1 Contest Rules & Regulations
1.1 Arena Size
1.1.1
The contest field or arena should have a maximum length of 65 metres and a maximum width of 25 metres.
1.1.2
It is the gathering convenor’s responsibility to provide this arena size.
1.1.3
It is the adjudicator’s duty to define the boundaries of the contest arena on the day of the contest.
1.2 Music
1.2.1
The music to be played for the Drum Major’s contest must be a march in 6/8 time signature.
1.2.2
The tempo should be approximately 95 bpm, although it is at the discretion of the adjudicator on the day to call the tempo for the contest.
1.2.3
The Band must continue to play until either the adjudicator/s or competing Drum Major’s give the relevant signal to cut the music.
1.2.4
When this music is played, each part is repeated. The first time through each part is known as the ‘Piano Forte’, and the second time through is known as the ‘Double Forte’.
1.3 Heats and Finals
1.3.1
Prior to the commencement of the contest, the competitors shall be divided into heats for the purpose of adjudication.
1.3.2
The maximum number of competitors permitted in any one heat shall be 5 (five).
1.3.3
At the end of the adjudication of all aspects of the heats, a suitable number of competitors scoring the highest points shall go forward to compete in the final.
1.3.4
It is at the discretion of the adjudicator/s on the day to decide whether a final is necessary or not.
1.3.5
Finals are held in the senior or open drum major contests only.
1.4 Contest Format
1.4.1
Adjudication shall commence with the command to the competitors, issued by the adjudicator, to come to attention.
1.4.2
Both heats and finals shall consist of a minimum length of competition equivalent to 2 ½ lengths of the defined contest field / arena, and a maximum of 8 ½ lengths of the defined contest field / arena.
1.4.3
The adjudicator/s shall issue instructions to the competitors nominating the boundaries of the contest arena, and defining the points at which competitors are to countermarch, and at which point the competitors are to mark time and halt. If no halt / mark time position is identified, then competitors are to halt in line with the Pipe Major of the accompanying band.
1.4.4
On the adjudicators command, the competitors are to step off in time to the music. Competitors are required to march directly and in a straight line between the nominated countermarch points. Any deviation from this path shall be viewed as a fault. (No side stepping, about turns etc.)
1.4.5
Once stepping off, competitors are required to march the first ‘Piano Forte’ performing the ‘carry’ drill movement. For each ‘Piano Forte’ thereafter, the competitors must perform either the ‘carry’, or the ‘walk’ drill movement.
1.4.6
In the ‘Double Forte’ of the music, competitors are allowed to perform flourish movements of their choice.
1.4.7
On approaching the turn points, the competitors shall perform the necessary mace drills to signify the approaching turn, and at the designated point, execute a countermarch.
1.4.8
On approaching the halt point, after completing the required number of lengths of the contest field, the competitors shall give a mace signal in preparation to mark time and halt. Competitors are to mark time in line with the designated marker until the end of the music part being played (regardless of it being a ‘Piano Forte’ or ‘Double Forte’).
1.4.9
During the succeeding ‘Double Forte’ of the music, the competitors shall give the necessary mace signals to cut the band at the end of the part.
1.4.10
On the completion of the above, the adjudicator/s shall give the competitors the command to ‘stand at ease’. This signifies the end of the contest.
2 Points Allocation
The comments entered on the adjudication sheet, although not mandatory, shall clearly show the reason for the points deduction for all sections. Adjudicators shall allocate the points as follows:
2.1 Dress
2.1.1
Maximum available = 20 points
2.1.2
One point shall be deducted for each fault found in accordance with the dress regulations set out in section3 of this handbook
2.1.3
Competitors successfully reaching the final of the competition shall have the points allocated for the above section carried forward and added to those achieved in the final.
2.1.4
Dress will be judged separately from ‘Marching & Deportment’ and ‘Flourish’.
2.1.5
The dress worn in all sections must in no way vary.
2.2 Marching & Deportment
This section shall be sub-divided into the following four subjects:
• Marching
• Deportment
• Foot drill
• Mace drill
2.2.1 Marching
2.2.1.1
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for this, based on the following activities:
• Movement and control of the “free” arm when marching
• Movement and control of the “mace” arm when marching
• Execution of the “walk” when performed
2.2.1.2
If the ferrule of the mace rises above the head of the mace at any time during the “walk”, this shall be classed as a flourish and the competitor will be penalised accordingly.
2.2.2 Deportment
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for the smartness of performance, bearing in mind:
• Erectness of body
• General bearing
• Maintenance of “eye-line”
2.2.3 Foot Drill
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for the smartness and correctness of the following activities:
• Coming to Attention
• Stepping off marching
• Countermarch / About turns
• Marking time
• Halting
• Standing at ease at the end of the performance
2.2.4 Mace Drill
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for the smartness of performance of the following mace drill signals.
• About turn signal
• Mark time signal
• Halt signal
• Stopping the band playing
2.3 Flourishing
This section shall be sub-divided into the following 3 subjects:
• Variety
• Quality
• Degree of difficulty
2.3.1 Variety
2.3.1.1
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 20 points for this aspect.
2.3.1.2
Account shall be taken of the differing flourishes performed by the competitor – the greater the variety of flourishes performed, the higher the points score.
2.3.1.3
The varieties of angles used by the competitor are also to be taken into account.
2.3.2 Quality
2.3.2.1
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for this aspect.
2.3.2.2
Account will be taken of the fluency with which the flourishes are performed, the confidence which the competitor displays whilst flourishing and the level of accuracy attained during the flourishes.
2.3.3
Degree of difficulty
2.3.3.1
The adjudicator shall allocate up to a maximum of 10 points for this aspect.
2.3.3.2
Account shall be taken of the general level of difficulty of the individual flourishes performed.
2.3.3.3
The harder the flourish performed, the higher the score awarded.
2.4 Penalties
Fixed penalties shall be applied to the following activities:
2.4.1 Dropping of the mace
2 points shall be deducted from the ‘Quality’ section of the Flourish mark, and a minimum of 2 points and a maximum of 5 points shall be deducted from the ‘Deportment’ section of the Marching & Deportment mark. (Depending on the severity of the occurrence)
2.4.2 Flourishing in a Piano Forte
4 points shall be deducted from the ‘Quality’ section of the Flourish mark per occurrence. (Depending on the severity of the occurrence)
2.4.3 Cutting the band in a Piano Forte
4 points shall be deducted from the ‘Mace Drill’ section of the Marching & Deportment mark.
2.4.4 Stepping outside of contest arena boundaries
2 points shall be deducted from the ‘Mace Drill’ section, and 2 points shall be deducted from the ‘Marching’ section. (Depending on the severity of the occurrence)
2.5 Tie Breaks
2.5.1
In the event of a tie, the following order of preference will apply in determining the winner.
1st Preference
Marching & Deportment total
2nd Preference
Flourish total
3rd Preference
Sub total allocated to foot drill
2.5.2
Should a tie still exist after the third preference has been exhausted, a tie will be declared, prizes for this event shall be shared at the discretion of the gathering organisers.
3 Dress
3.1 Shoes
3.1.1
Preferably, black Ghillie Brogues, but ordinary black shoes acceptable.
3.1.2
Brown Ghillie Brogues also acceptable if in keeping with the remainder of the uniform.
3.2 Hose/Hose Tops
3.2.1
Worn 2 (two) fingers from bone at outside of knee joint.
3.2.2
Pattern/seams vertically straight.
3.3 Flashes
3.3.1
Both flashes to be worn of equal length on both legs.
3.3.2
Leading edge of front flash to be vertically up front of leg.
3.4 Kilt
3.4.1
Clean, neatly pressed.
3.4.2
Inside and outside aprons securely fastened by buckle and resting just above kneecap.
3.4.3
Pattern to be centered at front of body.
3.4.4
Hem to be even in height from front to rear, and side-to-side.
3.4.5
Apron pattern to be in line with pleat pattern.
3.5 Sporran
3.5.1
All parts clean, tidy and neatly brushed.
3.5.2
Worn centrally over front of kilt so that cantle is one hand’s breadth below waist belt’s buckle.
3.6 Tunic or Doublet
3.6.1
Clean and free from creases.
3.6.2
All buttons present and firmly attached with design correctly orientated.
3.6.3
Insignia, if worn, to be firmly attached with no lose threads evident.
3.6.4
Front of Military tunics to be level with lower edge of waist belt.
3.6.5
Shoulder epaulettes on Military tunics to be firmly attached with the small tapes pointing forwards.
3.6.6
Collar badges, if worn, to be clean and located at equal distances from the front of the collar (approximately 1”).
3.7 Waist belt
3.7.1
Clean with buckle polished and centered at front of body and kilt.
3.7.2
Worn firm to body with sufficient tightness to permit insertion of one finger only between belt and body.
3.7.3
Runners on belt to be pushed up hard to belt buckle.
3.7.4
Should not cover buttons on rear of tunic.
3.7.5
Worn level from front to back of body.
3.8 Glengarry
3.8.1
Clean and tidy with tails neatly pressed (not creased).
3.8.2
Worn with point of Glengarry in line with nose, 1” above left eyebrow and ½ “ above right eyebrow.
3.9 Balmoral
3.9.1
Clean and tidy with tails pressed (not creased).
3.9.2
Worn level on forehead ¾ “ above eyebrows.
3.9.3
Cloth top part pulled over right side of head, tails or bow centered on rear of head.
3.10 Hackles/Feathers
3.10.1
Clean and tidy.
3.10.2
Attached securely to headgear.
3.11 Head gear badges
3.11.1
Clean and polished.
3.11.2
Attached securely to headgear.
3.12 Kilt pins/Rosettes
3.12.1
Clean and tidy.
3.12.2
Worn approximately 4” up and 3” in on front right hand side of kilt front apron, in keeping with the set of the tartan.
3.13 Mace
3.13.1
Clean and polished, with cords/chains clean, tidy and securely attached.
3.13.2
Tape is permitted in order to assist in securing cords/chains.
3.14 Sgian Dhu
3.14.1
Worn inside hose of right leg in centre of front-right portion of leg with only handle showing and scabbard concealed by hose.
4 Adjudication
4.1
In the case of a Championship contest, 2 (two) adjudicators must be used. One to adjudicate the ‘Marching & Deportment’ and the other to adjudicate the ‘Flourish’ section of the contest. Either of these adjudicators may adjudicate the dress.
4.2
In the case of a regional contest, either one or two adjudicator/s may be used.
4.3
The adjudicator may not touch the competitor while judging dress. In the instance that a competitor’s Glengarry tails get blown skew by the wind, the adjudicator may ask the competitor to ‘Stamp Out’, and fix his/her Glengarry tails, and then “stamp in”.
4.4
All Adjudicators must be registered adjudicators of the Pipe Bands’ Association of Southern Africa (PBASA).
4.5
Adjudicators are not permitted to converse with each other regarding the performance of the Drum Majors during events and whilst allocating scores.
5 General
5.1
All competing Drum Majors must be registered members of a band that is registered with the PBASA.
5.2
All Drum Majors are to compete in proper Highland Attire, unless special permission has been granted by the PBASA.