Vocal Guidelines

Music is to be Christian or patriotic. Country and Western, Rock, “Christian Rock,” Folk, Jazz, Classical or Ballad is not allowed.

There should be balance between melody, harmony, and rhythm.

All music must be memorized.

The time limit for all performances will be 4 minutes.

Accompaniment should enhance the performance.

Participants may sing a cappella, or be accompanied by another student or sponsor.

No taped or CD accompaniment will be allowed.

Sound tracks and amplification equipment are not allowed.

Please refer to the Platform Guidelines for further instruction. These are there to help your participants.

Music must be performed exactly as it appears on the score. If any parts, chords, etc. are changed, please rewrite the music so as to show any changes.

No slurring will be allowed. Failure to follow this will result in heavy deductions by the judges.

If your music shows slurring, be sure to rewrite it.

The Judges must receive copies for the corrected / changed scores.

In accordance with copyright laws, please bring the original music to Convention. This, along with any score that was rewritten, will be needed for the Judges to judge your entry. Please attach any changes to your original music so as not to lose it.

Be sure to have your name on all music. All music will be brought to the main office for sponsors to pick up with their Judging Forms at the end of Convention. We cannot be held responsible for any lost items.

Please bring 2 copies of the Judge’s Form for Vocals with you to Convention. Be sure to fill them out in their entirety. If the Judging Form is not filled out, you may not be judged.

VOCAL SOLO

Each school is allowed to enter 2 males and 2 females per Division.

VOCAL DUET

Each school is allowed to enter 2 duets, male, female, or mixed, per Division.

Each duet must have a two-part harmony at some point in the presentation.

VOCAL TRIO

Each school is allowed to enter 2 trios, male, female, or mixed, per Division.

Each trio must have a three-part harmony at some point in the presentation.

VOCAL QUARTET

Each school is allowed to enter 2 quartets, male, female, or mixed, per Division.

Each quartet must have a four-part harmony at some point in the presentation.

VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Each school is allowed to enter 2 ensembles, male, female, or mixed, per Division.

The ensemble is to consist of 5-12 members.

Each Division “A” ensemble must have at least three-part harmony at some point in the presentation (more is acceptable).

Each Division “B” ensemble must have at least four-part harmony at some point in the presentation (more is acceptable).

DIRECTED CHOIR

Each school is allowed to enter 1 choir, male, female, or mixed, per Division.

The choir is to consist of 13 or more members.

The choir must be directed either by a fellow student or by a sponsor.

Each Division “A” choir must have at least three-part harmony at some point in the presentation (more is acceptable).

Each Division “B” choir must have at least four-part harmony at some point in the presentation (more is acceptable).

VOCAL MUSIC JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)

Areas of Evaluation	Possible Points
Appearance and stage deportment
A. Approach – confident, yet with grace and humility	(1-3)
B. Posture – upright look, not slumped	(1-3)
C. Eye Contact – scanned the audience, not stared	(1-3)
D. Poise – in full control	(1-3)
E. Clothing – colour coordinated, neat, sharp	(1-3)
F. Departure – confident	(1-3)

Interpretation
A. Mood – prayerful, enthusiastic, peaceful	(1-3)
B. Intensity – not too weak or too strong, enough power, etc.	(1-3)
C. Style – presentation matched the printed intention	(1-3)
D. Tempo – flowing, not too fast or too slow	(1-3)
E. Phrasing – feeling of motion or rest	(1-4)
F. Climax – handled well	(1-4)
G. Dynamics – volumes changed correctly	(1-4)
H. Word Emphasis – each word received right emphasis	(1-3)

Musicianship
A. Memory	(1-5)
B. Projection – each part of the music could be heard	(1-5)
C. Proper diction – correctly pronounced, articulated, enunciated	(1-5)
D. Tone quality – full, rich sound	(1-5)
E. Correct rhythm – performed like the printed page	(1-5)
F. Proper breathing – breathed at the right places, the right way	(1-5)
G. Intonation – correct pitch for solos or blends for groups	(1-5)
H. Balance of voices and / or accompaniment – accompaniment added to the beauty, did not distract	(1-5)

Appropriateness of selection
A. Message / ministry – it ministered to the listener	(1-5)
B. Degree of difficulty	(1-5)

Proper documentation	(1-5)

TOTAL POINTS	(100)