The top 12 scoring bands from Semi-Finals, regardless of class, advance to Saturday evening's finals. The Bands of America Regional Championships for marching band offer bands across the nation the opportunity to benefit from the same educational focus as the Bands of America Grand National Championships on a regional scale. Thirty bands perform in preliminary competition, with ten bands advancing to the evening finals. Bands of America Regional Championships are complete championships in their own right, not qualifying contests for the Grand National contest. Class A is 600 students and less, Class AA 601-1149, Class AAA 1150 and above.
Bands receive taped evaluation and scoresheets from each judge.
Each band also receives a Divisional Rating based on score. Bands of America utilizes a criteria reference adjudication system. Adjudicators use the criteria reference to assign their rating and ranking of each band. It is Bands of America's position that the music is the more important aspect of the performance, with marching as the presentation and visual enhancement. Similarly, more emphasis is placed on general effect than on fine-line perfection.