Summer Marching Band Practice: Rules and Interpretations (Updated 2024)
Below are the UIL rules and interpretations regarding summer marching band practice. Any restrictions beyond those of the UIL are at the discretion of the school district.
Practice Time Prior to August 1
C&CR Section 1105(d): DIRECTOR’S COMPLIANCE STATEMENT. Each entry in the UIL region contest shall be accompanied by the following statement signed by the director and school principal:
(1) “The members of this marching band or any of its components did not begin preparation of the visual curriculum for this UIL contest presentation prior to August 1. In addition, no more than 15 hours of supervised instructional time was devoted to visual fundamentals between the end of the previous school term and August 1.” EXCEPTION: Auxiliary camps, leadership training and preparation for special summer events such as civic parades, professional football game appearances and other non-competitive performances are not considered a violation of this limitation.
(2) A signed parent/student UIL Marching Band Acknowledgement Form has been filed with the school principal or his designee for each participant in the competing organization. (available on UIL website)
(3) The director(s) of this organization recognize(s) the importance of the total educational process and have remained sensitive to each student’s needs in terms of academic pursuits, family life and extracurricular activities; and,
(4) The director(s) of this organization have/has maintained a reasonable and proper balance of pre-school and out-of-school rehearsal schedules.
The exception in C&CR Section 1105(d)(1) for auxiliary camps, leadership training, and other public performances should not be used to begin learning drill coordinates and/or visual staging curriculum to be used in the competitive show or to exceed the 10 hours of instruction permitted for the teaching of movement/marching fundamentals prior to August 1. Under no circumstance should any band member begin learning drill coordinates and/or visual staging to be used in the competitive show prior to August 1 (including during the previous school year).
In addition, students who play a wind or percussion instrument may not be taught any choreography (staging, movement, or otherwise) that is unique to the competitive show prior to August 1 (exception: fundamentals of movement/marching may be taught during the 10 hours of instruction permitted prior to August 1). However, UIL has no rules that limit music rehearsal time from the end of the previous school year until the first day of school of the new school year.
Visual auxiliary units such as color guards have no UIL limits on time spent rehearsing choreography unique to the competitive show from the end of the previous school year until the first day of school of the new school year. This curriculum is comparable to the music curriculum for the wind and percussion students. However, auxiliary units may not learn any drill coordinates and/or visual staging curriculum to be used in the competitive show until August 1.
The following question is from the eight-hour rule FAQ:
Q: If the drum major or section leader calls an extra rehearsal for individuals or sections of the band will the extra rehearsal count towards the eight hours? Answer: Yes. Therefore, it is the opinion of the state office that any time students spend practicing marching (non-music elements of the show) between the end of the school year and August 1 should count towards the 15-hour maximum.
Practice Time from August 1 to the First Day of School
UIL has no limits on practice time for marching bands – music or marching/visual - between August 1 and the first day of school. Any limits during this period of time are at the discretion of the local school district.
Practice Time after the School Year Begins
Safety Training
State law requires that all marching band directors annually complete the online safety course, which can be found on the UIL website.