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	Download the 2008 Rules & Regulations Manual (.pdf)	Revised 1/29/08

4.2 The Performance Analysis Judge will be positioned low in the stands and may move in order to better appraise the individuals within the ensemble. Timing and Penalty Adjudicators will be positioned on the floor. The General Effect and Visual Adjudicators will be positioned higher in the stands.

4.3 Each level of classification has a set of score sheets unique to its classification.
 
 
EQUIPMENT

5.1 Instrumentation is limited to those instruments typically utilized and recognized as part of a percussion section. Also allowed are electronic instruments recognized as normal stage and band rhythm section instruments. Conventional wind and/or string instruments (other than string bass and guitar) may not be used. Single tone, non-keyed horns (i.e. whistles, sirens, animal calls, etc.) may be used only if generating an effect, and may not be used in any melodic form.

PENALTY: 10 Points

5.2 No single, triggered, electronic sound may produce rhythmic intent.
 
PENALTY: 10 Points

5.3 If an electronic mixing board is used, only student personnel may operate it. No communicating devices may be used in order to assist the mixing operator.

5.4 All equipment and props must be placed anywhere in the competition area. The front sideline is inviolate at all time (this includes all sound equipment) except during set up and tear down.

PENALTY: 0.1 to 5.0 points per violation at the discretion of the chief judge.

5.5 Permission for use of copyrighted material is the responsibility of the participants

5.6 No motorized vehicles will be allowed. Wheelchairs for disadvantaged performers are accepted.

PENALTY: Disqualification

5.7 No pyrotechnics, discharge of arms, pressurized canisters, dangerous materials, inflammable liquids or animals will be permitted in or around the competition area. Smoke machines will not be allowed. Electrical (plug – in or battery operated) or compressed air apparatuses, including lights, lasers, and flash cubes (electrical or chemical) will not be allowed. Amplification may be used in the competition area by performers playing musical instruments, singing or voice. The electrical source for electronic instruments must be a 115/120v typical wall outlet as noted on the footprint of the facility as supplied by the sponsor. Car/truck type wet batteries cannot be used. Gasoline, electric, or manual powered generators will not be allowed. Lighting cannot be turned off in the competition area by a unit.

PENALTY: 10 points to disqualification.

5.8 For the protection of the wooden competition floors, all equipment must be properly taped or otherwise be prepared to assure that damage to the floors will not occur. Inspection will occur at all Invitationals, Prelims, and Finals. Damage to the floor such as may occur by dragging the tympani; wheels on carts locking, carts used for instruments, props, etc. will be the responsibility of the units and is subject to penalty.

PENALTY: 0.1 to disqualification at the discretion of the chief judge.

5.9 the use of powder, dirt or any other airborne substance shall be strictly prohibited.

PENALTY: 0.1 to disqualification at the discretion of the chief judge.
 
5.10 Wireless mic transmitters may only be used during a unit's performance interval time.

PENALTY: 0.1 to disqualification at the discretion of the chief judge.
 
CONDUCT OF UNITS

6.1 An ensemble performance is limited to the designated “contest floor” (65’ x 100’) and surrounding area or auditorium, depending on class. The front sideline is inviolate.

6.2.1 A percussion ensemble will be scheduled to compete at a minimum of nine (9) minute intervals for “A” class units; ten (10) minute intervals for “Open” class units and eleven (11) minute intervals for “World” class units. The time interval will include set up, entrance, warm up, performance, exit and removal of all equipment, props, personnel, etc. This time schedule may be expanded at the option of the Contest Director, but not lessened.

PENALTY: 0.5 points for each five (5) minutes of lateness (missing scheduled performance time) or part thereof up to the conclusion of the contest.

PENALTY: 0.1 points for each three (3) seconds or fraction thereof.

6.2.2 The maximum performance time ceases when a unit quits playing or leaves the floor, whichever comes first, and shall not exceed six (6) minutes for “A” class units; seven (7) for “Open” class units; eight (8) for “World” class units.

PENALTY: 0.1 points for each three (3) seconds of overtime or fraction thereof.

6.2.3 Percussion ensembles, with all competing personnel, shall remain within the competition area and be judged in all captions for a minimum of four (4) minutes.

PENALTY: 0.1 points for each three (3) seconds of under time or fraction thereof.

6.2.4 All captions will be judged for the maximum performance time or until the unit ceases playing or leaves the floor, whichever comes first. Timing and penalty will continue until performers and equipment are off of the floor. The contest director will place an appropriate line defining when an ensemble has left the floor for timing purposes.

6.3 Units competing at IPA contests cannot be required to perform before the time set in the latest schedule for the contest, distributed by IPA.

6.4 UNIT TIMING OVERVIEW: Marching & Concert Ensembles

6.5 In the case of a Director/Staff Personnel must be removed from a critique/competition setting, the IPA Executive Board will be contacted and the following will occur: 1) The IPA Executive Board will evaluate the problem. 2) A letter will be sent to the building principal and band director (if not the offending person). 3) A $250.00 fine will be assessed and must be posted before the unit’s next performance. 4) Critique privileges will be suspended from one (1) critique to one (1) year. Suspensions handed down will be for the unit as a whole, as well as the offending individual. Each case will be discussed and evaluated on a case by case
basis.
 
 
ENTRY

7.1 An ensemble may enter the contest floor over any line. However once the performance begins, the front sideline and its vertical plane becomes inviolate and subject to boundary penalty.

PENALTY: 0.1 points for each offense of the front boundary line violation.

7.2 Units may enter with a “tap” prior to introduction or may include a playing entrance as a part of the performance following introduction.

7.3 Any equipment or props may be placed within the competition area by anyone prior to the start of competition. (Adults are not permitted to stay in the competition area during a performance.)

7.4 The unit will line up at a ready line (preferably side and back line if facility allows) to be designated by the Contest Director. From this point, the unit should move directly and immediately into the competition area when directed by the starter (T&P judge or contest director). They may set up anywhere in the competition area.

7.5 Performance time begins with the first note or step following the introduction.
 
 
EXIT

7.6 Exit may be over any line at the conclusion of the performance

7.7 All personnel, equipment, and/or props must be off the contest floor, clear of the 50/50 line at the conclusion of the interval time. For purpose of timing, equipment and props are considered removed when they have been moved across a center line either horizontal or vertical depending on the contest site. After the equipment/props have crossed this line, they must be removed from the area immediately and taken to an area designated by the Contest Director. Failure to remove equipment and props to the designated area in a timely manner is subject to a penalty at the discretion of the Contest Director. Backside and sideline usage will be at the discretion of the contest director, as defined by the facility. A map of the “contest floor” will be included in the unit’s packet defining the 50/50 line as vertical or horizontal. Facilities may designate how units will unfold and fold their floors whether it be front to back, back to front, left to right, or right to left depending on entrance and exit doors.

7.8 There will be no flying of tarps (also known as “ballooning”) to clear the floor at the conclusion of a unit’s performance.

PENALTY: Disqualification

7.9 During a performance, adult or non – performing student personnel may not coach, cue, etc. any performing members.

PENALTY: 0.1 to disqualification at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
 
 
PENALTIES

8.1 Only the Chief Judge may assess a penalty. Judges report all violations to the Chief Judge.

8.2 General: Any unit violating any rule or part of a rule or committing any breach of contest etiquette for which no specific penalty is provided shall be penalized for each such violation, not less than 0.1 points, not more than disqualification from the contests at the discretion of the Contest Director.

8.3 All timing penalties shall be 0.1 points per three (3) seconds or fraction thereof. All boundary penalties shall be 0.1 points per offense.
 
 
IPA INCLEMENT WEATHER/TERROR ALERT POLICY

9.1 In the event that a portion or all of the State of Indiana is struck by inclement weather on a day of a scheduled IPA competition(s), it may be necessary to cancel the competition(s) for the safety and ultimate well being of our membership.

9.1.1 The decision to cancel a scheduled IPA competition may be made by the members of the IPA executive board if 50% of the scheduled units fail to attend the event. If however, a simple majority of the scheduled units are in attendance, IPA will allow the scheduled competition to take place. The final decision, though, will always rest with the administration of the host school. Once this decision has been made by the host school’s administration, every attempt will be made to communicate this information to the directors of the competing ensembles in a timely fashion.

9.1.2 All competing members of IPA must have a “day of contest” emergency cell phone contact number on file with IPA. It is the responsibility of the contest host to communicate the decision of the host school administration to the directors of the competing ensembles via the emergency cell phone number contact. In the event an IPA competition must be cancelled, every effort will be made to communicate this decision to the membership via the official IPA Inc. web site. www.indianapercussion.org. In case of any emergency cancellation of an IPA event, it is essential that IPA Inc. and its entire membership share the responsibility of communication and cooperation needed to insure the safety, well being, and convenience of our entire membership.

9.1.3 Those ensembles that are scheduled to participate in an IPA Inc. competition but are unable to fulfill their performance responsibility due to inclement weather or terror alert status, are required to submit a letter of explanation from their building administrator or school superintendent explaining that their absence was the result of a school administrative decision. The letter must be written on school letterhead and submitted to IPA Inc. within one week of the event. Units will not be allowed to participate further in IPA events until the letter is received by IPA Inc.