Rules

NOTE - This page was last updated in 2012 and no longer contains valid information. This page is for archival purposes ONLY until further notice. - 9/2016

I. Fees and Deadlines

A. Contest entry fees

1. Large group contests:

Middle/Junior High School $110 per group, payable to S.M.E.A.

High School $110 per group, payable to S.M.E.A.

2. Middle School Solos & Ensembles, total payable to S.M.E.A. :

Solos $18

Small Ensemble$28

Large Ensemble $28

3. Total fees are made payable to S.M.E.A. and should be mailed to either the contest chair (host) or the SMEA treasurer as indicated by the host. One check is submitted per teacher. Festivals must be self-sustaining

B. Deadlines

1. All entries must be postmarked four weeks prior to the contest date. You are urged to mail entries first class to insure prompt delivery.

2. Late entries will be subject to rejection after the notification of your principal.

II. Performance and Schedule

A. Large group contests are held in auditoriums if possible.

1. Choral groups are scheduled by blocks of four or five choirs. An attempt is made to schedule like groups in one block. Each group is assigned a section of the auditorium where they listen to the other choirs in their block. Warm-up and performance may take place on the stage. Students and teachers are encouraged to observe groups in other blocks.

2. Instrumental groups are usually scheduled at 25-30 minute intervals. Students and teachers are encouraged to observe and hear most, if not all, of the other bands. Warm-up is done in and adjacent room just prior to performance.

B. Band/Orchestra Contests

1. Performing time including entry and exit shall be a total of 30 minutes for senior high and 20-30 minutes for junior high/middle school.

2. Each ensemble may perform an extended work with contrasting sections.

III. Standards of Rating

A. The standards of rating shall be the "Five Division Plan."

Superior: Outstanding performance

Excellent: Performance of distinctive quality

Good: Average, room for much improvement

Fair: Lacking in many essentials

Poor: Inadequately prepared

B. Large Group and Junior High, Middle School Solo and Ensemble Adjudication forms are to be determined by each region for their own contests. Solo and Ensemble forms for Senior High Contestants are to be the WMEA required Adjudication form.

C. A "comment only" rating may be requested in advance of the performance when the director or performer feels the benefits of performance and the resulting comments outweigh the competitive aspects of a rating. In such cases "CO" will be posted in place of the usual rating.

D. Pluses or minuses are to not be used in the final posted rating. They are to be dropped automatically and are not to be posted.

E. If recorded accompaniment is used, the entry will receive comment only.

F. All groups earning the same rating should have attained approximately the same level of performance.

G. It is recommended that at least one of the judges at the large group contest be required to communicate verbally with the group being judged immediately after their performance. The judge who speaks need not make written comments. All comments will be made in confidential manner.

H. Following a large group contest, a summary of ratings will be made available to the participating schools.

IV. Solo/Ensemble Eligibility

A. Each participating school must be a member in good standing of the Soundview Region and WIAA.

B. Students from schools outside Soundview may enter the contest but will not be eligible for selection to the High School State Solo Contest.

C. Student participants MUST be an enrolled member of a regularly scheduled music class in his/her school (e.g., instrumental entry must be member of the like instrumental group, a vocal entry must be a member of vocal grouping) in order to receive a rating. See State Solo and Ensemble WIAA rules.

D. Directors are strongly encouraged to be members of WMEA and MENC.

E. External conducting of ensembles is not allowed.

V. Participants' conduct -- Participants are to:

A. Accept ratings gracefully without complaint.

B. Support other contestants.

C. Do not enter or exit a room during a performance.

D. Treat school property and homerooms with respect.

E. Assist directors and other students in promoting these expectations.

VI. Soundview music teachers meet in the fall, winter and spring of each school year to discuss contests and other music events.

VII. Adjudicators

A. Selection

1. Consider recommendations made by teachers when selecting judges.

2. Try to have a variety of judges from year to year.

3. Select, as far as possible, from the greater Seattle-Tacoma area to keep travel costs to a minimum.

4. Overnight lodging will be allowed for ONE (1) JUDGE, per contest, ($90 maximum) providing the distance of travel is over 100 miles one way.

5.Every attempt should be made to keep the adjudicators' day at a reasonable length to ensure the best results.

VII. General Rules for Contestants

1. Clearly label all equipment so that it can be easily identified. Keep cases locked if possible.
2. Label all music clearly with your name and the name of your school.
3. You are responsible for being in your performance room at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled time. You will present your music to the room chairman who will make certain that the adjudicator has it when you perform.
4. At the end of your performance, the adjudicator may wish to talk to you. This is for you alone unless the judge wishes to include others.
5. Your music will be returned to your director who may claim it with your rating sheet.
6. Please attend as many of the events as possible. This contest is for you.
7. Remain quiet while near judging rooms or in judging hall.
8. There will be no entering or leaving performance rooms during a contestant's performance.
9. All ratings will be posted in a pre-determined area.
10. Please report all disturbances and problems to the judges' assistants or the office.
11. String players and reed players -- be sure to have extra strings and reeds ready if needed.
12. Keep aware of the time and don't be late for your big event.