Title Area

I. Purpose
(from www.johnovertonband.org/sudler.htm)

1. To establish and support international standards of excellence in musical performance, marching execution, choreography and show design for high school or youth marching bands.
2. To identify, recognize, and honor outstanding high school and youth marching bands at an international level of world class excellence.

II. Procedure
(from www.johnovertonband.org/sudler.htm)

1. The award is open to any high school/youth marching band in any country regardless of geographical location, religious or political belief, race, color, or ethnic background.
2. Nominations will be received from any source and at any time by the Sousa Foundation. The deadline for submitted materials is Dec. 10th.
3. A jury viewing videotapes submitted by the nominees will make the selection. Only VHS types compatible to U.S. television are acceptable.
4. The tape must be accompanied by: a) A properly executed nomination form. b) A photograph of the marching band.
5. There is no entry fee.
6. The present marching band director must have been incumbent in his/her present position for the past three years including the year of nomination.
7. The videotaped performance should be of a field show performed on a regulation American or Canadian football field, on a European soccer field, or in an appropriate indoor venue. The area of performance should be one that is accepted as a standard marching band facility in the home venue of the nominated band.
8. A previous Sudler Shield recipient many not re-apply unless there is a new director and this new director must have been in that position for a minimum of three years.
9. The recorded performance must have taken place during the calendar year in which the tape is submitted. It must be a continuous tape of a single performance without editing. The minimum duration of the performance is six minutes. The maximum length of the tape is twelve minutes. For timing purposed the performance will start whenever the band begins either its music or movement on the field. A specific tape may not be submitted more than once.
10. All members of the nominated band should be regularly enrolled students in the high school or regular members of the youth band as it is organized.
11. The judges will evaluate nominations received by December 10th. Award recipients will be advised promptly by first class mail.
There is no specific number of marching bands to be honored each year. However, the highest standards of excellence will be in effect in the selection process and all qualified bands will be selected.

III. The Award
(from www.johnovertonband.org/sudler.htm)

1. The Sudler Shield award will consist of (1) a silver shield mounted on a handsome 8 x 11 inch (or larger) wooden plaque for the school, (2) a miniature plaque for the director, (3) a diploma of honor for the director, and (4) an honor certificate for each member of the band.
2. The presentation of the award to the band will be scheduled at an important musical event and at a time and place convenient to the recipient and others concerned. Other than providing the awards, the Sousa Foundation will not be responsible for any presentation costs.

IV. Administration
(from www.johnovertonband.org/sudler.htm)

The Sudler Shield award will be administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and implemented by the executive committee through the project chair, Dr. Robert Fleming.

V. 2003 Sudler Jury
(from The John Philip Sousa Foundation)