Solo & Ensemble Festival (updated 1/6/2010)

Upstate Site: Anderson University

Charleston Site: Charleston Southern University

Columbia Site: Irmo Middle School

1. Registration forms located in the South Carolina Musician of the SCMEA Choral Division website must be mailed by the postmark date listed above.
2. The fees should be included with the registration forms. Late registration or registrations without fees will not be accepted.
3. Teachers must be members of SCMEA and MENC. A copy of your current membership card must accompany the registration.
4. Only students that are regularly enrolled in your choral program or private instruction should be brought to the festival.
5. Ratings for each performance are as follows: I=Superior, II=Excellent, III=Good, IV=Below Average, V=Poor(plus+ or minus- may be added to the Score).
6. Standard vocal literature is required. See the solo list posted on the SCMEA Choral webpage for suggested literature.
7. A Certificate of Award will be given for each performance. Pins are available for purchase for $3.00 for those performers scoring I+, I, or I-.

B.     INFORMATION FOR ALL CATEGORIES:                

1. Solo and Ensemble events are available for students in the age range of the sixth grade through the twelfth grade.
2. All singers must perform memorized music.
3. All soloists and ensembles must furnish an original copy of the music for the adjudicator and accompanist. PHOTOCOPIES ARE ILLEGAL AND MAY NOT BE USED. Schools attempting to use photocopied music will be disqualified.
4. If any director or ensemble is performing literature that is out of print, the director must provide a letter from the publisher stating the music is out of print and they are given permission to copy and perform that music.
5. All music presented to adjudicators must have numbered measures.
6. Singers must have their own accompanist – accompaniment tracks are not acceptable.
7. Schools should arrive 45 minutes prior to their judging time. A 15-minute warm-up will be given for each school.

C.     ENSEMBLES

1. Small ensembles (2-6 performers) must prepare one memorized piece of standard choral literature. Large ensembles (7-16 performers) must prepare two memorized octavos of music in contrasting styles.
2. Ensemble performances may be a cappella or accompanied. Each performing group will furnish an original copy of the music for the adjudicator and accompanist.

D.    SOLOISTS

1. Students are encouraged to sing age-appropriate literature. See the Solo list posted on the SCMEA Choral webpage for appropriate selections.
2. All students will sing one piece, by memory, for the judge. The judge and the accompanist must have original copies of the music.
3. The Solo list posted on the SCMEA Choral webpage contains a section of “Advanced Division.” Teachers may choose pieces from this list if they feel their students are vocally ready. A student receiving a score of I+, I, or I- singing “Advanced Division” in their JUNIOR or SENIOR year of school will be eligible to try out for the SCMEA Scholarship during the senior year.

E.   SCHOLARSHIPS

1. Soloists must have received (I+, I, or I-) in the “Advanced Division” in their Junior or Senior year to qualify for the vocal scholarship.
2. Seniors who have received a Superior performing “Advanced Division” in their Junior year will register for the scholarship only.
3. Soloists may qualify by performing in the Advanced Division their Junior or Senior year and receiving a Superior. Seniors should register as a soloist and mark that they are intending to compete for the scholarship. The scholarship fee need be paid only if they receive a Superior in their Advanced Division solo.
4. Each student entering the scholarship division should submit a typed resume. This resume should be mailed along with the school’s registration form and meet the postmark deadline.
5. All soloists will prepare two memorized pieces in varying styles. At least one of these pieces will be from the “Advanced Division” list. One of the pieces should also be in a foreign language.
6. Scholarship auditions will begin following the adjudication of the other divisions. Students and parents are invited to listen to the auditions. Each student will sing one song of their choosing. After all singers have sung one piece, the judges have the opportunity to ask the singers to sing their other selection. The number of students asked to sing a second piece is at the discretion of the judges. A second runner up, first runner up, and scholarship winner may be recognized.
7. The soloist receiving the scholarship must be planning to be a music major at an institution of higher education in the State of South Carolina. Should the student change their major, or move out of state, the scholarship will be given to the first runner up.
8. The scholarship will be distributed in the following manner:
   1. The sum of $400.00 will be paid to the student after he/she submits transcripts of a successful completion of the first year of a music degree. Subsequently, another $400.00 will be sent after the second and third years. The official school transcripts should be sent to the SCMEA Choral Division Treasurer. Contact information may be located on the SCMEA Choral Division website.
9. One scholarship will be awarded at each festival site at the discretion of the judges
   

• Suggested Repertoire List:

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass

 (It is suggested that teachers choose good repertoire and avoid pop songs, show tunes, hymns or contemporary Christian selections.)

• Solo and Ensemble Registration Form
  • Microsoft Word Format (updated 1/6/2010)