1. Judges will be looking for the technical ability in each performance although effectiveness will be considered.
2. Rules will be used to assure a fair competition, but they will be interpreted to allow competitors artistic freedom.
3. One point will be assessed for every rule infraction.
4. Scheduling will be done allowing for the best possible evening entertainment with consideration given to competitors who are entered in multiple categories.
5. DCA Caption Chiefs will decide any rules not specifically stated.
6. In fairness to all competitors’ warmups will ONLY be allowed in the designated areas.
7. To be eligible for an I & E medal there must be more than one (1) entry in a category.
8. All entry forms and fees must be received by the published registration end date in order to participate in the I & E. NO late entries will be accepted.
9. ** Only DCA approved Brass/Percussion instruments will be allowed at I&E.
10. All other instruments will be disqualified. This includes taped Music**
11. The philosophy behind the Brass and Percussion contest leans to musicality; visual maybe considered and rewarded on the Effect part of the score sheets. *

BRASS SOLO

1. Any individual DCA approved horn will be judged.
2. A contestant may play only one horn during the performance.
3. The time limit is 1.5 minutes minimum to 3 minutes total.
4. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Time starts from the first note and ends with the last note.
6. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
7. NO taped music is allowed.

BRASS DUETS/TRIOS/QUARTETS

1. A duet is defined as two (2) participants, Trio – three (3) participants, and Quartet – four (4) participants.
2. Each participant may play only one DCA approved horn during the performance.
3. Any combination of DCA approved horns maybe used.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts from the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

BRASS ENSEMBLES

1. An ensemble is defined as 5 to 10 participants.
2. No ensemble with less than five (5) or more than ten (10) will be allowed to compete.
3. Any combination of DCA approved horns maybe be used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

BRASS ENSEMBLE w/ Percussion accompaniment

1. An ensemble made up of 5 to 10 brass players with one percussion participant.
2. Each participant may play only one DCA approved instrument during the performance.
3. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
4. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Time starts from the first note and ends with the last note.
6. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
7. NO taped music is allowed.

BRASS CHOIR

1. A Brass Choir is defined as having 11 or more participants.
2. No Choir with less than eleven (11) will be allowed to compete in this class.
3. Any combination of DCA approved horns maybe be used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

BRASS CHOIR w/ percussion accompaniment

1. A Brass Choir is defined as having 11 or more brass players with the addition of one (only) percussionist.
2. No Choir with less than eleven (11) brass will be allowed to compete in this class.
3. Any combination of DCA approved horns maybe be used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

PERCUSSION SOLO

1. Any individual DCA approved percussion instrument will be judged.
2. The percussionist may play only one percussion instrument during the performance.
3. The time limit is 1.5 minutes minimum to 3 minutes total.
4. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
6. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
7. NO taped music is allowed.

PERCUSSION DUETS, TRIO, QUARTET

1. A Duet is defined as two (2) percussionists, Trio as 3 percussionist, and Quartet as 4 percussionist.
2. Any combination of DCA approved percussion instruments will be judged. One instrument only per person.
3. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
4. here will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
6. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
7. Taped music is allowed.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Mallets)

1. An ensemble is defined as five (5) to twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensembles with less than Five (5) or more than twelve (12) will be allowed to compete.
3. Any combination of DCA approved mallet instruments maybe used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Membrane)

1. An ensemble is defined as five (5) to twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensembles with less than (5) or more than twelve (12) will be allowed to compete.
3. Any combination of DCA approved percussion membrane instruments maybe used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

MIXED ENSEMBLE/ MEMBRANE & MALLET INSTRUMENTS

1. An ensemble is defined as five (5) to twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensembles with less than (5) or more than (12) twelve will be allowed to compete.
3. Any Combination of Approved DCA percussion instruments maybe used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum and 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last.
7. Musical scores DO NOT need to be presented.
8. No Taped music is allowed.

BATTERY ENSEMBLE/ MEMBRANE INSTRUMENTS ONLY

1. An ensemble is defined as more than twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensembles with less than (13) twelve will be allowed to compete in this division.
3. Any Combination of Approved DCA percussion membrane instruments maybe used, but no other instruments (such as mallet instruments, synthesizers and amplifiers) will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum and 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last.
7. Musical scores DO NOT need to be presented. No Taped music is allowed. 

BATTERY ENSEMBLE/ MEMBRANE INSTRUMENTS PLUS MALLETS

1. An ensemble is defined as more than twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensembles with less than (13) twelve will be allowed to compete in this division.
3. Any Combination of Approved DCA percussion membrane and mallet instruments maybe used, but no other instruments (such as synthesizers and amplifiers) will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum and 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last.
7. Musical scores DO NOT need to be presented.
8. No Taped music is allowed.

CYMBAL ENSEMBLE

1. An ensemble is defined as three (3) to twelve (12) percussionists.
2. No ensemble with less than three (3) or more than twelve (12) will be allowed to compete.
3. Any combination of DCA approved cymbals maybe used, but no other instruments will be allowed.
4. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Time starts with the first note and ends with the last note.
7. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.
8. NO taped music is allowed.

COLOR GUARD INDIVIDUAL

(Floor size – 56’ wide x 36’ deep x 4’ high)

1. An individual is defined as one participant using rifle, saber, flag or mace.
2. Combinations will be allowed but each contestant must designate what his/her major piece of equipment is on the entrance form.
3. Time starts with the first movement after the judge’s signal.
4. The time limit is 1.5 minutes minimum to 3 minute total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Taped music is allowed.
7. A standard gym size floor and marking MAY NOT be available.

COLOR GUARD DUETS

(Floor size – 56’ wide x 36’ deep x 4’ high)

1. A duet is defined as two (2) participants using any combination of rifles, sabers, or flags.
2. The time starts with the first movement after the judge’s signal.
3. The time limit is 2 minutes minimum to 4 minutes total.
4. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Taped Music is allowed

COLOR GUARD ENSEMBLES

(Floor Size – 56’ wide x 36’ deep x 4’ high)

1. An ensemble is defined as Three (3) to thirty (30) participants using any combination of rifles, sabers,or flags.
2. No ensemble with less than three (3) or more than thirty (30) will be allowed to compete.
3. The time starts with the first movement after the judge’s signal.
4. The time limit is 4 minutes minimum to 5 minutes total.
5. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
6. Taped music is allowed.

CHORUS

1. A chorus is defined as ten (10) participants to twenty-five (25) participants.
2. There will be a one (1) point penalty for each participant under ten (10). No chorus with more than 25 members will be allowed to compete.
3. Time limit is a minimum of 3 minutes to a total of 6 minutes.
4. There will be a one (1)-point penalty for each minute over or under the time limit.
5. Time will start with the first note and end with the last note.
6. Music scores DO NOT need to be presented to the judges.