Humanities

MUSIC COMPOSITION

The science or art of arranging music by ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination or in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 1. Mail six (6) original notarized compositions.

  2. The top of each page must include the contestant’s name, page number and unit name and number.

  3. The composition must be neatly and precisely written on music manuscript paper, in such a manner that any trained musician could perform the composition. Before submission, all electronically generated manuscripts (Finale, Sibelius, etc.) must be proofread to ensure proper quantization in the final print generated composition.

  4. The contestant must provide a CD of the composition with the National Registration materials and bring a copy of the CD for the judges onsite at the Local and National competition. Competitors will not perform their composition at the competition.

  5. The composition must not exceed five (5) minutes.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Creative sense (10 pts)

• Form (20 pts)

• Harmonic and rhythmic interest (20 pts) Strength of melodic line (20 pts)

• Use of theory (20 pts)

• Quality of transcript (10 pts)

BALTIMORE CITY BRANCH 7009

ORIGINAL ESSAY

A brief examination of a subject in prose usually expressing a personal view or interpretation of a subject or topic.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 1. Six (6) notarized copies of the original essay written only by the contestant should be submitted on or before the specified deadline. The top of each page must include the contestant’s name, page number, and unit name and number.

  2. The essay must be typed and double-spaced; not to exceed twelve (12) pages.

  3. The contestant must be prepared to answer questions by the judges.

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

• General Merit (25)

  • Ideas

  • Organization

  • Wording

  • Flavor

• Mechanics (25)

  • Usage

  • Punctuation/Capitalization

  • Spelling

• Overall Effect (50)

BALTIMORE CITY BRANCH 7009

PLAYWRITING

A literary composition developed for the stage.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 1. Submit six (6) original notarized copies of a one act play.

  2. The play must be original (written only by the contestant).

  3. The play must be typed and double-spaced, not to exceed twenty (20) pages. A one-page synopsis must be included.

  4. The top of each page must include the contestant’s name, page number and unit name and number.

  5. The contestant must be prepared to answer questions by the judges.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Characterization (10 pts) – Is there a protagonist of some type? Is there an antagonist? Are the characters in the play developed? Are the roles defined?

• Clarity (10 pts) – Is the author’s theme and purpose clearly stated?

• Content (25 pts) – Is the subject matter or situation of the play relevant, creative, and/or controversial?

• Dialogue (10 pts) – Is the word usage or phrasing consistent with the character? Does the dialogue advance the plotline or develop the character’s background?

• Mechanics (10 pts) – Is the manuscript clearly typed? Are there errors in spelling and/or grammar? Are the stage directions clearly stated? Are the settings and characters clearly indicated?

• Plot (25 pts) – Has the storyline been clearly defined? Has the action of the play been chronologically developed? Is there evidence of:

BALTIMORE CITY BRANCH 7009

SHORT STORY

A brief examination of a subject in prose usually expressing a personal view or interpretation of a subject or topic.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 1. Only one (1) notarized Short Story written only by the contestant, with six (6) copies of the notarized original should be submitted on or before the specified deadline. The top of each page must include the contestant’s name, page number and unit name and number.

  2. The Short Story should have a single storyline without subplots, no more than three to four characters, a single viewpoint and a short timescale. The story must be typed, double-spaced and between 1000 and 1500 words.

  3. The contestant must be prepared to answer questions by the judges.

Contestants Will Be Judged by the Following Criteria:

• • General Merit (25 pts)

    • ➢Ideas – single storyline, no subplots, 3-4 character, singe viewpoint (2 at most), short timescale.

    • ➢Organization – consistent writing style, consistent mood, tone, and space.

    • ➢Wording – appropriate language, brief descriptions.

    • ➢Flavor