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| 2008 TOB Rulebook |
2008 - 2009 Bylaws1. NameThe name of the organization shall be the Tournament of Bands. 2 .Parent Organization
The parent organization of the Tournament of Bands shall be the National Judges Association.
3. Supervisory Duties:
4. ContestsAll members are encouraged to host contests, but it is not mandatory. 5. Official Functions: Outside Units:Contest sponsors, schools or school affiliated organizations may invite non-TOB members, but a minimum of four must come from the TOB membership, if available, to be a sanctioned TOB event. 6. Correspondence:All correspondence will be handled through the Regional Directors, and Chapter Coordinators. 7. Fees:All dues ($25.00) and bonds ($25.00) plus any assessments as necessary and determined by the individual chapters must be paid by September 15th for the fall season and February 15th for the winter season for members to be eligible for the Championships. Dues will increase to $50.00 effective with the 2009 season. Units not current with dues and/or bonds are nonmembers and do not receive credit for contests attended. When units have fulfilled their fee obligations by the designated dates, they will receive ten (10) staff passes and five (5) aide passes for their unit. 8. Bond Forfeiture:Bands are expected to fulfill their responsibilities when committing to a contest sponsor. If band withdraws from a scheduled contest, without a legitimate reason, within 14 days of the contest, the band's bond will be forfeited and an additional penalty of $175 (a total of $200) will be assessed by the Chapter of the show from which the band withdrew. The Chapter will forward the penalty fee to the show sponsor. The legitimacy of the reason will be jointly determined by the Chapter Coordinator, show sponsor, and withdrawing participant. 9. Membership:Scholastic membership in the TOB shall be available to any school marching band, color guard, stage band, concert band, majorette unit or soloist, percussion ensemble, cheerleading squad, dance, or drill team comprised of students currently enrolled in legally accredited school districts. Membership in a Chapter is also available to Colleges and Universities. Select groups drawn from separate school band programs will not be allowed to compete. (For indoor competition only, non-scholastic units may compete as an Independent unit.) Graduates of a secondary school may not participate. If a school is found to have an ineligible participant, they may continue to participate in TOB contests as judged exhibitions and would be barred from post season Championships for the current year. Any earned awards must be forfeited. Full Chapter status for a geographical area is to be approved by a general vote of the membership or their representatives at the Rules Congress. 10. Contest Rules:All contests will be judged under the rules, bylaws, and score sheets adopted by the TOB. All contests will follow the rules as set forth in this book. Rule books are to be distributed in the spring of each year. All judges must have a current copy of the rules.
Every TOB Show will offer the three levels of participation - in every group. 11. Scoring: Tournament Linear:All judges will attend all required clinics and will judge under the Tournament Linear Scoring System using tools (such as profile sheets showing criteria box ranges for the composition, vocabulary, and repertoire areas only) provided by the judging association. This system will be comparable to a National Linear System, but the limits will be the extremes as set within the TOB structure. The Caption Supervisors will be responsible for defining the TOB Linear in writing and for requiring accountability of the judges involved. Caption supervisors should emphasize to judges assigned to the Atlantic Coast Championships that the TOB linear with accompanying box breakdowns and rubric definitions remain in effect. Bands should be evaluated on this established rubric, as they have been throughout the season. 12. Chapter Executive Boards:Each Chapter will have an executive board composed of the following: Chapter Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, and one elected member at large. A majority of this committee will carry policy within the Chapter. Each Chapter shall submit a financial report to the Regional Director no later than May 1st. 13. Championship Eligibility:Eligibility for participation in the Chapter Field Championships will be based upon compliance with bylaw #7 and competition in at least two (2) contests prior to their own Chapter Championships. All-Chapter participation in other areas ( i.e. Indoor) will necessitate a four (4) contest requirement. A Chapter may require that one of the two contests must be at a home chapter contest. The post season championships will provide an opportunity for all member bands. All TOB members must register for the post-season championships. Selection for the Atlantic Coast and Invitational will remain as currently stated in the rule book. Any band who does not qualify for the ACC or the Invitational may participate in the Open event. 14. Eligibility - All Chapter Championships:All Chapters must hold a Chapter Field Championship preliminary prior to the Post Season Championships with all groups participating where available. Scoring for these contests will be used to determine selection for the Atlantic Coast, Invitational and the Open Championships. 15. Selection For The Atlantic Coast Championship:Using the TOB Linear System and the scores received at the Chapter Field Championship, the top 25 bands in each Championship group should be included in the Atlantic Coast Championships as follow:
SELECTION FOR THE TOURNAMENT INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
SELECTION FOR THE TOURNAMENT OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP:
16. Qualified Judges:The Regional Directors will receive a list of qualified judges from the NJA . Such judges, as a prerequisite to judging, must attend required clinics. The Directors will ascertain that judges have attended the clinics before judging a TOB function. A list of all qualified judges will be provided to each Chapter Coordinator for review and written response. This list should be to the Chapter Coordinator no later than the first sanctioned contest. The Caption Supervisors should provide a listing of approved captions for each qualified judge by the same time. Each Chapter Coordinator may send a Chapter report to the Directors with copies to the NJA Director and Business Manager. This information will be taken into consideration when making assignments. If a judge is used who has not been qualified through attendance at a clinic, the fees for that judge will be paid by the NJA, not the host of the contest. Any member of a chapter hosting a TOB - sanctioned show will not be responsible for paying the established judge's fees for his contest unless a list of qualified judges from the Directors is provided. This list should be to the Chapter Coordinator no later than the first sanctioned contest. The Chapter Coordinator can make this list available to all contest sponsors. This list will be updated as new judges are added. New judges may be added as they qualify during the season. 17. Judges Eligibility:Any veteran judge not attending one of the prescribed clinics must be educated at a make-up clinic or tutored privately by the caption head and certified prior to the TOB season in order for participation. No judge will be appointed a TOB Caption Supervisor unless he/she attends the required clinic. 18. Championship Judging Selection:Judges for the Atlantic Coast Championships will have judged in at least five (5) of the Chapters. Their assignments for the Atlantic Coast Championships must be in a caption they have judged at least three (3) times. Judges assigned to the Chapter Championship contest are required to have judged at least once within that Chapter during the regular season. If a suitable judge is not available, the Chapter Coordinator will have approval of the selection prior to the contest. Judges will be selected for both Chapter and Atlantic Coast Championship by the Chapter Coordinators, Regional Directors, Caption Supervisors, and the Judging Coordinator. 19. Chapter Meetings:TOB Chapters must meet at least once a year. It is suggested that meetings be held during the months of September, October, January and February. The September meeting will be used to clarify rules, questions, etc., and to set up the Chapter Championship. The October meeting will be used to firm up the Chapter Championship and to make plans for the Championships. The January meeting will be used to formulate proposals for the Spring Meeting or the Rules Congress. Each Chapter will receive copies of proposals from other Chapters no later than February 1st. The February meeting will be used by the Chapter to discuss membership opinions on the submitted proposals. The TOB Rules Congress will meet in the month of March. The date of the Congress will be published at least one month in advance of the meeting. The TOB Rules Congress will be held every two years. 20. Rules Congress Representatives:Each Chapter, at the February meeting will elect one representative to attend the Rules Congress. All representatives to the Congress must be member band directors of the TOB. Each Chapter will be represented by the elected member and the Chapter Coordinator or his/her designee. For the Indoor Congress meeting, voting representatives will include scholastic and independent representatives along with the Indoor Coordinator. 21. Special Meetings:Special meetings, if necessary, may be called by the Chapter Coordinator and/or Executive Committee. 22. Conduct Of Units:Conduct of a member unit and its allied staff and personnel shall be at all times beyond reproach on and off the field of competition. Violation of same will result in a review and investigation by the Chapter Coordinator, Chapter Executive Board and Regional Director, if necessary. Consequences for violation of this section may range from a written reprimand to suspension from a given contest to suspension of the unit from the organization. In all cases, the school's administration will be notified of the action. Repeat violators will be referred to the TOB Executive Board for action. 23. Participant Eligibility:TOB scholastic member organizations will consist only of students attending in the unit's school system during the current school year. Home school, private school, and/or cyber-school students may participate in a member high school's program only if the district or state has policies or regulations allowing participation. Schools with students enrolled in another school that has just been established in the district must submit a written request (from a district administrator) requesting participation. Students attending a high school within a district where a competitive marching program does not exist, may not choose to participate in a competitive program at another high school in the district unless they are enrolled and attend all classes in that school. 24. Caption Supervisors:The NJA will make known the names and addresses of all Supervisors. 25. Rules Proposals:Business at the Rules Congress will be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order and by agenda. Discussion will be limited to agenda items including amendments to existing proposals. All rules and bylaw proposals, as well as operational concerns and proposed judging sheet changes must be received in writing by February 1st of the meeting year. Members should receive information relative to any rule and by-law changes within 60 days following the Rules Congress. 26. Awards:The presentation of awards at the Atlantic Coast Championships will take place after each class finishes. As placement awards are announced, special awards will also be presented. A special patch for the top three finishers in each group at the Atlantic Coast Championships will be provided. An add-on to the normal patch will serve the purpose. Invitational Awards will be presented in a separate ceremony prior to the start of Championship Awards of the ACC. 27. Sanctioned Contests:TOB members and non-members organizations may sponsor TOB sanctioned contests. Non-members must obtain approval of the Chapter (s) involved. All TOB sanctioned contests must adhere to the rules and bylaws of TOB, including but not limited to judging services, unit travel reimbursement and awards. A sanctioned contest SHALL NOT assess an entry fee to a current TOB member band. A contest sponsor MAY, at their option, assess an entry fee to any non-TOB band. Any changes from the TOB rules at a contest will result in no credit being given toward the Chapter Championship as the contest will be declared a non - sanctioned contest. A chief judge may not alter or change any rule at a TOB contest unless, conditions deem necessary for safety. 28. Schedule Of Field Contests:All field contests must be approved by the Chapter Coordinator by April 15th for the next season. Any contests booked after that date must be done through the Regional Director and must be approved as such. Contracts must be obtained from the Chapter Coordinators after approval has been given for the proposed date. 29. Duration:The TOB Spring Committee shall meet during odd-numbered years to discuss operational concern and regular business functions. No rules, bylaws, or sheet changes will be permitted at this meeting. The TOB Congress will convene during even numbered years for the purpose of rules, bylaws and judging sheet revision and change, as well as regular operational and business concerns. The bylaws and rules of this book shall remain in effect for two (2) years, unless amended at a special meeting called to deal with some unforeseen problem. Indoor duration will be one (1) year and they will meet in the summer for the upcoming season. 30.TOB Chapter Boundaries
2008- 2009 Field Rules1. Group Sizes:Bands will be grouped according to the number of players in the band proper as follows:
Group Size Confirmation 2. Expense Reimbursement:TOB members will be reimbursed for expenses in a combination of total cash and/or adult tickets. If a sponsor chooses the ticket method of reimbursement, all tickets will be in the hands of the competitor two weeks prior to the show. If tickets are not received by this time, the sponsor will reimburse that unit in cash at the contest site, according to the chart below. Arrangements for contest will be made between the sponsor and the competitor. Prior to the start of the competition season individual chapters can elect not to do the expense reimbursement for chapter contests and members only. Any TOB member outside that chapter will receive the expense reimbursement according to the chart below. Expenses for the Chapter Championships will be worked out by each Chapter's Executive Committee. 3. Contest Prizes:All contest prizes will be awarded on total unit scoring and shall be the same for all group sizes. Specialty awards are made at the host's discretion, exclusive of the Chapter Championships. Special awards are to be given by competing group size. Specialty awards are limited to those drawn from current TOB sheets. Most specialty awards will necessitate a separate judge for each award and they must use an official TOB judging sheet for that caption. Completing a regular panel of contest judges will have priority over the use of specialty award judges. Any form of award selected by the host is acceptable i.e. trophies, plaques, medals or cash. Cash awards may be graduated in amount based on placement within a group and should be comparable in amounts in like placements in each group. 4. Declaration Of Group Size:All bands will declare their group of competition by their first show or September 15th, whichever comes first. At no time during the season may a band move down in classification once they have competed in a class. Any member desiring to move up in classification may do so but must notify the Chapter Coordinator fourteen (14) days prior to his/her next competition. The Chapter Coordinator must then inform all directors of that classification that the band is moving into their class by Wednesday of the week of the competition. No band may move its classification after the 15th of October and must compete two (2) times in the new group prior to the Chapter Championships. 5. Competition Field:The definition of the field of competition will be a regulation size football field, 300 x 160 feet, with yard lines every five yards, with fifteen (15) additional feet in front of the performance sideline, between the end lines (stadium conditions permitting), to be used in any manner by the competing band. No equipment or personnel, other than conductors, soloists, and their podiums may be placed in front of this area (stadium conditions permitting). Equipment and props may be placed along the front sidelines for retrieval during the performance. Crossing (not merely stepping on) the front line on foot will result in a 0.5 penalty; hands, arms or upper body may cross the boundary for equipment retrieval. There will be no boundary violations for the end zones or back sideline. Violations will result in a 0.5 penalty per offense. Hash marks must also be visible. Markers must be placed at least every ten yards on both sides of the field. The Chief Judge must check the field for hash marks before the scheduled start (to give enough time for it to be done without holding up the show). Also, a Chief Judge can request lines be darkened by the sponsor's grounds crew, if possible, between groups. 6. Entry-Exit:Bands may enter or exit the field of competition from any point. Bands may begin their performance on or off the field as defined by Rule #5. Under no circumstances may any performing member of a band enter the stands during entrance, the course of the performance or entrance to and exit from the field. 7. Placement/Retrieval Of Equipment:Anyone may place or remove equipment before or after the performance. However, during the performance, only clearly-identifiable student personnel may assist with equipment, There are no limits to the number of student equipment personnel used, but they must be declared to the Timing and Penalty Judge prior to the start of the performance and be clearly-identifiable throughout the performance. Only students are allowed on the field once the performance starts. It is the responsibility of the competing unit to insure the safety and well-being of these persons with regard to the placement and retrieval of said equipment No parents, may enter the field. Runners that add to the effect of the performance must be counted as part of the band front (moving scenery, etc.). 8. Tapes:All judges except Timing and Penalty will use cassette tapes with sheets for their evaluations. The judging organization will be responsible for providing tapes, and the show sponsor will be billed for tapes used. 9. Stadium Lights:The dimming of stadium lights for special effect is not permitted. Penalty for infraction will be disqualification. 10. Prohibited Items:The discharge of firearms or pyrotechnic displays is not permitted. For this purpose, pyrotechnics is defined as the use of any device involving explosives or fire. The use of fire extinguisher and/or CO2 devises is prohibited. The release of helium-filled objects is prohibited. No live animals, except for seeing eye dogs are permitted. The penalty for violation of this rule is disqualification. 11. Entrance - Performance - Exit Timing:Each band will be given a block time of 14 minutes. During the block, announcements will be made, each band will enter, present the performance, and exit. The logical conclusion of the visual and music 12. Late To The Line:Any band late to the line will be assessed a two (2.0) point penalty and will be inserted into the schedule at the discretion of the Chief Judge of the contest. A band late for their group shall comply with Rule 23. 13. Gimmick Effects:Any instrument carried by a member of the auxiliary and/or Drum Major (s) can be considered a gimmick, and as such will be judged by the appropriate judge. This will not effect class size. Any instrument carried by a member of the auxiliary and/or Drum Major (s) that is utilized in a manner that contributes to the musical effect or content of the program will also be judged by the appropriate music judges. Such performers then become countable in adhering to group size classification. 14. Grievances:Grievances may not be registered against a judge by a unit until he/she has judged the unit. Any grievance must be postmarked within 72 hours of the contest. Grievances are to be mailed to the Chapter Coordinator. The following must be included: 15. Amplification:There are no restrictions to the number or types of amplification other than the performance must be "live" and not "prerecorded". It is the unit's responsibility to provide their own electrical source, not the show host. Due to the safety factor of utilizing this type of equipment, it is the responsibility of the Chief Judge to address the problems created by adverse weather. "Prerecorded" use will incur a 2 point penalty. 16. Medical Aide:The sponsor must provide qualified medical aide at a contest site. 17. Staff Interference:If staying adjacent to the competition field area, the staff of a competing band must stay outside the 30 yard lines of the competing field. At the discretion of the Chief Judge, band staffs may be deemed to be interfering with the orderly progress and adjudication of the contest. The Chief Judge may request that staffs move or stop any bothersome behavior. A one (1.0) point penalty may be imposed. It is further suggested that each contest host provide space in the stands to be set aside for each band staff to view its unit's performance. 18. Judge's Meeting:The judges meeting will begin fifteen (15) minutes after the last judged band. Units will limit staff members to a total of four (4) at a time at the post-contest meeting. Additional staff may attend based on specialty judges assigned to the contest (1 for percussion, 1 for auxiliary, 1 for drum major, 1 for brass, 1 for woodwind). Recaps will be distributed at the post-contest meeting. The Chief Judge will monitor the meeting so that all competitors have time with the judges. Any band director or instructor using loud or abusive language in the post-contest meeting will be barred from the next critique. If this should happen a second time during the same season, Bylaw #22 will be enforced leading to the immediate suspension of the unit from the organization pending the decision of the TOB Executive Board. Each staff will meet minimum 3 minutes at each judge station as set by the Chief Judge. At shows with 14 or more bands, each staff will meet minimum 2 minutes at each judge station as set by the Chief Judge. 19. National Flag Policy:The use of the American Flag shall be optional in TOB. If used, however, the National Colors will be treated with respect and dignity. If used, however, the National Colors will be handled according to The Tournament of Bands Competitive Flag Code. Copies of the Code will be available from your Chapter Coordinator. Failure to do so will result in a one (1.0) point penalty. 20. Scoring:
Specialty awards - Percussion , Auxiliary, Drum Major, Brass, Woodwinds - will also be 20 point captions. Specialty awards will be announced along with the individual band placement. 21. Scoring For Marching Band Indoor Contest:Only the following Music Captions will be adjudicated in a regular contest manner:
The tabulator will then add these three scores; multiply by 1.667 (167%); this will produce a total score for that contest for the purposes of awards. 22. Video:Hosts should provide a video area for the competing bands to tape their designated band only. Taping is restricted to their own band. No video equipment will be permitted into a sanctioned TOB contest other than provided in this rule. 23. Band Order:Any band added to a show after bands have received notification of the order of performance (usually with the tickets) must be added to the beginning of their respective group. Bands must compete in continuous Group Sizes. Any bans unable to compete with their respective group, regardless of reason, must perform a judged exhibition. The inclusion of the score on the recap will be at the discretion of the exhibition band prior to performance. 24. Acc Announcements:The public address announcer at ACC's will announce the musical repertoire of each band before it performs if supplied in a timely fashion by the band director. 25. Student Participation:Tournament of Bands recognizes the interest of member bands to allow participation by all students. TOB authorizes member bands to use, in the competitive arena, any accommodations established for a student as a result of school actions related to Section 504 of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) or an Individual Education Plan developed in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Such accommodation should be made by the competing organization, in the interest of safety and serve only to benefit the student with disabilities. The Chief Judge of the contest should be made aware of any such accommodation. (NOTE: This rule is intended to address a student's need for accommodations such as, but not limited to, a personal student guide for a student with visual impairment or sign language interpreter for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing.) It is strongly encouraged that students be used as these assistants.
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