The Boys' Brigade Rules for 1. Aims of the Contest 1.1. Raise Standards To raise the standard of Band-work throughout The Boys' Brigade in Scotland by challenging existing Bands and encouraging the formation of new ones. 1.2. Promote the work of The Boys' Brigade To promote The Boys' Brigade by offering high quality and entertaining events which are open to the general public. 1.3. Christian Fellowship To widen and deepen the Christian fellowship of the Brigade between both Boys and Officers as they gather in a spirit of friendly competition.
Table of Contents 1. Aims of the Contest... 1 1.1. Raise Standards... 1 1.2. Promote the work of The Boys' Brigade... 1 1.3. Christian Fellowship... 1 2. General Rules... 3 2.1. Eligibility... 3 2.2. Age Limits... 3 2.3. Sections... 3 2.4. Reporting Times... 3 2.5. Inspection... 3 2.6. Playing Arena... 3 2.7. Performance... 3 2.8. Time Limits... 4 2.9. Uniform... 4 2.10. Participants... 4 2.11. Adjudication... 4 2.12. Personal Effects... 4 2.13. Band Control... 4 2.14. Trophies... 5 2.15. Administration... 5 2.16. Arbitration... 5 2.17. Presentation... 5 3. Brigade Uniform Regulations (31-Dec-2008)... 6 3.1. Junior Section... 6 3.2. Company Section and Senior Section... 6 3.3. Staff Sergeants... 6 3.4. Captains, Lieutenants and Warrant Officers... 7 3.5. General... 7 4. Pipe Band Contest Rules... 8 4.1. Classes of Competition... 8 4.2. Tuning... 8 4.3. Arena... 8 4.4. Musical Selection and Timing... 8 4.5. Band Formation... 8 4.6. Contest Performance... 8 4.7. Drill and Deportment... 9 4.8. Marking... 9 5. Trumpet / Bugle / Flute / Brass / Woodwind Band Contest Rules... 10 5.1. Classes of Competition... 10 5.2. Tuning... 10 5.3. Arena... 10 5.4. Musical Selection and Timing... 10 5.5. Band Formation... 10 5.6. Contest Performance... 10 5.7. Drill and Deportment... 11 5.8. Marking... 11 Page 2 of 12
2.General Rules 2.1. Eligibility The Contest is open to all Boys' Brigade Bands in Scotland and others with permission of the Scottish Bands Committee. Players who are not members of The Boys' Brigade 1 may be members of a band but they must be members of a girls' organisation in the same Church. There must be no more than 40% non-bb members. 2.2. Age Limits Up to three adult band-members may participate, with a maximum of two players in any one section (except in mini pipe bands see rule 4.5). All other participants in any Band must be Boys' Brigade (or other Church organisation) members up to the age of 19 years 2. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in disqualification. 2.3. Sections The contest will be divided into sections to suit the following types of Bands viz:- i. Pipe ii. Wind (Trumpet/Bugle/Flute/Brass/Woodwind etc.) iii. Others - Sections will be established for other Band types if there are three or more entries and appropriate rules are available. 2.4. Reporting Times Bands will be advised in advance of the Contest of their reporting and playing times. Strict observance of these times is vital to the smooth running of the Contest. If any Band reports late for its performance, it will be disqualified. On arrival, Bands will report to Registration. 2.5. Inspection Bands will be inspected during their performance. 2.6. Playing Arena The use of cones, discs or any other means of marking out the playing area is NOT permitted. A playing area of 21m x 12m will be marked off using cones to indicate the centre-line and corners of the area. This is to enable bands to practice in a fixed size arena. 2.7. Performance (a) Bands will report to the arena steward prior to entering the arena. (b) The announcer will introduce the next band once the previous band has left the floor and give details of the band and their programme. The band should enter the area immediately they are announced and prepare for their performance. (c) After two minutes have elapsed, from the start of the announcement, the timekeeper will start timing the performance. Bands exceeding their performance time will be penalised. (d) On completion of their performance, the band will leave the arena by the directed route. (e) Playing is not permitted when entering or leaving the arena. A drum tap is permitted to maintain step. 1 Membership of The Boys' Brigade in this context includes Amicus and BB Girls' Association members in accordance with BB membership regulations. 2 NB A Staff Sergeant, until the end of the session in which he attains his 19 th birthday".is considered to be a young person ; but an Officer / Leader / Helper over the age of 18 is considered to be an adult. In case of doubt, please seek further clarification. Page 3 of 12
2.8. Time Limits (a) All bands performances will be timed, but there will be no indication with flags on the floor. (b) Bandmasters should pay particular attention to the time limits set for their performance. Bands failing to observe the timing rules may be subject to penalties depending upon the circumstances. 2.9. Uniform (a) (b) (c) 2.10. Participants (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) As the Band Contest is a normal Boys' Brigade activity, the uniform presently detailed in the current edition of Brigade Regulations will be mandatory in all Competitions. Non-BB members will wear the correct uniform of their organisation, e.g. Girls' Brigade, Guides, or, white shirt / blouse and black/navy skirt. Uniformity is the key-note. Other than as set out in GA regulations, girls must not wear any item of Boys' Brigade uniform. Marks will be deducted from Bands who are improperly dressed. A certificate will be awarded to the Band in each class with the best marks for Drill, Deportment and Turnout. Apart from Drum Majors, all participants must be instrumentalists. Use of a conductor is permitted in Open Class. Unless specifically stated in following regulations, no Boy may play in more than one Band of the same type. Bands without Drum Majors will incur no penalty whatsoever. Drum Majors will be judged separately and not as part of the Band. If the mace is dropped whist the Band is in the Arena, this will count as an error of deportment. Prizes will be awarded to the best Drum Major and Mallets adjudicated on the overall event throughout the whole day. All adults who participate in the performance will be included in the maximum number of adult participants detailed in rule 2.2. Adult participants are ineligible for the Drum Majors' or Mallets Competitions. 2.11. Adjudication All bands will be adjudicated by the method currently used by the various band associations. i.e. the band considered best by the adjudicators will be awarded 1 point, second 2 points, third 3 points and so on. When the points awarded by all the adjudicators are added together the band with least points will be declared the winner. Details of results and adjudicators comments will be made available to competing bands as soon as possible after the Contest. 2.12. Personal Effects The safety and protection of all instruments, cases and personal effects, remain the responsibility of the owners. Neither The Boys' Brigade nor Hall Proprietors can accept responsibility for such equipment or property. Each Band must nominate at least one Officer to be responsible for Company, Battalion and personal property. 2.13. Band Control (a) Bands will be collected from their dressing room by one of the Stewards in charge of movement of Bands. They will be under their direction until they have left the playing arena. Bands will require to parade together at the end of the Contest for presentation of trophies and certificates, and will be guided by the same Stewards. (b) Litter in the areas allocated to each band is a constant problem, and band Officers are asked to ensure their bandsmen deposit litter in the bins provided and that their area is left as it was found (or tidier!) Page 4 of 12
2.14. Trophies (a) (b) (c) No Officers should come forward to receive awards. All Trophies must be brought to this year s event, or if the band is not competing, should be returned to The Boys' Brigade, Scottish Headquarters, Carronvale House, Carronvale Road, Larbert FK5 3LH no later than the week prior to Contest. Engraving of Trophies will be the responsibility of the winning Company who will arrange to have engraving done to the Brigade's specification. 2.15. Administration Bands may appeal against their section or class allocation but in all cases must do so immediately on receipt of their classification. The final decision however rests with the. 2.16. Arbitration In all Contests, the decision of the adjudicators will be final. 2.17 Presentation For each class, including Drill & Deportment, the results will be announced as Winner first. One representative of the Band (not an Officer) will come forward to receive the trophy and certificate from the Chief Guest. Second and third places will then be announced, although certificates will not be presented at this stage. Certificates for second and third places will be included with the results sheets. During the presentation, ill-mannered booing is not in keeping with The Boys Brigade ethos, and should be refrained from. This rule applies to supporters of your band, who may be in the audience. Please ask them to be respectful of all bands, each one of which competes on a voluntary basis. Page 5 of 12
3.Brigade Uniform Regulations (31-Dec-2008) 3.1. Junior Section (a) Boys will wear a blue Boys Brigade polo shirt and plain dark trousers or shorts and footwear as deemed appropriate by the relevant officer. A royal blue Boys' Brigade sweatshirt may also be worn. An armband may be worn on the right arm above the elbow upon which the following will be worn: awards as per the award regulations a leading boy badge (worn at the bottom of the armband if the boy holds that position) a tape showing the name of the company may be worn at the top of the armband. (b) At the option of the relevant officer, Junior Section Boys may wear the Boys hat with hat badge and gold surround, with numerals representing the Company number. 3.2. Company Section and Senior Section (a) Boys will wear either a blue Boys Brigade polo shirt or a blue Boys Brigade shirt with the Boys Brigade tie and plain dark trousers with, at the option of the relevant officer, a black leather belt with chrome Boys Brigade buckle and plain dark footwear as deemed appropriate by the relevant officer. A navy blue Boys Brigade sweatshirt may also be worn. An armband may be worn on the right arm above the elbow upon which the following shall be worn: awards as per the award regulations where the boy is an NCO the appropriate badge worn at the bottom of the armband viz: lance corporal: one-barred chevron with its points downwards; corporal: two barred chevron with its points downwards sergeant: three-barred chevron with its points downwards a tape showing the company name may be worn at the top of the armband An armband may be worn on the left above the elbow upon which shall be worn awards as per regulations. (b) At the option of the relevant officer, Company and Senior Section Boys may wear the Boys hat with the hat badge and red surround (by boys in P7 - S3), or blue surround (by boys in S4 or older), with numerals representing the Company number. 3.3. Staff Sergeants (a) Staff Sergeants will wear either a blue Boys Brigade polo shirt or a blue Boys Brigade shirt with the Boys Brigade tie and plain dark trousers with, at the option of the relevant officer, a black leather belt with chrome Boys Brigade buckle and plain dark footwear as deemed appropriate by the relevant officer. A navy blue Boys Brigade sweatshirt may be worn. An armband may be worn on the right arm above the elbow upon which the following shall be worn: awards as per the award regulations a four-barred chevron badge worn at the bottom of the armband with its point upwards a tape showing the company name may be worn at the top of the armband. An armband may be worn on the left arm above the elbow upon which shall be worn awards as per awards regulations. (b) At the option of the relevant officer, staff sergeants may wear the Boys hat with hat badge and without the surround and numerals. Page 6 of 12
(c) When acting as Battalion Sergeant-major, a staff sergeant may wear a small red rosette under the hat badge. 3.4. Captains, Lieutenants and Warrant Officers (a) Officers will wear either a white Boys Brigade polo shirt or a white Boys Brigade shirt with Boys Brigade tie, plain dark trousers with, at the option of the relevant officer, a black leather belt with chrome Boys Brigade buckle and plain dark footwear as deemed appropriate by the relevant officer. A navy blue Boys Brigade sweatshirt may also be worn. (b) At the option of the relevant officer, Men Officers may wear the Glengarry cap with the officers cap badge; Women Officers may wear a hat of the same pattern as the Boys hat, but of a different material, with the special hat badge (the Boys hat may be worn as an alternative, if desired). Warrant Officers may wear the same hat as Officers, as detailed above, but with the special Warrant Officers badge. (c) A red rosette behind the cap badge may be worn by Officers acting as Staff Officers, but only when so engaged, and will not be worn at other times as a mark of rank. 3.5. General (a) Relevant Officer for the competition shall mean the Company Captain or a member of staff within the Company to whom the Captain has delegated the option, or a member of staff in charge of an event at Battalion, District or National level. (b) On appropriate occasions, the relevant officer may decide that the sweatshirt mentioned in the above regulations should not be worn. (c) A plain dark skirt may be worn in place of the trousers in the above regulations. (d) The tie referred to in the above regulations will be: a Boys' Brigade tie; a Boys' Brigade Seniors' tie; or, a Boys' Brigade officers' tie. (e) Bandmasters of Pipe Bands may wear the Glengarry cap and Boys hat badge. (f) Drum-Majors will wear the uniform of their rank, with the addition of white gauntlets / gloves. A sash may be worn over the left shoulder bearing the emblem of The Boys Brigade and the Company or Battalion designation only. (g) A kilt and other accoutrements may be worn in place of the trousers in any of the above regulations at the option of the relevant officer. (h) Members may wear their regional emblem, as approved by the Brigade Executive, at the top of the right sleeve of the polo shirt, sweatshirt or shirt. (i) On appropriate occasions, the relevant officer may decide that a weatherproof garment should be worn. (j) Boys Brigade Uniform Regulations shall apply for Girls Association members with the exception that in place of The Boys Brigade badge and/or emblem, the Girls Association badge and/or emblem shall be used. (k) White gloves may be worn. NB The above are a subset of the full uniform regulations relevant to the. The full regulations may be found within the Brigade Regulations dated 31-Dec-2008. Page 7 of 12
4.Pipe Band Contest Rules 4.1. Classes of Competition There are five Classes subject to the number of entries. The will determine entry into these. i. Novice Class iv. Mini-Band: Novice Class ii. Contest Class v. Mini-Band: Open Class iii. Championship Class 4.2. Tuning A Final Tuning area will be available, and this is the only area instruments may be played in the vicinity of the competition area. 4.3. Arena The Contest will be held indoors. 4.4. Musical Selection and Timing (a) Bands will play a selection of their own choice. (b) Contest and Novice Classes will play 2¾ to 4½ minutes quick March Tempo. (c) Championship and Open Classes will play a selection of their own choice. The time taken to play the selection must not be less than 2¾ minutes and not more than five minutes. 4.5. Band Formation (a) Bands must consist of at least six Pipers, two Side Drummers, and one Bass Drummer. Tenor Drummers are optional. (Smaller bands may enter with prior approval from the ). (b) Mini-Bands must consist of 4 pipers, 2 snare drummers, 1 bass drummer with 1 tenor drummer (optional). Mini-Bands will not be required to play whilst marching and should form a semicircle S T A G E S/D S/D B/D P P P P Note: The Pipe Major, the leading drummer, bass drummer and tenor drummer (optional) may play in more than one Mini Band; but may only represent one Company / Battalion. A maximum of two instructors may play in the band one in the Pipe section and one in the drum corps. 4.6. Contest Performance (a) Bands will enter the playing arena under the direction the Drum Major or Pipe Major, following the directions from the Steward. (b) Each Band's performance must commence on the march at a starting point indicated in the Contest Arena. Thereafter, drill movements will be at the discretion of the Band Pipe Major. (c) Each Band will, in turn, take up position at the starting point in marching formation and stand "at ease" on command from their Pipe Major. (d) When the band is ready the Pipe Major will bring the Band to attention and salute the Chief Guest, this will signify the start of the performance. Page 8 of 12
(e) The time will be measured from the first beat of the Introductory Rolls to the end of the Playing Selection. (f) Bands will leave the Contest Arena in marching formation and will be judged on Drill and Deportment until they leave the arena. (g) On completion of performance, the Drum Major or Pipe Major will salute the chief guest. (h) When marching on or off, before and after playing, bands are limited to a single drum tap. Page 9 of 12
4.7. Drill and Deportment Judging for drill and deportment will commence as the Band enters the playing area and finish as the Band leaves the arena. 4.8. Marking (a) Judges will be allocated as follows:- i. Piping 2 Adjudicators ii. Drumming 1 Adjudicator iii. Ensemble 1 Adjudicator iv. Drill, Deportment and Turnout 1 Adjudicator (b) Each Band will be adjudicated and given guidance on the following criteria:- Introduction - quality and effect of both Pipe and Drumming introductions. General Musical Performance (GMP) - technical ability; change of time signature; musical interpretation and degree of difficulty of musical choice. Tone - quality of tone in both Pipes and Drums, accuracy of pitch and correct balance of volume between Pipes and Drums. Ensemble - the quality of the combined effect of Pipes and Drums and the quality and variety of tunes within the selection. Inspection - clean and correctly worn BB Uniform (Refer General Rule 2.9 & Uniform Regulations 3). Drill and Deportment - handling of instruments and in accordance with normal Drill marking procedures. Elaboration of movement is left to the discretion of individual Bands but all movements within the Competition will be judged. Note: Turnout and Drill & Deportment will not be part of the band-work adjudication but will be a separate competition. (c) (d) In the event of a tie, preference will be given to the Band with the highest marks in Ensemble. Separate marking will be made for Drum Majors but will not be included in the final total, so that bands without will not be penalised. Page 10 of 12
5.Wind Band Contest Rules 5.1. Classes of Competition There are three Classes subject to the number of entries. The will determine entry into these. i. Novice Class ii. Contest Class iii. Championship Class 5.2. Tuning (a) Contestants will not be allowed to "warm up" prior to entering the playing area. (b) A Final Tuning area will be available, and this is the only area instruments may be played in the vicinity of the competition area. 5.3. Arena The Contest will be held indoors. The arena size will be 21m x 12m. 5.4. Musical Selection and Timing (a) Bands will play a selection of their own choice. (b) Performance Times will be limited as follows: Bands competing in the Novice Class will play for not less than 2¾ minutes and not more than 6 minutes Bands competing in the Contest Class will play for not less than 6 minutes and not more than 8 minutes. Bands competing in the Championship Class will play for not less than 8 minutes and not more than 10 minutes. 5.5. Band Formation There is no prescribed formation / instrumentation. 5.6. Contest Performance (a) Bands will enter the playing arena under the direction the Drum Major or Bandmaster, following the directions from the Steward. (b) Each Band will commence its programme from within the Arena. i. Novice Class Bands may choose to play at the halt, but must march on and off. ii. For Contest and Championship Class Bands, the majority of the Performance should be on the march. iii. Movements to be at the discretion of the Bandmaster. iv. Bandmasters are requested to plan their performance to finish at the front of the arena under the Saluting Officers' Rostrum. (c) Each Band will take up position at the starting point in marching formation and stand "at ease" on command from their Drum Major or Bandmaster. (d) When the band is ready the Drum Major or Bandmaster will bring the Band to attention and salute the chief guest, this will signify the start of the performance. (e) The time will be measured from the first note played to the end of the Playing Selection (f) On completion of performance, the Drum Major or Bandmaster will salute the Officer on the rostrum. (g) When marching on or off, before and after playing, bands are limited to a single drum tap. Drill & Deportment adjudicators will penalise bands failing to observe this rule. Page 11 of 12
5.7. Drill and Deportment Judging for drill and deportment will commence as the Band enters the playing area and finish as the Band leaves. For Contest and Championship Bands, the majority of the performance should be on the march (see rule 5.6). Ensemble adjudicators will deduct marks where a Contest or Championship class band are considered to be stationary for more than 50% of the performance. Novice class bands opting to play at the halt will be judged on deportment throughout their performance. 5.8. Marking (a) Judges will be allocated as follows:- i. Wind 2 Adjudicators ii. Drumming 1 Adjudicator iii. Ensemble 1 Adjudicator iv. Drill, Deportment and Turnout 1 Adjudicator (b) Each Band will be adjudicated and given guidance on the following criteria:- i. Introduction - quality and effect of Wind and Drumming introductions. ii. General Musical Performance (GMP) - technical ability; change of time signature; musical interpretation and degree of difficulty of musical choice. iii. Tone - quality of tone in both Wind and Drums, accuracy of pitch and correct balance of volume between Wind and Drums. iv. Ensemble - the quality of the combined effect of all instruments and the quality and variety of tunes within the selection. v. Inspection - clean and correctly worn BB Uniform (Refer General Rule 2.9 & Uniform Regulations 3). vi. Drill and Deportment - handling of instruments and in accordance with normal Drill marking procedures. Elaboration of movement is left to the discretion of individual Bands but all movements within the Competition will be judged. Note: Turnout and Drill & Deportment will not be part of the band-work adjudication but will be a separate competition. (c) (d) (e) In the event of a tie, preference will be given to the Band with the highest marks in Ensemble. Separate marking will be made for Drum Majors but will not be included in the final total, so that bands without will not be penalised. Separate marking will be made for "Mallets" (Bell Lyres/Bells) but will not be included in the final total, so that bands without will not be penalised. Scottish Charity Number SC038016 http://scotland.boys-brigade.org.uk Page 12 of 12