Factors Affecting Marching Band Competition Results: An Empirical Study of Indonesian Marching Band Activity

Abstract

This research investigates variables that influence marching band competition scores in Indonesia. By employing Rickel’s (2008) variables, there are several indicators applied in the analysis, such as the number of members in the band, total program budget, number of national competitions participated in, rehearsal hours, and years of experience of the coaches. The sample involved includes 66 marching bands competing in an Indonesian national competition, the Grand Prix Marching Band. Most of the samples participants have made regular appearances in this event during 2006-2009. A questionnaire was given to band directors and/or home coaches. Multiple regression is was used to test the variables. This research has found that not all variables in the model have had a strong influence to on the competition score. Amongst the variables, the coach’s years of experiences hadve the strongest influence to on competition results, followed by the other variables, namely such as the numbers of members, number of participated national competitions participated in, and as well as marching rehearsal hours, which represent lesser influence factwere less influentialor. Only the total budget of the program does did not significantly influence significantly towards the competition score. Hence, the coach’s experience and budget costs are the major factors that differentiate the Indonesian bands from their American counterparts.