OPS Competition Rules and Entry
OPS entry process is open March 1 – May 24, 2025
A program designed to annually select the most outstanding 1C, 2C/3C, MSNV (pilot), 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and HSNV (pilot) concert band programs in the state of Texas. This
program is the property of the Association of Texas Small School Bands and is produced, supported and adjudicated solely by its members.
A Permanent Digital Download (PDD) of the winning selections will be made available to all 2024-25 members of ATSSB. It will provide a series of recordings that demonstrate the highest level at which Texas
small school bands perform.
Eligibility
Any Class 1C or Class 2C/3C, *Non-Varsity (pilot) middle school band that feeds a 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A or *Non-Varsity (pilot) high school band, and any Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A, or Class 4A high school band may enter the Outstanding Performance Series (OPS) provided the head band director of the ensemble entering is a current member of ATSSB.
*Continuing in 2025:
The ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series will run two pilot contests,one for middle school non-varsity bands and the other for high school non-varsity bands. All 1C-3C NV bands will compete in the MS category and all 1A-4A NV bands will compete in the HS category.
Non-varsity status will be determined according to rules and regulations as set forth in the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, whether the school competes in UIL or another entity. The primary performing ensemble for any school is deemed the varsity band,and any subsequent groups will be allowed to compete in the NV category, whether a non-varsity group or a sub-non-varsity group. If any group has attained the Varsity Waiver according to the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, that ensemble may enter the NV category.
If any group’s varsity/non-varsity status is in question, the OPS State Chair and the Steering Committee will review the issue and make the final decision regarding placement into the proper competition category.
Any school’s non-varsity ensemble has the right to enter the regular classification category as in the past and not compete in the NV pilot. In addition, a school’s non-varsity may enter OPS even if the same school’s varsity group does not submit recordings.
Recording Requirements
- Only UIL-approved concert selections may be entered. If two concert selections are entered, one selection must be from the pertinent UIL grade level or higher.
- If only one concert selected is entered, it must be no lower than one grade level below the pertinent UIL grade level of the entering school.
- Verification of UIL approval to perform any selection not listed in the current UIL Prescribed Music List must accompany any such entry.
- Recordings submitted must contain performances from the current school year.
- All audio files need to be in .wav format. Sample rate: 41000 Hz; Stereo; 16-Bit (required)
State OPS Adjudication
State adjudication will be the morning of Thursday, July 24, at the TBA convention in San Antonio.
ONE outstanding MARCH and TWO outstanding CONCERT SELECTIONS from each classification to be named the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series State Winners.
The runner-up of the MARCH (2nd place) and CONCERT SELECTION (3rd place) in each classification will receive a plaque with a certificate marking the accomplishment.
Presentations will be made by the OPS State Chair at the general membership meeting of ATSSB in San Antonio in February of each year.
Ranking Procedures for Region, Area and State Levels
Using a FIVE member panel (or panels) and the Olympic scoring system (omit the highest and lowest scores), the judges will rank all of the MARCHES and all of the CONCERT SELECTIONS in each classification (1C, 2C/3C, MS/NV (pilot), 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and HSNV (pilot).