ORCHESTRA/STRINGS DIVISION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Tony Leong, Toronto, ON – Chairman, Orchestra/Strings
Ninette Babineau, Halifax, NS
Dr. Jason Caslor, Tempe, AZ
Louis Laviqueur, Montreal, QC
Dr. Scott MacLennan, Vancouver, BC
Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, Edmonton, AB
Dr. Cam Walter, Toronto, ON
CATEGORIES OF ENSEMBLES
| Orchestra | 25 or more performers on orchestral string instruments with brass, woodwind and percussion |
| String Orchestra | 9 or more performers on orchestral string instruments. |
| Chamber Ensemble | 2 to 5 performers on orchestral string instruments. |
CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION
Ensembles are required to perform a program of contrasting material and styles at a specific grade level, as determined by the director. There are no required pieces in these classes.
STRING ORCHESTRAS & CHAMBER ENSEMBLES (STRINGS)
| S100 |
| S200 |
| S300 |
| S400 |
| S500 |
NOTE: There are a limited number of Chamber Ensemble performance times available. Priority will be given to chamber ensembles already participating at the Festival with a Full Orchestra or String Orchestra.
FULL ORCHESTRAS
| O100 |
| O200 |
| O300 |
| O400 |
| O500 |
PRESENTATION AND PERFORMANCE
ORCHESTRAS, STRING ORCHESTRAS AND STRING CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
Directors are encouraged to select high quality, original works and choose compositions by Canadian composers when appropriate. “Pop” material is inappropriate.
Stage and Performance Time:
Performance is limited to a maximum of 30 MINUTES which will include: set up, introduction of the Ensemble, chorale (or similar work), performance and exit from the stage. An Ensemble exceeding this time restriction will be suspended and their performance cut short. Ensembles performing senior level music are advised to program carefully with these restrictions in mind.
Orchestras will not be required to do sight-reading. Requests should be sent directly to Dr. Tony Leong, Chairman, tony.leong@musicfest.ca.
Each Ensemble Director will receive, for private use, a video recording with commentary and suggestions by a noted conductor/teacher.
Live Festival Performance Considerations: Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 MINUTES prior to performance. The Ensemble will be expected to leave the warm up room up to 10 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time in order to arrive at the stage on time, leaving approximately 20 minutes for warm up. All Ensembles must report to the warm up check in area 1 HOUR prior to the performance time to allow sufficient time to put cases and equipment in the assigned storage area.
Each Ensemble will receive a 30 MINUTE clinic with a Festival Clinician (string specialist) focusing on observations made during the on stage performance.
Each Ensemble Director must provide the adjudicators with four (4) CONDUCTOR’S SCORES of each selection that is to be played, with measures clearly marked (excluding the warm up).
ADJUDICATION
Ensembles will be evaluated to a “National Standard of Performance” unless they have requested “Adjudication Only” prior to their performance.
Evaluation is based on musical integrity. With consideration to age and experience of the players, the adjudicators’ comments will include feedback about stylistic interpretation, tonal and musical elements such as intonation, dynamics, attacks, releases, articulations, blend, balance, repertoire and instrumentation.
Adjudicator’s comments will reflect a total assessment of the selections performed. Adjudicators’ comments are intended as a guide for the continued development of the Ensemble.
EQUIPMENT (Live Festival)
Warm Up Room: Chairs and music stands only.
Clinic Rooms: Chairs, – RAT music stands, Ludwig drum set, Ludwig bass drum, four Ludwig tympani (23″, 26″, 29″, 32″), Musser orchestra bells, xylophone and chimes, and one Yorkville bass amplifier.
Festival Performance Area: Chairs, – RAT music stands (numbers and layout may be restrictive due to performance stage configuration), Ludwig bass drum, Ludwig concert snare drum with stand, four Ludwig tympani (23″, 26″, 29″, 32″), one Ludwig drum set (five piece with Dream ride, crash and hi-hat cymbals), one Dream gong with stand, one Yamaha acoustic or electric piano, Musser orchestra bells, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and chimes, two Yorkville bass amplifiers, and a small table.
The Festival WILL NOT PROVIDE cymbals (except where installed on the drum set), mallets, beaters, sticks, auxiliary percussion, additional amplifiers, extension or patch cords, other furniture, other keyboard instruments or other equipment not listed above. Drummers using the drum set 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.
The moving of all percussion and stage equipment must be done by MusicFest staff, who will request assistance as required.
Equipment will be set up as per the stage plot provided by the Ensemble. Any movement of any equipment on the stage is counted against the total allowed time on the stage.
Potentially hazardous materials including, but not limited to, open flames or flammables and vessels containing water will not be permitted on stage.
