Adjudication services to Tournament of Bands are provided by the National Judges Association. Originally founded in 1960, the National Judges Association (NJA) is the primary provider of adjudication services and is the parent group of the Tournament of Bands (TOB). TOB member organizations require judges for about 100 marching band field contests, approximately 100 indoor contests and instrumental events each year.

The National Judges Association was founded for the advancement and education of its membership in adjudication of all pageantry-oriented events and to promote the advancement of pageantry oriented arts for youth in both scholastic and independent endeavors.

Incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit educational corporation, as such it provides in depth performer, instructor and management clinics, workshops and performance opportunities for scholastic and independent performance groups throughout the eastern United States. Member school seniors can apply for college scholarships that are provided each year.  A list of awardees are identified below.

Officers include a director, business manager and a large executive board composed of Caption Chairs and Committees, Education Director, TOB Chapter Coordinators, Indoor Coordinators and liaison of other organizations to which we provide service. Membership in this organization is restricted to those applicants who can meet the set standards for qualification.

At the start of 2010, the current active roster of judges is approximately 240. There are an additional 25 or so prospective judges progressing through the training program for certification in either indoor or outdoor captions. Applicants must progress through an educational process (training and testing) as well as attendance at all related Clinics/Seminars. NJA has and does provided judges to other performance organizations such as Winter Guard International (WGI), Drum Corps Associates (DCA), Elks, Shriners, Lions (state, national and internationally), various junior drum corps associations as well as municipal drill team, cheerleading, parade events, etc.

About 2,500 judge assignments are made each year.

For more information on having NJA provide adjudication for your event or if you are interested in becoming a judge, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .