INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RULES

Categories: Grade: Entries Allowed: Number of pieces: Time Limit: (per school) Instrumental Solo 5th- 6th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit 7th- 8th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit 9th – 12th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit

Sm. Ensembles 5th-6th gr. 3 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit (2-8 students) 7th-8th gr. 3 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit 9th-12th gr. 3 entries 1 Selections 8 min. limit

Large Ensembles 5th-6th gr. 2 entries 1 or 2 Selections 8 min. limit (9-18 students) 7th-8th gr. 2 entries 1 or 2 Selections 8 min. limit 9th-12th gr. 2 entries 1 or 2 Selections 8 min limit

Band or Orchestra 5th- 6th gr. 1 entry 1 or 2 Selections 15 min. limit (19 students & more) 7th- 8th gr. 1 entry 1 or 2 Selections 15 min. limit 9th-12th gr. 1 entry 1 or 2 Selections 15 min. limit

Piano Solo 5th- 6th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection (memorized) 8 min. limit 7th- 8th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection (memorized) 8 min. limit 9th – 12th gr. 4 entries 1 Selection (memorized) 10 min. limit

Piano Duet 5th- 6th gr. 2 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit 7th- 8th gr. 2 entries 1 Selection 8 min. limit 9th – 12th gr. 2 entries 1 Selection 10 min. limit

Rules for Participation: Acceptable Literature 1. Music selections will be from the following types of music: sacred, spirituals, patriotic, folk, and classical. The term “classical” does not limit music selections to music from that period in history but applies to selections to a classical nature as opposed to those of popular music.

2. The following is a list of unacceptable music. Ratings of the performances using pieces that are questionable or do not meet specific requirements will be left to the discretion of the judges and may be disqualified. Movie/film score or soundtrack, Broadway or show tunes, Rock style, contemporary gospel, Contemporary Christian/praise and worship, Jazz, or music in like vein.

3. Hymn selections should only be performed from a solo arrangement and not directly from a hymnal which is a choral version of the song and not meant to be a solo performance.

4. Gregorian chants or music in like vein will not be viewed as acceptable forms/copies of music. Notation should be current and easy to read as well as ‘original’. (See rule #5 in performance section.) 5/1/2018 5. Medleys are acceptable if they meet the guidelines set in # 2.

6. No student or group will perform the same selection in two consecutive years. In addition, the same selection is not to be used by multiple groups from the same school in the same year.

7. Deviations from the printed music should be clearly marked on the judges’ copies.

Accompaniment and Instrumentation 1. No electronically amplified musical instruments will be permissible. (Exception: keyboards provided by FAF host for accompaniment.)

2. Only live instrumental accompaniment (piano, cello, flute or similar instrument) will be permitted for all music categories which need accompaniment.

3. The accompanist is not part of the group’s assessment and rating but may receive comments from the adjudicators.

4. Page turners are allowed for piano duets and accompanists. The page turner may not assist the performers in any way other than simply turning their pages.

Performance 1. Instrumental solos, ensembles and piano duets do not need to be memorized. Piano solos must be memorized. If piano solos are not memorized, participants will receive comments only and not a rating.

2. Participants are not allowed to use page turners (with the exception of Piano Duets).

3. Ensembles of 4 or less cannot be conducted.

4. No choreography or planned bodily movement will be permitted.

5. One *original copy of music must be submitted to the judge at the time of competition. Participants with only photocopied music will receive “comments only” and not a rating. Instrumentalists that are not required to memorize their music may use a photocopy if the only original copy is given to the judge. In the case of 2 or more judges, photocopies may be used as “additional” pieces. *Music printed from the internet is acceptable if taken from a public domain site or paid membership site (e.g. CCLI). Proof of such music must be provided to the judge on a separate sheet (billing/receipt).

6. Music given to the judges (whether original, photocopies or internet purchase) must have the measures numbered. Participants without measures numbered will receive “comments only” and not a rating.

7. Schools may choose to enter choirs, bands or orchestras with 7th-12th grade students combined. These groups of combined ages may only compete on the High School day of FAF and will be judged as High School aged students. The 7th & 8th graders performing in H.S. groups may not also compete in another event of the same category (choir, band or orchestra) in the lower age level. (IE: A school using JH students in their HS Band, may not use the same students in a JH Band. Also, these JH students may not perform as soloists or in small or large ensembles on the High School event day, only on the JH day with the peers of their same age.) 5/1/2018

8. Instrumentalists may tune their instruments with the piano before performing. Pianists may familiarize themselves with the performance instrument before time begins (or until Judge indicates he/she is ready to begin).

9. The soloist, ensemble leader, or director will announce the name of the participant or group, the school, the title, and composer/arranger of the selection. Timing begins as soon as the Judge indicates he/she is ready to start. The introduction will be included as part of the timing.

**Please mark ALL music with the participants name(s) as well as the school name. Judges will NOT hand your music directly back to you at the completion of the performance!

5/1/2018