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Rules Section One
Category A Rules - Bands
No Band may take part in any TYMBA "Contest" unless they compete without ANY form of Colour Guard, Display Team or such like. Nor employ any member of any band other than those whose specific function is to carry and play a musical instrument as an integral part of that band.
Proviso
This does not apply to a Drum Major fulfilling the function of that position ONLY, and is not prejudicial to one further Drum Major incorporated for the purpose of training or gaining experience.
No band may embellish their performance by the use of: -
Accessories that would not be found in use on the march by any band of H. M. Forces OR found to be unacceptable by the Association.
NB This does not include instruments.
Physical movements that would NOT be found in any Traditional Drill Manual. Examples are - Kneeling, swaying, bending, and leaning forwards, backwards or to the side.
Instruments should be in the playing or carrying position at all times.
NB This does not apply to the essential raising or lowering of an instrument to complete a countermarch or part of the movement bringing the instrument up to the ready position.
Or whilst standing during the performance in some circumstances i.e. Strong Winds, it may be necessary for the Bass Drummer to stand with feet apart to steady themselves.
Taking more than EIGHT paces to the rear
Taking more than EIGHT paces to the side
NB Side steps MUST be taken individually crossing the feet is NOT acceptable
RUNNING - This does not include marching in Double Time correctly executed as in the style of the Light Division.
Each person competing shall be a "Bona Fide" member of the band they represent (if the band represents an organisation, they will also be a "Bona Fide" members of that organisation). As such they are required to be registered to that band no later than 31st January of that competing year. A member can only be registered to one band at any given time. Transfers are permissible, if notified to the Membership Secretary at least 7 days before the member competes under the new registration. Only one transfer per season is permissible. In the event that a band competes with an unregistered member their result at that and any previous contest where that member competed will be declared void, and they will not be eligible to compete at that years National Championships
NB If the member is in the band as of January 1st they must be registered by 31st January. Members who join later are excluded from the rule.
Only THREE members of each band shall be over the age of 25 of over on the first day of January of the year of the event, and shall be declared to the Contest Organiser before the day of the event. The use of professional musicians is strictly prohibited.
The Drum Major may be the age of 25 on the first day of January of the year of the event and shall be declared as in rule 4.
NB Where the Drum Major is over the age of 25 on the first day of January that Drum Major may NOT be assessed for the Turnout or Drum Major Awards.
The Drum major may not place the Mace on the ground, or deliberately release their grasp of the mace in order to conduct the band. Hand signals may be used at the commencement of piece of music and at the end of a piece of music in order to start and finish the piece. The maximum length of any conducting will be EIGHT bars.
Podiums or the such like may NOT be used.
The sounding of any instrument, by any band member, to the detriment of the performance of any band is strictly forbidden. The performance of any other band also includes that of a band playing in the arena at any time on the instruction of the Contest Organiser.
Malicious and or Wilful damage, or any form of disorderly conduct by any person representing a band in any capacity, is an offence for which the Contest Organiser Must Disqualify the whole band. Where this occurs after the presentation of the awards a warning notice will be issued and the Committee reserves the right to investigate the matter further, with or without the assistance of the Contest Organiser or the Police and take such action as it deems pertinent.
NB This does not include Supporters.
Contest Organisers in consultation with adjudicators are empowered to deduct marks from any band found to be in deliberate contravention of any Category A Rule, with the exception of Rule 9.
Bands are NOT allowed to remove or add ANY item or piece of equipment prior to commencing their display, after they have been inspected. This does not stop Contest Organisers giving permission for Wet Weather Gear to be put on after inspection for the display period.
Addendum
It must be understood by the membership that for reasons mostly beyond the control of the organisers, some variations to contest may occur. Where this occurs the Contest Organiser must provide the membership with a notice of variation from the rules as soon as possible. The Secretary of the Association must be notified in all cases. Organisers are hereby notified that they must provide a form of advisory service regarding the variation, either by direct contact with the membership or through their Regional Co-ordinator, this shall be deemed as one of the requirements for the registration of a Contest.
The above rules are Category A rules and therefore rules that MUST be obeyed.
Disqualification MAY be considered for any breach of these rules
