Middle School Classification
{6C 6B 6A 7C 7B 7A 8C 8B 8A 9C 9B 9A F G H I with 6, 7, 8, or 9 as highest grade represented}
All choirs in this division are required to sight read in at least two parts.
THE SELECTION WILL BE SUNG ONCE WITH THE PIANO.
Voicing required for 6C–6A classification: 6th Grade 2-Part
Voicings required for 7C–8A classification: MS-SA; MS-SSA; MS-SC; MS-SB; MS-TB; MS-SAB; MS-SAC; MS-SATB
Voicings required for 9C–9A Treble classification: MS-SA; MS-SSA
Voicings required for 9C–9A Mixed classification: MS-SAB; MS-SAC; MS-SATB
Upon entering the sight reading area, the judge will give the required selection to the choir and the director.
The director may choose to sing minus one voice performed in concert but not less than two 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 piano will accompany the choir by playing the voice parts.
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 l-IV-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. sing or play up to five different intervals (MAY NOT be “ECHOED” by the choir).
7. have changed voices sing the soprano and/or alto part an octave lower than written.
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, 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.