Contest Awards
Participation Awards for All Drum Lines
Grand Champion across the Contest
Champion in Each Class
Most Outstanding Snare Line in each class
Most Outstanding Tenor Line in Each Class
Most Outstanding Bass Drum Line in Each Class
Most Outstanding Cymbal Line in Each Class
Most Outstanding Front Ensemble in Each Class
Crowd Favorite
2024 Judging Panel
Dr. Andrew Eldridge is Coordinator of Percussion and Assistant Professor of Percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to UTA, Andrew taught percussion and music theory at Texas Christian University, taught percussion at Texas Wesleyan University, and spent six years as a full-time Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director at high schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Andrew’s musical interests lie at the intersection of percussion and electronics. His recent musical experiments combine live-looping acoustic percussion in Ableton Live controlled with midi controllers. Andrew also enjoys creating music with mobile music set-ups that are accessible to the general music lover.
Scott Ward has been an active teacher, arranger and composer since 1997. Scott earned his B.S. in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2002, and his M.M. in Percussion Performance from Texas Christian University in 2004, where he held the position of graduate assistant.
Currently, Mr. Ward is active as a clinician, adjudicator, writer and consultant throughout the United States. He is the owner and operator of The Music Ward, an education-based show design and consultation company that creates wind and percussion arrangements for high school and college marching bands. He arranges for marching bands of all sizes and ability levels, and his shows have consistently been performed at the Texas UIL State Marching Contest at all classification levels from 2A-6A. In addition, his original compositions for winds and percussion are published by C. Alan Publications.
Jon Merritt is an active percussion teacher, adjudicator, and clinician. Mr. Merritt is a graduate of Ohio University in Athens Ohio and holds a degree in Music Education. He has marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Jon was the percussion section leader for the World Champion Cadets Drum Corps in 1993. He also enjoys performing with Several Brass Bands and Orchestras. Mr. Merritt resides in Austin, TX.
Ticketing Information
Tickets will be available for purchase both here online and at the stadium. More details on how to purchase tickets will be provided here once we get closer to the contest date.
Ticket Pricing:
General Admission – $10
Senior Citizen (55+) – $5
Children Under 3 – Free
Contest Participants are admitted for free.
Additional information regarding parking will be available here once available.
Photo & Video
Due to copyright restrictions spectators are asked to NOT video record any portion of a group’s performance.
Photography is permitted however, we ask for the safety and courtesy of the performers, you refrain from using flash.
Each participating group will be allowed one videographer pass granting that designated person access to the press box to record their group’s performance. Once your group has completed their performance, the videographer is asked to leave the press box with all their equipment to avoid any mishaps or congestion.
Vernon Newsom Stadium, Mansfield ISD
3700 E Broad St
Mansfield, TX 76063