Elementary Classification
{4C 4B 4A 5C 5B 5A and F G H I with 4 or 5 as highest grade represented}
Voicing required: Unison – THE UNISON SELECTION WILL BE SUNG ONCE WITH A PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT
6C 6B 6A and F G H I with 6 as highest grade represented
Voicing required: 6th Grade 2-Part – THE 6th GRADE 2-PART WILL BE SUNG ONCE WITH THE PIANO
Upon entering the sight reading area, the judge will give the required selection to the choir and the director.
For the unison selection the director will also receive the piano accompaniment.
For 6th Grade 2-Part, the piano will accompany the choir by playing the voice parts.
Neither the director nor the choir may look at the music until directed to do so by the judge.
The current director will be the only person instructing or conducting the choir during the sight reading event.
The director and choir will receive eight minutes to examine and discuss the selection as follows:
Within the eight minutes the director MAY:
1. receive the key note and have the choir sing the scale and I-IV-V7 cadence in blocked chords or arpeggios (NOT BOTH).
2. ask and answer questions.
3. call attention to difficult rhythms, repeat signs, etc.
4. clap or tap or have the choir clap or tap rhythm patterns.
5. say or have the choir say the words in rhythm.
6. sing or play up to five different intervals which may be “echoed” by the choir.
THE DIRECTOR MAY NOT SING WITH THE CHOIR AT ANY TIME DURING THE SIGHT READING EVENT.
At the end of the eight minutes the judge:
1. WILL ask the director to conclude his/her remarks, receive starting pitches, and begin sight reading.
At the end of the eight minutes the director:
1. MAY NOT give any further verbal directions. Violations by the director and/or the choir will result in lowering one division in its rating.
2. MAY STOP the choir once during sight reading, receive the pitches, then resume singing without penalty. If stopped more than once, the choir will be penalized one division in its rating.
3. MAY have the choir sing the text or solfege syllables. The choir must sing the text of the song if the director conducts with hand signs. The choir is allowed to sing with syllables only if the director does not conduct with hand signs. If an accompanist is provided for district or state festival, ALL CHOIRS must utilize said accompanist.
At the conclusion of the eight minutes of instruction the director shall remain at the podium to conduct the reading of the selection.