Sanctioning Competitive and Evaluative
Music Events in Iowa
Effective June 30, 2016: Recognizing that school music programs serve communities beyond the scope of school-sponsored activities, and that some competitive and evaluative events fall outside the mission or operational capacity of the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA), the Executive Committee, under authority granted in the Constitution, establishes the following regulations governing participation of member schools in non-IHSMA competitive or evaluative music events during the academic year.
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Purpose of Sanctioning
Consistent with NFHS activity standards, sanctioning exists to:
Preserve the educational integrity of interscholastic music activities
Ensure fair and consistent evaluation of student performance
Promote uniform expectations for event administration
Support compliance with copyright law and ethical practice
Events Requiring Sanctioning
Any competitive music program held within Iowa must:
- Appear on the IHSMA approved list,
- Be included on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities, or
- Receive written approval from the IHSMA office.
Participation in unapproved events may be considered a violation of IHSMA constitution, policies, and practices.
For the most current list of sanctioned events, view the full IHSMA sanctioned events document.
Responsibilities of Participating Schools
In accordance with NFHS interscholastic activity principles, member schools bear responsibility for participation decisions.
Prior to registering for or attending an event, schools shall:
- Confirm the event is sanctioned by IHSMA
- Ensure compliance with all copyright and licensing requirements
- Provide appropriate supervision and chaperoning
IHSMA member schools shall not participate in unsanctioned evaluative or competitive music events.
Event Host Sanctioning Process
Organizations hosting evaluative or competitive interscholastic music events in Iowa must obtain IHSMA sanctioning.
Sanctioning Steps
- Submit the Intrastate Sanctioning Application.
- Provide complete event details, including:
- Performance format
- Adjudication method
- Awards or recognition structure.
- Acknowledge and agree to IHSMA sanctioning expectations.
- Upon approval, the event is designated IHSMA Sanctioned.
Sanctioning approval must be secured prior to event promotion or registration.
Sanctioning Regulations
- Participation Expectations: Member schools may participate in outside competitive or evaluative events provided they also participate in IHSMA-sponsored programs when those events occur on the same day. This requirement does not apply to bands participating in parade competitions held on the same date as the IHSMA State Marching Band Festival.
- Awards and Compensation: Schools and students representing member schools may not compete for cash prizes beyond reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket expenses.
- Classification Standards: Competitive or evaluative festivals held in Iowa will not be approved unless classification guidelines align with those established by IHSMA. The only exception is an open competition in which all schools compete within a single classification.
- Student Eligibility: IHSMA eligibility regulations apply to all IHSMA-sanctioned events. With the exception of the primary keyboard accompanist for show choir, jazz choir, concert choir, solos, and small ensembles, all participants must be eligible students in good standing and enrolled in grades 7–12. Students who graduate early lose eligibility at the conclusion of their final scheduled day of attendance.
- Show Choir Instrumental Support: Show choirs may use one school-approved adult in a keyboard, bass, or drum set role. A second school-approved adult may be used only in cases of documented emergency (illness, injury, or family emergency) occurring no more than seven days prior to performance. The principal must notify the host director. Ensembles using this emergency provision are not eligible for Best Band or first-place awards.
- Equity and Access: Programs must be open to all students regardless of race, creed, sex, or national origin.
- Sanctioning Requirement: Competitive or evaluative music events originating in Iowa must receive written approval from the IHSMA office.
- Multi-Day Events: Multi-day events must include at least one weekend day.
- Out-of-State Participation: Participation in out-of-state events is the responsibility of the school district, provided Regulations 1, 2, and 4 are followed.
- Unified Calendar Conflicts: Sanctioned events scheduled in conflict with Unified Iowa High School Activities Federation dates must reasonably accommodate schools wishing to participate in both events. Continued lack of cooperation may result in denial of future sanctioning.
- NASSP Approved Events: Contests or activities under the jurisdiction of IHSMA and sponsored by organizations listed on the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Advisory List are considered automatically approved.
- Copyright Compliance: All performances at sanctioned events must comply with U.S. Copyright Law. Failure to do so may result in revocation of sanctioning.
Event Recommendations
- Whenever possible, events should be scheduled outside of the school day.
- Schools should prioritize a travel limit of approximately:
- 125 miles or a half-day absence on weekdays
- 300 miles on weekends
- Events sponsored by non-educational agencies should be carefully reviewed. Financial transparency should be available upon request to ensure reasonable and appropriate use of funds.
- Events on the Unified Iowa High School Activities Federation calendar should take priority over non-IHSMA program
Copyright and Music Licensing
NFHS-aligned interscholastic activities require responsible compliance with U.S. copyright law.
For sanctioned events:
- Schools and hosts must be able to document legal use of all performed music
- Public-domain claims must be verifiable
- Composer or publisher permissions must be obtained when required
Failure to comply may result in penalties, including disqualification or removal of sanctioning.
Competitions, Awards, and Cash Prizes
With the growing popularity of online competitive events, there is need to be clarify IHSMA’s stance with regard to competitions and cash prizes.
As a member school of IHSMA, your students MAY NOT, as a school ensemble or as individuals representing your school, participate in any non-sanctioned evaluative or competitive event. As a member school, your students MAY NOT, as a school ensemble or as individuals representing your school, compete for cash prizes other than out-of-pocket expenses. Events offering cash prizes greater than out-of-pocket expenses will not be sanctioned.
Sanctioned Intrastate Music Events
IHSMA maintains an official list of sanctioned intrastate music events. Only events appearing on this list are considered approved for participation by IHSMA member schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an “educational festival” require sanctioning?
Yes–if the event includes adjudication, ratings, rankings, or awards.
Are parades sanctioned?
Parades may or may not require sanctioning depending on the event format. Refer to the sanctioned events list.
May national adjudication systems be used?
Yes, provided they are applied consistently and align with IHSMA expectations.
Who is responsible for supervision?
The participating school is responsible for student supervision and chaperoning.
What happens if an event is not sanctioned?
IHSMA member schools shall not participate.