Happy Texas Marching Band Drill Day!!!
Why August 1st, along with the rest of the month, means so much to The Lone Star State
Editor’s Note: This was originally published on 8/1/22, and we’re lightly updating it and bringing it back for Drill Day 2024!
HAPPY TEXAS MARCHING BAND DAY!!!!
So glorious and full of majesticness (Not a word).
Who wants a popsicle that we totally forgot to put in the freezer so it's basically just warm flavored syrup?!??!!?
August 1st is a special day in the Texas pageantry arts because it is the first day that marching bands around the State are allowed to learn drill/choreography for their marching show. As I understand it, this is quite a unique rule along with many others in place for Texas marching bands. In the spirit of this wonderful day, please allow me to walk you through some of the other rules made by the UIL (University Interscholastic League) that make marching band in the State of Texas what it is today.
I read this part of the UIL handbook every year…
What are you allowed to do before August 1st?
- Allllll the freaking music. No limits on music rehearsals.
- Colorguard can learn choreography specific to the marching show as it is considered to be comparable to music for wind/percussion instruments.
- Leadership training, percussion/colorguard camps are permitted.
- Depending on your reading of the UIL Summer Marching Band Practice: Rules and Intepretations, one can argue that you can get away with setting pre-show visual, as the rules specify that you cannot work on visual curriculum for the contest presentation. With pre-show not being judged, would it count as part of the contest presentation?
What are you NOT allowed to do before August 1st?
- No learning of drill/choreography/visual staging specific to the marching show. EXCEPTION is Colorguard who is allowed to learn choreography. (No drill, no visual staging).
- No more than 10 hours of marching fundamental instruction from the last day of school until August 1st.
What the eff goes down on August 1st? Punch and pie???
Actually, the exact opposite happens! Programs from all across the State of Texas pull out their drill sheets/coordinates/mobile apps and start learning drill. Considering the rules that are in place, efficiency is unbelievably crucial. Every minute counts and we don't waste any time!
What are you allowed to do ON and AFTER August 1st?
- You may rehearse music and drill as much as you like. No time limits for rehearsals exist until your program starts school. These rehearsals are lovingly referred to as All-Days or Two-A-Days. LUDICROUS SPEED ACTIVATED!!! Not every school in the State of Texas starts on the same day so there are specific rules that apply if you start school before the fourth Monday in August.
What happens when school starts?
- Programs must abide by the Eight Hour Rule. No more than eight hours of practice during the week. You get an extra hour on a contest day or a football game day.
- Programs that start school BEFORE the last week of August must adhere to the Eight Hour Rule, but they are allowed to do an extra rehearsal time on a Saturday to maintain competitive balance with schools who would not be under limits.
Lots of provisions going on here, yes? Trust me on this. The kiddos need them in place just as much as the directors. Both parties get their Summer Sparkle Fun Time and the rehearsal limits keep both parties from burning out before the weather cools down (which is never).
If you are reading this right now, YOU ARE LATE FOR REHEARSAL!!! Get it together and fall in. Happy Texas Marching Band Day :)
