Questions and Answers from Mr. Henry regarding the UIL 8-hour rule information recently sent to BHS Bear Band families: 

Q: The 8-hour rule information does not specify any calendar dates that this rule is in effect. If it is in effect prior to Aug. 16, we are not in compliance. I looked at the UIL web site referenced and the QA does not answer my question. I tried to follow the link to the text of the rule but the link is broken.

A: 8 hour rule----that is primarily in effect during the academic school year.  What that means is that each extra curricular activity may practice up to a total of 8 hours per week out side of school/ class time.  For bands, this is the calendar week--Sun- Sun.   During summer band we remain in compliance because (this is a statement at the end of the 8 hour rule)--Exception:  exceptions are made for group preparing for a civic event, such as a local parade, etc.  The rule does not apply to inside playing.   I believe the TEA/UIL Side by Side document has this info listed.  Go to TMEA.org, then go to links and search for UIL--once at UIL look under music and the entire document is there.  In addition, the entire UIL Constitution and Contest Rules are there

 

Q: The fall rehearsal schedule, goldenrod, states that total practice time per week (most weeks) is 6 hours 15 minutes. The math is incorrect (or else typo'ed) - it is 6 hours 55 minutes.

A: Total outside of class rehearsal time during the school is 6:55, however that is well below the 8 hour limit.   We are also permitted an additional hour of rehearsal prior to a competition.   That hour does not count against the 8 hour rule.

 

Q: The UIL Constitution and Contest Rules say that the band and its components cannot begin marching preparation for this contest presentation prior to Aug. 1. I assume practices before then are fundamentals, not the actual show. But it also says no more than 10 hours of supervised instructional time (total, not per week) was devoted to marching fundamentals between the end of the previous school term and Aug. 1. It appears we do not meet this criteria, with flags and percussion having 36 hours of time, and full band having 20 hours, just for the week of July 26.  I can see flags and percussion being "auxiliary camps", therefore exempted, but not the full band.

A: The August 1 date refers to the actual competition marching show.  You will note that show charts are not distributed to any student prior to the Aug 1st date.  Our work prior to August 1 is limited to marching and playing fundamentals and music.  Again, the exception is in effect due to our participation in the Homecoming Parade.  That exception allows us to prepare for the parade and you will note we spend a fair amount of time working for the homecoming parade.  

Flags/Percussion--this falls under three areas:
a.  The exception due to the homecoming parade
b.  this is their camp
c.  The preparation involved is limited to fundamentals and inside playing.   Marching is not involved.

 

The rules are specifically pointed at marching band and at the physical marching activity, not the playing of instruments.  There have been numerous abuses of the rules and the end result is the form you have.  I will tell you there are many bands that rehearse on Saturdays and some on Sundays.  The rules you have noted are specifically designed to prevent the kinds of abuses I mentioned.  However, no matter how well a rule is written, someone will find a way around the rules.  Case in point is where several bands pulled out of UIL last year so that they could fully compete in Bands of America without having to following UIL limitations.  

We are very conscious of being in compliance with UIL and TEA rules.  I think, in fact, we are aware of and follow the rules better than just about anyone in the state.   At every step we check what we are doing against our published rules and we all check each other to make sure that we remain in compliance.

If you have more questions, please feel free to contact me.  If my answers are unclear, you should contact Richard Floyd at the UIL office in Austin. An extensive Q&A for the Eight Hour Rules can be found on the Music Page of the UIL website at www.uil.utexas.edu.


Click here to view the UIL Side by Side document..

Click here to go to the UIL Music Page website.