Music Guidelines

1. The chief judge will call the name of each contestant from the computer readout. If a name has been marked out, then the contestant has been scratched. The chief judge will check each contestant’s schedule form to determine whether or not the contestant has been registered. If any contestant arrives late, he will be asked to wait for a few minutes, until he can be worked into the schedule, or be rescheduled for another time. Be flexible. The chief judge will confer with the Event Coordinator or call Master Control if assistance is needed. The chief judge should also remind each participant to have the appropriate paperwork completely filled out prior to his performance.

2. Pray with the contestant and allow the contestant a few moments to set up necessary equipment and gain composure before competing. Only allow allotted time for setup as listed in the Student Convention Guidelines.

3. The chief judge will ask for the contestant’s judge’s forms, scripts, outlines, and photographs, as applicable.

4. Smile. Be courteous, friendly, and cordial. Set the contestant at ease.

5. Young people’s choice of song or selection is often a result of adult influence. If you personally do not like the selection, do not allow your preference to be reflected in your countenance or voice. Allow each contestant to complete his entire presentation. Do Not Disqualify for such things as personal dislike of the author of the song, title of selection or arrangement, being late to perform, or exceeding the time limit. Mark off applicable points only as provided on the judge’s form. Music winners should reflect quality musical presentation that meets the criteria set forth in the Student Convention Guidelines rather than showmanship with popular secular-style songs. Evaluate contestants according to ability to perform complex, difficult, or challenging selections. Contestant’s personality should not be major criteria. Remember, first place winners may be asked to perform for the convention. Their selection will set trends for the future.

6. Scripts, sheet music (which may be photocopies*), and/or outlines are to be provided by contestants before competing. Be fair and use common sense. In case of tied scores, adherence to time limits and scripts would be considered to break a tie. Return all copies of original music (unless one copy is needed by the judges for reference) and two copies of outlines and scripts to the contestant.

*Note: The “fair use” doctrine set forth in Section 107, Title 17 of the United States Code says that the fair use of a copyrighted work, including reproduction for purposes such as “criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research” is not an infringement of copyright.

7. Do not permit coaching from the audience.

8. Judges should not collaborate during scoring. The chief judge will call for a conference only in cases of breaking ties. A majority vote of judges is necessary to break a tie. No judge’s forms are to be altered by anyone other than the judge who filled out the form, except in cases of mathematical errors in tabulating scores, in which case the chief judge or Master Control will correct computation errors.

9. Complete forms and check addition for each contestant before proceeding to judge the next contestant. Please double-check figures. Your error could eliminate an otherwise winning contestant.

10. Judge’s forms are to remain secret and confidential. Keep forms in your possession whenever you recess for meals, rallies, breaks, etc.

11. Turn all forms in to your chief judge upon completion.

12. Judge’s forms are not to be copied and will be returned to the contestant’s chief sponsor.

MUSIC

1. Pray for the students, by name, before they perform their event. This will have a calming effect on their spirit.

2. Smile and have a pleasant expression on your face as you judge. Students may misinterpret a serious face to mean that they are not doing well. This can cause anxiety.

3. Applaud and smile after the presentation.

4. When making comments on the judge’s forms, use the sandwich philosophy (praise, critique, praise).

5. You are judging how well the student’s performance fits the Student Convention Guidelines. You must set aside personal preferences, in order to judge all entries fairly.

6. In this competition, you must judge whether the music is performed as it is written.

7. Accompaniment is important, but is not included in the judging. The accompaniment may vary from the written score, but the performer may not.

8. It is important to take notice of accuracy of pitch and rhythm. However, you must place a high importance on musicianship.

9. Watch for observance of dynamic markings, tempo, and capturing the mood of the piece.

10. Give close attention to diction and enunciation. Can you understand the text?

11. Is the text Biblically correct?

12. Does the song glorify the Lord?

13. In instrumental categories, note and rhythmic accuracy are important, but do not neglect in your rating to assign importance to aspects of musicianship such as proper tempo, dynamics, and phrasing.

14. Phrasing should be considered even when there are no (or few) phrase/slur markings in the music. Proper phrasing is a clear sign of good musicianship.

15. In piano competition, be cautious about faulting hand/finger positions unless the student’s technique appears to be weak because of it. Although the accepted standard hand position (fingers curved, hand shaped as though gripping a ball, knuckles out) should be taught, there is little consistency of hand position among successful concert pianists.

16. Please give special attention to section VIII Music, pages 17-21, of the Student Convention Guidelines. Here you will find details on the various music judging criteria.

Guidelines for Appropriate Dress During Music Events:

Gentlemen: Dress shirts, ties, and jackets should be worn for all Music Events with the following exceptions:

1. School uniforms may be worn to perform.

2. A tuxedo with either a vest or cumberbund without a jacket may be worn.

Ladies: Nice church outfits should be worn for all Music Events with the following exceptions:

1. School uniforms may be worn to perform.

2. Formal attire that meets the modesty requirements for Student Convention may be worn. ELEMENTS OF MUSIC Melody—A good melody has a definite high place near its conclusion so that there is a sense of climax and resolution. Harmony—Harmony should support the melody and play a subservient role. Rhythm—The rhythm of a song has much to do with the overall integrity of the piece. A subtle rhythm or sense of pulsation with a balance of regular accent patterns and occasional syncopation for variety and interest is acceptable. The rhythm must not overtake the melody, harmony, message, or overall flow of a song. Avoid musical compositions with excessive repetition of a melodic phrase, harmonic pattern, rhythmic pattern, or any combination of these three. Music with continuous syncopation, dominant beat, highly accented backbeat, and/or break beat is not acceptable. Worldly Identification—The message carried by a musical style does not change by simply adding religious or Scriptural lyrics. A musical composition should have a definite beginning, build to a climax point, and communicate a definite sense of conclusion. The musical sound must not detract from the message of the words. TEXT Accuracy—Good lyrics must be Biblically accurate in both definition and associative meaning. The key to a truthful presentation of text is balance and careful examination under the Holy Spirit’s direction that the words are “pure.” Implications—Any implied ideas must be examined to make sure that nothing unacceptable is implied and that the intent of Scriptural teaching and principle is satisfied. A wise performer will always check the implied communication of a song’s message to verify its total accuracy. Crossover Songs—The lyrics must CLEARLY state at some point Whom the song is about. Avoid songs that have no direct reference to the Lord and others that are written to reference only “He” or “Him” whenever God’s name is mentioned—“crossover songs.” (Such songs are acceptable in both the secular and Christian communities, as the song could easily be sung in the content of a secular love song.) The attributes of God should be maintained in the highest regard any time He is addressed.

Message—Good lyrics say something of value. Not every song needs to be as profound as our richest hymns, but good lyrics never include trite phrases just for the sake of rhyme. Such phrases are designed for entertainment rather than edification. Good lyrics fulfill a definite purpose. If the text is sung as a hymn, it should express some Godly attribute that helps us worship the Lord. If the text is sung as a gospel song, it should be a message that encourages us. The message should also be simple enough that almost anyone can easily understand it, relate to it, and apply it.

PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES

Presentation—Give careful attention that the musical presentation does not reflect secular styles (breathy, sensual, and so on). “Crooning,” “sliding,” “sagging,” or other such terms are vocal crutches and should be avoided. Use caution that the presentation is not done in an “entertainment” attitude or style.

Movement—No choreography, planned or unnecessary bodily movement (including hand clapping, foot stomping, deaf signing, finger snapping, etc.), will be permitted. Occasional movement of the hands/arms for dramatic effect (i.e., placing hand to heart, raising hand toward Heaven) is permitted but should be used sparingly. Competitors should stand erect; bend knees slightly to relax rigid leg muscles, with arms and shoulders relaxed and thumbs resting at the side-seam of clothing.

Questions to evaluate musical selections/performances:

1. Does the music glorify God, not the performer or composer?

2. Does the music reflect Biblical doctrine and Godly living?

3. Is the rhythm a subservient feature that does not dominate the music?

4. Does the background music play a subservient role to the lyrics and not distract the listener from the message?

5. Are the lyrics Biblically accurate?

6. Is the performance a straightforward presentation, focusing on vocal technique that employs proper breathing (avoiding breathy tones, sagging and sliding pitches, and/or choreographed movement)?

7. Is the music easily identifiable as a Christ-honoring piece as opposed to a “new sound” as

in secular or entertainment styles?

8. Does the music invoke positive responses?

9. Does the selection draw the listener closer to God and uplift his/her spirit?

10. Does the music praise the Lord, focus on God, or deliver a clear spiritual message?

When evaluating musical selections, an appropriate piece will always yield a “YES” response to all of the questions given. If there is ANY doubt regarding the appropriateness of a piece and to avoid conflict, please submit the selection to A.C.E. for review/approval. Out of love and respect for the students competing, A.C.E. would never desire a student to invest time and energy preparing a selection, only to be marked down because the selection does not meet the guidelines.