AIR CADET TRAINING ORDER TRAINING NO 119 THE AIR CADET NATIONAL BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS SCOPE 1. This ACTO sets out the rules governing the Air Cadet Organisation National Band Championships and applies to all participants and potential participants, whether ATC or CCF(RAF). BACKGROUND 2. The Air Cadet National Band Championships is an annual event normally held at RAF Halton on the third or fourth weekend in November in association with the ACO Drill Competition (see ACTO 120). The event is the culmination of the ATC Wing and Regional Competitions held throughout the year. The competition is also open to Air Cadets from the CCF(RAF). 3. The rules of the competition, which will be reviewed each year, are set out in Annex A to this ACTO. It is recommended that, as far as is practicable, these rules are also followed at Wing and Regional competitions. 4. A list of permissible instruments for the Full Band class is shown at Annex B ENTRY 5. As stated above, the Championships are a National competition for the finalists from the Regional competitions. Consequently, entries are to come from Regional Headquarters not individual Wings or Squadrons. 6. Each Regional Headquarters and the CCF (RAF) should email a single entry listing the participants in each class and a nominal roll of all participants and supervisory staff (indicating accommodation and messing requirements) to reach the Music Services Officer mso@aircadets.org by 21 October. (The regulations for payment of supervisory staff are contained in ACP 300). 7. Regional Headquarters and the CCF (RAF) should also each provide a consolidated list of supporters other members of staff, cadets, friends and families, etc to reach the Music Services Officer by 7 Nov. 8. An example of an entry submission is shown at Annex C. Annexes: A. Competition Rules B. List of Permissible Instruments for the Full Band Class C. Example of Entry Submission 119-1
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ANNEX A TO ACTO 119 COMPETITION RULES GENERAL RULES 1. The competition is open to CADET members of the ACO; Staff/CFAVs are not permitted to participate in any Championship event. A sqn/unit may be entered in any number of classes. 2. Drum Majors are to be cadet members of the band they lead. They are to carry a mace, which is not to be deliberately placed on the ground. It must be only used in accordance with the recognised drum major signals set out in ACP 1812 and not thrown in the air or twirled. 3. Uniform and authorised accoutrements are to be worn in accordance with para 13. 4. Judges will normally be music specialists from within the Air Cadet Organisation who, ideally, have not been involved in judging Regional or Wing competitions and, as far as is practicable, are not associated with any Air Cadet sqn or unit. The Moderator of the Championships will be the Principal Director of Music (Air Cadets). 5. In the event of a tie, marks for entertainment value will determine the awards. 6. It is the responsibility of the CFAV in charge of the Band, Section or Ensemble to read the rules and ensure that they are complied with. Contravention of any of these rules, or deviation from the spirit of the rules, may result in the disqualification of the individual concerned or the band he/she represents. If the rules are contravened prior to performance (e.g. by fielding ineligible participants or instruments) the individual, band, section or ensemble may not be allowed to participate in the competition. 7. The Moderator s decision is final. 8. Wing & Region and Band Competitions should comply with these rules as far as is practicable. 9. For the purposes of these rules the CCF(RAF) is regarded as a Region. 10. The Competition Classes and the number of entries permitted per Region are set out in the table below: Class Unit Classes Full Band Fanfare Section Percussion Section Open Classes Solo Bugler Solo Drummer Ensemble Max No of Entries 1 per Region 1 per Region 1 per Region 3 per Region 3 per Region 1 per Region TURNOUT 11. The Turnout Award applies to the FULL BAND class only. All members of the Full Band will be included in the turnout award and must perform in the uniform they wear for the turnout inspection. Marks will be awarded on individual turnout, presentation of instruments and uniformity of section. 12. While only Full Bands are eligible for the Turnout Award, the same rules for turnout apply throughout the competition. 119-A-1
13. Uniform is to be No 2SD. That is: a. RAF blue/grey jersey, Wedgewood blue shirt and black tie, RAF blue/grey trousers/slacks (not skirts), black shoes or boots, beret. For Health and Safety reasons females should wear flat shoes not court shoes. b. The following accoutrements only may be worn provided uniformity is maintained throughout the band: (1) white webbing belt (2) white cotton/nylon gloves (3) white dress cords - worn on the left shoulder and fastened to a button on the jersey corresponding to the left breast-pocket button. c. The following items are not to be worn: (1) No 1 SD (2) No 1 SD hats, busbies, any headdress other than the beret (except where normally permitted on religious grounds), (3) sashes (except for Drum Majors who may wear a Drum Major Sash over the left shoulder) (4) gauntlets FULL BAND CLASS (5) hackles or plumes (6) any item of RAF No 9 Dress 14. The Full Band is to consist of a minimum of 12 players, (not counting the drum major) playing any instrument listed in Annex B. 15. The band is to have a minimum of 3 players in the brass or wind section and 3 players in the percussion section. All members of the band must play at some point during the performance. 16. Players may only play the instrument they carry into the arena and once the performance has started the composition of the band cannot be changed. 17. Side drummers may touch sticks with other drummers and play on the drums of other side drummers alongside them. 18. CCF bands should be drawn from the RAF Section only. 19. A Drum Major is normally to give commands to the band. In the absence of a Drum Major, another member of the band may give instructions. Drum Majors will be judged from the moment the band arrives at the forming-up area (prior to entering the arena) until the band has cleared the arena after the performance. 20. Each band will be given the opportunity to tune-up/warm-up before entering the arena. They should then march into the arena, under the control of the Drum Major, to a soft tap on a single side-drum given each time the left foot touches the ground. 21. The Drum Major should dress the band at their starting position for the performance. Once the dressing is complete he/she should salute the principal judge and report that the band is ready to begin. The judge will then brief the Drum Major and give permission to carry on. The Drum Major will acknowledge with a salute. This salute marks the start of the performance. At the end of the performance the band should be brought to the halt and the Drum Major should salute the principal judge. This salute marks the end of the performance. 119-A-2
22. Each band is to play for between 11 and 13 minutes. Timing will start when the Drum Major salutes the principal judge to acknowledge permission to carry on, and will stop on the Drum Major s salute at the end of the performance as described in para 21 above.. A maximum of 4 minutes, taken either at once or in aggregate, may be played with the band at the halt. A band is considered to be playing at the halt when less than 50% of the band is moving at any one time. 23. A band will be expected to demonstrate proficiency as a full band in marching in both slow and quick time, together with counter-marching, wheeling, halting, marking time, stepping off and turning. 24. After the performance, and when instructed by the principal judge, the Drum Major should march the band out of the arena either playing or to a single drum tap as described in para 21. (There is no requirement for a march-past or eyes right/left). 25. The drill element will be assessed in accordance with the movements described in AP818 and AP3227. Turns on the march (left, right, or about) of consisting of 4 paces will be considered acceptable. Displays which include crossovers, spirals, inside outs, counter marches and similar will not be penalised providing they are carried out within the context of regulation drill. However, any show band type display, which diverges from regulation drill, will be penalised regardless of entertainment value. 26. The arena size will be approximately 30m x 20m 27. Marks will be awarded for drill and bearing, music skill and entertainment value. (NB Drum Majors will be judged on adherence to correct movements and not for entertainment value). 28. The winning band may be offered the opportunity to repeat their performance at the end of the event. SECTION CLASSES 29. Fanfare Section: a. The fanfare section must have a minimum of three players. Only bugles and trumpets (valve or non-valve) may be used. b. The section is to play at the halt for a maximum of 2 minutes. c. Marks will be awarded for general presentation, standard of performance and entertainment value. d. Competitors will also be judged on their turnout (including the presentation of their instruments) 30. Percussion Section: a. The percussion section must have a minimum of three players. b. Any combination of the following equipment may be used: (1) side drums (2) marching toms (3) tenor drums (4) bass drums (5) cymbals (6) tuned percussion Wood blocks and cowbells may be used if fitted to side drums. c. An additional person may conduct the players. 119-A-3
d. The section is to play for a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes at the halt. Once the performance has commenced players are not to reposition themselves for any reason. e. Players may only play the instrument they carry into the arena. Side drummers may touch sticks with other drummers and play on the drums of other side drummers alongside them providing it does not involve repositioning. f. All equipment must be carried and not on stands. g. Marks will be awarded for general presentation, standard of performance and entertainment value. h. Competitors will also be judged on their turnout (including the presentation of their instruments) OPEN CLASSES 31. Open Solo Bugler: a. This section is open to any bona-fide enrolled cadet in the Corps (a maximum of 3 entries per Region). The competition is restricted to non-valve instruments only (eg, B flat bugles or E flat cavalry trumpets). Note: E flat cavalry trumpets will no longer be eligible for this class after 31 Dec 17. b. The performance will consist of a call set by the judges immediately prior to the performance and a (different) call of the performer s choice. Both calls must be selected from the appropriate list below (which are drawn from the RAF list of Trumpet Calls which may be found on Bader SharePoint under ACO Document Library/Activities/Music/Sheet Music) and must be played from memory (i.e. without reference to sheet music): (1) B flat Bugle/B flat Cavalry Trumpet (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Band Call followed by Fall In General Salute. Last Post Retreat Rouse (Reveille) (2) E flat Cavalry Trumpet (a) Last Post (set in E flat) (b) Reveille (set in E flat) Note: The E flat trumpet list is restricted to two mandatory pieces to reflect the relative difficulty of those pieces compared to the calls set for B flat instruments. c. Marks will be awarded for technical ability, intonation, phrasing and general presentation d. Competitors will also be judged on their turnout (including the presentation of their instrument); their knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bands and musicians; the rudiments of the instrument; and correct instrument handling and maintenance. 119-A-4
32. Open Solo Drummer a. This section is open to any bona-fide enrolled cadet in the Corps. (a maximum of 3 entries per Region) b. The performance will consist of a call set by the judges immediately prior to the performance (competitors should come prepared to play all of the calls) plus the competitor s own composition (lasting no more than 60 secs) which demonstrates the full range of the rudiments of drumming. The call will be selected from the list below (which is drawn from the RAF list of Drum Beats). Both pieces must be played from memory (i.e. without reference to sheet music): (1) [No 1] RAF Call (2) [No 3] NCOs - All three versions (Corporals; Sergeants; Flight Sergeants) (3) [No 23] Alarm (4) [No 29] Double (5) [No 33] Reveille (6) [No 40] Last Post (The list may be found on Bader SharePoint under ACO Document Library/Activities/Music/Sheet Music) c. Prior to the performance the cadet will be questioned on their knowledge of the military side drum and care of the instrument. d. Marks will be awarded for the following: (1) Knowledge of parts of the military side drum and their function (2) Role of the drum within the military marching band (this may be wind, bugle or pipe bands) (3) Replacement of drum skins and tuning (4) Care of the instrument including handling, storage and cleaning (instrument includes drum, sling and sticks) (5) Performance of rudiments (double stroke and triple stroke rolls, paradiddles, drags & flams, triplets, on & off beats) (6) Setup of the drum, sling and stick grip. e. Competitors will also be judged on their turnout (including the presentation of their instrument); their knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bands and musicians. 33. Ensemble Section (Open): a. The ensemble is to have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 20 musicians. Any configuration of instrumentation may be used, including vocalists. However, a large ensemble (over 12 musicians) must not have the same instrumentation as any Full Band entered by the same Region b. Every member of the ensemble must play or sing at some point during the performance. (If the ensemble pieces are appropriate for some choreography, any dancers must be performing musicians within the group and not just cadets included to dance) c. An additional cadet may conduct the players. Alternatively, the ensemble may be conducted or directed by one of the players. Whichever option is chosen, each ensemble must have a nominated leader d. The ensemble must be static (either seated or standing). This does not preclude movement but the ensemble should remain stationary (i.e. in one place) rather than mobile. 119-A-5
e. Music and instrument stands may be used. All electrical equipment must have a current PAT test label and be inspected by a member of staff before use. Equipment that is not PAT tested or is considered unsafe by the member of staff must not be used. Electrical equipment must not be used in damp or wet conditions. f. While Staff/CFAVs may assist with tuning, balance, etc., prior to the performance, there must be no non-cadet intervention once the performance has started. For example, a sound-mixing desk is used during the performance it must only be operated by a cadet. g. All music must be live : pre-recorded backing tracks, etc., are not permitted. h. The ensemble must perform at least 2 contrasting pieces with a combined total duration of no more than 8 minutes i. Marks will be awarded for: Musical Quality (20) Stage Craft and Entertainment Value (20) Programme Balance (10) The final mark awarded will be the cumulative total out of 50. 119-A-6
ANNEX B TO ACTO 119 LIST OF PERMISSIBLE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE FULL BAND CLASS Brass Bb Cornet (Trumpet) Soprano Cornet Cavalry Trumpet (Eb/Bb) Euphonium French Horn Tenor Horn Baritone Horn Flugel Horn Sousaphone Trombone Tuba Woodwind Clarinet (Bb/Eb) Flute Piccolo Fife Saxophone (Alto or Tenor) Percussion Drum (Side, Tenor, Bass or Marching Toms) Marching Tuned Percussion 119-B-1
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ANNEX C TO ACTO 119 EXAMPLE OF A REGIONAL ENTRY SUBMISSION 119-C-1