High School Classification
B A AA AAA AAAA F G H I with 10, 11, 12 as highest grade represented
Treble and Men’s choirs in this division are required to sight read music with the same voicing, or minus only one voice part from the concert performance, but no less than two parts.
Treble voicings required: HS-SA #1; HS-SA #2; HS-SSA #1; HS-SSA #2.
Men’s voicings required: HS-TB; HS-TTB; HS-TBB; HS-TTBB.
Mixed choirs in this division are required to sight read music with the same voicing, or minus only one voice part from the concert performance, but no less than three parts.
Mixed voicings required: HS-SAB Training; HS-SAB #1; HS-SAB #2 (Select Group); HS-SATB Training; HS-SATB #1; HS-SATB #2 (Select Group).
High School choirs composed of only 9th grade students will follow the Classification 9C–9A sight reading rules for Middle School.
THE SELECTION WILL BE SUNG ONCE WITH THE PIANO THEN ONCE A CAPPELLA.
Upon entering the sight reading area, the judge will give the required selection to the choir and the director.
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 piano will accompany the choir by playing voice parts for the first singing of the sight reading selection. The second reading must be a cappella.
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-lV-V7 cadence in blocked chords or arpeggios (NOT BOTH).
2. ask and answer questions.
3. call attention to key and meter changes, 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. choose one of the following:
a. to STOP THE CLOCK at any time during the eight minute instruction period and have the choir sing the selection once with the piano, then START THE CLOCK and use the remainder of the eight minutes for further examination before singing the selection a cappella…..OR
b. to utilize the entire eight minute instruction period to examine and discuss the selection, then have the choir sing the selection once with the piano, then sing the selection a cappella.
THE DIRECTOR MAY NOT SING AT ANY TIME DURING THE SIGHT READING EVENT.
Within the eight minutes of examination the choir:
1. MAY NOT hum or sing except for the scale and cadence.
Within the eight minutes of examination the piano:
1. WILL NOT be played except for the key note.
At the end of the eight minutes of examination 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. Will receive the pitches and have the choir sing the selection once with the piano; then, receive the pitches and have the choir sing the selection a cappella.
3. MAY stop the choir if necessary during singing of the song, pitches may be obtained and singing resumed WITH THE UNDERSTANDING that the choir will be penalized one division in its rating.
4. May have the choir sing the text, neutral syllables, solfege syllables, or numbers. The choir is required to 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.
At the conclusion of the eight minutes of instruction the director shall remain at the podium to conduct the reading of the selection.