UNIT CLASSIFICATIONS
Units participating in WGI events must compete in the same class (or higher) as WGI Partner events at all GCGPC Contests.
All units must comply with the policies and rules regarding scholastic and independent eligibility.
The Elected GCGPC Board has the right to create suitable divisions in the Regional A classification, all units intending to participate in SRA or SRAA will be evaluated at the initial show on the Regional A sheet. Following this first event, the two classes will be divided according to the judges' scores from that show for the remainder of the season unless a promotion is made according to GCGPC policy or a unit self-promotes. If deemed appropriate, the Exec Board can consider a further division of the SRAA to a new SRAAA classification to better categorize the regional A units, facilitating a more balanced distribution among the 20-plus units.
GCGPC Color Guard Classifications
Scholastic Cadet (SC)
Circuit classification
Cadet class color guards are limited to middle school and elementary units only
Judged on Novice Score Sheets
Scholastic Novice (SN)
Circuit Classification
Designed for starting/newly formed units
Term limit of 2 years with the exception of a school with a junior varsity or feeder unit
Judged on Novice Score Sheets
A unit may reenter into Novice Class if the unit has been inactive
for one full season.
Scholastic Regional AA (SRAA)
Circuit classification
Designed for units starting/newly formed with simple, introductory design and choreographic qualities.
Judged on Circuit Regional AA score Sheets
Regional AA will be classified as Regional A with WGI
Regional A is recognized at WGI Regional level but is not
recognized at WGI Championships
2.1.4 Scholastic JV (JV)
Circuit classification
Designed to foster the development of the circuit, especially within the Regional A category, by ensuring that younger or newer units do not compete directly with more seasoned second units. It also allows schools with second units to be evaluated fairly, using different criteria than those applied to their first units. This is important because second units typically receive less practice time and financial support.
Judged on Regional A Score Sheets
JV is classified as Regional A with WGI Regional level but is not recognized at WGI Championships
Scholastic Regional A (SRA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for units focusing on training and achievement, but with enhanced emphasis on the understanding and achievement of each caption.
Judged on Regional A Score Sheets
Regional A is recognized at WGI Regional level but is not recognized at WGI Championships
Scholastic AA (SAA)
Circuit Classification
Designed to challenge the performers by adding to the design and vocabularies that lead the performers’ understanding of achievement and excellence.
Judged on Circuit Scholastic AA Sheets
Scholastic AA will be classified as Scholastic A with WGI
Scholastic A (SA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for units focusing on evolution within the unit, adding to design and vocabulary range and taking on greater challenges as performers prepare for advancement into Open Classification.
Judged on A Score Sheets
Scholastic Open (SO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Judged on Open Score Sheets
Circuit will refer to WGI Policies and Rules
Scholastic World (SW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Judged on Scholastic World Sheets
Circuit will refer to WGI Policies and Rules
Independent Regional A (IRA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 22 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for beginning programs who may not have enough resources from one school or cannot meet eligibility requirements in the scholastic classification
Competitive but not at the level to meet the demands of the “A” Class Score Sheets.
Units focus on training, using basic equipment and movement skills and a basic level of design
Judged on Regional A Score Sheets
Independent A (IA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 22 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Judged on A Score Sheets
Independent Open (IO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Judged on Open Score Sheets
Independent World (IW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members of any age
May compete at WGI Regionals and Championships
Judged on Independent World Score Sheets
GCGPC Percussion Classifications
Scholastic Marching Novice (PSN)
Circuit Classification
Ensembles are limited to first year competitive high school units, high school feeder units, and middle school units only.
A unit may reenter into Novice Class if the unit has been inactive for one full season.
Judged on Novice Score Sheets
Scholastic Marching A (PSA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of basic musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Marching Open (PSO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of intermediate musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Marching World (PSW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of advanced musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Concert Novice (PSCN)
Circuit Classification
Ensembles are limited to first year competitive high school units, high school feeder units, and middle school units only.
Judged on WGI Concert Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Concert A (PSCA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of basic musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Concert Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Concert Open (PSCO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of intermediate musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Concert Percussion Sheets
Scholastic Concert World (PSCW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of advanced musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Concert Percussion Sheets Judged on Concert World Score Sheets
Independent Marching A (PIA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of basic musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
Independent Marching Open (PIO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of intermediate musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
Independent Marching World (PIW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of advanced musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Marching Percussion Sheets
GCGPC Winds Classifications
Winds Scholastic Marching Novice (WSN)
Circuit Classification
Ensembles are limited to first year competitive high school units, high school feeder units, and middle school units only.
A unit may reenter into Novice Class if the unit has been inactive for one full season.
Judged on WGI Winds Score Sheets
Winds Scholastic A (WSA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of basic musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
Winds Scholastic Open (WSO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of intermediate musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
Winds Scholastic World (WSW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of advanced musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
Winds Independent A (WIA)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of basic musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
Winds Independent Open (WIO)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of intermediate musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
Winds Independent World (WIW)
WGI and Circuit classification
Units composed of members not over the age of 23 as of March 31 of the competitive season
Designed for ensembles demonstrating an understanding of advanced musical and visual skill sets
Judged on WGI Winds Sheets
