Group Competition/Showcase

General Rules and Regulations

• All participants must be registered for the conference.

• Students must be active members of their campus ensemble. No "ringers" will be allowed.

• Registrants (with paid badge) are allowed entry into all events listed on the schedule of events, except the Grand Concert.

• Registration fee is non-refundable and registration cannot be canceled after the late registration deadline of May 1, 2025.

• The order of performance will be middle school, high school and open category. A live drawing on our Facebook page will  determine the order of competition for each category. Drawings for the group competitions will take place on June 15, 2025.​

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Group Competition Rules and Regulations

 

Category Designations & Rules

• Group levels allowed to compete are:

  • Middle School

  • High School

  • Open Category​

• Middle school groups cannot use high school students. High school groups cannot use university students.

  • If mixing groups, groups will need to register for the open category​.

  • Middle school and High school groups may combine with another campus of the same level (ex. MS ->MS or HS->HS) if needed but must be students within the same district.

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Performance Rules:

• A maximum of 24 musicians will be allowed to compete in the group competition. 

• ALL directors MUST fully complete the required registration forms

• Students will not be allowed to perform as vocalists only. All students will be required to actively play an instrument

• Competing groups will be allowed a maximum performance time of 7 minutes.​​

  • ​There will be a maximum set up allowance time of 3 minutes. The performance timer will begin after those 3 minutes regardless if the group has started or not.​
  • Groups do not have to use all 3 minutes to set up. They can begin their performance as soon as they are ready.
  • The performance timer will start on the first note and be stopped on the last note.

• Groups competing under or over the allotted time limits may be disqualified (at the judge's/organizers' discretion)

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Sound and Production Rules:

• Microphones will be placed on stage the same for all groups (see diagram below).

• Wired microphones CANNOT be moved. Only wireless microphones can be moved. Ensure that the audio staff is aware of this change.

• All groups will play using the sound levels during sound check. However, the sound engineer may adjust levels and his discretion. All levels will be reset back to "base" at the end of the performance.

• Only designated staff is allowed in the sound booth area. Directors, parents, students etc. should not be at the sound booth.

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Awards

• At the end of the evening, there will be an awards ceremony. A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner will be announced for each category.

• There will be an overall grand champion announced and this group will perform at the Grand Concert on Saturday night.

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Disqualification Process:

If a group is found to have broken any rules or is flagged by the compliance team to have possibly not be in compliance, it will be at the discretion of the production team whether a disqualification will happen or not. We understand that sometimes mistakes can happen, and thus if your group is flagged, you will get an opportunity to discuss the issue with the production team.

1. Any group that is flagged will have to meet with the production team prior to the awards ceremony

2. The reason for the group being flagged will be discussed with the director and based on the explanation of the director a decision will be made.

Any group that is disqualified is not eligible for any group awards.​

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Reporting a violation:

Only mariachi directors may report violations. Parents, students etc. cannot report violations.

1. Directors will need to find a compliance officer and report the violation.

2. A compliance officer will review and the production team will determine if a violation did occur.

3. If further explanation is needed, the reporting director may be asked to meet with the production team.

4. If a violation did occur, the group in violation will be disqualified after following the disqualification process above.

 

Judging and Evaluation

1. All performing groups will receive an evaluation

2. Competing groups will receive the judging/score sheet with comments

3. Showcase only groups will receive the evaluation sheet with comments

4. Judges will be evaluating and judging on the following:

• Musicianship

• Appropriate Style

• Interpretation & Showmanship

• Intonation & Technique

• Vocals