I. Registering for Shows

 

A.  After applying for membership and paying the correct dues, fees and or bonds, a unit will receive information on registering for shows through the MEPA website.

 

B.  All registrations must be completed by the stated deadline to be included in the early draw for time slots at shows. 

 

C.  Member units will receive final show information 1-2 weeks prior to the show.

 

D.  Entry deadlines for either registering or dropping a show is 2 weeks before that particular show.

 

E.  Order of appearance at each show is done by a draw system by the Logistics Coordinator.  After the early draw, order of appearance is done according to time stamp of registration date, at the beginning of their class.

 

II. Contest Procedures

 

A.  Upon arrival at a contest, unit managers/representatives are to immediately sign in at the Unit Check-in desk.  Turn in VHS tape and check spiel sheets at that time.

 

B.  All equipment/props are to be taken to the assigned equipment/prop area.  Dressing rooms, if available, will be assigned by the contest sponsors.  If rooms are not available make sure to keep your units belongings in the hallway provided very neatly and then have your members change in the various dressing rooms.

 

C.  Absolutely no cooking or smoking in any of the buildings that are used for the competition.

 

III. Music

 

A. All music should be on cassette or CD and should be recorded in stereo.  If you are using any other type of equipment you must bring it (such as an iPod/mp3 player) and it will need to be hooked into the Associations sound system.

 

B.  The unit manager/representative is responsible to turn music in to the sound table at the contest location.

 

C. There should be no more than 15 seconds lapse between the time the tape/CD starts and the music begins.  The tape/CD will be started after the contest announcer says “You make take the floor in competition”.  Make sure the tape is cued or if there is more than one track on the CD have it clearly marked.

 

D. It is absolutely necessary for you to have a back up tape/CD available with you in the gymnasium in case the one that you gave the sound engineer does not work.

 

IV. Eligibility

 

A.  Color guards, line units and percussion lines must be composed of member fitting the age restriction set forth by WGI.  Each unit appearing at any MEPA contest must be prepared to prove all members’ age (birth certificates need to be shown if requested by the Contest Director or the President of MEPA).  Age rules apply to all units, except those entered in Independent World Class.  IW Class may compete with members of any age.

 

B. No color guard or line unit member can compete in more than one (1) color guard at the same time. 

 

C. Number of participants will be as stated by WGI.

 

D.  All members of a Scholastic unit must be from the same school.  Junior High School members from that school system can compete with the High School unit if that is the High School that they will be attending.  Large school systems may not combine any type of configuration for competing in a scholastic division.

 

V. Host Sites for Contests

 

A. The ‘contest floor’ shall be indoors and measure 60’ x 90’.  The ‘competition area’ shall be the entire gym floor and surrounding area with the unit competes.  Units are permitted to utilize the entire ‘competition area’ for their performance, but must be prepared to perform on a 60’ x 90’ floor.

 

B. The unit shall consider having a minimum of 5 feet radius around the floor in which to maneuver.

 

C.  All MEPA contests will have a professional sound system and sound engineer.

 

D.  The contest schedule will be determined by seniority in the circuit.  Weekends with more than one interested member will be awarded to the more senior member.

 

VI. Critique

 

A.  All Saturday shows will have a critique at the close of the contest.  The circuit will, whenever possible, hold a critique on Sunday – if time allows. 

 

B. The entire staff from the unit may attend critique with the judges.

 

C. The timing and penalties Judges have final authority at critiques.

 

D. Score sheets and recaps will be distributed to the respective managers at the critique which will start at the same time awards begin.

 

E. Each unit is allowed three (3) minutes at each of the judges’ tables.

 

F. Should a manager wish to file a formal protest regarding penalties, he/she will:

            a. Verbally notify the Timing and Penalty Judge immediately of her/his intent.

b. Write a formal letter of protest to the President of MEPA and that manager will have the opportunity of appearing before a committee appointed by the President of MEPA and the Chief Judge from MEJA.

 

VII. Equipment and Prop Regulations

 

A. There must be proper covering of all contest equipment, props and shoes so as to avoid floor damage at all competitive sites.  Each unit is responsible for any damage that is done to the contest floor.  Sites may inspect equipment, props and shoes before allowing a unit to enter the competition area.  Any unit not adhering to the regulations will be disqualified.

 

B.  All equipment, rifles, sabers, and flag poles must be properly taped, so metal edges are not exposed.  Props should be taped, padded or protected so that any exposed edge will not cause harm to the competition floor.

 

VIII. Changing Classification

 

A.  The process to move a unit will begin with a review committee consisting of the Vice President and the elected Representatives of corresponding section (color guard or percussion), with input from the judging community.  

 

B. The committee is charged with assuring that units are in the most competitive class for their students.  During the season, a unit could be requested for review if they are perceived to be in the wrong class.  This review request can be made by the Vice President, Chief Judge, Education Director or Director of said unit.  A video tape of that unit is made at finals and distributed to the committee within a very quick turn around. 

 

C. The committee views the unit and considers the training and development level of the performers, the challenges they are achieving and to a slightly lesser degree the quality and depth of the program.  The students are the primary emphasis in considering any move.  One of the things that is not considered is “who is on staff”.  The committee is charged with carrying in a good understanding of what the other class ‘norm’ represents in order to have a barometer to measure whether or not the potential change will permit those students to achieve and be competitive. 

 

D. The decision is voted upon independently by each member and the Vice President informs the unit of the decision.  This process is usually completed within 2 weeks.

 

E.  Committee members must remove themselves from this process if the said unit is in their class.  The Vice President will also remove themselves if an affiliation is a conflict.  The Vice President will have another member of the committee complete the process.

 

IX. Competitive Classification

 

A.  A unit is not required to compete in the same classification in MEPA events as they do in a WGI Regional or Championships.