Electronics & Amplification in UIL Marching Band Contest Performances

In an effort to help band directors, contest officials, and judges clearly understand the application of existing UIL rules the state office has prepared the following:

THE RULE: Section 1105 of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules

(4) Electronic Equipment. Electronic equipment may be used under the following provisions:

(A) All electronically produced music including narration and sound effects shall be performed live and in real time by eligible students.

(B) Pre-recorded music, instrumental or vocal, may not be used.

(5) Amplification. Amplification of instruments or voice may be used with the following restrictions:

(A) All equipment must be operated by eligible students. Exception: a non-student may intervene solely for the purpose of addressing an equipment failure and must submit a written justification for doing so to the contest chair after the performance.

(B) All cables must be safely placed on the field and/or sidelines. Students may not cross over on-field cables, covered or not, during a performance.

(C) A power generator or DC power source may be placed on the field, provided there is a protective barrier between the power unit and the turf and all cords are contained safely within close proximity to the equipment that is being supplied with power.

(D) Wind instruments may be amplified only for solo and/or small ensemble features of up to ten performers at one time.  

Violation of any of the above rules would make a band subject to the penalties as outlined in C&CR Sections 27 and 29. .

STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE INTERPRETATION

Electronic samples integrated into a UIL marching contest performance are considered to be digitally created musical effects as opposed to prerecorded music and are compliant with Section 1105 (h)(4) of the C&CR if operated and controlled by a student.

FAQ

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May electronics be used for amplification?

YES. Electronics may be used for amplification, provided they are compliant with Section 1105(h)(5) of the UIL C&CR.

How does UIL define a solo or small ensemble feature?

UIL defines a solo or small ensemble feature as an individual or a group of up to ten wind players within the full marching band that is featured both musically and visually. A potential violation of this rule would be a scenario where a group of musicians staged within the full band wind section is amplified, while not being featured visually. In this scenario the trained observer would likely not be able to discern which performers are being amplified and could therefore be led to believe that the full band wind section is performing the musical excerpt.

What type of microphones may be used?

There are no restrictions on the type of microphones that may be used.

Where may microphones be located?

There are no restrictions on where microphones may be located, provided wind instruments are amplified ONLY for solo and small ensemble features. Therefore, placing a microphone(s) in any location that causes that(those) microphone(s) to amplify a group of wind players other than a solo or small ensemble feature is prohibited.

May equipment such as a soundboard and/or mixer be used to support and control audio reinforcement?

YES, provided all electronics are operated by an eligible student. However, during a performance a non-student may give verbal instruction to the student operating the equipment, provided the non-student does not touch the equipment.  A non-student may intervene solely for the purpose of addressing an equipment failure and must submit a written justification for doing so to the contest chair after the performance.   

Where may a soundboard and/or mixer be located?

There are no restrictions on where a soundboard and/or mixer may be located.

May cables cross the sidelines? 

Yes. All cables must be safely placed on the field and/or sidelines. Students may not cross over on-field cables, covered or not, during a performance. 

May pre-recorded music and/or descript words be used?

NO. Pre-recorded music (representing an acoustical instrument or vocalizations) and pre-recorded narrations (one or more descript words) are prohibited. Such show elements must be performed live and in real time by an eligible student.

Can digitally created sound effects (such as bird calls, animal sounds, thunder, etc.) and/or electronic samples (such as a nondescript vocalizations) be used?

YES, provided they are controlled and activated by an eligible student.

Can applications such as a synthesized rhythmic track or pre-recorded sound loop be used?

NO. Tracks that contain steady rhythmic content or provide pulse may not be used.

Do these rules apply during the 5-minute field entry/set-up or 2-minute field exit?

NO. These rules only apply during the 8-minute performance clock.

Is it permissible to use contemporary electronic instruments such as the MalletKAT, HandSonic, or Wavedrum?

YES. The use of electronic instruments is permitted, provided that they are played live and in real time by an eligible student. 

Questions and/or requests for clarification should be addressed to the UIL State Music Office at music@uiltexas.org.