Hello High School Competition Judges!
Meet SATURDAY at 1:30 PM
in Down Stairs Lounge
between stairs and backstage entrance on lower level.
in Down Stairs Lounge
between stairs and backstage entrance on lower level.
HOW THE JUDGING WORKS
1:30 MEETING. Judges meet in DownStairs Lounge between stairs and backstage entrance on lower level. Briefing begins.
1:53 Bathroom visit. There is usually no intermission in the 2+ hour show!
2:00 Show begins! Each group performs for 8 minutes. Judges do NOT time groups. HS Coordinator staff will do this.
You will be make written comments on a form we provide. (See bottom of this page)
We provide categories:
1:53 Bathroom visit. There is usually no intermission in the 2+ hour show!
2:00 Show begins! Each group performs for 8 minutes. Judges do NOT time groups. HS Coordinator staff will do this.
You will be make written comments on a form we provide. (See bottom of this page)
We provide categories:
• Originality -Are they doing their own arrangements? Compositions? Is any element of the show bold and different, even if the novelty is displeasing?
• Intonation -Do they stay in tune with the starting pitch? Do they stay in tune with each other?
• Blend -Do they sound as one when called for by the song/arrangement?
• Tone -Is tone appropriate for the song/arrangement?
• Rhythm -Is the rhythm unified between performers? Do steady tempos stay steady? Do they display proper “feel” or “looseness” when appropriate?
• Balance -DO NOT JUDGE SOUND ENGINEER! Do your best to judge proper balance of performed parts.
• Visuals -Is the choreography or blocking appropriate for the song? Is it “together”?
• Difficulty -How challenging are the parts harmonically, rhythmically, melismatically, in use of tone color, range, etc.?
• Transitions -How elegant/entertaining/artistic is the transition from song to song?
• Wow Factor -A subjective category of how impressed you were personally by this group
• Intonation -Do they stay in tune with the starting pitch? Do they stay in tune with each other?
• Blend -Do they sound as one when called for by the song/arrangement?
• Tone -Is tone appropriate for the song/arrangement?
• Rhythm -Is the rhythm unified between performers? Do steady tempos stay steady? Do they display proper “feel” or “looseness” when appropriate?
• Balance -DO NOT JUDGE SOUND ENGINEER! Do your best to judge proper balance of performed parts.
• Visuals -Is the choreography or blocking appropriate for the song? Is it “together”?
• Difficulty -How challenging are the parts harmonically, rhythmically, melismatically, in use of tone color, range, etc.?
• Transitions -How elegant/entertaining/artistic is the transition from song to song?
• Wow Factor -A subjective category of how impressed you were personally by this group
We do NOT ask that you score each category. We do NOT ask that you weigh each category equally.
Use the categories as a prompts for specific written comments for each song.
You are not obligated to mention each category for each song, but rather help the groups focus on their most important strengths and weaknesses.
You are not obligated to mention each category for each song, but rather help the groups focus on their most important strengths and weaknesses.
At the bottom of the page, there is an overall category to be circled: Poor Fair Good Excellent Superior
Let us help set your barometer.
Poor is uncharacteristically weak in practically every category.
You probably won’t ever see such a group on our stage. But we have a category waiting just in case they do.
Fair includes an inaccurate group trying their best.
Good includes an average group showing a few flashes of something special.
Excellent describes a well-rehearsed, standout group.
Superior describes a group with incredible attention to musical detail, singing with heart.
We ask that Superior be a category you DO actually consider using, rather than a “unicorn" group that one can only dream of seeing once in a lifetime.
Poor is uncharacteristically weak in practically every category.
You probably won’t ever see such a group on our stage. But we have a category waiting just in case they do.
Fair includes an inaccurate group trying their best.
Good includes an average group showing a few flashes of something special.
Excellent describes a well-rehearsed, standout group.
Superior describes a group with incredible attention to musical detail, singing with heart.
We ask that Superior be a category you DO actually consider using, rather than a “unicorn" group that one can only dream of seeing once in a lifetime.
These forms will be turned over to the groups, so try to be legible, honest, positive and constructive.
Usually saying “Make sure to work on __” or “Be careful of ___” is as “harsh" as you need to be.
Few of these young singers receive school credit for coming to this event. Many groups are self-directed and self-funded.
Encouragement goes a long way in helping students recognize their self worth and their love of music.
Foster their lifelong love of a cappella!
Usually saying “Make sure to work on __” or “Be careful of ___” is as “harsh" as you need to be.
Few of these young singers receive school credit for coming to this event. Many groups are self-directed and self-funded.
Encouragement goes a long way in helping students recognize their self worth and their love of music.
Foster their lifelong love of a cappella!
JUDGING TIPS:
The show runs long and moves FAST.
Judge with an empty bladder.
You are unlikely to have more than 20 seconds between groups so write fast as they perform!
The show runs long and moves FAST.
Judge with an empty bladder.
You are unlikely to have more than 20 seconds between groups so write fast as they perform!
Keep two piles of papers as you judge:
1) Groups that haven't gone yet
2) Groups that have gone already, but NOT in order of performance;
rather in your ranking order
with each successive group getting placed as better or worse than the groups that came before.
Keeping this order will greatly help you deliberate and grant awards.
1) Groups that haven't gone yet
2) Groups that have gone already, but NOT in order of performance;
rather in your ranking order
with each successive group getting placed as better or worse than the groups that came before.
Keeping this order will greatly help you deliberate and grant awards.
3:00-3:30-ish After all groups have performed, The EMCEE of the show will excuse the judges to deliberate.
GO BACK TO THE SAME DOWNSTAIRS LOUNGE WHERE YOU MET AT 1:30.
GO BACK TO THE SAME DOWNSTAIRS LOUNGE WHERE YOU MET AT 1:30.
At that point any non-competing groups and the Single Singers will perform on stage.
Meanwhile, you JUDGES will be choosing the winners of these awards:
Don’t memorize! They are written on your judge’s forms to remind you. (See the blank judge’s form, attached as example. We will provide you completed judging forms at 1:30 meeting)
Meanwhile, you JUDGES will be choosing the winners of these awards:
- 1st
- 2nd
- 3rd
- Best solo
- Best solo (usually these two best soloists are divided between different genders. This can be discussed in deliberations and Judges Choice could be a tool to help resolve some issues)
- Best Vocal Percussionist or Vocal Percussion Section
- Best arrangement
- “Judges Choice” -
Don’t memorize! They are written on your judge’s forms to remind you. (See the blank judge’s form, attached as example. We will provide you completed judging forms at 1:30 meeting)
If a group enters an original composition, that should win a Judges' Choice for Best Original Composition, even if it’s the only entry.
It’s rare that we have original submissions. Nonetheless, we want to encourage young composers, because originality is a serious problem in a cappella.
It’s rare that we have original submissions. Nonetheless, we want to encourage young composers, because originality is a serious problem in a cappella.
But if there are no compositions, as is common, then the Judges get to create the award together: "Judges Choice for Best _____"
Whatever you think stands out. Examples could include: choreography, bass, stage presence, energy, wardrobe, use of props…
So long as the judges agree, the awards are likely to be fine. You may award between 1 and 3 Judges Choice Awards.
Please do NOT award any physical features, like hair, legs, or even smile, etc. And try to avoid a PROXY for these things, like an award for an individual's best outfit that’s very tight or revealing. We don’t want to “engage” the area of looks in any type of judgmental way. All looks are welcome here.
Whatever you think stands out. Examples could include: choreography, bass, stage presence, energy, wardrobe, use of props…
So long as the judges agree, the awards are likely to be fine. You may award between 1 and 3 Judges Choice Awards.
Please do NOT award any physical features, like hair, legs, or even smile, etc. And try to avoid a PROXY for these things, like an award for an individual's best outfit that’s very tight or revealing. We don’t want to “engage” the area of looks in any type of judgmental way. All looks are welcome here.
The HS Coordinator and "Judge Wrangler" will be with the Judges while you deliberate.
The Wrangler is primarily there to make sure you judge quickly!
Typically all judging is completed in 15 minutes
The Wrangler is also there to answer any procedural or definitional questions.
If time is running short, the Wranger will ask for a vote on each award, The majority vote will determine the award.
In the event that there is no majority, the Wrangler is authorized to break the tie.
The Wrangler is primarily there to make sure you judge quickly!
Typically all judging is completed in 15 minutes
The Wrangler is also there to answer any procedural or definitional questions.
If time is running short, the Wranger will ask for a vote on each award, The majority vote will determine the award.
In the event that there is no majority, the Wrangler is authorized to break the tie.
On completed forms, we put the soloists in order of appearance. We also put VP in order of appearance.
We indicate when a song has an original arranger or composer so you can consider them for awards.
Below is a blank judging form. We will provide completed forms on site so you don't need to print this.
See you soon and thanks for sharing your wisdom and guiding these young singers!
We indicate when a song has an original arranger or composer so you can consider them for awards.
Below is a blank judging form. We will provide completed forms on site so you don't need to print this.
See you soon and thanks for sharing your wisdom and guiding these young singers!
