Virtual Solo & Ensemble Festival

Please read the following details closely, as the process is different with the virtual festival format!

Eligibility

• All students 6-12th grade may participate as soloists or in ensembles, receiving a Final Determination or comments only.

Registration

• The director must complete the online registration through this event link. 

• The submission fee for each event is $25.
  
• Payments can be made by credit card or check. Please mail all checks to:
  

MSVMA
P.O. Box 1131
Big Rapids, MI 49307

• Invoice and payment must be postmarked by November 30. Purchase orders are accepted.
• No late registrations will be accepted.
• Refunds can be requested by completing the form below.

           https://forms.gle/E8UqQ9zq6tfx9Z5U7

Video Requirements

• On December 1, a Dropbox request for video submissions will be sent to paid registrants.
  
• Only one video is to be submitted per event, with a pause between repertoire selections.
• Video submissions must be in a "live" format without edits.
• Before singing, hold up the original copy of the score to the camera.
• The video should be treated as a performance, with appropriate conduct and attire.
• While video quality is not part of the final determination, singers are encouraged to follow these guidelines for proper adjudication: place the camera at a reasonable height, distance, and angle to capture the entire singer and the most natural sound quality possible. Use adequate lighting. Avoid people, pets, or personal items visible in the background.
• Video submissions are due by December 15.
• Video MUST be titled "Last Name, First Name, School".
• Students must upload PDF's of their sheet music via the Dropbox request. Music must be titled "Last Name, First Name, Song Title"
• Directors will receive their student's adjudicated scores and comments by January 22.
• 
  

Repertoire

• Soloists must sing two age appropriate songs of contrasting nature. These songs should be from the art song, oratorio, or operatic repertory, but only one post-baroque aria may be performed.* 
• When choosing literature, soloists can use this Suggested Repertoire list as a guide. There is no longer a required list for soloists.
• If multiple strophic verses are included in the original work, it is acceptable to select two (or more if needed) in the interest of time
• If an original work repeats without any changes to text or musical content, it is acceptable to eliminate the repeat sign in the interest of time (da capo arias)
• Accompanists are encouraged to reduce lengthy introductions and interludes in the interest of time.
• Popular, show/musical tunes, vocal jazz, barbershop or novelty selections are not acceptable.

*An art song is usually written for one voice with piano accompaniment in the classical art music tradition. In German it is called lieder; in French, chanson.  An art song is a complete composition in itself and is not part of a larger work such as an opera or oratorio. 

Performance

• Soloists must perform from memory to receive a final determination.
• Ensembles may use music.
• Instrumental accompaniment other than piano is allowed but must not detract from the performance. This includes the use of a backing track.
• Small ensembles consist of 2 – 5 singers.
• Large ensembles consist of 6 – 20 singers. IMPORTANT NOTE - Because many ensembles have not been able to rehearse due to COVID, large ensembles may opt to participate in the spring Choral Festival rather than S&E.
• The personnel of the ensemble shall not change from one selection to the other.
• Performance time may not exceed 8 minutes.
• Choreography is not allowed. However, artful staging and appropriate choral movement that reflect performance practice of the genre is allowed.
• Students may participate in multiple events.

Final Determination

l Excellent	30-24
ll Good	23-18
lll Fair	17-12
lV	11-6