Music Competition

Music Competition

The purpose of the Music Competition is to encourage students to explore and develop a relationship with the music/style of Shakespeare’s era.

MUSIC RESOURCES FOUND HERE.

Music Events

At this time there will be no divisions in this competition. There are four categories of competition: Troubadour, Minstrel, Canzonetta, and Madrigal.

Troubadour

One entry per school. A solo or small ensemble of 1-5 individual parts. Groups may be a mixture of voice and instrument, all instruments, all voices, or unaccompanied/accompanied solo.

Performance includes one piece up to 5 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Live accompaniment only; all performers must be students only. This includes accompanists.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Minstrel

One entry per school. A small ensemble of 6-10 people. Groups may be a mixture of voice and instrument, all instruments, or all voices.

Performance includes one piece up to 5 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Live accompaniment only; all performers must be students only. This includes accompanists.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Canzonetta

One entry per school. A choral group of 10-16 people with or without piano accompaniment.

Performances include 1-3 pieces up to 10 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Live accompaniment only. Must be a student.

Madrigal

One entry per school. A choral group of 17+ people with or without piano accompaniment .

Performances include 1-3 pieces up to 10 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Live accompaniment only. Must be a student.

Music Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Music will be evaluated based on:

  • Tone
  • Intonation
  • Technique
  • Balance & Blend
  • Interpretation/Style
  • Rhythmic Accuracy
  • Overall Musical Effect

Adjudication Rubric can be found HERE

Please see our sample music ballot.

Regulations

It is requested for schools to provide 3 copies of the music for the adjudicators.

Any performance going over or under time will result in a 7 point deduction.

Material performed by a participating school in the last 3 years, should not be repeated by that school. It is encouraged that schools use a variety of works from year-to-year to expose students to various works. Utilizing the same material within a 3 year time period could result in disqualification.

NOTE: Repertoire of the period with any instrument combinations is desired. Creativity in combinations is encouraged.

Awards

Awards for first, second, and third place will be given in each of the 4 music categories.

A music sweepstakes award will be given for the school with the highest cumulative score from each of the 4 categories.

A separate choral awards ceremony will be held on the Friday night of Competition (Oct 3).

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