This year three of the four judges provided us with general comments on the “official” score sheets.  Those comments are included below as well as spoken suggestions which were given.

SOUND – Ruth Ann Parker

• Keep strengthening the vocal skills, specifically breath support and breath management.  There was a lot of vocal tension going on causing pushed sounds, especially in the lower scoring contestants. 

• In the high scoring choruses  (C+ and higher), voices need to be more focused and clear as you move through the outer edges of your vocal ranges.  Vocal stamina was a problem in both contests.  Some quartets and choruses seemed to be tiring, especially toward the end of their performance.

• Section unity is needed especially in lower scoring choruses.

• All of the problems listed above become very evident when the song is too difficult.  Lower scoring choruses particularly should consult coaches and judges before selecting their music for contest.

MUSIC – Becky L. Wilkins

• Many songs were too difficult for quartets.

• Suggestion:  Bring in an international coach for work with top quartets in region.

EXPRESSION – Joni Bescos

• No improvement in this category will be apparent until the individual vocal skills are stronger.  There is a general lack of well resonated production.  Improvement here will help to raise the performance level in this category.  Some music too difficult for quartets ( See note above).

• Vocal production needs to be at least “B” level before any dynamics can be addressed.

• Consistency is needed on sustained vocal sounds and finishing diphthongs as a unit.

Basic Requirements: 

• Vocal Skills - Need work

• Synchronization – There are internal problems

• Vowels and Diphthongs - Match resonance and they will match

• Consonants – Don’t overdo

• Enunciation – Sometimes appears to be clipped due to lack of support and absence of tone flow

Artistic Lyrical Interpretation:

• Lyric Flow – Most have not developed

• Phrasing  - Some lapses but most good

• Forward Motion – Needed – Work on vocal skills

• Embellishments – Only evident in best groups

• Dynamics – Most inadequate

• Tempo/Rhythm – Generally good

• Energy – NEED MORE VOCAL ENERGY

• Inflection, Finesse and Emotional Communication – No point in these until the basics are in place

SHOWMANSHIP – Diane Porsch

• Overall in both contests groups exhibited physical carefulness and stamina was challenged in early stages of the performance.  It is important to plan in the physical presentation of the visual for the starts and stops of movements.

• Quartets need to strengthen their entrances overall.  Many had weak starts and seemed feeble and afraid.  Some costuming, especially pants did not fit properly.

• Choruses need to do more work on the timing , especially the starts of songs.  There were several weak starts because of lack of physical preparation for pitch or first chords.  It is not a plus to omit taking a pitch.  TAKE AN AUDIBLE PITCH!   The chorus should establish a rhythm for pitch taking and should be discouraged from taking inaudible pitches.

• Groups are singing too carefully and need to get involved physically with the music.  Individual singers are not keeping the physical and vocal plan going and are releasing moves too soon due to running out of stamina.  There were many good starts, but then stamina ran out.

Performance:

• Vocal Skills - Need to be strengthened

• Energy:  Inconsistent at all levels  

• Preparation:  Entrance/break/exit:  Need to be worked on by quartets

• Costumes – Choruses – good

• Quartets – Need some updating

• Makeup/Grooming – Need more intensity in this pure white-light venue

 Compiled by Marlene Babb, Education Coordinator, April 20, 2005

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