CONSTITUTION. (BYLAWS & OPERATING PROCEDURES) of the Northwest District North Carolina Bandmasters Association PREAMBLE

CONSTITUTION (BYLAWS & OPERATING PROCEDURES) of the Northwest District North Carolina Bandmasters Association PREAMBLE The Northwest District North Carolina Bandmasters' Association, hereafter referred to as the NWNCBA, is a district operation of the North Carolina Bandmasters' Association, and is operated according to all State Organization guidelines. ARTICLE I - PURPOSE The Northwest North Carolina Bandmasters' Association is created for and exists for the purpose of promoting and improving the school bands and their individual members within the District boundaries. Among others, the purpose of the NWNCBA shall be to: 1. Provide band clinics and festivals that will enhance the potential of school bands within the District. 2. Administer the said clinics, etc., according to State guidelines. 3. Provide a forum for idea exchange among the band directors of member schools. In pursuit of these purposes, the activities of the Association shall include, but not be limited to: 1. High School Music Performance Adjudication 2. Middle School Music Performance Adjudication 3. High School All-District Clinic 4. Middle School All-District Clinic 5. Solo and Small Ensemble Festival

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1 Dues paying members actively serving as band directors within the District boundaries will be known as active members. All active members must be members in good standing of MENC and NCMEA. All active members are voting members. SECTION 2 Non-dues paying and non-voting members shall be known as affiliate members. This category is set up to include and encourage support of the district by persons involved in instrumental music-related functions. SECTION 1 ARTICLE III OFFICERS The officers of the Northwest District of North Carolina Bandmasters' Association shall include: District Chairperson District Chairperson-Elect/Recording Secretary High School All-District Clinic Chairperson Two High School All-District Auditions Co-Chairpersons Middle School All-District Clinic Chairperson Two Middle School All-District Auditions Co-Chairpersons High School M usic P erformance A djudication Chairperson Middle School M usic P erformance A djudication Chairperson Solo and Ensemble Chairperson Treasurer Two Middle School Representatives Two High School Representatives Site host for All-District Clinic Auditions All-State Honors Band 9-10 Clinic Chairperson Immediate Past District Chairperson These officers shall be collectively known as the Northwest District Board of Directors. SECTION 2 The term of office for the District Chairperson shall be two years. This office shall be assumed by the immediate Chairperson-Elect. SECTION 3 The term of office for the District Chairperson-Elect/Recording Secretary shall be two years with the term to begin on July 1 and end on June 30. This office shall be elected by the active membership in the even numbered years.

SECTION 4 The position of High School Clinic Chairperson shall be appointed. The term of this position is not specified. SECTION 5 The position of Middle School Clinic Chairperson shall be appointed. The term of this position is not specified. SECTION 6 The positions of Middle School and High School Auditions Chairpersons are appointed offices. The terms of these positions are not specified. SECTION 7 The positions of Middle School and High School M usic P erformance A djudication Chairpersons are appointed positions. The terms of these positions are not specified. SECTION 8 The position of Solo and Ensemble Chairperson shall be an appointed position. The term of the position is not specified. SECTION 9 The position of Treasurer shall be an appointed position. The term of the position is not specified. SECTION 10 Of the four Representatives, two shall be Middle School and two shall be High School. They are to be elected to serve two-year staggered terms so that two Representatives (one Middle School and one High School) shall be elected each year by the active membership. SECTION 11 The position of site host for the district band auditions shall be appointed. The term of the position is not specified. SECTION 12 The position of chairperson for the All-State Honors Band 9-10 Clinic is the Northwest District's responsibility to the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. This position shall be appointed and the term is not specified. SECTION 13

Appointments shall be made by the Board of Directors. SECTION 14 Vacancies in any office arising from any cause may be filled by the District Chairperson on a temporary basis until the immediate business meeting of the District. SECTION 15 The Chairman, Chairman-Elect, Immediate Past Chairman, the two middle school representatives, and the two high school representatives will be considered the Executive Board. They will act on behalf of the full Board of Directors and the membership to interpret the bylaws and make decisions when time does not allow the Chairman to contact the entire board. ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF OFFICERS SECTION 1 - The District Chairperson shall: A. Attend all meetings of the State Board. B. Preside at all District business meetings. C. Call and preside at all board meetings. D. Carry out the operating policy of the District as set by the Board and active membership. E. Secure the site and location of all District business meetings. SECTION 2 - The District Recording Secretary/Chairperson-Elect shall: A Serve as recording secretary at all business and Board meetings. B Preside at business and Board meetings in the event of the absence of the Chairperson. SECTION 3 - The High School and Middle School All-District Clinic Chairpersons, shall: A. Contact and contract any clinicians. B. Arrange housing for clinicians. C. Obtain music requested by the clinicians. D. Have folders prepared in advance of the first rehearsal. E. Have certificates prepared for all participants. F. Obtain medals for each participant in the All-District Bands G. Have programs printed. H. Contract the recording of the concert. I. Send out the necessary pre-clinic information informing participating schools as to all clinic schedules, fees, participants, rules, and activities. J. Carry out the operating policy of the clinic. SECTION 4 All-District Auditions Chairpersons (Middle School and High School) shall: A. Provide audition requirements including solo cuts at the Fall Meeting. B. Prepare registration procedures and forms. C. Collect audition fees. D. Make judging assignments. E. Provide appropriate sight-reading for each level. F. Send audition results to the membership and to the State Honors Band Chairpersons.

SECTION 5 - The High School and Middle School Music Performance Adjudication Chairpersons shall: A. Operate a full band MPA along State guidelines. B. Secure a site for MPA. C. Contract judges for the MPA. D. Arrange for housing of the judges. E. Send out any necessary pre-mpa information. F. Make any necessary reports to the NCBA President and the NCMEA Executive Director. SECTION 6 - The Solo and Ensemble Chairperson shall: A. Operate a full Solo and Ensemble Festival along state guidelines. B. Secure a site for the festival. C. Contract judges for the festival. D. Send out any necessary pre-festival mailings. E. Make any necessary reports to the NCBA President and the NCMEA Executive Director. SECTION 7 - The Treasurer shall: A. Handle all district monies. B. Report to the Board of Directors and/or general membership at each meeting. C. Make any necessary reports to the NCBA President and the NCMEA Executive Director. D. Collect district dues from each participating school and compile, maintain, and distribute the roster of active membership. SECTION 8 - The Middle School and High School Representatives shall provide input at Board meetings as to the wishes and desires of the general membership. The representatives shall assist with the auditions and clinics at the discretions of the auditions and clinic chairs. SECTION 9 - The Board of Directors shall set the operating policy of the District subject to State guidelines and approval of the active membership. SECTION 10 - The site host for the district band auditions shall provide the site, necessary classrooms, chairs, music stands, and workers for the day of district band auditions. SECTION 11 - The 9-10 All-State Clinic Chairperson shall do all duties as specified by the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. SECTION 1 ARTICLE V DUES & FEES Dues for membership in the Northwest North Carolina Bandmasters' Association shall be on a per school basis. SECTION 2 The membership fee for all Schools shall be $15.00 per year.

SECTION 3 Membership fees shall be paid to the District Treasurer on or before October 15 of each school year. Any membership fee paid after October 15 shall be $50.00 per school. SECTION 4 Membership by dues payment shall run concurrent with the school calendar. SECTION 5 School Checks, booster checks, money orders or cash will be the only acceptable method of payment for any district expenses. Personal checks will not be accepted. SECTION 1 ARTICLE VI - BUSINESS MEETINGS There shall be at least two regularly scheduled annual business meetings. A. The Board of Directors will set a date for the meeting in the fall. This will be known as the Fall Business Meeting. B. One may be held on the Saturday of the Middle School All-District Clinic if it is held separately from the High School District Clinic. At this meeting only Middle School business may be voted-on. This will be known as the Middle School Business Meeting. C. One will be held on the Saturday of the High School All-District Clinic. This meeting will be known as the Winter Business Meeting. SECTION 2 Business meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called as necessary by the District Chairperson. SECTION 1 ARTICLE VII CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended with the approval of a two-thirds majority of those active members present at one of the business meetings specified in Article VI. Proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors prior to any meeting to be considered for ratification. SECTION 2 Changes to the Operating Procedures shall require only a simple majority of those active members present at the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII -FUNCTIONS OF THE NWNCBA SECTION 1 - NWNCBA High School and Middle School All-District Band Auditions SECTION 2 - NWNCBA High School and Middle School All-District Band Clinics SECTION 3 - NWNCBA High School and Middle School Music Performance Adjudications SECTION 4 - NWNCBA Solo and Ensemble Festival

OPERATING PROCEDURES REGULATIONS GOVERNING ALL-DISTRICT BAND AUDITIONS SECTION 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE: A. The Northwest North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NWNCBA) shall select five All-District Bands each year: Middle School Concert Band & Symphonic Band (students from grades 8 and under), High School Concert Band (students from grades 9-12) and Two High School Symphonic Bands (one including students from grades 9-10 and one including students from grades 11-12). B. The audition sites, hosts and chairpersons shall be chosen one year in advance with the approval of the Board of Directors and the active membership and stated in the NWNCBA By-Laws. C. The auditions shall be the third Saturday in January (or the Saturday directly following the MLK holiday). The time of the auditions will be determined by the Auditions Chairs in consultation with the Site Hosts. The decision to reschedule auditions due to inclement weather or facility/scheduling conflicts is left to the discretion of the Auditions Chairpersons in consultation with the Board of Directors. SECTION 2 - ELIGIBILITY A. The band director of each student auditioning for the NWNCBA All-District Bands must be a current member in good standing of both the North Carolina Music Educators and Northwest District. B. To audition and participate in the NWNCBA All-District Band, the band member must be regularly enrolled in a scheduled concert band class which receives one unit of credit. C. The band director whose name appears on the class list as the teacher must be in attendance at the auditions or their students will not be allowed to participate. If a director brings a student to audition, the director will be expected to judge. D. The band member must be available to participate in the NWNCBA All-District Band Clinic. Students who know in advance that they will not be able to attend the clinic should not audition. E. Any student that cannot document a family of personal emergency preventing their attendance at the NWNCBA All-District Band Clinic, if selected, and fails to participate in that clinic will be banned from auditioning for the NWNCBA All-District Band for one year. SECTION 3 - REGISTRATION FOR ALL-DISTRICT BAND AUDITIONS A. Each Band Director of an eligible student must download the audition forms from the NWNCBA website from the website.

B. The band director shall be responsible for registering their students, by the deadline, using the format specified by the Auditions Chairpersons. C. Students will be allowed to audition on secondary/multiple instruments. Students, both wind and percussion, must submit a registration fee for each instrument they audition. Students must select their preferred instrument during the registration process. In the event a student qualifies on multiple instruments the student s pre-selected preference will be used D. The band director shall be responsible for mailing the registration fee of $7 per student to the District Audition Chair. Only school or booster checks will be accepted. The audition fee check must be postmarked by the deadline specified by the Auditions Chairpersons; only U.S. Post Office postmarks will be observed. E. The Late Registration Fee for directors registering after the deadline (up to and including the day of the audition) will be $20 per student. It is strongly encouraged for directors to contact the appropriate auditions chair no later then 48 hours prior to the audition day with any late registrations. F. Email shall be the form of communication used for receipt confirmations, etc. G. Students will be disqualified from auditioning if the director fails to follow the proper registration process and their principals will be notified in writing by the District Chairperson. SECTION 4 - AUDITION REQUIREMENTS A. The band director for each student is responsible for ensuring that the student has prepared scales in the appropriate ranges and rhythms and has prepared the correct cut for the solo. B. Audition requirements for all instruments shall be the same as those for All-State Honors Band Auditions (as available on the NCBA Website) with the following exceptions or changes: 1. Prepared Solo Musically appropriate cuts (75-90 seconds in length for High School; 60-75 seconds for Middle School) to the Honors Band solos will be provided at the fall meeting and be available on the district web site. 2. Scales All students shall perform, from memory, all of the required major scales and the chromatic scale in the order, rhythm and ranges in which they are posted on the NCBA website. All students are required to complete the scale requirements within the 3 minute 30 second time limit. If the time limit expires before completion of the scales, the student will be asked to move-on to the solo or sight reading portion of the audition.

Suggested minimum tempo for scales is: Middle School: Quarter Note = 60 High School: Quarter Note = 72 Senior High: Quarter Note = 84 3. Sight-Reading The Audition Chair shall be responsible for obtaining appropriate sight-reading excerpts for the audition which conform to reasonable ranges for each instrument as well as challenging, but logical, rhythmic guidelines. 4. Current Percussion Audition Requirements are as follows: Middle School Snare Drum: Technique A. Rudimental Long Roll -- Double Bounce Played open-closed-open B. Orchestral Roll -- Multiple Bounce Played ppp-fff-ppp C. Flam -- Played open-closed-open D. Single Paradiddle -- Played open-closed-open Solo - See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/III Middle School Mallets: Technique A. Scales -- One Octave (Same pattern as winds) Check All-State Band requirements B. Chromatic Scale 2 octaves starting on C. Solo -- see current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/III Middle School Timpani: Technique A. Tuning 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths (students may use a tuning mechanism such as a pitch pipe) B. Long roll (ppp-fff-ppp) Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/III

Grades 9-10 Snare Drum: Technique Rudimental Solo -- See current All-State List Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/III Grades 9-10 Mallets: Technique A. Scales -- Two Octaves (Same pattern as winds) Check All-State Band requirements B. Chromatic Scale 2 octaves starting on C. Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/III Grades 9-10 Timpani: Technique A. Tuning 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths B. Long roll (ppp-fff-ppp) Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade II/II Grades 11-12 Snare Drum: Technique Rudimental Solo -- See current All-State List Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade IV/V Grades 11-12 Mallets: Technique A. Scales -- Two Octaves (Same pattern as winds) Check All-State Band requirements B. Chromatic Scale 2 octaves starting on C. Solo -- See current All-State List

4 Mallet Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade IV/V Grades 11-12 Timpani: Technique A. Tuning 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths B. Long Roll -- Played ppp-fff-ppp Solo -- See current All-State List Sightreading -- Grade IV/V SECTION 5 - AUDITION PROCEDURES A. There will be a meeting of all participating directors prior to the start of auditions. The Audition Chairs will review procedures and guidelines for adjudication at this time. B. Audition judges will be assigned by the Audition Chairs from the district membership. Other professionals will be recruited by the Audition Chair as needed. C. Audition judges will adhere to all decisions made by the Audition Chairs with regard to cuts to the required solo and sight-reading timing. (See Section 6, Guidelines for All-District Band Adjudicators) D. Directors may not have access to scores before they are verified by the auditions chair. No scores will be posted for students or directors, but instead will be e-mailed after careful checking of the math and eligibility. Scores shall not be posted to individual band or director websites for any reason. E. There will be three clinic bands at the High School Clinic: a grade 9-10 Symphonic Band, a grade 11-12 Symphonic Band and a grade 9-12 Concert Band. The 9-10 and 11-12 Symphonic Bands will be made up of the students with the top audition scores for their particular grade level and the top-scoring students from those two bands will be eligible to audition for the All- State Band according to state guidelines. The 9-12 Concert Band will consist of an equal number of 9-10 and 11-12 students with the 11-12 students occupying the top chairs in each section. No Concert Band members will be eligible to audition for the All- State Band. F. There will be two clinic bands at the Middle School Clinic: a Symphonic and a Concert Band. No Concert Band members will be eligible to audition for the All-State Band. G. Instrumentation for each group will be determined by the guidelines in the section Regulations Governing All-District Band Clinics in the NWNCBA Operating Procedures. I. Ties in audition scores will be broken by determining the highest score in (in order) sight reading, solo, major scales, and chromatic scale. No ties will be broken at the cut-off point of the instrumentation.

J. Strict adherence to the aforementioned instrumentation list is not required. Final cut-off points are left to the discretion of the Auditions Chairpersons, District Chairperson, and judges as to the availability of qualified auditionees. SECTION 6 - GUIDELINES FOR ALL-DISTRICT BAND ADJUDICATORS A. Be sure to help make students feel comfortable. However, there should not be any discussion in regards to any information about the student other than confirming their name and audition number. Judges need to maintain a professional attitude and are expected to judge each student fairly. B. Write the audition number and first name of the student on the judge s sheet. Make sure you verify this information with the student. C. When judging a performance, refer to the adjudication rubric. This will help you to be consistent and to consider all aspects of a performance as opposed to allowing a personal bias to unduly affect your overall assessment of a performance. You should not deduct points from a solo score for an interpretation of the music that is within the parameters what is indicated on the page! You may have a well-formed and valid opinion as to how the piece should be executed, however points should not be deducted for an interpretive performance that is equally valid, but not the same as yours. D. If you are using the adjudication rubric, you will be judging the performance solely on the basis of how the performance sounds. [An exception to this rule is percussion sticking that is specified in print on the music.] Although choice of fingerings/slide positions, quality of instrument, embouchure formation, etc. can affect sound, you are judging the sound. E. Be sure you and your partner judge communicate during your judging by making sure the point spread is consistent. Talk to each other after each student, especially at the beginning. F. When judging a large number of individuals, refer to your individual judges running score sheet, in order to monitor for consistency in scoring. G. As a courtesy, the judges should hear what each student has prepared even if the performance does not reflect all of the audition requirements as sent out by the audition chairperson. However, partial or zero points will be awarded for students who perform incomplete or incorrect audition material. H. Be certain you are being objective and consistent in your scoring. It is a good practice to consult with your fellow judge when scores are generally close. It is appropriate for the judges to politely ask a student who is clearly struggling with any solo passage or scale to move on to the next item. I. The procedure for sight-reading is as follows: 1) Obtain and use an electronic timer to monitor that you are giving each person 30 seconds of time to preview the sight-reading selection; 2) Say to the auditionee Please find the sight-reading ; 3) Let the auditionee find it; 4) Say to the auditionee You have 30 seconds to look at it before we ask you to begin playing ; 5) When the allotted time is used, say to the auditionee Please play the sight-reading.

J. During the study period for sight-reading, no sound is to be made on any instrument. Mallet percussionists may touch the bars with their fingers to get their bearings on the instrument, but may not play the instrument. K. When asking students to play major scales, adhere to the 3 minute 30 second time limit (this works out to 30 seconds per scale for middle school, a little less for high school and senior high). If a student is struggling with a scale, it is appropriate to politely ask the student to move on to the next scale. Be sure that all major and chromatic scales are played in the correct Honors Band range, but do not remind students of the correct ranges as they are responsible for knowing that information when they arrive at the audition. L. The complete cuts determined by the Audition Committee shall be the audition requirement; judges shall not alter the cut in any way on the day of the audition. M. When judging timpani, auditionees must use a pitch pipe. The other pitch(s) must be found without the aid of any pitch reference other than their own ears. All timpanists must audition on the instruments provided at the audition site. Electronic tuners are not to be used. N. Middle School brass players may find their first pitch. Do not indicate whether or not it is the correct pitch. O. Each Judge should initial any changes on the judge s sheets. P. Adjudicators will evaluate the student s performance only on the required material. Playing extra octaves in major scales, an extended range in the chromatic scale or continuing past the indicated solo cut will not be credited or penalized. SECTION 1 REGULATIONS GOVERNING ALL-DISTRICT BAND CLINICS A. High School All-District Clinic shall be a three-day clinic where participants who were selected by audition gather at a host site to rehearse as bands under the direction of noted guest conductors. A concert by the group(s) is to be given at the conclusion of the clinic. B. Middle School All-District Clinic shall be a two-day clinic where participants who were selected by audition gather at a host site to rehearse as bands under the direction of noted guest conductors. A concert by the group(s) is to be given at the conclusion of the clinic. C. The site of the Middle and High School clinics are presently set as Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on a pleasure basis. Should this situation change, a new site shall be chosen one year in advance by vote of the active membership. The clinic shall be held in February the weekend after Presidents Day, beginning on Friday and concluding with the Middle School concerts on Saturday and the High School concerts Sunday. The Middle School and High School Clinics may be held on separate weekends if needed. The decision to reschedule the clinic(s) due

to inclement weather or facility/scheduling conflicts is left to the discretion of the Auditions Chairpersons in consultation with the Board of Directors. D. Clinicians for both events shall be chosen at least one year in advance by a vote of the active membership during their respective clinic s business meeting. Fees for clinicians shall be set by the Board of Directors in accordance with budget availability. E. The Award of Excellence winner will be invited to be the clinician for the concert band that directly corresponds to the grade level of their current teaching position. SECTION 2 - Eligibility Participation in All-District Band Clinic(s) will be allowed under the following conditions: A. The director must be a member of NCMEA, NAfME, NCBA, and his/her school must have paid dues to the Northwest District. B. The students selected by the audition process must be actively enrolled in a regularly scheduled concert band class, which receives one unit of credit. C. Students shall attend all clinic rehearsals and events. Any student who misses any rehearsal or event may be prevented from further participation in the clinic rehearsals and/or the clinic concert. Any student who cannot document a family or personal emergency preventing their participation in all district rehearsals and events will be banned from auditioning for the district clinic the following school year. A serious medical illness or tragedy in the immediate family shall be the only acceptable emergencies. Students missing the Friday rehearsal due to bad weather will be excused. All concerns would be reported to the clinic chairperson that would investigate and notify the district chair. D. Individual directors with students involved in the clinic are required to attend the entire clinic activity. In case of an emergency where the individual director cannot attend, the Clinic Chairperson must be notified in writing by the school Principal of the name of band director / adult representative who will be responsible for the school's participants during the clinic weekend. Each director or appointed representative is to register his/her students upon arrival at the clinic, and are to stay at the same motel as their students. SECTION 3 - Rules and Procedures A. The High School Clinic Fee will be $25.00. This is due at registration for each participating student. B. The Middle School Clinic Fee will be $20.00. This is due at registration for each participating student. C. A medical release form / behavior contract shall be completed for each participant and submitted at the clinic registration. This form may be obtained from the District web-site. Students and their parents must both sign this form to participate. The form will state that any conduct

violation will result in the student being dismissed from the clinic and their parents and principal will be notified. D. Each director is responsible for securing housing and making meal arrangements for his/her students during the clinic. E. In the event that a student cannot attend the clinic due to serious illness or family emergency, the director shall contact the Clinic Chairperson as soon as possible so that an alternate can be contacted. In order to maintain equal grade level balance in each section, alternates needed for the High School Concert Band will be selected from the same grade level as the cancellation and will be placed at the bottom of the section. F. No students shall have cars at the clinic. G. All-District Medals and certificates shall be awarded to each participant upon the conclusion of the clinic. SECTION 4 - INSTRUMENTATION FOR ALL CLINIC BANDS The instrumentation for all Clinic Bands shall be as follows: Instrument HS Symphonic HS Concert MS Bands Flute 10 10 10 Oboe 2 2 2 Bassoon 2 2 2 Clarinet 20 20 21 Bass Clarinet 4 4 4 Contrabass Clarinet 1 2 1 Alto Sax 4 4 4 Tenor Sax 2 2 2 Baritone Sax 1 2 1 Trumpet 12 12 12 Horn 8 8 8 Trombone 9 10 9 Baritone 4 4 4 Tuba 6 6 6 String Bass 1 2 2 Mallet Percussion 2 2 4 Timpani 1 1 1 Snare 4 4 2

REGULATIONS GOVERNING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC ADJUDICATION (MPA) PURPOSE: To provide students and teachers a means of receiving constructive comment by competent judges. To stimulate and recognize growth. To provide students and teachers a means of hearing the work done by other school groups. The vast majority of the guidelines below are subject to change on the State Level and are not amendable the Northwest District alone. 1. ELIGIBILITY: A. All band directors must be current members of the NCMEA B. Band members must be regularly enrolled in a band class according to the school administrative unit. Middle school students may be used at the high school level to round-out instrumentation but high school students may not be used at the middle school level. C. The band director that appears on the class roster at a school as the teacher must be a member of NCMEA, NAfME and register all students to participate in all state sanctioned events. 2. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE: A. The MPA in each district must be held before April 15 each year. In the event of extreme weather conditions which require a cancellation of the event, the MPA district chair may apply to the State MPA Chairperson for an extension of this date. B. The District MPA Chairperson will contact the Executive Director of NAfME to obtain financial and administrative materials. 3. REGULATIONS: A. No student may enter both middle school and high school levels in the same year. As a general practice, Ninth Grade Bands should go to the MPA where the Ninth Grade Band is housed. (If the Ninth Grade is housed at a middle school then the band should go to the middle school MPA of their district.) However, any High School Band performing Grade III literature may choose to perform during the Middle School MPA provided that they perform after all Middle School groups. B. Bands may enter for comments only. Sight-reading will be optional for these bands. C. Where a school has more than one band, duplication of personnel will be permitted so long as the literature and instrument is not the same. D. No band may enter more than one district MPA. E. Any band which performs music not on the North Carolina Bandmasters Association approved list for the year will not receive comments or a rating from the judges. F. Bands are required to refrain from preparing any composition for MPA more than once within a four year period.

G. Any school district finding it necessary to combine bands for MPA must receive permission from the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association at the Fall In-Service Conference. H. Bands are required to refrain from using any electronic equipment designed to amplify the sounds of instruments, or which will alter the pitch or tone quality of the instrument. Music may be performed using the instrumentation and any special effects, electronic or otherwise, that the composer or arranger intended. I. If a director submits a letter and uses copied scores then the director has a binding contract with the music dealer. A letter stating such will be sent to the principal and director 4. REGISTRATION: 5. FEES: A. Senior High and Junior High Bands will register in their designated districts. B. Exception to Rule 4-A: Bands may cross district lines upon receiving written release from their district MPA chairperson and written permission from the district MPA chairperson where they wish to enter. If problems occur, the director should contact the state MPA chairperson, who shall intervene and make a final decision. C. Bands from outside the Northwest District may enter the event only if there is space for them as determined by the MPA Chairperson D. Completed registration forms and fees must be submitted to the MPA chairperson by the end of the winter business meeting held during the All-District Clinic weekend. E. The band director whose name appears on the class list as the teacher must be in attendance or their students will not be allowed to participate. A. The registration fee for the Northwest District MPA shall be $175.00 per band. B. Refunds will only be granted if notification of withdrawal is given no later than thirty (30) days before the beginning of the MPA event. 6. PERFORMANCE: A. All bands are required to furnish three conductor s scores of each composition prepared for MPA and present them to the MPA chairperson upon arrival. Only published scores will be permitted unless permission is obtained from the publisher. All scores presented to the chairperson must be numbered by measure. B. Timing (includes staging and performance) Groups I, II - twenty-five (25) minutes; Groups III & IV - thirty (30) minutes; Group V - thirty-five minutes; Group VI - forty (40) minutes. Groups requiring more than the specified time for their group level must apply in writing to the State MPA Chairperson sixty (60) days prior to their respective event requesting permission for an extended time. Warm up times will be: Groups I, II - twenty-five (25) minutes; Groups III, IV - thirty (30) minutes; Group V - thirty-five minutes; Group VI forty (40) minutes. Bands may be required to perform at an adjusted time but the entire warm-up time must be given to each band. C. Each band must prepare a march of the director s choice and two (2) compositions from the Official North Carolina Bandmasters Association Music List. One composition must be

from the classification as registered, the other composition may be from the same classification or from the next higher classification. D. Each band director must submit to the proper MPA chairperson the following: four copies of the list of the march and the two (2) concert selections which the band is prepared to play; three copies of a list of the band s instrumentation; a repertoire sheet listing all selections prepared for the MPA during the past four (4) years. These lists must be submitted at least one hour before the band is scheduled to play. It is strongly urged that the band director leave a copy of the repertoire sheet on file at his/her own school. 7. SIGHT READING: A. Sight reading will be required of all bands in Grades II - VI. The sight reading score will be included in the overall rating for all participating bands unless the band is performing for comments only. Bands will read one (1) concert selection. One sight reading judge will be used; the judge will make taped comments and use the MENC sight reading form. B. Bands and directors will have time to look at the music. The times are: Grades II, III and IV five minutes; Grade V - six minutes; Grade VI - seven minutes. During that time they may clap rhythms, sing parts, count out loud and finger instruments, but they may not play their instruments. Each band may play a brief warm-up scale at the conclusion of the preparation period. C. During the actual performance directors may call out rehearsal letters or numbers and verbal cues (e.g. more trumpets, tubas watch ) but may not sing parts or rhythms while the band is playing. Only one director may work with the band in the sight reading room. The time limit in the sight reading room will correspond with the given amount for the concert performance. D. The sight reading judge may not be allowed to question the band following the sight reading sample until after his/her adjudication sheet and taped comments have been completed and sent to the MPA chairman. The sight reading judge will also not be allowed to conduct the band following the sight reading sample. Any request by the judge may be denied by the director of the ensemble without penalty of any kind. 8. DISQUALIFICATION: A. Bands must adhere to the schedule and other rules as pertain to their performance as mailed to them by the MPA Chairperson. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

RATING CHART FOR MPA GRADES II - VI The following chart will be used as a guide in arriving at a final rating when using four judges (Three judges from the concert portion and one judge from the sight reading portion). All possible combinations are included. The Roman numerals at the top refer to the final ratings; the numbers below refer to ratings given by each judge. RATING I RATING II RATING III RATING IV RATING V 1111 1114 1145 1455 4555 1112 1115 1155 1555 5555 1113 1123 1235 2355 1122 1124 1244 2445 1125 1245 2455 1133 1255 2555 1134 1334 3345 1135 1335 3355 1144 1344 3444 1222 1345 3445 1223 1355 3455 1224 1444 3555 1225 1445 4444 1233 2225 4445 1234 2234 4455 1333 2235 2222 2244 2223 2245 2224 2255 2233 2333 2334 2335 2344 2345 2444 3333 3334 3335 3344 Rating I: Any combination of 4 ratings that total 4, 5, 6 Rating II: Any combination of 4 ratings that total 7, 8, 9, 10 Rating III: Any combination of 4 ratings that total 11, 12, 13, 14 Rating IV: Any combination of 4 ratings that total 15, 16, 17, 18 Rating V: Any combination of 4 ratings that total 19, 20 Unanimous Stage Rule If a band receives straight threes - III s, Fours - IV s or Fives - V s on stage then they will receive that score as their overall rating regardless of the sightreading score. The ratings affected are: 333-1 would become a 3 444-1 would become a 4 444-2 would become a 4 555-1 would become a 5 555-2 would become a 5 555-3 would become a 5

Although for purposes of reckoning the I, II, III, IV, V system is a convenience, please be sure that the numbers are not inscribed on the certificates of award or given to the media. According to our rules, the correct designations are given in the right-hand column below: I Superior III Average V Poor II Excellent IV Below Average 1. ELIGIBILITY SOLO AND SMALL ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL A. Band directors having participants in the Solo and Ensemble Festival must be current members of the Northwest District and NCMEA. B. Students must be regularly enrolled in a scheduled concert band class which receives one unit of credit and attend school within the district boundaries of which the director is a member. C. Participating ensembles must be from a single administrative unit. D. The band director that appears on the class roster at a school as the teacher must be a member of NCMEA and register all students to participate in all state sanctioned events. 2. REGISTRATION A. Registration blanks must be completed and mailed to the Solo & Ensemble Chairperson, with the appropriate fees, by stated deadline - i.e. 30 days prior to event. B. No soloist or ensemble may perform at more than one solo & ensemble festival in a given year. 3. REGULATIONS It is the responsibility of the teacher to see that the following regulations are enforced: A. Schools are not limited in number of participants entering a particular event. B. No group or individual may enter for criticism only. Each participant or group will be assigned a rating of Superior, Excellent, Average, Below Average, or Poor. C. Requirements shall posted on the website prior to the festival. The Solo and Small Ensemble Chairperson shall provide this information to the Webmaster. 4. PERFORMANCE Soloists and ensembles may select any composition and perform on recognized band instruments, including percussion. They must provide their own accompanist, if needed. Recorded or computer generated accompaniments may be used but each entrant must provide his/her own playback equipment. Use of music is permitted, there is no required list of repertoire, each entrant must furnish a score for the judge and all cuts must be indicated and the measures numbered. Accompaniments are strongly encouraged but not required.

5. TIME: Each performance is to be limited to six (6) minutes. 6. FEES: A. The proper registration fee ($5 per person per event) is paid to the Chairperson by the appointed deadline. B. There will be no refund of fees paid. Revised 2007 by W.C. Lanning, District Chairman; Barry Howard, Immediate Past Chairman; and Bill Witcher. Updated 2010 by Mike Howell, District Recording Secretary/Chairman-Elect. Updated/Revised 2011/2012 by Mike Howell, District Chairman and Kevin Howard District Recording Secretary/Chairman-Elect. Ver. 9/1/18