Overture Awards Scholarship Competition

Vocal Music Criteria

CATEGORIES: All vocal styles are accepted

1. All criteria set forth in these pages apply to the Regional, Semi-Final and Final Competitions unless otherwise noted.

2. Students should perform their best work and not choose works that are more difficult than their current level of proficiency to impress the judges.

3. No parents, teachers or coaches will be allowed in the competition area.

5. Open to SOLOISTS ONLY.

6. Performances will be judged primarily on, but not limited to, the following:

• Quality of tone
• Technique: ease of production, breath support, intonation, flexibility, legato
• Communication/Interpretation/Diction: the degree and clarity, i.e., effectiveness of communication the music's text and mood
• Musicianship: dynamics, tempo, rhythm, phrasing, style
• Stage Presence: appearance, posture, charisma, preparation/ memorization
• Expression: demonstrating an individual musical personality

6. Performances at the Regional Competition must run no less than 1.5 minutes but no more than 3 minutes total. For the Semi-Final and Final Competitions, students will have up to 5 minutes to perform.

7. For the Regional and Semi Final Competitions, performers will be stopped at 3 or 5 minutes. During the Finals Competition, competitors will not be stopped. However, time is being kept and the judges will deduct points from the total score for overruns.

8. Competitors need not perform the same piece(s) they perform in the Regional round if they advance to the Semi-Final and Final Competitions.

9. Regional Competition: Each contestant will sing only one selection. Students should choose their strongest material to perform. MUST BE MEMORIZED.

10. Semi-Final and Final Competitions: Each contestant must prepare two musical selections. It is strongly recommended that the selections be contrasting in mood, character, style and tempo. MUST BE MEMORIZED.

11. Competitors must be accompanied by piano. Students may use their own accompanist for all rounds of the competition. If you do not have an accompanist, the Overture Awards will supply one for you if you indicate your need on your application and enclose a copy of your music clearly market for the accompanist.

12. In order to adhere to time limits, appropriate cuts in the song are acceptable.