KVMEA Judges Handbook First Edition 2012 Please note that as a judge it is essential that you treat each student exactly the same, the procedures to be used are listed below. If you know the student or are good friends with their teacher this is NOT the place to strike up a conversation. Every student must be given the same opportunity in the same environment in order for the auditions to be consistent and fair. Thank you for your professionalism in being attentive to these expectations. VOCAL Judges Audition Protocol: Once the student enters the audition room: Greet the student: welcome, come on in Check the information on the score sheet as you as these questions: Please state your name (check) Please spell your last name (check) Prepared piece: Vocal Judges: Prior to starting the CD: I am going to play your prepared piece please sing at the appropriate time. Prior to Sight reading: ** please note a student may use whatever syllable or solfege her oshe is comfortable with, your job as a judge is to check pitch accuracy. Thank you Senior Vocal: You will hear the chord progression and starting pitch for the sight reading example in front of you then after 30 seconds of time to study the music you will hear the chord progression again begin the sight reading after you hear the second chord progression and starting pitch.
Junior Vocal: Give the student 30 seconds to exam and think. Begin the sing back after you hear the phrase PLAY THE CD with the sing back INSTRUMENTAL Judges Audition Protocol: Once the student enters the audition room: Greet the student: welcome, come on in Check the information on the score sheet as you as these questions: Please state your name (check) Please spell your last name (check) Please tell me what school you are from (check) Please play a few notes to get a feel for the room. Scales/Rudiments: Please choose your first major scale/rudiment and perform it for me. Please play the major scale/ Rudiment Please play the chromatic scale/ long roll Prepared Piece: Please play the prepared piece Sight Reading: Place the Sight Reading in front of the student. You have 30 seconds to study this piece your time begins now After 30 seconds: Please play the piece in front of you
Adjudicator Guidelines 10 Point Scale Below Average = 0-3 Average = 3.5-6.5 Above Average = 7-10 5 Point Scale Below Average = 0-1.5 Average = 2-3 Above Average = 3.5 5 Posture / Support: The average high school musician displays an understanding of wellbalanced posture and abdominal/costal breathing, although execution is inconsistent and may degrade over the course of a performance. The below average musician displays little understanding of either, usually resulting in a casual or rigid stance and noticeable chest and shoulder movement. The above average musician displays a consistent application of well-balanced posture and breathing technique throughout the entire performance. Judges are encouraged to specify casual or rigid posture. Intonation: The average high school musician displays an understanding of center of pitch and relative natural tuning, although execution is inconsistent across the range and vowel spectrum. The below average musician displays little understanding of either, usually resulting in a consistently flat, sharp, or inconsistent intonation. The above average musician displays a consistent execution of both, resulting in an intonation that sits on top of the center of the pitch across range and vowels. Judges are encouraged to specify flat, sharp, or inconsistent tuning. Tone / Placement: The average high school musician displays an understanding of free and open tone and tall and centered placement, although execution is inconsistent across the range and vowel spectrum. The below average musician displays little understanding of either, usually resulting in a tight sound and/or collapsed placement. The above average musician displays a consistent execution of both, resulting in a full, free, and open tone across range and vowels.
Diction/Articulation: The average high school singer displays an understanding of proper vowel shaping and consonant articulation, although execution is inconsistent, some vowel choices may seem arbitrary, and some consonants may be overdone. The below average singer displays little understanding of either, usually resulting in all vowels having a neutral sound and most consonants being lost. The above average singer displays a consistent execution of both, resulting in consistent, pleasant vowel choices and consonants that are present without being obtrusive. Dynamics / Phrasing: The average high school musician displays an understanding of stylistic artistry, although execution is inconsistent and some artistic choices may seem mechanical and arbitrary. The below average musician displays little understanding, usually resulting in a performance devoid of any artistry at all. The above average singer displays a consistent application of appropriate artistic choices for the style, resulting in a natural, believable performance. Notes / Rhythms: The average high school musician is well prepared, although a missed note or shortchanged rhythm due to nerves is not unexpected. The below average musician is not well prepared, and may become lost, miss entrances, or improvise rhythms. The above average musician is well prepared, note and rhythm perfect, and independent of the sheet music. Sight Singing: Rhythm: The average high school musician can perform the rhythmic pattern accurately in isolation, but may not keep a consistent beat when adding melody. The below average musician will improvise the rhythms. The above average musician will perform the rhythms accurately while simultaneously performing the melody. Melody: The average high school musician can perform the melodic pattern accurately in isolation, but may lose tonality when adding rhythm. The below average musician will improvise the melody. The above average musician will perform the melody accurately while simultaneously performing the rhythms.
Overall Presentation: The average high school musician displays an understanding of the audition process, although some anxiety may be evident. The below average musician displays little understanding of the audition process and heightened anxiety, usually requiring extra guidance from the judges and often making excuses for the performance. The above average musician displays a comfort level with the audition process, completing it with confidence and a pleasant demeanor.