Mariachi Participant Information

• The final schedule will be released seven to ten days prior to the event, after the final region contests conclude.
• 5A/6A schools will be scheduled for the session requested when completing entry unless demand exceeds availability.
• If demand for a particular session exceeds availability groups will be selected based on random draw.
• All 4A and down schools will be scheduled for Thursday evening.
• See the UIL website for session times and plan for the festival to run on schedule. Please advise spectators to arrive well in advance of your performance time.

• Admission policy as follows is established by the UIL.
• Ages 3 and up: $15.00 + fees, per person per session
• Ages 2 and under: no admission charge
• Tickets are available online only.
• NO CASH SALES. See the UIL website for all information. Spectators must have a paid admission for each session. All sales are final.

• The entrance admission policy is established by the UIL. When you check-in each student participant and the group director will be issued a UIL wristband for identification and admission.
• In addition, the director will be given 4 additional wristbands to issue at your discretion. Consideration for these 4 additional wristbands should be given to assistant director(s), chaperones, bus driver, etc.
• Each group will receive the same number of additional wristbands.  The wristbands are good for all sessions.
• School Administrators will be allowed complimentary admission by identifying themselves at the entrance

• See Parking Map
• Please park only in designated areas as towing can occur.

• Please communicate to your spectators that there is no charge for parking.
• Please park only in designated areas as towing can occur.

• No group staging area will be available.
• Plan to keep equipment on your bus until time to enter the warm-up room.
• Instrument and case storage will be provided, but not monitored.
• NOTE: Playing of instruments is permitted only in designated rooms.

The director must check-in at the festival office in the auditorium lobby upon arrival (See Festival Map) and bring the following items with you:

1. Three (3) published or computer-generated scores WITH MEASURES NUMBERED and name of selection that includes a son in the style of son jaliscience.
2. The times that your group will listen to other performances (See Festival Information)

• You are encouraged to have your students in performance attire when you arrive at the festival site. 
• If your students need changing facilities they may use the public restrooms located in the lobby area.
• There will be two classrooms provided for students to do their hair and makeup (See Festival Map).

• A festival guide will be assigned to your group.
• You will meet your guide at the performer entrance (See Festival Map). 
• Your guide will be available 15 minutes prior to your scheduled warm-up and will remain with you through your performance, clinic and group photo.

• Your group will be scheduled for 30 minutes in warm-up and will be expected to proceed to the stage entrance 10 minutes prior to your performance time.
• NOTE: Warm-up is permitted only at your assigned time and in your assigned room (A or B).
• Although your group will be scheduled for 30 minutes in warm-up, actual festival performance schedule may necessitate a reduction to this time. Be prepared to be flexible to keep the festival running on schedule.

• Each group has the option to perform with or without amplification. Amplification will be provided by the UIL.

• Performance time is limited to 10 minutes of music.
• Groups are assigned performance times based on conference and scheduled at 15-minute intervals.
• The time structure for each performance will be held strictly to:
  • 3 minutes set up and sound check (directors may work with sound provider to adjust volume and/or microphone placement.)
  • 1 minute announcement
  • 10 minutes of music performance
  • 1 minute stage exit
• The Festival Compliance Official (FCO) will be located backstage to monitor and make note of performance times.
• The FCO will also have a visible clock for the above 15-minute structure. Directors should plan their program accordingly.

• The announcement of your group will be made using the information you provide in the online entry form. All groups will be announced following the same format.
• Once your group has been announced on stage your 10-minute performance time will begin either at the beginning of your music or at the end of the 1-minute announcement – whichever comes first.

• As stated in the published information all performing groups shall follow the rules of the state mariachi festival pilot, including performance regulations, instrumentation, and music scores.
• Any group not meeting these requirements is subject to disqualification. The decision of the judges and all compliance matters as determined by UIL are final.  

• At the conclusion of your performance, you will proceed to one of the rehearsal rooms, where your group will receive a 25-minute clinic with an adjudicator.
• Our hope is that this experience will add a personal element to the festival and allow the students to actually meet and learn from a nationally recognized mariachi clinician.

• There will be an awards ceremony at the conclusion of each session.
• One student representative from each group will be asked to return to the stage and line up in performance order.
• Each school will be recognized and Division 1 awards will be presented.
• Outstanding performers will also be announced and draped with their medal.
• Ratings will be posted online at the conclusion of each session’s awards.

• After the awards conclude for the session, directors will check-out at the festival office. The following items will be distributed:
  • Music scores will be returned
  • Plaque - for ratings other than Division 1 rating.
  • Individual Medals -  for all schools receiving a Division 1 rating.

• The festival will be live streamed. More information may be found on the UIL website.
• Due to copyright restrictions, recordings will not be made.

• Competition Suite will be used to create judge comments. These digital files will be available in each director’s Competition Suite account immediately after the performance.

• On-site instrument repair services will NOT be available. Please plan accordingly.

• Please communicate the following with all participants, colleagues, & spectators:
  • No audio or video recording is allowed at any time during a performance.
  • No flash photography is allowed during a performance.
  • No food/drinks, etc. are allowed in the auditorium, including chewing gum.
  • No balloons or signs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • No tobacco, alcohol, or weapons are allowed on venue property.
  • Only participants and their director are allowed in the warm-up, stage, clinic, and group photo areas.
  • Only clear bags are permitted in the auditorium (See Clear Bag Policy).