TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
HONOR BAND COMPETITION
RULES, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES

Honor Band Entry Form
(Replaces Forms G, H, I, and K)

View All Entries

Revised 2/20/2008

The concept of the "Honor Band" originated during the term of Joe Frank, Sr., who served as Band Division Chair from 1958 to 1960. The purpose was twofold. Many educators believed that through the process of hearing and observing the results of quality teaching, directors could develop their own instructional skills to a higher level. In addition, selection of an honor band in each classification recognized communities and school systems that successfully supported music in education through their instrumental music programs.

The responsibility for the Honor Band Competition lies solely within the domain of the Band Division Chair. For the sake of clarity, these guidelines are arranged by Region Level, Area Level, All Classes, State Level, Ranking Procedures for Area and State Levels, and Honor Band Payment Procedures.

REGION LEVEL

1. Each region is responsible for the selection of its TWO (2) Honor Band representatives from each classification being considered each year. Selection procedures and finances shall be determined by the Region Band Chair and that Region's membership, with adherence given to the rules, procedures, and guidelines within this document.

a. No region may use a judge for Region Honor Band Competition who lives or teaches within its region.

b. A region may use a maximum of two judges outside their area that have a recording entered in the same classification. Those two judges cannot be from the same area.

c. All judged honor band recording sessions at all levels shall use five adjudicators.

d. The honorarium paid to judges shall be equal to the amount paid to UIL Concert Contest judges. (3/1/2007)

2. A school that will have a different director of bands for the next year may not have a recording auditioned at the Region, Area, or State level. A band director who submits a recording in the competition at any level but accepts a new position at a different school must submit a certified letter or a hand delivered letter informing the State Band Chair of this change as soon as the change is made. Failure to follow this procedure may result in a penalty to be determined by the TMEA Executive Board.

3. Bands entering the Honor Band process will enter and perform in the class UIL has designated for that school prior to March 1 of the year of entry. Classification changes for the performance year will have no effect on the Honor Band process.

4. A band cannot succeed itself as an Honor Band This will include an Honor Band which changes classification.

a. In even-numbered years, classifications 5A and 3A high schools, 3C, 2C, and 1C middle schools may enter recordings.

b. In odd-numbered years, classifications 4A, 2A, 1A, 1B/2B/3B (combined) junior high schools may enter recordings. In junior high school, a competition will occur at the state level only if there is an adequate number of schools to justify such a competition (five or more is required).

c. Entry/performance rotation schedule changes for 2008-2013: (2/20/2008)

2008 for 2009 (Convention) - Classes 1C, 2C, 3C, 3A, 5A

2009 for 2010 (Convention) - Classes 2C, 3C, 1A, 2A, 4A (2C & 3C in consecutive years)

2010 for 2011 (Convention) - Classes 1C, 1A, 3A, 5A (1A in consecutive years)

2011 for 2012 (Convention) - Classes 2C, 3C, 2A, 4A (new even year format)

2012 for 2013 (Convention) - Classes 1C, 1A, 3A, 5A (new odd year format)

5. Recordings submitted must contain performances from the current school year. 

6. No voice identification should appear on the recording. 

7. Each group that enters the selection process must have a TMEA Honor Band Entry Form I on file with the Region Chair by submission online no later than March 1 - Online Entry Deadline. Paper forms will be accepted for the 2008 entry year. (Postmark Deadline is March 1) Failure to file by March 1 renders any organization ineligible to enter the selection process. Each group may have a maximum of five four performances scheduled for recordings. Three (3)  Two (2) (2/20/08) of these performances may be non-competitive. (Competitive events are adjudicated festivals in which more than one school is represented, and a rating and/or ranking is assigned, and/or critique or comments are given.) A recording may not be submitted from any performance other than the five four which are on file by March 1. If a band attends UIL Concert Contest, that recorded performance will be one of the five four designated performances.

Example:

8. Three selections will be submitted, one march and two selections of other types.

9. Each selection submitted must be a continuous performance which was recorded at a concert, festival, or contest. All movements submitted of a multi-movement work must be from a continuous performance.

10. A minimum of three scores of each selection WITH SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION MARKED OUT must be submitted with the recording.

11. When entering a recording:

a. A Principal's Certification (Online - complete, print and sign) (2/20/08) must accompany each entry. The school principal verifies the details and circumstances of the recording and in behalf of his school accepts responsibility for any irregularities or unethical practices. The forms are available online at www.tmea.org.

b. In classes 1C, 2C, 3C middle school, 1B/2B/3B (combined) junior high, and 1A, a Letter from the Superintendent must accompany the recording stating whether or not the band will perform at the TMEA Convention the following year if it is selected. Director and principal should note the limited flexibility of performance schedules during the convention prior to entering their recording. Each organization must be prepared to perform at the time scheduled by the Band Division Chair.

c. A Director's Statement of Responsibility  (Online - complete, print and sign) (2/20/08) must accompany each entry.

d. A Director's Clinician Report  (Online - complete, print and sign) (2/20/08) must accompany each entry.

12. Some examples of unethical and unacceptable practices:

a. Private recording sessions.

b. Recording in a recording studio or under studio conditions (i.e. use of microphones for individuals or small groups).

c. Multiple recording (recording the same selection or a part thereof more than once in a given concert).

d. Splicing within a single composition

e. Any engineering, editing, or tampering in any way with the recording after the performance. Note: The only allowable technical alteration to a recording is adjustment of master volume. (3/1/2007)

f. Impromptu scheduling of performances for selected students or classes during the school day. Refer to 7.

g. Students not dressed uniformly in the formal concert attire designated by the director for the organization.

h. Re-scheduling a concert date for reasons other than student illness, school scheduling conflict, defective recording equipment, inclement weather, or emergency cancellation during a performance. Refer to 7.

i. Any other practice which could be construed as being unprofessional, unethical, or in violation of the spirit of the competition.

These statements of unacceptable practices serve only as some possible violations of the SPIRIT and PURPOSE of the Honor Band competition. Verified occurrence of any unacceptable practices will serve as grounds for disqualification from auditions and/or Honor Band performance. Protests and charges of unethical procedures must be filed in writing with the State Band Chair.

13. All selections must be recorded and submitted in a CD format and must be edited to remove any introduction of the band performing or comments regarding the band. NOTE: Sites used for Region/Area, and State Recording sessions must use machines capable of playback in a CD format with a cassette tape back-up system capable of Dolby B playback.  (3/1/2007)

14. A band entering Honor Band competition will submit to the Region Band Chair two (2)  three (3) compact disc (CD) masters. and (2) back-up copy cassette tapes. The back-up cassette tapes should be high quality "metal" (CrO2) and recorded with Dolby B. The director and principal must have signed Forms G and H certifying that the three recordings are a master and an exact copies. The Region Band Chair will retain one recording and the other will be placed into the Honor Band Selection Process. If a recording is lost or damaged during any step of the selection process, the Region Band Chair will make available the back-up copy. (3/1/2007)

15. All recordings are to be postmarked by determined date(s). Recordings, statement, scores, etc. postmarked after this date will be returned to the sender. Recordings and information are to be mailed to the appropriate Area Host by the date published in the Southwestern Musician and on the online entry pages.

16. Once a recording is entered into the competition, no substitution of a recording shall be allowed unless specifically requested by the State Band Chair.

17. All judged Honor Band recording sessions at all levels shall use five adjudicators.

AREA LEVEL

1. Each Region submits two entries per class to the Area Audition Chair. Note: Class A and AA may submit three entries provided a minimum of four organizations participated at the region level.

2. Each Region Band Chair will attend the Area competition or designate a region representative to go in his or her place. Back up recordings should be available at this audition.

3. Region recordings sent to the Area Auditions Chair must be postmarked no later than the date published in the Southwestern Musician.

4. The Honor Band Competition shall use the same alignment map as the TMEA/UIL Region and Area competitions. Class A and AA will use the UIL small school alignment

5. The state Band Chair will insure that all Area Audition Sites will have uniform playback equipment. Equipment will be supplied by the State Chair or his/her designee.

AREA HOSTS/ORGANIZERS
(determined each year by the TMEA Band Vice-President)

 ALL CLASSES

1. Each AREA may submit two recordings per class to State Auditions. Note: Class A and AA may submit three entries provided a minimum of four tapes organizations participated at the area level. (3/1/2007)

2. A current Region Band Chair in each Area will be appointed Area Auditions Chair by the Band Division Chair. In the event that all the Region Band Chairs in an Area have entered the Honor Band process, the State Band Chair shall select the Area Chair at the State Chair's discretion.

3. Directors or Assistant Directors of participating bands at the Area Level Recording Competition will not function as an organizer, a facilitator or a recording playback technician. They will not hire the judges or tabulate results.

4. A Panel of five judges will convene at the site to hear the recordings selected at the area level. A region may determine the number of panels to be used for the respective sessions as long as each panel consists of five adjudicators. At the AREA level, if 16 or more bands are competing, two panels of five adjudicators will be established. One panel will be assigned the 3A, 5A, or 2A, 4A classes, and the other panel will be assigned the 1C, 2C, 3C (middle school) or the 1B/2B/3B (combined) junior high, 1A classes. If 15 or less bands are competing at the Area contest, one panel may be utilized for all classes. Every effort should be made to pick panels appropriate for each classification being adjudicated.

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF JUDGES

a. Each Region Band Chair must submit a list of twenty (20) acceptable judges to the Area Chair within 24 hours after the Region Recording Adjudication Session. This Area list should be compiled from a list agreed on by all band directors of the advancing area level bands. Notifications will be by telephone and verified by mail or fax. Eligible judges receiving the most nominations will be asked first. In the event of a tie among the nominees, the order of the invitation will be determined by draw. If the nominees do not fulfill the qualifications of the competition, or cannot accept the invitation to judge, or if the list has been exhausted, then the Area Chair will be responsible for contacting the Region Chairs by a conference call for additional names for the selection of judges. The Region Chair will attempt to contact all competing band directors for input on additional names for judges. Any changes to the judging panels made after the panel has been made known to participating directors must be approved by the Band Division Chair. This includes last-minute changes for emergency reasons. (3/1/2007)

b. The judges must reside outside the AREA they are asked to judge.

c. The five (5) judge panel shall have no more than two (2) judges come from any single region or any single Area.

d. No one may judge at the Area Level if he/she has held or participated in a clinic with a participating band. Entering bands must notify by means of the Form K the Area Chair of anyone who had held a clinic, rehearsed or conducted the band.

e. No one may judge the classification at the Area or State level if he or she has a recording entered in that classification that has not been eliminated at the Region or Area level.

5. Area recordings sent to the State Band Chair must be postmarked no later than the date published in the Southwestern Musician.

6. All recordings must be hand-delivered or sent by CERTIFIED EXPRESS MAIL. It would be wise to insure SECOND DAY DELIVERY. The address will be determined each year.

STATE LEVEL

1. For the State Honor Band audition, a panel of five (5) judges will be selected for each classification. They will represent as wide a geographical area as possible and will be selected by the Band Division Chair from the ranks of currently active or retired Texas music educators. The Band Division Chair will be autonomous in his selection of these judges.

2. Recording will be identified by a letter code rather than by the name of the school. Each panel will hear the recordings and rank all bands. The first listening will be open to the general public. This session will normally be scheduled on the first day of the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention.

3. At the end of the adjudication period, a verification period will begin. At that time, all competing directors should report to the TMEA Band Division Office to review and verify the results from that classification.

4. The bands ranked in the top fifty percent of the recordings in each classification will be listed as Finalists outside of the TMEA Band Division Office at TBA and at the TMEA Registration booth at TBA. The rankings of the bands in the bottom fifty percent of the organizations in each classification will be made available only to the directors of those bands.

RANKING PROCEDURES FOR REGION, AREA, AND STATE LEVELS

1. The Chair shall compile all judges' rankings.

2. Individual judges' rankings will be available to all directors involved in the competition, but not made available to the general public. The judges' rankings will be provided from low to high so as to maintain the anonymity of the individual judges. The results will be posted as final after the verification period has concluded.

3. In the use of a five (5) judge panel, the Olympic scoring system will be used. Each band's high and the low score will be dropped. The band with the lowest composite score of the remaining three (3) scores will have the highest ranking except if a majority of the remaining three (3) judges have a band as first. In this event, that band shall be declared as first. If a majority of the remaining three (3) judges have a band ranked as second or better, that band shall be declared as second. All other bands will be ranked according to the remaining three (3) judges composite scores. This paragraph supercedes the possible situations described in Section A below:

A. In the case of a tie, the majority of ALL judges selecting one band over the other will decide the winner. For example, if two bands are tied by virtue of each receiving identical sum ranks as in this sample:

It should be noted that Judge A ranked the first band above the second; Judge B ranked the first band above the second; Judge C ranked the second band above the first; Judge D ranked the first band above the second; and Judge E ranked the second band above the first. This results in:

... with the winner of the "Judges' Preference" (First Band) being placed above the other band at the point of the tie in the overall ranking.

B.  Any Two-way ties will be broken by using the judges' preference with the following exception: A second hearing of any band's recording will occur only if advancement to the next level or performance at at the TMEA Convention is impacted. (3/1/2007)

C. Three-way or more ties involving advancement to the next level or performance at the TMEA Convention shall be broken by a re-hearing of all tied recordings continuing traditional scoring methods. Ties that remain after the single re-hearing will be broken using traditional TMEA audition tie-breaking procedures. (3/1/2007)

HONOR BAND PAYMENT PROCEDURES

1. Each region nominee to the Area auditions will pay a MINIMUM DEPOSIT of $300.00 (check to be made payable to "TMEA-Band Division") which will underwrite the expenses of the competition. Should there be a deficit, the balance will be pro-rated and collected from the participating schools. Failure to send a check for the deposit with the recordings will result in disqualification for that band. Use one of the Region Band Accounts to handle the money.

2. The Area Chairman will be responsible for collecting and managing all fees for the Area contest. The Area Chair shall conduct the financial business for the AREA and will forward all remaining fees and file proper deposit and expense vouchers with the State Band Division Chair. Payments to judges and Area Host expenses will be made by the Area Chair.

3. At the Area level, judges will be paid $160.00 per day the honorarium paid to judges shall be equal to the amount paid to UIL Concert Contest judges plus expenses. A judges' stipend will An amount equivalent to a judges’ honorarium will be paid to the Area Chair. (3/1/2007)

Revised 2/20/2008