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Who Should Attend Festivals? You!

hearing other ensembles make these worthwhile events. popular music festivals offer the same competitive options to
Choral festivals have long been a part of music educa- ensembles. Some commercially sponsored festivals also off er
tion, giving student singers a goal in which to achieve a performance categories for these types of ensembles.
high rating as evidence of a performance of high quality. The role of the adjudicator in any of these festivals is to
These events can be sponsored by local, county, regional, evaluate each participating choir based on a set of criteria
or statewide music teachers’ organizations such as the Na- that are known to be standards of excellence. At most fes-
tional Association of Music Educators or the American tivals hosted by a music teacher organization, adjudication
Choral Directors Association. Each of these groups has can result in an overall rating. The terms “superior,” “excel-
standards for evaluation, which are usually printed on a lent,” “good,” “fair,” and “poor” are common as are letter
generic form used by adjudicators at all of their events. grades (A-B-C-D-F). Some festivals select an overall “best-in-
The goal is to have all performing ensembles sing for ad- show” for the highest-rated ensemble. This is very common
judicators whose reputation and expertise are trusted and at vocal jazz and popular music festivals. Regardless of how
whose comments and ratings will be shared. Many school the choir is rated by adjudicators, their role is to provide a
choirs nationwide make festival participation an annual fair, accurate, and impartial evaluation from which the par-
expectation. Administrators often see festival ratings as ticipating conductor and his or her singers can learn and,
viable and visible evidence of the success of their school hopefully, grow musically.
choral programs. It has been previously mentioned that an adjudicator is an
From time to time, a community-based choir or colle- individual who is selected because of his or her demonstrat-

giate choral department may host an adjudicated festival ed expertise in the choral field. Some organizations appoint
and may develop a similar adjudicative instrument. These adjudicators based on the reputation of their choir’s perfor-
festivals may be on an invitational basis, with the organiz- mances. While this logic appears sound, not every successful
ing sponsor inviting choirs that are known to be at or above conductor is fair when evaluating the work of other choirs

a particular level of proficiency, assuring a quality perfor- and conductors. Some festival hosts have a training process
mance by all who participate. The organizing sponsor of for their adjudicators, which strives to achieve some sense
these festivals will usually seek out well-respected choral of uniformity in evaluations. Other hosts, usually of invita-
directors to serve as clinicians. Having experts as clinicians tional events, rely on the recommendation of other choral
is at once a reason for choirs to attend the festival and an teachers for persons to serve as an adjudicator.
opportunity to meet higher than usual standards. The typical festival sponsored by the state or local music
There are also a number of organizations that run educator’s association will give ratings that are posted for all

“for-profit” choral competitions, often in conjunction with to see. Along with the overall ratings are ratings in specifi c
some sort of amusement park, popular vacation destina- categories of choral skills. Many forms allow for limited writ-
tion, or significant performance venue. While they may ten comments by the adjudicator. A number of festivals now

employ competent, noted choral experts as adjudicators, utilize recorded comments made by the adjudicator as the
the very existence of these organizations is based on hav- choir is performing. This feature adds greatly, since the con-
ing enough choirs pay for the privilege of traveling to the ductor and singers can hear exactly what the adjudicator is
festival site and taking advantage of the non-musical ame- referring to as he or she speaks.
nities that are off ered. Some schools or districts require their music ensembles to
These festivals may attract choirs through a set of rank- attend festivals. Principals or music supervisors may ask for
ings (e.g., first, second, third place) in categories that can the adjudication forms. Invitational festivals may or may not

range from size of school to the style of literature to the give overall ratings or create rankings. Typically, information
make-up of the choir (e.g., mixed chorus, men’s chorus, on adjudication and rankings can be found in the registra-

or women’s chorus). Needless to say, the cost of attending tion materials that are offered well in advance of the event.
these for-profit festivals often include the expenses of lodg- While most festivals take place during the spring semester,

ing, meals, and amusement park tickets. These expenses there are a number of organizations that sponsor fall festi-

must be a major factor in a director’s decision to attend. vals. There are even a few festivals during the first two weeks
There are many regions where vocal jazz, show choir, or of December. They can become an excellent opportunity to

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