music

Clubs will hold their competition at the club level on a date convenient for the eligible students and the club. This contest must take place sufficiently early to ensure that all entry forms arrive at the District Office, P.O. Box 1609, Fredericksburg, VA 22402, by the April 3, 2010 deadline. Clubs that wish to participate must make a donation of at least $250 for each Entrant, which should be sent along with their Entry Form to the District Office. If an individual club holds one competition and desires, it may sponsor more than one student from that competition. For example, a club may have 10 contestants and pick as many “winners,” or Entrants as they like. Each of the club's Entrants will go on to the next level at area/regional/final and each winner must be sponsored by the club, which will be responsible for paying the $250 fee for each Entrant. If an individual club holds 2 separate competitions, they must sponsor at least one “winner” from each competition. Site and location is recommended to be club program with area or regional program as a club program or neutral location - large enough to hold a competition for as many students as sponsored. It is recommended that each location be chosen for a location central to the region (if possible), acoustics, seating, and accommodation of parents, family, friends, teachers, interested Rotarians and the public at large if so desired. A piano is recommended tuned and on location, rather than having a piano brought in (a huge expense). The club is responsible for paying the sponsor fee for each contestant sponsored by the club and assisting in making arrangements for each contestant for Area/Regional competitions. Also, if food and rooms are required, this is also the responsibility of the club whose student performs at the area/regional level. In the interest of financial consideration, it is recommended that each student be made aware of the obligations on their part and that of the club, so there is no misunderstanding. Meals and accommodations at finals will be provided by the District. Please make contestants aware of all dates so they can keep them open and available if they continue on in the process. Entrants are responsible for their accompanist knowing these dates and being available. The District will not provide an accompanist for preliminary auditions. Please notify Entrants that the Semi-Finals will be held in Fredericksburg on April 17, 2010, and the Finals will be held at Kings Mill Resort in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Each student may either sing or play any musical instrument and the instrument must be the main focus of the piece played. (For example, the instrument cannot be a triangle or cymbals, which is not the main focus of any particular piece). Accompanists may be used, and if required by the piece, as many as needed may be used. The accompanists may not overshadow the student contestant. Each student, however, will be responsible for their own accompanists for all three competitions. This is not the responsibility of the club. A contestant may sing or play any musical selection they desire.

There is no minimum time limit, however, there is a maximum time limit of 8 minutes. Each 15 seconds, or portion of 15 seconds past the limit will cause a five (5) point deduction from the total of 100 points. Therefore, while a disqualification will not take place during the competition, a de facto disqualification may occur when the timekeeper and the judges (should have professional background) for each competition score the event.

Musical Ability
Is the contestant familiar with the song being sung or the instrument being played and do they appear to have the command of this particular *song/instrument? 20 points maximum.

Musical Sound
Does the contestant and the instrument respond in a manner that makes it desirable to listen to and make the listener want to hear more? 20 points maximum

Stage Presence
Does the contestant have a command of the stage (area of performance), and is there a sense of rapport with the audience. 20 points maximum.

Musical Selection
Did the performer select a musical piece too easy or too difficult for their instrument? 20 points maximum (If too easy or too difficult, a lower score is indication for both, with 20 points being exactly right.)

Musical Empathy
Did the performer sing or play their particular selection in such a manner that the performer made a connection with the audience and/or the judges? 20 points.

Instrument includes voice and vocal selections.

Scoring is then made on a 1st place, 2nd place and so on with each judge. (For example Judge A may have a total of 50 points for his/her 1st place performer, 48 points for 2nd and so on. Judge B may have 100 points for his/her 1st place performer, 75 for 2nd and so on. Therefore, total point will not decide the overall winner(s), the placement by each judge will determine the overall winner(s). In the event this does not provide a clear cut winner, the first tiebreaker (if used) will be determined by Total Average Points.

Subsequent Tiebreakers will be determined by Average Points of the following Criteria
1) Musical Empathy
2) Musical Sound
3) Musical Ability
4) Stage Presence
5) Musical Selection

In the event the Judges deem not to use a tiebreaker and declare more than one person the “winner”, that is their prerogative. All decisions by the judges are final and cannot be appealed.

The purpose of this competition is to determine that musician who best describes their love of music in the music they play or sing and the way they perform it. It will be the judges’ job to decide that musician. It will be the competitor’s job to show their love of music with their instrument and their own personal talents.

All money is to be sent to the District Office, P.O. Box 1609, Fredericksburg, VA 22402. ($250 for each student with entry form, no later than April 3, 2010). Be sure the checks are made out to Rotary District 7610 and memo to: Rotary Music Contest. Semi-Final Competition will be April 17, 2010. Three finalists will perform at the district conference May 1, 2010, and winners will receive anticipated $3,000 for 1st, $1,500.00 for 2nd, and $500.00 for 3rd toward future musical instruction expenses at the school of their choice.