Show Bands vs Competition Bands 

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Show bands are dedicated to performing for and entertaining audiences most often during half-time of a football game. These productions are typically made up of pop music that the audience will recognize and engage with. Some high school bands and most College marching bands are considered "show bands." Show bands will usually alternate through multiple productions throughout the season, sometimes even creating and performing a new show each week!

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Unlike show bands, competition bands perform in adjudicated competitions. These shows tend to be more challenging than show band productions and will sometimes even tell a story. Competition bands range from competing locally to nationally. 

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Some Marching Bands will produce both types of shows. For example, a marching band may work on a challenging competition show for competitions, but also have a simpler show band show for Friday night football games.