Groups will use the following categories for participation:
FORMAT
· 30-minute warm-up session
· 30-minute stage time including setup and takedown
· 30-minute clinic with an adjudicator (band and orchestra will take place in a separate space, choirs shall be adjudicated on stage to provide the best space for success).
· No sight-reading component.
Entry Classes
Concert Band
(Music Grade Level- Music Difficulty)
*Concert Band classes are coded to reflect the grade level of music being performed (not the grade of the students).
*Entrance in a class is based on the
Performance test piece chosen from the Musicfest Concert Band Syllabus. Please see the Musicfest Canada website for the syllabus.
Increasing difficulty:
· B100
· B200
· B300
· B400
· B500
· B600
Orchestra
(Class Categories by Age)
· O101 (open)
· O201 (21 and under)
· O301 (Grade 12 and under)
· O401 (Grade 9 and under)
Concert Choir
(Class Categories are by Age/Grade)
· C501 (Grades 1-7)
· C401 (15 Years of age max)
· C301 (17 Years of age max)
· C201 (20 years of age max)
· C101 (University/College)
*Directors may enter groups for adjudication only if they desire a non-competitive experience.
We welcome Elementary School Ensembles to enter a non-competitive category with pieces of their choosing to experience a festival and band trip with beginner players.
RATINGS
Superior – Excellent – Good – Participation.
These will be based on the MusicFest adjudication standards. Groups exceeding their time allotment on stage will be penalized. Adjudicators marks are final.
ADJUDICATORS
This year we are pleased to have for Band and Orchestra: Dr.Gerald King, Sandy King, and Dr.Steven Capaldo for clinicians/adjudicators.
For Choir we will have: Dr.Gerald King and Fiona Blackburn for clinicians/adjudicators
Description of Classes
Concert Bands
· No Size Limit or instrumentation restrictions.
· Musical integrity is encouraged.
· Are required to perform a maximum of 3 selections at their class level as follows:
1. One selection from the Musicfest Syllabus (available on the Musicfest Canada Website)
2. Two additional selections of in contrasting styles—own choice.
3. Bands performing larger works with several movements should restrict selections to two works. Let the allotted-on stage time be your guide, including set up, take down, tuning timpani, etc. Each group is given 30 minutes’ time on stage.
4. Each ensemble may perform a short warm-up chorale or tuning note which will not be adjudicated.
Orchestra
· Directors are encouraged to select high quality, original works, and choose Canadian composers/compositions when appropriate.
· Ensembles should perform a maximum of 3 selections.
Choir
· Groups may perform a minimum of 3, maximum of 5 contrasting selections.
· Groups must still adhere to the 30-minute time allotment on stage and should consider repertoire accordingly.
· A capelle signing is encouraged in all categories/classes
· Accompaniment personnel must meet the criteria of the class entered. Keyboard accompanists in this category do not need to meet class requirements.
SCORES
Please provide TWO (2) sets of original scores. Photocopies are not accepted unless supplied with a letter of permission from the publisher. THIS INCLUDES CONCERT BAND SYLLABUS SCORES (We are not provided with syllabus scores for the adjudicators from MusicFest). A digital recording will be provided for each ensemble performance with adjudicator comments over your performance and additional written comments will be returned to you before you leave the site. Directors, please remember to take your scores home with you from the Festival Registrar.