Music Vocal/Contemporary

Music: Vocal-Contemporary

The art of performing with the human voice with rhythmic tones or sounds to produce popular music with the tones of the present.

Overview
This competition focuses on the art song repertoire of the late 20th, and 21st centuries, emphasizing balance, clarity, and moderation.

Notes for Judges ● Each contestant will have 5 minutes to present their performance and then the judging co-hort will have 5-10 minutes for any follow up questions and quick deliberations before the next contestant. Each contestant will only have an allocated time frame of 10-15 minutes. ● You should not under any circumstances engage with the students before or after the competition until the Awards Ceremony has concluded. ● You must provide honest constructive feedback for each contestant that you are judging. ● Scoring Rubric: ○ 95-100 - Qualifies as a Gold Medalist ○ 90+Up - Qualifies as a Silver Medalist ○ 85+Up - Qualifies as a Bronze Medalist ■ Please take heed that the identifying word here is “Qualifies”. There can be multiple contestants that can qualify as gold medalist and if that’s the case the highest score will receive the gold, and silver and bronze will be allocated to the next two highest scores. In the event the highest score is a 90 then there is no gold medalist and there’s only a possibility for a silver and bronze medalist as long as the remaining scores land within the 85+Up region.

Requirements

1. Only one song is to be performed.

a. Song must not exceed three and a half (3.5) minutes.

b. Exceeding this time limit will result in point deductions.

2. Musical accompaniment must be provided by the contestant either live or using a MP3 file.

a. The MP3 file should contain only the instrumental version of the song.

b. Contestants are encouraged to provide a backup MP3 file.

3. The material must be memorized.

4. Costumes are not permitted.

5. Examples of contemporary music are Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Blues, etc.

6. Live accompaniment is permitted for this competition.

7. The only instrument provided for performance will be a piano at the national competition only.

No instruments will be provided at the local competition.

8. Sheet music: Contestants must submit a copy of their sheet music.

Email sheet music to coraopolisnaacp@gmail.com by the March 20 Deadline

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria

Choice of Music (10 pts)

Selection of a suitable repertoire piece

Diction (25 pts)

Correct pronunciation and articulation

Interpretation (10 pts)

1. Expressive performance

2. Phrasing and adherence to historical style and tempo

Intonation (10 pts)

Accuracy of pitch

Stage presence (10 pts)

1. Confidence,

2. Poise

3. Connection with the audience

Technique (10 pts)

1. Breathing

2. Posture

3. Rhythm

4. Accuracy

Tone quality (25 pts)

1. Beauty of sound

2. Voice Control

Point Deduction
-1 to -5
In the event the student performance exceeds 5 mins one point will be deducted for every minute over up to five points.

Tips for Vocal—Contemporary Contestants

Choose Wisely: Select a song that showcases your strengths and aligns with your vocal range and style.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Consistent practice is key to mastering your piece.

Know Your Music: Understand the historical context and stylistic nuances of your chosen song.

Master the Text: Pay close attention to diction and pronunciation.

Connect with the Music: Convey the emotions and story of the song through your performance.

Mind Your Body: Maintain good posture and breath control.

Stage Presence Matters: Project confidence and engage with the audience.

Embrace Feedback: Use feedback from judges and coaches to improve your performance.

Enjoy the Experience: Have fun and let your passion for music shine!