CHORAL/CONTEMPORARY MUSIC DIVISION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
John Chalmers, Etobicoke, ON – Chairman
Megan Collings, Orangeville, ON – Vice Chairman
Scott Leithead, Edmonton, AB – Vice Chairman
Frank Gnandt, Lethbridge, AB
Brenda Uchimaru, Cambridge, ON
PERFORMANCE CODES
C – Denotes Division – Canadian Choral Festival
# – 101-501 denotes classes with age restrictions
CATEGORIES OF VOCAL ENSEMBLES
| CHORAL: | ||
| CLASS | DESCRIPTION | # OF SINGERS |
| CONCERT CHOIR | performing traditional concert/chamber choir repertoire | 10 or more |
| CHORAL COMBO | performing traditional concert/chamber choir repertoire | 3-9 |
| N.B.: A group may not perform a given selection in more than one category. | ||
| VOCAL JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY MUSIC: | ||
| VOCAL JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY MUSIC COMBO | with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music | 2-8 |
| VOCAL JAZZ and CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ENSEMBLE | with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music | 9-18 |
| COMBINATION CHOIR | performing an equal number of traditional and contemporary styles | up to 18 |
CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION
| CLASS | DESCRIPTION | AGE LIMIT |
| C101 | University or College Vocal Groups | no age restrictions |
| C102 | Community and Church Vocal Groups | no age restrictions |
| C201 | Vocal Groups | max. age of 20 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| C301 | Vocal Groups | max. age of 17 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year or enrolled in grade 12 |
| C501 | Vocal Groups | max. age of 15 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year or enrolled in grade 10 |
| C601 | Vocal Groups | max. age of 14 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year or enrolled in grade 9 |
| C701 | Vocal Groups | max. age of 13 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year or enrolled in grade 8 |
| C801 | Vocal Groups | enrolled in Grades 1-7 |
PRESENTATION AND PERFORMANCE
Performance time is limited to 30 MINUTES total stage time including set up, performance and reset of any equipment moved. Groups exceeding these time restrictions may be suspended and their performance cut short.
A group will perform a minimum of three and a maximum of five contrasting selections. The Official Program will only list three of the compositions to be performed. All Concert Combos and Concert Choirs must present one selection composed by a Canadian.
A cappella singing is encouraged in all categories.
The accompanying personnel, up to a maximum of six, must meet the criteria of the class entered. The keyboard accompanist in the Concert categories need not comply with the criterion.
Every facet of the performance including accompaniment will be considered in the presentation of the “Standard of Evaluation.”
Live Festival Performance Considerations: Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 MINUTES prior to the performance. Each Ensemble must report to the warm up check in area one HOUR prior to performance time.
Each group must provide three copies of each performance selection, a solo outline and pertinent information at the time of performance.
It is strongly recommended that all ensembles provide an advisor to the sound technician at the time of performance. Solo sheets and stage plots provided should be concise, clear and current as possible.
EVALUATION
All groups will be evaluated to a “National Standard of Performance” unless they have elected “Adjudication Only” prior to their performance.
Musical integrity will be the basis of evaluation to include consideration of stylistic interpretation, intonation, dynamics, phrasing, diction, blend, balance and repertoire.
Each Ensemble will receive a 30-minute clinic with a Festival Clinician focusing on observations made during the on-stage performance. Evaluators’ comments will reflect a total assessment of the performance selections. All comments will be intended as a guide for the continued development of the Group.
EQUIPMENT (Live Festival)
CHOIRS
Festival Performance Area:
Acoustic piano, appropriate risers and music stand will be supplied.
Warm up Area:
Piano only.
Clinic Area:
The equipment and set up will be similar to the performance area.
VOCAL JAZZ & PRAISE TEAMS
Warm up Area: A Yamaha acoustic or electric piano, one Yorkville bass amplifier, a Ludwig drum set with Dream cymbals, and a small PA system with 20 microphones.
Clinic Area: A Yamaha acoustic or electric piano, one each of Yorkville bass, guitar and keyboard amplifiers, a Ludwig drum set with Dream cymbals, and up to 20 vocal microphones. A small sound system will be provided.
Festival Performance Area:
A Yamaha acoustic or electric piano, one each of Yorkville bass, guitar and keyboard amplifiers, Ludwig drum set with Dream cymbals, standard choral risers, 20 vocal microphones. Sound system as required. The Ensemble should provide a sound advisor during its performance.
No equipment may be substituted or moved. All Ensembles must use the equipment supplied. Drummers are only permitted to exchange the snare drum and bass pedal. The Dream cymbals which are provided may not be removed from their stands or from the drum set, but may be re-organized as required. The ensemble may add cymbals to the drum kit, provided that they are complete on their own stand. Keyboard players may add their own keyboards if necessary, but not move or remove existing keyboards.
The movement of any equipment on the stage will be counted as a portion of the Ensemble’s time in that particular performance area.
NOTE TO PRAISE TEAMS:
MusicFest Canada recognizes Praise Teams or Worship Teams as important ensembles within the Christian school/church environment. From a MusicFest Canada perspective, Praise Teams are Contemporary Music Ensembles that typically select their repertoire from that used in Christian churches in support of religious activities. MusicFest adjudicators and clinicians will limit themselves to evaluating and making suggestions to only the musical components of the presentation, to improve the musical skills of the individuals as well as improving the overall quality of the presentation of the ensemble. They will address lyrics, but only to the extent that they relate to a melodic line, rhythm, harmony, etc.
