Music & Talent Rules, Terms and Schedules
Music & Talent Rules
GENERAL RULES
- Be respectful of those who are performing. Do not talk out loud and do not enter or leave the area of competition until the one who is performing is finished.
- Any previous music/talent rule herein unstated is null and void.
- All music and talent contestants will be judged by three judges who are qualified in those areas. The decision of the judges is final.
- When you perform for the Lord, it is essential that you present the best possible image. Our judges, therefore, will judge you for neatness, cleanliness and for conformity to the camp dress code.
- All contestants must be of camp age.
- All entries for music and talent competition will have sign-up forms filled out and turned in at the time of registration by their counselor.
- CAMPERS MAY ONLY PARTICIPATE IN ONE CAMP.
TALENT RULES
- No contestant may be entered more than 3 times in talent and may not participate more than one time per event.
- Flannel-graph, preaching, puppets, skits and storytelling (including media) will be limited to five minutes. There will be deductions for going over this time (-5 points per minute, max of two minutes over allowed).
- No “canned music” or tracks may be used in talent (including media), unless recorded by your own pianist in the sound of a piano. Please refrain from using a keyboard’s digital orchestra settings.
MUSIC RULES
- All vocal competitors are expected to sing in the camp choir.
- No contestant may be entered more than 3 times in piano or vocal competition (excluding camp choir and church choirs).
- No contestant may enter more than once in any event of competition.
- During instrumental competition, the piano is considered accompaniment only, and is not included as an instrument.
- All selections will be limited to no more than two verses, or the equivalent thereof.
- No church may enter more than 3 entries in any music event.
- No “canned music” may be used in music competition unless recorded by your own pianist in the sound of a piano. Please refrain from using a keyboard’s digital orchestra settings.
Music & Talent Schedule
TALENT SCHEDULE – In the Overlook Room
MONDAY
12:30 – Puppets
2:45 – Flannel Graph
TUESDAY
1:00 – Storytelling and Skits
WEDNESDAY
1:00 – Preaching
THURSDAY
After Lunch – Bible Quiz
MUSIC SCHEDULE – Under the tabernacle
MONDAY
12:30 – Song-Leading
1:00 – Vocal Solos
3:00 – Vocal Duets
TUESDAY
12:30 – Choirs
1:00 – Vocal Trios & Quartets
3:00 – Piano Duets
WEDNESDAY
12:30 – Piano Solos
(30 min break: instrument tuning)
2:00 – Instrumental Groups
2:30 – Instrumental Duests & Solos
ALL CAMPERS ARE INVITED TO SING IN THE CAMP CHOIR. VOCAL COMPETITORS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.
AGES FOR PARTICIPATION:
Senior Camp: 13-19
Junior Camp: 9-12
Music Judging Terms
PERSONAL
Introduction of Song – Should be easily heard and understood, and a zealous conveyance should be considered.
Appearance – Should be proper and neat. Contestants should dress their best when participating in the music competition. Boys are encouraged to wear neckties, and extra attention is given to groups and ensembles that have coordinated their attire.
Posture – Should be appropriate to the voice or instrument.
Enthusiasm – Involves a genuine Godly motivation.
Eye Contact – Should have a sense in which it involves the entire audience.
TONE PRODUCTION
A tone consists of four distinct attributes or properties:
Pitch – melodics Length – rhythmics
Power – dynamics Quality – esthetics (capacity for sensation)
Quality – No instrument, including the voice, should have an airy, squeaky, thin or off-key sound. All other tonal qualities should be judged according to the instrument or voice.
Support – Aids in producing a correct pitch, proper length and a full, or powerful sound. A full sound is necessary whether the dynamic is piano or forte.
FACILITY
Direction – Attention should be given to the motivating of the congregation. (Song leading only)
Technique – We are not so much concerned with proper time signature patterns but rather being able to polarize the congregation.
Articulation – Expressed or formulated clearly or systematically; distinct. It also involves an expressive presentation. Examples: attack, enunciation, pronunciation (An instrument would be primarily concerned with attack and expression)
Rhythm – Concerns time and accent.
Tempo – Since the suggested tempo is not known to the judges, consideration
must be given to the appropriateness of the song tempo.
Memorization – No consideration to the memorization should be given because of the difficulty of the piece.
MUSICALITY
Inspires Congregation – Many attributes lend to the inspiring of a congregation; therefore, this category is a “judgment call.”
Phrasing / Breathing – In performance, especially in singing, the art of placing “breathing rests” between phrases correctly to effectively bring out its structure.
Expressiveness – The total changes in tempo, dynamics, phrasing, mood, etc. which makes up a performer’s interpretation of a musical composition. To some extent, the composer can indicate expression, but it is for the most part up to the performer using musical sense and good taste.
Dynamics – Once again, since the judges do not have the composer’s suggested dynamics, it must be judges on a proper interpretation by the performer of the selection.
Blend – Involves balance and can be judged on the style of the harmony.
INTONATION
The quality of a tone in terms of pitch. Thus, good intonation means singing or playing in tune. Stylizing is appropriate to a degree, but it must be tempered so as not to compromise the pitch.
Talent Judging Terms
Introduction – Should be heard and easily understood.
Appearance – Should be proper and neat. Contestants should dress their best when participating in the talent competition. Boys are encouraged to wear neckties.
Enthusiasm – Involves a genuine Godly motivation.
Delivery – Grammar – Words should be understandable.
- Fluency – Speaking smoothly, not choppy.
- Gestures/Visuals – Proper use of hand gestures and or visuals.
- Vocal Expression – Should vary in pitch, speed, volume, emphasis.
- Eye Contact – Should have a sense in which it involves the entire listening audience.
Puppeteering – Puppet & voice should be coordinated. Puppet should be in proper position at all times. (facing audience, facing each other etc…)
Preparation – Materiel should be well known.
Application – Relating Bible truth to our lives.
A Note Regarding SKITS
We want to encourage our campers in the area of skits. We will allow one skit per church, and you may include as many participants as necessary to convey the message. As with other events, there is a five-minute time limit, and penalties will accrue for going past the limit. Your skit will count as one storytelling entry in the total count of talent events. Props are encouraged, and creativity will be rewarded. Your skit, whether humorous or heart wrenching, does not have to be a Bible story, but it does need to have a Biblical Application.
- one skit per church
- unlimited number of participants
- five-minute time limit
- props are encouraged