ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH CHORAL FESTIVALS 2013-2014 COORDINATOR HANDBOOK 1 Association of Christian Schools International California Hawaii Region
Contents Introduction 3 Statement of Purpose and Philosophy 4 General Information 5 Guidelines 6 Responsibilities of the School Coordinator 7 Adjudication Form 8 Event Pages from Participation Guide 9 Event Evaluation Form 11 2
Introduction Thank you for your willingness to serve as event coordinator. Your labor of love in Christ s name is truly appreciated. The ACSI regional office is here to help you in every way possible. Please don t hesitate to call for assistance. Copyright 2010 by ACSI All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of ACSI, except for circumstances involving the convenience of a member school when participating in an ACSIsponsored event. No changes of any kind may be made to the ACSI event procedures or guidelines or the contents of this book without authorization from the ACSI regional office. 3
Statement of Purpose and Philosophy The ACSI Choral Festivals have both a spiritual and an educational purpose. The first purpose is to teach children to worship God using the singing voice. We want to foster an attitude of corporate worship through the gift of vocal music. The second purpose is to help our students become proficient in the use of their vocal instrument and to help our directors become more effective, producing choirs of excellent choral technique. In order to accomplish this, the focus is purposely narrowed to vocal production. In a festival setting, the educational purpose is accomplished in several ways. First, the very task of preparing for a special event provides a strong motivation for learning. Second, both the director and choir will benefit by the specific comments from the guest adjudicator. In addition, students and directors will learn, be challenged, inspired, and affirmed by hearing other choirs. Because the focus of the festival is an adjudicated choral production in a sacred concert setting, the use of hand motions becomes incidental and may even, for some choirs, detract from the quality of vocal production or even from the spirit of worship and ministry. Although the use of choreography is very powerful in dramatic musical productions, such as Christmas programs and spring concerts, it is outside the focus of an adjudicated choral festival. Does this mean that a choral festival must be a serious, somber event? Not at all! Joy and exuberance can be felt in the heart and expressed in the face and voice. With this in mind, the choral selections are carefully chosen, paying close attention to text, key, rhythm, and harmony. Upon reviewing these purposes, you can see why ACSI sponsors these choral events as festivals and not as competitions. While each choir is adjudicated and receives a Certificate of Participation, no awards are presented. The question is not, Which choir was the best? but Did each choir do its best? We trust God to bless you as you prayerfully mentor the lives of your student musicians. 4
General Information Objectives 1. To provide opportunity for ACSI students to unite together in exalting our Lord Jesus Christ in song. 2. To permit each choral group to benefit from the experience of being evaluated by a qualified Christian adjudicator. 3. To provide occasion for our students and choral directors to present a well-planned public performance. 4. To encourage our students by giving them the benefit of sharing the ministry of their choral group with other similar groups. Description Two sacred or patriotic songs selected by the director are performed (memorized) before an adjudicator. Texts must be appropriate to Protestant Christian theology. There are also two(2)(elementary)/four(4) (junior high) pre-selected combined songs that all choirs memorize and sing as a large combined choir. The combined songs are selected early in the year. Schools are provided this information upon registration for the event. The festival is not a competition. Choirs are adjudicated by a guest adjudicator and the results are given to the choir directors at the conclusion of the festival. Eligibility Choirs must be a functioning group within a member school, comprised of students in Grades 4-6 for participation in the Elementary Choral Festival and Grades 7-8 for the Jr. High Choral Festival. (The sixth grade students may be invited if this is a middle school program). Schedule The Choral Festival entails an early evening combined choir rehearsal, followed by a concert program for the public (during which individual choir adjudications are performed). Awards A Certificate of Participation and written adjudication are given to each choir director. Registration and Fees Schools register on the Student Activities Registration Form that is mailed to each school in the Fall of the school year and pay the school registration fee at that time.. Choir participation forms and fees must be mailed to the event chairman 30 days prior to the event. All school checks are to be made payable to ACSI (no personal checks). 5
Guidelines Attire for Directors Choral directors are expected to dress modestly and professionally. Women are to wear dresses (nothing tight, clinging, slits, or more than two (2) inches above the knee or black dressy pant suits.) Men are to wear a shirt, tie, jacket and slacks. Conduct is expected to be respectful. Directors are responsible for student conduct (see below). Attire for Students Students are to be dressed modestly and neatly. If the choir has matching choir outfits, it is appropriate to wear them to the festival (if the choir outfits are matching dressy pants for the girls, they are acceptable; otherwise girls must wear dresses). Preferred attire for performance: Girls dresses; Boys shirt, tie, and slacks (jackets are optional). Conduct of Students Students are to behave in a respectful manner and follow all instructions and directions of their choral director, the Festival Chairperson, and the Guest Adjudicator. There should be no talking, whispering, shouting or whistling during the rehearsal and performance. Students are to remain seated during the performance, entering and exiting with their choir at the appropriate time. Do not let students run around. Use sufficient adult supervision to assist you (at least one adult for every 1:10 students). Conduct for Parents School Coordinators are asked to include the following statement in their communication to parents: Dear Parent, The ACSI Choral Festival is a sacred concert setting. The best and only appropriate response to choir performances is applause. Please refrain from shouting and whistling while acknowledging our students performances. Thank you. As School Coordinator, you are the person responsible for your school s registration for the Elementary and/or Jr. High Choral Festival. 6
Responsibilities of the School Coordinator The following is a checklist of the usual duties of a School Coordinator: Secure the music needed to prepare for the two(2) or four(4) combined choir numbers. Selections are available on ConNEXUS (my.acsi.org). Music may be purchased through Chandler Music www.chandlermusic.com. Select two (2) additional numbers for individual choir adjudication. These selections must be of a sacred or patriotic, festival-worthy nature, and must be published, in print, music. Texts must be appropriate to Protestant Christian theology. (See enclosed sample list of appropriate repertoire.) Submit one original of each of the above selections to the Chairperson prior to the event, or at registration check-in. Read the contents of this Coordinator s Handbook thoroughly. Secure an accompanist. Schools must provide their own accompanist. Performance must be with piano accompaniment only. No taped/recorded background accompaniment is permitted. Your school must complete and mail the Sample Choral Adjudication Form to your event chairperson. Recruit adult sponsors/chaperones. (Minimum of one adult per 1-10 students.) Distribute information flyer to all teachers and parents (maps, schedule, conduct expectations, etc., as received from chairperson). Confirm transportation arrangements. Complete the Event Evaluation form. PLEASE NOTE: Choirs who do not adequately know the combined songs will not be allowed to participate in the evening concert. 7
Sample Adjudication Form To be completed and returned to Chairperson 30 days prior to event. Association of Christian Schools International California Hawaii Region Adjudication Form for Elementary & Jr. High Choral Festivals School Information School Name: Address: City: State: Zip: School Phone: Total School Enrollment: Grades Offered in the School: Choir Information Group Name: Grade Levels of this Group: Number of Singers in this Group: Weekly Rehearsal Hours in School: Rehearsal Hours Outside of School: Accompanist: per week per week Is group selective? Yes Director: Home Phone: Years in this Position: Email Address: No Repertoire Title Composer/Arranger Song #1: Song #2: Evaluative Criteria Song #1 Song #2 Tone Quality Pitch/Intonation Intervals Breath Support Diction/Articulation Clarity of Consonants Purity of Vowels Uniformity of Vowels Rhythm Precision Accuracy Attacks Releases Interpretation Phrasing Style Tempo Dynamics General Appearance Deportment Attention to Director Repertoire Suitable for Group Musical Value Variety Adjudication Rating Code: 4 = Excellent 3 = Very Good 2 = Good 1 = Fair 8 Adjudicator s Comments Adjudicator s Signature
Elementary Choral Festivals Grades 4-6 The Elementary Choral Festival is both an educational and performance event. Choirs must be a functioning group within a school, comprised of students in grades four through six (4 6). The choral festival is comprised of an early evening rehearsal followed by a public concert during which each choir performs two selections and is adjudicated by a guest conductor. The program concludes with a performance of the combined choir selections. Parents and guests are welcome. School choirs prepare two (2) selections of required repertoire (see below) for a combined performance with other choirs at the conclusion of the festival. Each choir also prepares two (2) sacred or patriotic songs for adjudication by the guest conductor. Because the focus of the festival is on vocal production, use of body motions shall be limited to those written into the score by the composer (e.g. hand claps, finger snaps). All selections must be published works appropriate for the elementary voice, memorized, and accompanied by piano only (no taped music). Use of photocopied music is not permitted. This festival is not a competition. Choirs are adjudicated by the guest conductor and written evaluative comments along with certificate of participation are provided to the choir director at the conclusion of the festival. FEES All fees are to be paid with a school check made out to ACSI (no personal checks, please). School Fee: $60 by October 31 ($80 thereafter) Student Participation Fee: $3 per student (max of $225 total) if postmarked by the Chairperson s deadline ($8 thereafter). Combined Number Repertoire **Selections will be posted online in the CA HI Choral Festivals subgroup via ConNEXUS at: my.acsi.org. ACSI Choral Festival Music is available through Chandler Music by calling 800-445-6874 20% discount if ordered before December 1st Event ID, Date and Locations Southern California: 18S21 May 9, 2014 Yorba Linda Friends Christian School 18S31 March 14, 2014 Downey Calvary Chapel Christian School 18S41 March 7, 2014 Murrieta Calvary Murrieta Christian Schools 18S51 March 7, 2014 Granada Hills Heritage Christian School Northern California: 18N61 March 7, 2014 Fremont Fremont Christian School 9
Junior High Choral Festivals Grades 7-8 The Junior High Choral Festival is both an educational and performance event. Choirs must be a functioning group within a school, comprised of students in grades seven and eight (7 8). Middle schools may include 6 th graders. Each school choir will have the opportunity to be adjudicated by the guest conductor and perform the mass choir pieces at a public concert in the evening. Parents and guests are welcomed to attend this command concert. School choirs prepare four (4) selections of required repertoire for a combined performance with other choirs at the conclusion of the festival. Each choir also prepares two (2) sacred or patriotic songs for adjudication by the guest conductor. Because the focus of the event is on vocal production, use of body motions shall be limited to those written into the score by the composer (e.g., hand claps, finger snaps). All selections must be published works appropriate for the early adolescent voice, memorized, and accompanied by piano only (no recorded music). Use of photocopied music is not permitted. The festival is not a competition. Choirs are adjudicated by the guest conductor and written evaluative comments are provided to the choir director at the conclusion of the festival. A certificate of participation and a written adjudication are presented to each choir director. FEES All fees are to be paid with a school check made out to ACSI (no personal checks, please). School Fee: $60 by October 31 ($80 thereafter). Student Participation Fee: $5 per student (max of $250 total) if postmarked by the Chairperson s deadline ($10 thereafter). Combined Number Repertoire **Selections will be posted online in the CA HI Choral Festivals subgroup via ConNEXUS at: my.acsi.org. ACSI Choral Festival Music is available through Chandler Music by calling 800-445-6874 20% discount if ordered before December 1st Event ID, Date and Location Southern California: 20S41 April 11, 2014 Riverside Riverside Christian Schools 20S51 April 15, 2014 Long Beach Lakewood Christian Schools Northern California: 20N21 March 28, 2014 Roseville Adventure Christian School 10
Event Evaluation Form School Coordinator Address City State Zip Event Location Your opinion of this ACSI Student Activities event is important. Through constructive comments and criticism we hope to improve and maintain a quality event for our students. Please cooperate by filling out this form and returning it to the Chairperson or mailing to: ACSI Student Activites Office, 910 E. Birch St., Ste. 260, Brea, CA 92821. Thank You! Your evaluation of the overall event (circle one): Excellent Very Good Fair What went well? What might be improved upon? 11
Association of Christian Schools International California Hawaii Region Student Activities Office 910 E. Birch Street, Suite.260 Brea, CA 92821 P: 714-256-1287 F: 714-256-4085 E-mail: megan_ilertsen@acsi.org 12