·                     Election of the Board of Directors

·                     Amendments to the Bylaws

·                     Reports from the Board

·                     Proposals for show sponsorship

·                     Other new business

 

 

·                     Election of Office Positions

·                     New projects

·                     Budget for the following year

·                     Reports from the WGI Board Meeting

·                     Contest Calendar

·                     Contract with the judges’ association

·                     New business

·                     Goals and objectives

 

 

·                     Confirmation of the contest calendar

·                     Reports

·                     New business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 7-4.2 Upon arrival at a contest, unit managers orrepresentatives are to immediatelysign in at the registration desk.  Turn in your music and spiel sheets at this time.

 

7-4.3 All performing members and seven additional staff members will be admitted at check-in.  Each staff person will be stamped for front side. This must be done as a group admission. Units will also receive 2 name badges per unit.

 

7-4.4 All equipment is taken to the assigned area.  The contest sponsor will assign dressing rooms.  If separate rooms are not available, make sure to keep your equipment neat and organized in the hallway provided.

 

7-4.5 Absolutely no cooking or smoking in any of the buildings that are used for the competition.

 

7-4.5 The circuit provides a tan tarp for all contests. Tarp size is 60’ x 85’

 

Show music should be a cassette tape or CD-R.  Bring a backup copy to all contests.  If you are using any other type of equipment, MP3 player, I-pods etc. you must bring it and hook it intothe TSC sound system. TSC will not be responsible for the operation of your equipment.

 

 

There should be no more than a 15-second time lapse between when the tape/CD starts and the music begins.

 

Current TSC Sound Equipment

Tape Deck - Variable speed cassette deck

CD Player – Marantz Professional CD Player with pitch control.

Amp: Kustom Dual 400 Watt 6 Channel Mixer Amplifier

Speakers: 4 Fender Speakers

Apple notebook for soundtrack playback

                                      7-6.1 Color Guards, Line units & Percussion lines must be composed of members not more than 22 years of age as of the date of the Winter Guard International Championships.  Each unit appearing at any Tri-State Contest must be prepared to prove all members’ ages. (Birth certificates need to be shown if requested). Independent World guards have no age restrictions.

 

                                      7-6.2 Scholastic units must have their total membership from the same schools or feeder schools.  Be prepared to show proof of enrollment if requested.

 

                                      7-6.3 Independent color guards may only use members of a high school if no current color guard at that high school exists or with written permission from the Director of the program.

 

                                      7-6.4 No member can compete in more than one color guard at the same contest.  No color guard member can compete with any line unit.

 

                                      7-6.5 No guard may compete with less than five or more than 30 members on the floor of competition at one time.  Line units must have at least four competing members; percussion lines must have at least six competing members.

                                        At the close of a contest, a critique may occur at the discretion of the Contest Director or President of the Judges Association.

 

                                        A unit’s entire staff may attend the critique with the judges only after completion of the Instructor’s Critique sheets. Score sheets and recaps will be distributed to the unit representatives at the critique.  The critique will start at the conclusion of the competition.

 

                                        Critiques could last up to 20 minutes with no more than 5 minutes each with the GE judges, the EA Judge, and each IA judge.

There must be proper protective covering of all contest equipment so to avoid floor damage at competitive sites.  The following regulations will be strictly enforced at all circuit contests.  All contest equipment, including footwear will be inspected before a unit enters the contest area.  Any unit not adhering to the following regulations may be disqualified.

 

7-8.1 Footwear - All footwear must have a light (white, tan or clear) crepe rubberized bottom.  It is also recommended that competition footwear not be worn outdoors between contests. The soles may pick up stones and gravel which could cause floor damage.  Check all soles before going to the inspection area. (Gym shoes, gymnastic and ballet slippers are exempt from this rule.)  Dance shoes are recommended.

 

7-8.2 Equipment - All equipment, rifles, flag poles, and sabers must be covered with synthetic crepe or foam. All sabers’ tips must be padded and taped.  Hand guards and top of the handle should be padded and taped.

 

7-8.3 Flag Poles - Good condition crutch tips or something similarwill be required on the top and bottom of every working flag pole.

 

7-8.4 Props - Props must be padded so as not to scar or cause damage to the contest floor. All carts and percussion equipment with wheels must be clean of debris and be freewheeling.  Do not drag timpani pedals across the floor.

 

 

Unit managersorpersonnel are not to consult judges at anytime before or during a contest. Questions relating to the actual contest are directed to theContest Director.

 

No oneother than the officialcontest personnel will be allowed inthe tabulating area.

 

Videotaping will be the responsibility of TriState Circuit.  There will be no video cameras allowed in the gym.  The circuit will provide DVD to each unit of there performance.

 

 

 

 

8-1 Classification

 

8-1.1 A Junior class will exist ONLY for Middle School programs.

 

8-1.2 Scholastic B class exists for high school guards wishing to compete on the Regional A sheet.

 

8-1.3 The Junior Class, B Class and A-3class will compete on the Regional A sheets.

 

8-1.4 The A class will be divided into 2 section – .A, A-2, all competing on the A class sheet.

 

8-1.5 A class will be comprised of any guard that scored an 80 or above at the previous year’s TSC Championship competition.

 

8-1.6 A-2 class will be comprised of any unit in A class that scored between 79.9 and 70 at the previous year’s TSC Championship competition.

 

8-1.7* A-3 class is comprised of any A class unit that scored a 69.9 and below at the previous year’s TSC Championship competition. A-3 is also comprised of the Scholastic B class medalists from the previous year’s TSC Championship competition. * This section will be reviewed and updated after the completion of the 2012 season

 

8-1.8 All units must declare their classification on or before the date specified by TSC in mailings and web site announcements. Members are responsible for staying informed of deadlines and important circuit dates.

 

8-1.9Units that have scored below the minimum standard score in their classification have the option to remain in that class or move down. This is at the Director’s discretion.

 

8-2.1 Junior Class (JC)    

Members must be in the 8^th grade and below. Members are enrolled in the same Middle School or an elementary school that feeds directly into the middle school. The emphasis of this class is introductory skills with a focus on training. Evaluation will be on WGI Regional A sheet with Regional A timing guidelines.

 

8-2.2 Class B – (SB) Scholastic Class

This class is for the very inexperienced performers who are just entering the performance arena for the first time.  Show concept, equipment and movement skill are at an introductory level. Emphasis is on training. Evaluation will be on WGI Regional A sheet with Regional A timing guidelines. The intent of this class is a starting point for a unit.

 

8-2.3 Scholastic A-3 (SA-3)

This class is for performers with beginning vocabulary and achievement skills that can progress beyond the introductory level. Evaluation will be on WGI regional A criteria with Class Regional A timing guidelines.  If a unit is promoted from A-3 toA-2, minimum equipment and performance will be waived.

 

8-2.4 Scholastic A-2 (SA-2)

This class should have beginning vocabulary, program concept, and achievement levels and are ready to incorporate intermediate levels. Evaluation will be on WGI A criteria with Class A timing guidelines

 

8-2.5 Scholastic A (SA)

This class is for units that does or could compete nationally. The performers accomplish beginning vocabulary, programs, and achievement levels consistently and are ready to incorporate intermediate levels. Evaluation will be on WGI A criteria with Class A timing guidelines

 

8-2.6 Scholastic Open (SO)

This class should have intermediate vocabulary, programs, and achievement levels and ready to incorporate advanced levels. Evaluation will be on WGI Open class criteria with Open class timing guidelines

 

8-2.7 Scholastic World (SW)

This class incorporates advanced vocabulary, program concepts, and achievement levels. The highest level of competition. Evaluation will be on WGI World class criteria with World class timing guidelines

8-2-8 Independent A (IA).

This class should have beginning vocabulary, program concept, and achievement levels and ready to incorporate intermediate levels. Evaluation will be on WGI A criteria with Class A timing guidelines.

 

8-2.9 Independent Open (IO)

This class should have intermediate vocabulary, programs, and achievement levels and ready to incorporate advanced levels. Evaluation will be on WGI Open class criteria with Open class timing guidelines

 

8-2.10 Independent World (IW)

This class incorporates advanced vocabulary, program concepts, and achievement levels. It is the highest level of competition. Evaluation will be on WGI World class criteria with World class timing guidelines

 

                8-3 Promotion               8-3.1 Units will be promoted to the next appropriate classification by a series of numerical triggers. If the unit receives a gross score that is equal to or higher than the promotion score for that weekend, they will be promoted.  The unit must receive a promotion score from three of the five adjudicators with representation from the downstairs and the upstairs captions.  Units will only be promoted one classification per weekend. Upon achieving promotion scores, a meeting with the judges and directors will take place to review the decision on site as overseen by the contest directors.

8-3.2 The unit will be scheduled into their next show in the new class.

 

8-3.3* Promotions are viable through January and February unless it is a one of the unit’s first shows. Starting in March, there will be no groups promoted and groups that have been promoted will have to compete in their new class at least one time in order to receive the correct seeding for finals

 

8-3.4 Recognition of the unit’s accomplishment will be made at circuit championships

 

8-3.5 Task Force committee will review unit’s performances after championships to determine if any units are ready to join the next higher classification.

 

*See rule 8-3-3

8-3.6 A unit must declare their classification at the beginning of the season with the option of switching classification once until February 15. After February 15, units wishing to move can only go up a class with the approval Review Board committee.

 

8-3.7 This decision can be appealed to the Review board committee prior to February 15 of the following year.

 

8-3.8 Any unit misclassified will be reclassified by the decision of the Tri-State Board of Directors.

 

8-3.9 Any unit may submit a request to the Board of Directors to move down a class if they score 20 points below the promotion number for that weekend with exception of the last three weekends prior to championships unless it is the unit’s 1^st show.

 

 

 

There are basically two types of percussion lines; scholastic and independent units.  They are divided into separate classes based on the abilities of the percussion lines.  Exhibition performances do not count towards championship requirements.

The Percussion Focus show and Championships will have a double panel assigned to these shows.

 

A)           Percussion lines will be allowed to compete from the first competitive weekend of the season.

B)            The amount of adjudicators for percussion will be determined by the amount of lines attending.

C)            If there are one or two lines, one judge will be utilized on PA (visual and GE will be covered by guard judges).   If percussion is on first, critique will begin ½ hour after last line is on.  It will be an ”Open Critique”, where members will be allowed to attend if the director allows.  Normal rules apply if percussion is on last.

D)            If there are three - five percussion lines, one judge will be utilized on PA (visual and GE will be covered by guard judges).  “Open Critique” will be offered as in the previous step.

E)             If there are six or more total percussion lines (moving + concert), two percussion judges will be used, one on PA and the other GE.  If three are LESS than six moving lines, VIS will be supplied by an attending guard judge (i.e. – 4 moving lines, two concert lines? VIS judge comes from guard panel).  If there are six or more moving lines, a separate visual judge will be provided and will be available for the full percussion critique.

F)             If the number of lines at a show is borderline to one of the boundaries, the judges association would like to maintain the ability to negotiate with the organization to adjust the scale depending on the quality of lines at the show, guard judge availability, or some other reason. 

 

 

8-5.2 Marching World Class

This class demonstrates a high degree of physical development with all the performers contributing a high level of performance skills.  These programs are unique, innovative and are trendsetters.

 

8-5.3 Marching Open Class

This is an intermediate level of performers and skills.  Students explore new challenges through performance and learn more complex skills as the season progresses.

 

8-5.4 Marching A Class

Ensembles are the younger less developed performers.  Typically have one to three instructors and may have members which percussion is not there primary instrument.  Beginning students have the opportunity to realize a sense of achievement as new skills are learned.

 

8-5.5 Marching B Class

A beginning level line with basic skills not competing on the National level. Strictly for novice type lines..

Floor size: 50’ – 80’

Three solid backdrops allowed (one on back sideline, one on each side of the
floor). Each backdrop must be one piece. Cannot be moved once show starts.

No tarps or floor draping allowed. Only items specific to helping set positions,
such as cones, will be allowed on the floor.

 

8-5-6 Concert Class - for A, Open and World classes

This class is for those scholastic percussion groups through the 12th grade that wish to concentrate on concert literature, using the above guidelines for class criteria.  Instrumentation must be oriented to the performance of concert style literature.  This is not a marching class.  Movement will be permitted only when performers change equipment or to allow for better presentation of the musical performance.  

 

8-5.7Marching World Class – uses the same criteria for Scholastic World Class

8-5.8 Marching Open Class – uses the same criteria for Scholastic Open Class

8-5.10 Concert Class –         This class is for those independent units who wish to concentrate on concert literature.  Instrumentation must be oriented to the performance of concert style literature. This is not a marching class.

 

 

 

Line Units are units with minimum drill movement.  Their shows are not as complex as color guards. These are foundation programs for future winter guards. Props are not permitted in this classification. They are comprised of two divisions: junior high and high school divisions.  Junior High encompasses 6-8th grade with high school as 9-12.

 

8-7.1 Flag Lines             This is a flag only class.  Units must use flags for 75% of performance time.  Remainder of time used for dance and grounded equipment.

 

 

8-8 Festival                       These units are limited to the discretion of the Executive Director and the Board members.  These units must follow the same guidelines as line units and guards. Exhibition units pay fees as all other units

 

Units performing as a festival/exhibition unit will receive verbal commentary only (no scores) from the judging panel during the standard circuit season. These festival/exhibition units will perform at the start of their respective classes during the normal season. These units may also perform at circuit championships; however, they will not receive verbal commentary or scores. Units that participate in the circuit throughout the season will perform prior to the morning/first awards. Visiting units will perform prior to the evening/second awards.

 

 

9.1 In 1998, the Tri-State Circuit inaugurated a program that would award two (2) $250.00 scholarships, to deserving pageantry participants. The scholarships will be awarded to candidates based upon a 500-word essay, the content of which will be judged by a panel selected by the present TSC Board of Directors.

 

In 2003 the TSC increased the scholarships to $500. In addition the Pride of Cincinnati presents a scholarship to the circuit.

 

In 2004 the TSC added a third $500 Scholarship.

 

Total of 4 scholarships available

 

9.2 The following guidelines will be used to determine scholarship eligibility:

 

·         Scholarships granted will be paid by check and written to the candidate and their school.

·         Scholarships granted will not be less than 500.00 per candidate.

·         Unless otherwise negated below, there will be one scholarship awarded to each the following groups:

o        Scholastic Guards

o        Independent Guards 

o        Percussion Units

·         There will be a minimum of two scholarships awarded each season.

·         There must be a minimum of 2 independent guard applicants before a separate Independent Guard Scholarship can be awarded.  Less than this and the Independent Guard applicants will be included with the Scholastic Guard Scholarship.

·         There must be a minimum of 15 percussion units participating in the Circuit Championships to award a separate Percussion Scholarship.  Less than this will result in the loss of this scholarship and the inclusion of the applicants into the other two scholarships.

·         A committee consisting of members representing the Tri-State Board, whose decisions will be final, will make selections.

·         Scholarships will be granted for one year only. 

·         Candidates may re-apply the following year, if all the guidelines are met.

·         Scholarship winners will be announced at Circuit Championships Finals.

·         The candidate’s unit must be an active member of the Tri-State Circuit.

·         The candidate's unit must attend the Tri-State Championships contest.

·         Units are not limited to the number of candidate applications.

·         Candidates must be high school seniors or already attending a college, university or technical school.

·         Candidates must be active, marching members of a pageantry unit.

·         Candidates must submit a completed TSC Scholarship Application within a predefined time limit. *

Scholarship applications must all be original works by the candidates.  Misrepresentation, plagiarism, duplication or equivocating of applications will be considered fraud and will result in no less than disqualification of the applicant, revocation of awarded scholarships and up to criminal prosecution.

·         The Pride of Cincinnati Foundation Scholarship, when given, will be available to all applicants regardless of their classification.

 

 

 

 

Each unit must compete in three Tri-State Circuit sponsored contests during the season.  Preview day is not included as a competition.

 

 

Independent (IW) and Scholastic (SW) Winterguard and Independent Marching World (PIW), Scholastic Marching World (PSW) and Scholastic Concert World (PSCW) Championship qualification criteria: each Unit must perform at three (3) Tri State venues, which can include Preview Show.

 

10-1 Circuit Championships will be a finals only event. Order of appearance will be based on a seeding process. The unit’s top 2 “add on” scores from regular season competitions will be used. An average of an unit’s scores from the same competitive weekend (Saturday/Sunday) to create a single score. The two (or more) shows could still be used to fulfill the unit’s show requirements obviously, but only a single average score would count towards championship seeding. A “raw” score is defined as your score achieved before penalties.  To determine order of appearance at championships, those scores will be given a “ranking” based on a formula that attempts to fairly compare scores from different weeks from the season.

10-2 The season is comprised up to 9 weeks of competition not including WGI Mideast Regional preceding circuit championships The weeks are numbered from 1 to 9 (the first weekend of contests is week number 1)

 

 

10-3 The formula is      Highest add on score =A

                                        Second highest add on score  = B

                                        A+B = the ranking score

The resulting ranking list will used to assign units to their order of appearance at championships. A comparison of the units’ single highest raw score will break any ties. If the tie still exists, a representative of the board will flip a coin to break the tie.

10-4 Championship Scheduling

The first weekend would be for the B, A-3, Juniors and B Percussion groups. The second weekend would be an all day event at one location for the A2, A, IA, SO, IO, SW, IW guard and percussion groups. The gold medalists from the B classes would be given an opportunity to perform, if time permits.

10.5 At Championships if there are 16 or more units per classification, they will be pulled into rounds based on the seeding splitting on odd numbers and even numbers to each round. Each round will have a bronze, silver and gold medal winner with the highest scoring guard in the class being recognized as the grand champion of the class.