SCBF Classes

SCBF has six Area Events acting as qualifying events for a National Final.
Bands may enter any ONE class in any ONE of the six area events each year.

The ACHIEVING School Wind Band Class

  • This class is open to bands presenting a programme of music which is between grade 0.5 and 2.5 standard.
  • Bands in this class will normally be comprised of pupils who all attend the same school, but a composite band made up of pupils from several schools (performing repertoire at this level) would be welcome in this class.
  • It is recognised that bands in this class may have incomplete wind band instrumentation.
  • While bands should try to have all the instruments present in the score, the SCBF recognises that in some bands there are circumstances which prevent all instruments/ players being available – appropriate substitution/ cross cueing is acceptable.
  • In this class, and in this class ONLY, it is acceptable for a member of staff to play in a supporting role with young and inexperienced players. ( one member of staff only).
  • Minimum performance time is 12 minutes.
  • Maximum performance time is 20 minutes.
  • Bands must play one piece from the published Repertoire List – or a specially commissioned work.
  • Bands receiving an invitation to the National Final, must perform a new work from the Repertoire List for their “National Final” programme.

The ADVANCED School Wind Band Class

  • This class is open to bands presenting a programme of music which is grade 3.0 standard or higher – (3.0 or 3.5 or 4.0 or 4.5 )
  • Bands in this class must be comprised of pupils who all attend the same school.
  • It is recognised that bands in this class may have incomplete wind band instrumentation.
  • While bands should try to have all the instruments present in the score, the SCBF recognises that in some bands there are circumstances which prevent all instruments/ players being available – appropriate substitution/ cross cueing is acceptable.
  • Minimum performance time is 15 minutes.
  • Maximum performance time is 22 minutes.
  • Bands must play one piece from the published Repertoire List – or a specially commissioned work.
  • Bands receiving an invitation to the National Final, must perform a new work from the Repertoire List for their “National Final” programme.

Youth Wind Band Class

  • This class is open to bands presenting a programme of music which is grade 2.5 standard or higher – (3.0 or 3.5 or 4.0 or 4.5 )
  • Bands in this class will normally be comprised of pupils from several schools, a county or area band, or a music centre band – all players must be in full time school education.
  • It is recognised that bands in this class may have incomplete wind band instrumentation.
  • While bands should try to have all the instruments present in the score, the SCBF recognises that in some bands there are circumstances which prevent all instruments/ players being available – appropriate substitution/ cross cueing is acceptable.
  • Minimum performance time is 15 minutes.
  • Maximum performance time is 22 minutes.
  • Bands must play one piece from the published Repertoire List – or a specially commissioned work.
  • Bands receiving an invitation to the National Final, must perform a new work from the Repertoire List for their “National Final” programme.

Community Wind Band Class

  • This class is open to bands with players of all ages and all levels of ability.
  • It is recognised that bands in this class may have incomplete wind band instrumentation.
  • While bands should try to have all the instruments present in the score, the SCBF recognises that in some bands there are circumstances which prevent all instruments/ players being available – appropriate substitution/ cross cueing is acceptable.
  • Minimum performance time is 15 minutes.
  • Maximum performance time is 22 minutes.
  • Bands must play one piece from the published Repertoire List – or a specially commissioned work.
  • Bands receiving an invitation to the National Final, must perform a new work from the Repertoire List for their “National Final” programme.

Open Wind Band Class

The premier wind band class for bands from music colleges or institutes of higher education and youth or community bands who wish to enter at this level

  • This is the premier wind band class open to established bands performing at a high level. Bands from institutions of higher education and youth or community bands who want to perform at this level will enter this class.
  • Bands in this class should have complete wind band instrumentation.
  • Minimum performance time is 15 minutes.
  • Maximum performance time is 22 minutes.
  • Bands must play one piece from the published Repertoire List – or a specially commissioned work.
  • Bands receiving an invitation to the National Final, must perform a new work from the Repertoire List for their “National Final” programme.

Standard Concert Band Instrumentation

While bands should try to have all the instruments present in the score, the SCBF recognises that in some bands there are circumstances which prevent all instruments/ players being available – appropriate substitution/ cross cueing is acceptable.

In the vast majority of scores in the SCBF Repertoire List there is a Standard Concert Band Instrumentation which starts off looking like this at Grade 1.0 level :

  • FLUTE – all in unison/ no division of part
  • OBOE – in unison/ no division of part
  • BASSOON – cross cued in low brass (so basically optional)
  • 1st. Bb. CLARINET
  • 2nd. Bb. CLARINET
  • Eb. ALTO CLARINET – optional
  • Bb.BASS CLARINET – cross cued in low brass (so basically optional).
  • Eb.ALTO SAX – all in unison/ no division of part
  • Bb.TENOR SAX – all in unison and cross cued in brass parts/ no division of part
  • Eb. BARITONE SAX – all in unison and cross cued in low brass parts
  • FRENCH HORN – all in unison/ no division of part
  • 1st. Bb.TRUMPET – all in unison/ no division of part
  • 2nd.Bb.TRUMPET – all in unison/ no division of part
  • TROMBONE – all in unison with no division of part and cross cued with Bassoon & Baritone
  • BARITONE/EUPHONIUM – both in unison, and cross cued in Trombone & Bassoon & Bass Clar.
  • TUBA – all in unison
  • BELLS (Glockenspiel)
  • PERCUSSION – normally includes, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Tambourine, Triangle and Suspended Cymbal – but can vary slightly, depending upon style of work.
  • TIMPANI – normally three pedal timps cover most pieces at this level.

At Grade 3.0 level the instrumentation as well as the level of difficulty of the music is more demanding. A greater level of independence of part writing and performance are needed.

  • 1st. Flute/ Piccolo
  • 2nd. Flute
  • 1st. Oboe
  • 2nd. Oboe
  • 1st. Bassoon
  • 2nd. Bassoon
  • 1st. Bb. Clarinet
  • 2nd. Bb. Clarinet
  • 3rd. Bb. Clarinet
  • Eb. Alto Clarinet – optional
  • Bb. Bass Clarinet
  • 1st. Eb.Alto Sax
  • 2nd. Eb.Alto Sax
  • Bb.Tenor Sax
  • Eb. Baritone Sax
  • 1st. French Horn
  • 2nd.French Horn
    * Some scores at this level will have four French Horn parts.
  • 1st. Bb.Trumpet
  • 2nd.Bb.Trumpet
  • 3rd.Bb.Trumpet
  • 1st. Trombone
  • 2nd.Trombone
  • Bass Trombone
  • Baritone / Euphonium – TC & BC
  • TUBA – all in unison
  • TIMPANI – normally a set of four pedal timps. are required at this level.
  • BELLS (Glockenspiel)
  • PERCUSSION – normally includes, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Tambourine, Triangle and Suspended Cymbal – but can vary slightly, depending upon style of work.

At Grade 5.0 level the instrumentation as well as the level of difficulty of the music is even more demanding, and consequently an even greater level of independence of part writing and performance are needed.

  • 1st. Flute/ Piccolo
  • 2nd. Flute
  • 1st. Oboe
  • 2nd. Oboe
  • Cor Englais – optional
  • 1st. Bassoon
  • 2nd. Bassoon
  • Contra Bassoon – optional
  • Eb. Clarinet
  • 1st. Bb. Clarinet
  • 2nd. Bb. Clarinet
  • 3rd. Bb. Clarinet
  • Eb. Alto Clarinet – optional
  • Bb. Bass Clarinet
  • Contra Bass Clarinet – optional
  • Bb.Soprano Sax – optional
  • 1st. Eb.Alto Sax
  • 2nd. Eb.Alto Sax
  • Bb.Tenor Sax
  • Eb. Baritone Sax
  • 1st. French Horn
  • 2nd.French Horn
  • 3rd. French Horn
  • 4th. French Horn
  • 1st. Bb.Trumpet
  • 2nd.Bb.Trumpet
  • 3rd.Bb.Trumpet
  • 1sr. Bb. Cornet – optional
  • 2nd.Bb. Cornet – optional
  • 1st. Trombone
  • 2nd.Trombone
  • Bass Trombone
  • Baritone – TC & BC
  • Euphonium – TC & BC – sometimes parts are divided
  • TUBA – sometime parts are divided
  • String Bass – optional
  • TIMPANI – normally a set of four pedal timps. are required at this level.
  • Tuned Percussion – glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone and marimba.
  • PERCUSSION – normally includes, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Tambourine, Triangle and Suspended Cymbal – but can vary slightly, depending upon style of work.

Virtually anything can be asked of the percussion section at this level, and generally speaking five players will be needed, sometimes more.