All-State Eligibility
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The RIMEA All-State Eligibility Rule is absolutely "black and white". It hasn't always been so, and at times it has not been adhered to by some members, but it is very simple:

IF A STUDENT IS NOT A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF HIS/HER SCHOOL PERFORMING ENSEMBLE, FOR ANY REASON, HE/SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO AUDITION AND PERFORM IN THAT ALL-STATE ENSEMBLE.

FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS:

  1. To be eligible for band the student must be in the school band if there is one, choir for choir, jazz ensemble for jazz ensemble, orchestra for orchestra and so on. RIMEA assigns every other high scoring wind and percussion player to the Orchestra in order to ensure that the orchestra and band share the best players.
  2. If a school does not offer a particular ensemble (in most cases it is orchestra) RIMEA does not deny the string students from that school the opportunity to participate. To do so would be absurd. The wind and percussion students can take band. The same exception would be for any type of ensemble that is not offered at a school.
  3. RIMEA does not recognize the GOOD or BAD reasons for a student not participating in the school ensemble. The rule says “FOR ANY REASON” which relieves directors from having to make value judgments concerning their students’ choices. This is an RIMEA rule and not subject to the discretion of the school director.
  4. The only thing that clouds the issue or gives the illusion of “grayness” is the fact that there are many different opinions of the rule and how it should be enforced. This can be a cause of confusion to some of our members, but the rule is absolute and can only be change by a majority vote of the RIMEA executive board. I hope this is clear to everyone.
We are all individual professionals and will not all agree with this or any other rule. I understand this and respect the opinions and views of all my colleagues. RIMEA All-State in not a right, but a privilege reserved for students of RIMEA members and subject to RIMEA rules and regulations.

Finally, RIMEA rules are subject to review and change by the Executive Board and any RIMEA member has the right to petition the Board (in writing) at any time to review or change any rule or regulation.

REGARDING HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS:
(This policy went into effect in the 2005/2006 school year.)

Whether to participate in a performing ensemble is a choice that all students make. Many of RIMEA's "school teachers" have had home-schooled students in their ensembles in the past. A home-schooled student can choose to be members of a school chorus (for example). These students come to school for the period when chorus is scheduled, then they go home. The same can be said for band, jazz band, etc. A student can choose to take the class. The ensemble experience is not something one can learn at home. (It also happens with home-schoolers and sports- if you want to be on the team you go to practice, and then go home!)

No one is denying home-schooled students the right to participate in their schools' music ensembles.... it is their choice.