Fine Art By-Laws
Sections 199-263
A. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Eligibility. Eligibility regulations are outlined in Article V of the TAPPS Constitution.
a. Schools declare intent to participate by September 1.
b. Sponsor must complete SCOPE testing in TAPPSter including the Professional Acknowledgement of Rules.
c. Students must have a Student Acknowledgement of Rules form on file at school.
d. Students must be listed on the Eligibility form prior to registration of the competition.
e. The Director declares each student eligible for competition when listing them on the Eligibility Form and Ensemble Roster. If ineligibility occurs after the Ensemble Roster is submitted but before the contest, the Meet Coordinator must be notified in writing of the change in status prior to the event.
2. Individual Students.
a. A student may perform in a MAXIMUM of five total entries
1) including at most two large ensembles with overlapping personnel.
2) including at most one solo per instrument.
b. A student may be in multiple ensembles of the same category.
3. Ensemble Personnel.
a. Ensembles with identical personnel
1) may NOT enter the same category twice.
2) may enter two or more different categories with the exception of both Large Ensemble and Small Ensemble. (An identical group may not enter both Large Ensemble and Small Ensemble, but may enter Large and Medium or Small and Medium.)
b. An ensemble confronted with inappropriate numbers due to illness, injury, emergency, etc., may perform as long as the ensemble can provide all of the necessary parts as demanded by the score. If you are unable to provide all necessary parts, you may submit a substitution request to the Meet Coordinator before the contest.
c.7th and 8th Grade Student Participation. The intent of allowing 8th grade students, is to provide an ensemble opportunity to schools which otherwise would not have an ensemble without the use of 8th grade students.
1) Only ONE single ensemble may include 7th and 8th grade students. It must be in each of the following:
a) String Orchestra Large Ensemble
b) Full Orchestra Large Ensemble
c) If no Large ensemble, a medium ensemble
and the majority of personnel for that ensemble must be 9th – 12th grade students.
2) 7th and 8th Grade students may NOT participate in solo or small ensemble events.
3) Schools must complete a 7th and 8th Grade Student approval form with will be reviewed by the State Music Committee.
B. MUSIC QUALIFICATIONS.
1. No ensemble or soloist may perform the same music selection(s) they used in competition the previous year.
2. A Large Ensemble may not perform the same music as a different Large Ensemble from the same school.
3. A Non-Large Ensemble may not perform the same music as a different ensemble from the same school unless the majority of the personnel are different.
4. Each Music Category has specific music qualifications, some from the University Interscholastic League Prescribed Music List (UIL PML). The qualifications are outlined in the individual event sections
5. UIL PML Music must be selected from the current list (Published August 1). This list may be purchased from the University Interscholastic League or viewed online. http://www.utexas.edu/uil/pml/
6. All solos and ensembles shall be accompanied except those works which are written expressly for unaccompanied instruments.
C. SCORES COPYRIGHT RULE. Directors are responsible for the legality of the scored presented.
1. Each soloist and each director of an ensemble must supply the judge with an ORIGINAL conductor’s score with measures numbered (NO PHOTO COPIES). The judge is instructed not to permit performance to begin until he or she has received such a score.
EXCEPTION: A judge may hear an ensemble without an original score under one of the following provisions:
a. A statement from the music retailer or publisher stating that no published score exists or it is permanently out of print and that a photocopy is permitted to be used. or
b. A set of original parts are supplied in lieu of conductor’s score.
2. Music selections must be scored appropriately for the ensembles (no guitar lead sheets, no solo music for 2+ part ensembles).
a. Published scores must be used as written unless the copyright holder supplies a letter granting permission to make modifications.
b. Non-Published scores may be used with the following guidelines:
1) Arrangements of copyrighted material must have a letter from the copyright holder granting permission to arrange for band/orchestra and to make necessary photo copies.
2) Original works must include a letter from the composer granting permission to use for contest and make necessary photo copies.
D. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Events are open to the public if space allows with the exception that Solo events and Sight-Reading may not have an audience.
2. Instrumental events do not require memorization except piano solos.
3. Participants are responsible for providing all instruments and equipment necessary for their performance.
a. Pianos in good tune (A-440) will be provided for each performance venue.
b. Some percussion instruments may be provided for the Large Ensemble venue.
E. JUDGES
1. Qualifications. A judge should
a. Be currently teaching, conducting, performing or retires in the area in which they are asked to judge.
b. Have at least 5 years experience
c. Have a college or music conservatory background in music
2. Responsibilities.
a. Listen to each repertoire selection.
b. Judge based on what is performed.
c. Give written comments of encouragement and constructive criticism with a spirit of support.
d. Give a rating which supports the given comments independent of any other judge on the panel.
F. EVENT CATEGORIES at the Solo and Ensemble Event
1. SMALL ENSEMBLE- To be performed at the Solo & Ensemble event.
a. The Small Ensemble will consist of 2-10 members unless the PML requires more players.
1) Ensembles with 2-5 members must not have a director.
2) Ensembles with 6 or more members may a director.
b. There is no limit to the number of small ensembles a school may enter.
c. Live accompaniment is preferred. Taped accompaniment may be used, but ensemble must supply their own playback equipment. The accompaniment track is the only acceptable track to be used. Ensembles may NOT use the tracks with added vocals.
d. Ten minutes maximum will be allowed for set up, tuning, performance, and break-down.
e. Small ensembles must perform one selection from the current (Published August 1) UIL PML. Duet Music may be used for duets only. View performance requirement notes for each subsection http://www2.uiltexas.org/music/BandSECodesPerfReq.html
f. You may substitute instruments (within reasonable limits). Parts may be transposed and re-written for other similar instruments but not simplified. The composer’s intent must be respected.
g. Small ensembles will be adjudicated by one judge. ONE Original score must be provided with all measures numbered.
2. SOLOS- To be performed at the Solo & Ensemble event.
a. Students may only perform a maximum of one solo per instrument.
b. There is no limit to the number of solos a school may enter.
c. Ten minutes maximum will be allowed for set up, tuning and performance.
d. Piano solos require memorization. All other instrumental solos do not require memorization.
e. Piano Solos may be entered as either a Vocal, Band, or String event.
f. Guitar Solos may be entered as either a Band or String event, but not both.
g. Each soloist will perform one selection taken from the Current (Published August 1) UIL PML Class 1, 2, or 3. View performance requirement notes for each subsection at http://www2.uiltexas.org/music/BandSECodesPerfReq.html.
h. Live accompaniment is preferred. Recorded accompaniment may be used, but the student must supply own playback equipment. The accompaniment track is the only acceptable track to be used. If a score has accompaniment, accompaniment must be provided.
i. Solos will be adjudicated by one judge. ONE Original score must be provided with all measures numbered.
G. EVENT CATEGORIES at the Concert and Sight Reading Event
1. LARGE ENSEMBLE- To be performed at the Concert & Sight Reading Event
a. Large Ensemble will consist of a minimum of 8 members.
b. Large ensemble may not have identical personnel as a small ensemble.
c. Students may perform in a maximum of two large ensembles.
d. Schools may enter ONE Primary Large Ensemble (Full Orchestra or String).
e. Schools may enter one or more Secondary Large Ensemble provided that a Primary Large Ensemble is entered.
f. Full Orchestra must have majority of String Instruments.
g. Maximum time allowed will be 20 minutes for warm-up and 30 minutes for Concert. Time begins when you enter the room and includes set-up, tuning, performance, and break-down.
h. Keyboards may be used in the large ensemble only to play parts specifically written for them by the original composer/ arranger, or to substitute for one instrument (bass, vibes, chimes, etc.), not for a whole section of instruments (brass, strings, woodwinds, etc.).
i. Large Ensembles must perform three selections:
1) Full Orchestras must play 3 selections, at least two must be scored for Full Orchestra.
2) One selection taken from the CURRENT (Published after August 1) UIL PML list (921- Full Orchestra or 926- for String Orchestra)
a) Primary Large Ensembles must perform a Grade III, IV, V, or Concerto (Grosso).
b) Secondary Large Ensembles must perform a Grade II, III, IV, V or Concerto (Grosso).
3) Two selections of the director’s choice.
4) Large Ensembles may not perform the same selection as another Large Ensemble from the same school.
j. Large ensembles will be adjudicated by a panel of 3 judges. THREE Original scores must be provided with all measures numbered.
2. SIGHT-READING- To be performed at the Concert & Sight Reading Event Refer to the Sight-Reading Guidelines in the Instrumental Forms section of www.tappster.com for procedure and expectations.
a. All Large Ensembles have the option to participate in Sight-reading.
b. Large Ensembles that do not sight-read are ineligible for the Sweepstakes award at the State level.
c. Twenty minutes will be allowed for sight-reading which will immediately follow the concert performance.
d. TAPPS Music Director will provide Full Orchestra and String Orchsetra music.
e. Sight Reading will be adjudicated by one judge.
f. Music Level
1) Primary: Level 2
2) Secondary: Level 1
3. MEDIUM ENSEMBLE- To be performed at the Concert & Sight-Reading Event
a. The Medium Ensemble will consist of a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 24 members.
b. Medium Ensembles may be directed.
c. Schools may enter a maximum of FOUR String Medium Ensembles.
d. Twenty minutes maximum will be allowed for set-up, tuning, performance, and break-down. Time begins when you enter the room.
e. This ensemble will perform two selections of the director’s choice.
f. Medium ensembles will be adjudicated by a panel of three judges. THREE Original scores must be provided with all the measures numbered.
H. RATINGS, POINTS, AWARDS
1. RATINGS. Each entry will be given a rating based on performance.
a. Ratings for each event will be posted in TAPPSter as soon as possible so that any mistakes may be caught. Contesting of posted results must be made within one hour of posting time.
b. Complaints and rule violations should be made in writing to the Meet coordinator within 48 hours of any alleged violation.
c. A rule violation will result in a minimum penalty of a single rating reduction.
2. INDIVIDUAL AND ENSEMBLE AWARDS. The following awards will be given for those entries receiving a Division I Superior Rating.
a. Large Ensemble plaque
b. Sight Reading plaque
c. Sweepstakes* plaque
d. Medium Ensemble plague
e. Small Ensemble medals
f. Solos medal
g. All-State Honor** certificate
*The Sweepstakes Award is presented to any Large Ensemble receiving a I-Superior Rating in both Concert and Sight-Reading and given in place of the large ensemble and sight reading plaques.
** All-State Honor Award is presented to any Class 1 solo receiving a I-Superior Rating.
3. SCHOOL AWARDS. In recognition of outstanding achievement of a school in their music program, the top four schools will receive an award.
a. POINTS.
1) For each Division I Superior rating in each category, the school will receive the following points:
a) Large Ensembles.
(i) Grade 1 = 100 points
(ii) Grade 2 = 105 points
(iii) Grade 3 = 110 points
(iv) Grade 4 = 115 points
(v) Grade 5 or Concerto (Grosso) = 120 points
b) Sight Reading = 50 points
c) State Sweepstakes = 25 points
e) Medium Ensemble = 30 points
f) Small Ensemble (3+ members)
(i) Class 1 = 26 points
(ii) Class 2 = 23 points
(iii) Class 3 = 20 points
g) Duets
(i) Class 1 = 24 points
(ii) Class 2 = 13 points
(iii) Class 3 = 7 points
h) Solo
(i) Class 1 = 10 points
(ii) Class 2 = 5 points
(iii) Class 3 = 3 points
2) For each Division II Excellent rating in Large Ensemble, the school will receive 50 points. No other entry receiving a II-rating will earn points.
b. AWARDS.
1) Points for all events for both the Solo & Ensemble Event and the Concert & Sight Reading Event are totaled by school and overall school rankings are awarded at the end of the Concert and Sight Reading Event.
2) All Schools participating in the String Contest will be ranked in the same division (not by classification).
3) Schools must earn a minimum of 50 points to be eligible for overall school awards.
4) The top four schools will receive plaques.
5) Ties in overall ranking shall be determined by the percentage of entries earning a 1 ranking.
I. CONTEST ORGANIZATION AND PROCEEDURES
1. ONLINE MUSIC ENTRY All Entries and will be submitted through the online entry process www.tappster.com. Instructions are on the TAPPS website www.tapps.net and describe step-by-step the process of entering all entries.
a. SCOPE Testing must be completed by Fine Arts Director and Orchestra Director before entries may be entered.
b. Eligibility Form must be submitted before entries may be entered.
c. Entries must be in TAPPSter by the deadline on the TAPPS calendar at which time they will be registered.
1) Solo and Ensemble Event entries will be registered in a separate meet from the Concert and Sight Reading Event entries.
2) Entries must be ACCURATE. Double check spelling, UIL codes, order of performance, accompanist is listed, etc. Mistakes on the entry page transfer to all forms.
3) After entries are REGISTERED view each Adjudication Form for errors and notify Meet Director of any changes.
d. Prior to each event, ALL registered entries must be verified and confirmed before the Scratch Deadline. Certification of students to both Solo and Ensemble Event and the Concert and Sight Reading Event is a commitment by the student and school. Fees shall be paid for all students not scratched prior to the scratch deadline even if they do not participate at the Meet.
e. Fees Form. Once entries are REGISTERED for each Meet (Solo & Ensemble then Concert & SR), fee forms will be available in TAPPSter. Fees form and fees (made payable to TAPPS) should be brought to each Meet.
2. SUPERVISION Parents/adults from each school must assist (no unsupervised students). In addition to the director and/or accompanist of a school, there should be 1 adult for every 10 students at the Music meet. Students should not be left unattended. Chaperone list must be completed through TAPPSter.
3. VOLUNTEERS. Each school will be assigned a volunteer time slot a minimum of 1 hour at the State meet (time keeper, stage-set-up crew, room monitor, etc.). All schools will be expected to honor their commitment. Volunteer sign-up must be completed through TAPPSter.
4. STAGE SET-UP. It is the responsibility of the school to set-up for performance, tune, perform, and break-down the stage all within the time limits set forth for each ensemble. Chaperones and other school volunteers should aid in setting up their school to keep within the time limits.
5. SCHEDULING.
a. Schedules will be made based on student participation, not on accompanist availability. Consider having multiple accompanists.
b. Monitors shall keep the contest moving by permitting out-of-order appearances using the following:
1) First Priority: contestants that are on time and in order.
2) Second Priority: late contestants; lowest number first.
3) Third Priority: contestants who wish to perform in advance of schedule.
c. A scheduled contestant must appear within 30 minutes of the last scheduled performance in any division or they will be considered “scratched” by the Coordinator. NOTE: Accurate ensemble rosters and listing of accompanists enable the coordinator to avoid conflicts in the schedule. Notify monitor of conflicts or delays as soon as possible and make schedule arrangements accordingly.
6. CHECK- IN/ CHECK-OUT
a. Check-in when you arrive at the Meet.
1) Volunteer/Chaperone Form complete with cell numbers so chaperones may be contacted in case of emergency while at the meet.
2) State Fee forms and a check for fees (Fees made payable to TAPPS)
3) Verify schedule of events.
b. Check-out before you leave the Meet.
1) Pick up director packet
(1) All adjudication forms
(2) Any stray music
(3) Awards earned
2) Sign out verifying your results with ratings and points with the amount of awards given and the amount of awards to be ordered. Fill out an Award Order form if there are some awards not available at the Meet.
