TAME Texas Association of Mariachi Educators Mariachi Director s Handbook 2014-2015 1
TAME CONTENTS I. Mission Statement II. Competition Rules III. Region Mariachi Chairman Duties IV. Region Mariachi Audition Host Duties V. Competition Information VI. Entry Forms 2
TAME Mission The mission of the Texas Association Of Mariachi Educators is to assure the continued statewide growth and development of Mariachi and Mariachi education. As a part of that mission, the Association initiates programs, which nurture and promote the understanding and appreciation of Mariachi and its heritage and culture. T.A.M.E. is dedicated to provide leadership to educators regarding curricula and performance, assist teachers and practitioners with information and resources, and take an active part in organizing clinics, festivals and symposia at local, regional, and State levels. 3
TAME Competition Rules TAME 1. These rules were created specifically for TAME sponsored competitions (functions) and are a revised version of UIL regulations. The reason for not selecting exact UIL regulations is that many components do not match the needs of Mariachi competitions. For the purpose of TAME competitions, only the rules in this handbook should be used / This includes MASBA AREA/Finals Competition. MASBA is considered a TAME function competition. 2. Mariachi Directors must be TAME members in order for their mariachis to participate in TAME functions. 3. Instrumentation: Mariachi ensembles shall consist of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 24 vocalists and instrumentalists. Standard mariachi ensemble will consist of: 3 violins (any distribution of parts) 1 trumpet 1 guitarrón 1 vihuela 1 guitar Any other instruments can be added or doubled as long as the instrumentation above is included. While judges shall be instructed to criticize instrumentation only insofar as it affects the balance and general effect of the performance, schools are encouraged to conform as closely as possible with accepted standards of instrumentation. All players must play an instrument on stage (no solo singers) The above instrumentation is a suggestion for participation in TAME sponsored competitions. This includes MASBA Area/Final competition. 4. Eligibility: The no pass / no play UIL eligibility rule will apply to all TAME/MASBA functions. High School students are eligible to participate in competition Seventh and Eighth Grade Students. In composite organizations (4A, 3A, 2A, A), a seventh or eighth grade student may compete in the mariachi ensemble provided that the majority of the ensemble members are in grades 9-12 (51%). For 5A and 6A, 95% of the group must be in High School. A participant in TAME competitions shall meet the eligibility requirements of each school and should be certified to represent his or her school in competition by the school s principal or the principal s designee. 4
Only registered students can participate in the competition. If a registered student does not participate in the Area competition due to ineligibility, and the mariachi advances to state finals, that student can participate at state provided that eligibility has occurred. A mariachi can participate in Finals with fewer students that participated in Area, but if more compete in Finals, their name must appear on the original Area entry form 1. The designated form with principal s signature needs to be submitted in registration packet. 5. Time Limitation: The MASBA competition will have a minimum of 9 minutes and a maximum of 12 minutes for 4A-6A. For 1-3A, a minimum of 7 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes will allowed. If a mariachi plays below or passes the time limit, a lowering of a rating in Area and a deduction of 100 points in Finals will be given, provided that there is no reason because of third parties involvement such as sound system problems. No disqualification will be given and this will be administered at the Area and Finals competitions. Time begins when first note is played and stops when last note is played. 6. Order of Performance: This will be done in random order by the TAME director. 7. Music Selection: Individual songs or popurri s are permitted as long as a son jalisciense or a song in the style of a son jalisciense is included within the performance (a complete son is not required as long as it is included). If mariachis advance to Finals the music selections can be changed as long as a son jaliscience or a song in the style of a son jalisciense is included. Not playing a son jaliscience or a song in the style of a son jalisciense will be automatic disqualification. The son or a song in the style of a son jalisciense cannot be the tema. A school may not repeat music within 4 years of playing at Area and Finals. School temas can be repeated. 8. Music Scores: Each director of the mariachi ensemble shall supply each judge with a conductor s score of the selections to be performed, with measures numbered. The judge is instructed not to permit performance to begin until the score has been received. The score needs to include vocal parts written out and with words under each note. All instruments used need to be written out in the score with the exception of the harp if it is following the armonía section (please note in the score). Please write out score in page format not in landscape and enlarge music that needs no straining of eyes. The scores need to be notated as performed. If playing a popurri, music should be notated as performed including transitions and modulations. The following scoring guide should be used in score order: Violins include bowings, articulations/dynamics Flutes (if used) Trumpets include articulations/dynamics Flugel horns (if used) Voice (include coros) 5
Harp (if notating it) You may specify that harp will follow armonía section Armonías (in rhythmic notation with mánicos) Guitarrón (notate inside the staff Low A to High A. Single string notes maybe noted outside the staff) If a score is bought, please make sure that the above information is included (It can be in a different format), otherwise, you will need to transcribe it in a notation program as requested. A condensed score Violins in one stave and Trumpets in one stave may be used. No individual instrument parts will be accepted. That is not a score. Scores need to be published or computer generated. No handwritten scores will be accepted. See example below. 6
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9. Non-Varsity Mariachis: Non-Varsity mariachis will not be allowed to participate in the Area competition since they will not be able to advance to Finals. Only Varsity Groups from each school will be allowed. 10. District-Mariachis District mariachis are not allowed to participate in MASBA competition. 11. Judges: All judges will be certified by TAME. Judges must be a certified music teacher with some mariachi background. A copy of the judges teaching certificate can be filed with their membership form as to prevent anyone who has been under review or revoked be qualified to judge. All judges will be from outside of the area hosting the event. Judges who accept a judging engagement cannot have had prior contact with the mariachi they are judging including, but not limited to: providing clinics, private lessons, listening to recordings, watching video tapes, critiquing or any other form of instruction to the mariachi, individuals or directors. This would result in a conflict of interest. 12. Conferences: Mariachis shall compete according to the UIL conference they are classified in (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A or 6A). Schools cannot compete in a different conference unless the entire school is moved by up UIL for music. 13. Memorization: All music must be memorized in both Area and Finals competitions. [Music stands will not be allowed] 14. Conducting: Directors cannot conduct the mariachi. Adjudication: 3 judges will be assigned for the Area competition and 5 judges will be assigned for the Finals competition. In order to advance to finals from area, mariachis will have to receive a division one rating in Area. At Area, division ratings will be used with the following criteria: Rating I Rating II Rating III Rating IV Rating V 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 4 1 1 5 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 4 1 3 3 1 3 4 1 3 5 1 4 4 1 4 5 2 4 4 1 5 5 2 5 5 3 5 5 1 2 5 2 3 3 2 4 5 4 5 5 2 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 4 5 5 5 2 2 3 2 3 5 3 4 5 8
2 2 4 2 2 5 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 5 4 4 4 4 4 5 Area comment sheets should have only ratings not raw score points. At Finals, 5 judges will be assigned for the competition. Raw scores with 5 categories (each 100 points) will be judged with a maximum of 500 points per judge. The maximum amount will be 2500 points in total. The following criteria will be used: All groups will be ranked by judges based on a 500-point scale. Raw scores will be converted into rankings. Ranking Procedures for State Competition The following procedure will be used to determine the placement of mariachis at the state contest. 1. At the conclusion of the contest each judge's raw score will be used to determine each judge's ranking. In each conference the mariachi receiving the highest numerical score will be assigned first place for each judge, the next highest score will be assigned second place and so on until a ranking for each band is determined for all five judges. 2. The five judges' ranking for each band will then be added together. The high and low will NOT be eliminated. All scores will count. 3. The final ranking will then be determined by assigning the mariachi with the lowest composite score first place, the next lowest composite score second place and so on until the band with the highest composite score is listed last. 4. A two-way tie may be broken by using judges preference. For example: Music Judge 1 Music Judge 2 Music Judge 3 Music Judge 4 Music Judge 5 Score Mariachi 1 2 3 4 5 15 A Mariachi B 2 3 1 5 4 15 5. Both mariachis end up with a final composite score of 15 resulting in a tie. However, the tie can always be broken by determining which mariachi was ranked highest by at least three judges. In this case, Mariachi A would be selected because judges 9
1, 2 and 4 preferred Mariachi A over Mariachi B. 6. Ties should be broken, since these are the state finals. 7. Verification Period. At the conclusion of each conference, there should be a verification period during which directors will have the opportunity to review the tabulation of the final rankings. The following procedure will be observed: 1. One representative from each school will be permitted to review the tabulation and ranking procedure. 2. If all present agree that there is no error in the tabulation process, then the results will become official and will be made public. 3. If there is a protest regarding the tabulations, the rankings will be held and a final judgement will be made by the Contest Director (Juan Ortiz). 4. There can be no future protest of rankings after the results are announced as official. A director not present during the verification period forfeits his opportunity to protest. 1. The Chair shall compile all judges ranking. 2. Individual judges rankings will be available to all directors involved in the competition, but not made available to the general public. The judges rankings will be provided from low to high so as to maintain the anonymity of the individual judges. The results will be posted as final after the verification period has concluded. 3. In the use of the five (5) judge panel, spreadsheet program will be used to as a scoring system. Each mariachi s high and low score will be dropped. The mariachi with the lowest composite score of the remaining three (3) scores will have the highest ranking except if a majority of the remaining three (3) judges have a mariachi as first. In this event, that mariachi shall be declared as first. If a majority of the remaining three (3) judges have a mariachi ranked as second or better, that mariachi shall be declared as second. All other mariachis will be ranked according to the remaining three (3) judges composite scores. This paragraph super-cedes the possible situations described in Section A below: In case of a tie, the majority of ALL judges selecting one mariachi over the other will decide the winner. For example, if two mariachis are tied by virtue of each receiving identical sum ranks as in this example: Judge A Judge B Judge C Judge D Judge E Sum First 1 2 5 3 7 10 Mariachi Second Mariachi 2 4 2 5 4 10 10
o It should be noted the Judge A ranked the first mariachi above the second; Judge B ranked the first mariachi above second; Judge C ranked the second mariachi above the first; Judge D ranked the first mariachi above the second; and Judge E ranked the second mariachi above the first. This results in: Judge A Judge B Judge C Judge D Judge E First 1 1 2 1 2 Mariachi Second Mariachi 2 2 1 2 1 o With the winner of the Judges Preference (First Mariachi) being placed above the other mariachi at the point of the tie in the overall ranking. Judges must meet before and agree on final scores before turning in results. They will be no ties at Finals. Spreadsheet program will be used for tabulation scoring. Directors will have a verification period (30 minutes max) to see scores before results are read. All results will be final as agreed by judges. A total of 14 judges will be selected for Area and Finals competitions 3+3+3 for Area and 5 for Finals. Audio feedback will be provided at Area and Finals competitions. 15. Mariachi Director: No director will be allowed to perform with the mariachi. 16. Uniforms: All mariachis are encouraged to wear a type of uniform. Sombreros are optional and no deduction in points will be given if they are not worn. Things such as neatness, polished boots, etc should be looked upon. 17. Date Conflict: If there is a conflict with the date of the Area competition, you may apply for a waiver 30 days before the competition to the director of TAME (Juan Ortiz). The waiver is a letter that explains the reason for the venue change. It must be in writing and include the principal s signature. This waiver will be approved or denied by the director of TAME. 18. Awards: Every mariachi that receives a division one at Area will receive a division one trophy at finals and students will also receive a state letterman patch. Every mariachi that participates at finals will also receive a trophy for each place in each conference. First Third recipients will also receive student state medals at finals. All awards will be presented at Finals. If a mariachi advances to Finals from Area and is not able to attend Finals for whatever reason, the division awards will be mailed to school. 19. Forfeit of Awards. In the event an ineligible contestant participates in competition, knowingly or unknowingly, the minimum penalty shall be forfeiture of the ratings and awards. This will also apply to any infraction dealing with the competition such as a director not bringing a score to competition. 20. Rehearsals: The eight hour UIL rule will be followed for TAME competitions. Students can only rehearse 8 hours outside of the classroom per calendar week. 11
Schools that do not meet during the day can add an extra 3 hours making a total of 13 hours per calendar week. The director(s) of the mariachi needs to maintain a reasonable and proper balance of pre-school and out-of-school rehearsal schedules. Do not use music of the previous school year. Please have an 8- hour rule form in file in case TAME asks for it. 21. Other Information: Any questions, disputes or concerns need to be brought up by the mariachi director to the director of TAME. Parents will not be allowed to email, phone, or write to TAME or MASBA. Mariachi directors need to educate parents about proper procedures. ALL TAME RULINGS WILL BE FINAL. 12
TAME Mariachi Chairman (Director) Duties TAME Competitions 1. Select judges for Area and State Competitions. 3 Judges should be assigned to each Area competition. You also need a tabulation and recorder transcriber. 5 judges should be assigned for State competition and the high and low scores be dropped from the tabulation. 2. Supply all forms, in sufficient numbers, for the administration and execution of a successful competition. This includes folders for judges and monitors and flash drives for state competitions. 3. Chair the Judges meeting prior to the competition. There will be a judge s roll call and an explanation of forms and procedures. Be sure to have the forms ready to distribute for the explanation. Required forms and other items are the following: - Judges score sheets (include pencils) - Scratch sheets of paper - Copies of competition music prior to the school participating (for judges) -State Finals / include digital recorders -Recordings to be downloaded to flash drives -Tabulation of scores 4. Enforce competition rules and handle any infractions / conflicts as they arise. 5. Check list of all required forms in registration packet. 6. Create a judges packet in order to facilitate judging criteria 13
TAME Mariachi Chairman Duties Competition 1. Make sure venues are secured for the days of competitions. 2. Arrange for a company to record the competition. 3. Order the Mariachi patches and all trophies. 4. Hire a company to do the sound system for all venues. 5. Arrange for a company to take pictures of the mariachis. 6. Arrange for snacks or meals for judges. 14
TAME Mariachi Competition Host Duties 1. Provide classrooms for the warm-up rooms to take place. The rooms are to be distributed as follows: - Competition host should provide a warm up area plus facilities to host competition 2. Provide student monitors for each room and instruct them on the procedures b.) Set up for each room (music stands, barrier wall, etc.) c.) Judges chair set up d.) Sign In Sheets e.) Other information deemed necessary 3. Provide a room to be used as the contest office and a room for the Chairman to assemble and distribute results. 15
Competition Information Entry Deadline for Mariachi Competition in January 2015. All entries must be postmarked by October 31, 2014 (5 p.m.) Hard copy entries should be mailed to: MASBA Mariachi Area Preliminary Competition 105 Wigeon St. Kyle, TX 78640 Please include a check made to MASBA for $250. This is a one-time fee. Mariachi Directors must become TAME members in order for groups to compete. (See TAME form below). Do not send TAME form to MASBA, they are two different entities. There will be no TAME registration at competition site. You must register to become a TAME member at the beginning of the school year. INQUIRIES - All inquiries will be answered by Juan Ortiz, Co-Coordinator by email to juanbortiz6@gmail.com 5 days before your set competition. - Please feel free to periodically check the website (www.masba.info) click Mariachi category for any updates or changes. "The Texas Association of Mariachi Educators (TAME) and the Mexican American School Board members Association (MASBA) have combined forces to create this educationally focused competitive activity for high school mariachi ensembles across Texas. This event is founded on sound educational principles, is compliant with all No Pass/No Play regulations and is designed to provide enriching musical experiences for this genre of fine arts programs in our state." Richard Floyd Texas UIL State Director of Music 16
AREA Mariachi Competition Entry Form Circle Area of competition below: *NORTH * CENTRAL *SOUTH * School: Address: City: Zip: Director Name: Email Address: School Phone: Cell Phone: Fax: UIL Classification: Region: Area: LOCATION While site characteristics play an important role in competition, the three geographical sites of competitions have been chosen by TAME (Texas Association of Mariachi Educators) site-selection committee chaired by their President. MASBA Mariachi Coordinators confirmed the three sites of preliminary Area competition. It is required you register in the nearest to your campus (in miles) geographical AREA Competition. Aligned to UIL sites/map AREA Competition: To be held between January 12 and Feb 2, 2015. Mariachi entrees who receive a Division I rating at the Area competition will advance to the Finals on February 7, 2015 in San Antonio (SWISD HS). NORTH AREA COMPETITION: January 17, 2015 Saturday, (times TBA), Trimble Tech HS, Ft. Worth ISD CENTRAL AREA COMPETITION: January 17, 2015 Saturday, (times TBA), San Antonio ISD (TBA) SOUTH AREA COMPETITION: January 24, 2015 Saturday, (times TBA), Edinburg ISD 17
October 31, 2014 Last date to have postmark on envelope containing payment & registration form for AREA competitions. RELEASE / SIGNATURES: (By signing below is that all students are in compliant with No Pass/No Play and has record of all student releases and will adhere to the Medium Ensemble Experimental Mariachi rules and procedures) Mariachi Director: Date: Principal/Superintendent: Date: MASBA Office Use Only Received by the MASBA Executive Director: Approved by the OPS State Chair: Disapproved by the OPS State Chair: Mariachi Director notified: This event sponsored solely by: 18
TAME (Texas Association of Mariachi Educators) TAME Membership Year: August 1, 2014-July 31, 2015 TAME Member ID First Name Last Name Mailing Address City State Zip Home number Cell number ( )- - e-mail (e-mail that can be sent to your phone preferred) City State Zip Receipt # Paid School District School School Phone ( )- - Ext. School Fax ( )- - UIL Classification Degrees Earned: N/A Associates BM MM Doctorate SBEC Certified Music Teacher: yes / no Certificate on file (if judging) yes / no TMEA Division # of Years teaching UIL Division Membership Dues: $40 Active members (Must be TAME active member in order for school mariachi to compete in MASBA competition) $20 Retired members $15 Student (All levels) $15 Friends of Mariachi Education Payment: Check, or money order. No credit cards or P.O s. Make check payable to TAME. Mail this form with payment to: TAME 213 Betty Jean San Antonio, TX 78223 Signature For Questions call (210)724-2260 Scholarship Donation 19