Subchapter B: MUSIC (1106)

Back to Table of Contents

Section 1106: AREA MARCHING BAND CONTEST

(a) CONTEST SCHEDULE.

The area marching band contest will be held for Conferences 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, and 2A.

(b) AREAS.

Regions will be assigned to areas by the UIL.

(c) AREA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Each music area shall have an executive committee comprised of two representatives from each Region Executive Committee that has schools in the conference assigned to that area. In the event there are more than four regions that have schools in the conference assigned to an area, the committee shall be comprised of one representative from each region executive committee that has schools in the conference assigned to that area. The committee member may appoint an alternate to serve in the event the member is unable to attend a meeting.

(d) DUTIES OF THE AREA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The area contest chair in consultation with the Area Executive Committee shall be responsible for the area marching band competition as outlined in this section and shall make all arrangements as defined by the UIL State Director of Music.

(e) CONTEST RULES.

All rules governing the region marching band contest, except herein noted, shall apply to the area marching band contest.

(f) ENTRY PROCEDURES.

Entry procedures and related fees shall be established by the area contest chair in consultation with the Area Executive Committee.

(g) PERFORMANCE REGULATIONS.

Performance regulations as listed under Section 1105 shall apply to the area marching band contest with the following exception: any band that leaves the field in less than five minutes or fails to complete its performance in eight minutes shall be disqualified.

(h) PRELIMINARY ROUND AND FINAL ROUND.

(1) 9 Or Fewer Bands. If there are 9 or fewer bands, the preliminary round will stand as the final round. The top 50% of the competing bands will be recognized as finalists and will receive a finalist award, while the remaining bands will receive a participant award. There will be a drum major retreat held at the end of the competition to announce the results. The names of those bands advancing to the state marching band contest will be announced.

(2) 10 to 19 Bands. If there are 10 to 19 bands, the top 7 bands will advance from the preliminary round to the final round. In addition, any band below seventh place that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the marching judges will also advance to the final round. The two marching judges and two of the music judges will change captions. There will be a drum major retreat at the end of preliminary round to announce the results. Bands not advancing to the final round will receive a participant award. At the end of the final round there will be a drum major retreat where each band will receive a finalist award and the names of those bands advancing to the state marching band contest will be announced. Under extenuating circumstances such as severe weather or limited participation, the contest officials in consultation with the State Director of Music may declare the preliminary round to be the final contest.

(3) 20 to 29 Bands. If there are 20 to 29 bands, the top 10 bands will advance from the preliminary round to the final round. In addition, any band below tenth place that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the marching judges will also advance to the final round. The two marching judges and two of the music judges will change captions. There will be a drum major retreat at the end of the preliminary round to announce the results. Bands not advancing to final round will receive a participant award. At the end of the final round there will be a drum major retreat where each band will receive a finalist award and the names of those bands advancing to the state marching band contest will be announced. Under extenuating circumstances such as severe weather or limited participation, the contest officials in consultation with the State Director of Music may declare the preliminary round to be the final contest.

(4) 30 Or More Bands. If there are 30 or more bands, the top 12 bands will advance from the preliminary round to the final round. In addition, any band below twelfth place that receives a ranking of three or higher from at least two of the music judges and one of the marching judges will also advance to the final round. The two marching judges and two of the music judges will change captions. There will be a drum major retreat at the end of the preliminary round to announce the results. Bands not advancing to the final round will receive a participant award. At the end of the final round there will be a drum major retreat where each band will receive a finalist award and the names of those bands advancing to the state marching band contest will be announced. Under extenuating circumstances such as severe weather or limited participation, the contest officials in consultation with the state director of music may declare the preliminary round to be the final contest.

(i) ADJUDICATION.

The State Director of Music in consultation with the Area Executive Committee shall assign five judges to each area marching band contest. The judging panel will consist of three music judges and two visual judges.

(j) RANKING.

The final ranking in each round will be determined by adding the rankings of all five judges for each band.

(k) AREA CERTIFICATION TO STATE.

(1) 2A/3A/4A Certification. In conferences 2A,/3A/4A the music area shall certify the three bands receiving the highest ranking in each conference to the state marching band contest.  Should twenty or more bands qualify for the advancement in a single conference for the area contest, one band for each five bands that qualified for advancement to the contest shall be certified for advancement to the state contest.

(2) 5A/6A Certification. In conferences 5A/6A the music area shall certify the two bands receiving the highest ranking in each conference to the state marching band contest. Should fifteen or more bands qualify for advancement in a single conference for the area contest, one band for each five bands that qualified for advancement to the contest shall be certified for advancement to the state contest.

(3) Zoning Area Contests.

(A) By action of the Area Executive Committee and by approval of the State Director of Music, the area marching band contest may be zoned to reduce travel for participating schools.

(B) Zoned area contests should have a minimum of five bands at each contest site. One band for each five bands competing in the contest shall be certified for advancement to the state contest, superseding the use of the certification formulas in Section 1106(k)(1&2).

(4) Additional Bands. In contests advancing two bands, any band that receives a ranking of two or higher from two music judges and one marching judge shall also advance to the state contest. In addition, in contests advancing three or more bands, any band that receives a ranking of three or higher from two music judges and one marching judge shall also advance to state.

(5) Alternates. The area may name two alternates from each conference in the event that the bands certified cannot compete at the state contest.

(6) Notification to State. Areas shall notify the UIL Office of the area representatives and alternates within 24 hours of the last day of the contest. A contest held on a weekend may be certified the following Monday.

(7) Intent to Participate. Bands certified to the state marching band contest shall inform the UIL Office of their intent to participate within 24 hours of being certified (or the Monday following a weekend contest) by completing the online entry process.

(l) BALLOONS PROHIBITED.

The use of balloons by participants or spectators at the area marching band contest is prohibited.