valley Reg HS (Stanhope, New Jersey) 93.313 | Pequannock Twp HS (Pompton Plains, New Jersey) 95.088 | South County HS (Lorton, Virginia) 97.563 | Cicero-N Syracuse HS (Cicero, New York) 94.625 | Jackson Memorial HS (Jackson Township, New Jersey) 92.375 |
| 2016 | Delran HS (Delran Township, New Jersey) 96.763 | Bethel HS (Bethel, Connecticut) 96.813 | Audubon HS (Audubon, New Jersey) 96.013 | Council Rock HS-South (Southampton, Pennsylvania) 96.175 | West Orange HS (West Orange, New Jersey) 96.638 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 95.838 |
| 2015 | Somerset Berkley Reg HS (Somerset, Massachusetts) 97.425 | Kingsway Reg HS (Woolwich Township, New Jersey) 97.100 | Montville Twp HS (Montville, New Jersey) 96.663 | Parsippany HS (Parsippany, New Jersey) 96.638 | Westfield HS (Westfield, New Jersey) 96.738 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 96.950 |
| 2014 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) 96.6 | Wayne Valley HS (Wayne, New Jersey) 93.663 | Union HS (Union Township, Union County, New Jersey) 91.213 | Northern Highlands Reg HS (Allendale, New Jersey) 97.400 | Cherokee HS (Evesham Township, New Jersey) 92.188 | Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS (Scotch Plains, New Jersey) 92.875 |
| 2013 | Weehawken HS (Weehawken, New Jersey) 96.163 | Monroe Township HS (Monroe Twp, New Jersey) 95.613 | North Warren Reg HS (Blairstown, New Jersey) 96.425 | Group IV-A: Northern Highlands Reg HS (Allendale, New Jersey) 91.938 Group IV-AA: Absegami HS (Galloway Township, New Jersey) 95.163 | Elizabeth HS (Elizabeth, New Jersey) 95.987 | Jackson Memorial HS (Jackson Township, New Jersey) 96.300 |
| 2012 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) 94.975 | Chopticon HS (Morganza, Maryland) 97.088 | Northern Highlands Reg (Allendale, New Jersey) 96.125 | Passaic HS (Passaic, New Jersey) 96.263 | Elizabeth HS (Elizabeth, New Jersey) 97.100 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 96.300 |
| 2011 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) 94.163 | Lenape Regional HS (Medford, New Jersey) 96.413 | Perkiomen Valley HS (Collegeville, Pennsylvania) 96.588 | Madison County HS (Danielsville, Georgia 95.35 | Elizabeth HS (Elizabeth, New Jersey) 97.413 | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 96.438 |
| 2010 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) | | | | | New Providence HS (New Providence, New Jersey) 91.350 |
| 2009 | Joseph Case HS (Swansea, Massachusetts) 93.250 | Allentown HS (Allentown, New Jersey) 91.625 | Burlington City HS (Burlington, New Jersey) 93.975 | Mount Olive HS (Flanders, New Jersey) 94.450 | West Milford HS (West Milford, New Jersey) 94.125 | Fort Lee HS (Fort Lee, New Jersey) 86.750 |
| 2008 | Mainland Regional HS (Linwood, NJ) 90.100 | Parsippany HS (Parsippany, NJ) 90.800 | Allentown HS (Allentown, NJ) 90.900 | South County Secondary HS (Lorton, VA) 95.450 |
| 2007 | Lenape Regional HS (Medford, New Jersey) |
| 2005 | Elizabeth HS (Elizabeth, New Jersey) | Passaic High School (Passaic, New Jersey) |
| 2004 | Lenape Regional HS (Medford, New Jersey) | Passaic High School (Passaic, New Jersey) |
| 2003 | Lenape Valley Reg HS (Stanhope, New Jersey) 90.40 | Elizabeth HS (Elizabeth, New Jersey) |
| 2002 | Blue Mountain HS (Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania) 87.40 | | Copiague HS (Copiague, New York) 92.70 |
| 2001 | Northampton Area HS (Northampton, Pennsylvania) 86.70 | Governor Mifflin Senior HS (Shillington, Pennsylvania) 88.60 | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 94.60 |
| 2000 | Kearny HS (Kearny, New Jersey) | Blackstone-Millville HS (Blackstone, Massachusetts) 89.30 | Pennsbury HS (Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania) 95.50 |
| 1999 | Lakewood HS (Lakewood Township, New Jersey) 90.95 | Perkiomen Valley HS (Collegeville, Pennsylvania) 90.70 | Group IIIA Morris Knolls HS (Denville, New Jersey) Group IIIA Kearny HS (Kearny, New Jersey) | Somerville High School (Somerville, New Jersey) 90.15 |
| 1998 | Oakcrest HS (Mays Landing, New Jersey) 89.80 | Southington HS (Southington, Connecticut) 90.30 |
| 1997 | Northern Burlington Reg HS (Columbus, New Jersey) |
| 1996 | Parsippany HS (Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey) | Middletown North HS (Middletown Township, New Jersey) 85.00 | Port Chester HS (Port Chester, New York) 92.00 |
| 1994 | Parsippany HS (Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey) |
| 1990 | Parsippany HS (Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey) |