Vocal Music

DESCRIPTION:

Participants may perform a solo, duet, trio or small ensemble, as well as a district choir, of a religious nature.

AGE GROUPS:

Participants must be in the 6th-12th grade by the time of Celebrate Life in May. Each District President is responsible for who may/may not participate from their district.

GENERAL RULES:

Vocal entries must be memorized. Participants must give an original copy of the performance material to the judges. A performer who uses music and does not have the music memorized will receive a 4 point deduction.
All entries should fall between 2 and 6 minutes in length. Under or over the time limit shall be marked on the participant’s critique sheet.
All entries shall be of a religious nature. Classical music is permitted.
Only use the sound system that is provided.

ACCOMPANIMENT:

Participants may be assisted by live accompaniment, no accompaniment, or by recorded accompaniment.
Music must be provided for the judges. Lyric sheets are not sufficient. The use of lyric sheets only for judges shall result in a 2 point deduction.
The accompaniment must not have voices singing the same words and notes simultaneously with the singer(s). The participant will be judged according to the printed music at any time.

ENSEMBLES:

An ensemble is defined as four to eleven persons; twelve persons or more is considered a choir (for registration purposes). Any vocal entry with 2 or more people shall be judged as an ensemble.
Vocal ensembles and choirs shall be judged in the age group of the oldest participant within the group.
Participants shall be limited to district finalists attaining a Superior or Excellent rating.

PRAISE BAND:

Each praise band will be allowed setup time; 15 minutes performance time; 10 minutes tear down. Exceeding the time limit will result in a 2 point deduction. Each praise band shall present a worship set lasting no fewer than 10 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes.

CATEGORIES:

Musical Arts categories shall include:
- Vocal: solo, duet, trio, ensemble, rap, and choirs (including district choirs)
- Instrumental: solo, keyboard, ensemble and band, and praise band.

SCHEDULE:

The schedule will be posted by 12 noon on Thursday. If a particular performance time is desired because of extenuating circumstances(such as distance to be traveled), indicate preferred time on your registration form. If a scheduled performance time does not work, stop by the Fine Arts office in the Larsen Fine Arts Center to have your performance time changed.
The contest will run from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Friday with the exception of Praise Bands. They will perform on Thursday starting at 1:00 P.M.
All score sheets may be picked up in the main lobby of the Larsen Fine Arts Center on Friday, no sooner than 2 hours after the performance.

POLICY STATEMENTS:

All Superior/Excellent ratings will be taken as a percentage of the district total entries. Each district will garner grand trophy points with the 1st place district receiving the most and the 11th place district receiving the least.
You may only participate once per category. District choir members may sing in addition to their local church youth choir. Please dress appropriately for your activity.

2023 INFORMATION:

A schedule of all performance times can be viewed HERE. Please find your district’s tab to locate your scheduled performance time.
Entries using a background track can either bring a CD or have your track on your phone or iPad. We will provide an 1/8″ cord to plug in your phone; please provide a dongle if needed.
We will provide a piano and a drum set; all other instruments, amps, supplies, etc. are your responsibility to bring.
If you are scheduled to perform at a time that conflicts with another event, stop by the Larsen Lounge to adjust your performance time.
Score sheets will be available for pickup in the Larsen lounge two hours after your performance ends.