Global Youth Conference Music Guidelines (Instrumental)

Click here to download a pdf version of the Music Guidelines.

INSTRUMENTAL 

Piano Solo— Piano will be provided by the convention. See Piano Judging Criteria below. 

Woodwind Solo— Any woodwind instrument, such as flute, saxophone, clarinet, etc. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. (Note: A recorder is not considered a woodwind instrument and should be entered into the miscellaneous category.) 

String Solo (Bowed)—Violin, viola, cello, string bass, etc. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

String Solo (Plucked, hammered, strummed, etc.)—Harp, classical guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

Brass Solo—See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria (Note: Although many saxophones are made of brass, they are not in the brass family of instruments. Saxophones are woodwind instruments.) 

Miscellaneous Solo—Includes instruments such as accordion, marimba, xylophone, recorder, handbells/hand chimes, bagpipe, etc. Drums and amplified instruments are not permitted. Percussion is only permitted in Large Instrumental Ensemble. Accompaniment is limited to piano or acoustic guitar. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

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Piano Duet— Two people playing the same piano or two pianos. Pianos will be provided by the Convention. See Piano Judging Criteria. 

Instrumental Duet Competition—A combination of any two instruments (woodwind, string, brass, etc.) played together with or without accompaniment. Piano accompaniment is permissible and may or may not be counted as one of the two instruments. If piano is accompaniment only, please note such on the Judge’s Form (e.g., two guitars playing the melody with piano accompaniment, one guitar and piano sharing the melody). See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

Instrumental Trio Competition—Time limit: 5 minutes A combination of any three instruments (woodwind, string, brass, etc.) played together with or without accompaniment. Piano accompaniment is permissible and may or may not count as one of the three instruments. If piano is accompaniment only, please note such on the Judge’s Form. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

Instrumental Quartet Competition—Time limit: 5 minutes A combination of any four instruments (woodwind, string, brass, etc.) played together with or without accompaniment. Piano accompaniment is permissible and may or may not count as one of the four instruments. If piano is accompaniment only, please note such on the Judge’s Form. See Instrumental Music Judging Criteria. 

Instrumental Ensemble Competition (5 or more contestants) —Time limit: 5 minutes Five or more  contestants with any variety of instruments. The time limit for the entire setup and performance will be twenty (20) minutes. There may be an adult directing. Piano accompaniment is permitted and may or may not count as one of the instruments. If piano is accompaniment only, please note such on the Judge’s Form. Musical scores are allowed. 

Pitched Percussion Choir- (5–18 contestants) —Time limit: 5 minutes There may be an adult directing. Piano accompaniment is permitted. Musical scores are not allowed. See Pitched Percuss Choir Judging Criteria. 

GENERAL RULES 1. One piano will be provided. 2. All other instruments are to be provided by the school. 3. No electrical instruments or amplification may be used. 4. For musical selection, follow the official statement of acceptable music given on page VIII-1. 

PIANO JUDGING CRITERIA 

Areas of Evaluation POSSIBLE POINTS

Appearance and deportment (1-5) 

Difficulty (1-10) 

Memory (1-15) 

Musical features 

  1. Melody—clearly heard (1-5)
  2. Phrasing (1-10)
  3. Rhythm (1-10)
  4. Pedaling (1-10)
  5. Tempo (1-10)
  6. Dynamics and performance indications (1-10)
  7. Smoothness of execution (1-5)
  8. Conveys the spirit of the music (1-5)

Proper documentation submitted (1-5) TOTAL POINTS (100) 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC JUDGING CRITERIA (Excludes Small and Large Ensemble) Areas of Evaluation POSSIBLE POINTS 

Tone 

  1. Beauty/clarity (1-4)
  2. Color (1-4)
  3. Strength, control, and embouchure (1-4)
  4. Intonation (1-4)

Technique and Musicianship 

  1. Meter (1-4)
  2. Melody (1-4)
  3. Fingering and hand positions (1-4)
  4. Accents (1-4)
  5. Precision (1-4)
  6. Slurs (1-4)
  7. Bowing (strings), tonguing (wind instruments) (1-4)
  8. Attacks (1-4)
  9. Cutoffs (1-4)
  10. Accuracy (1-4)
  11. Memory (1-5)

Interpretation 

  1. Tempo (1-4)
  2. Style (1-4)
  3. Phrasing (1-4)
  4. Dynamics (1-4) 

Presentation 

  1. Deportment (1-3)
  2. Posture (1-3)
  3. Balance and integration of accompaniment (1-4)

Selection

  1. Message/ministry—Does it minister to the listener as performed? (1-4)
  2. Degree of difficulty (1-4)

Proper documentation submitted (1-5) TOTAL POINTS (100) 

PITCHED PERCUSSION CHOIR JUDGING CRITERIA Areas of Evaluation POSSIBLE POINTS 

  1. Memory (1-10)
  2. Approach/departure (1-5)
  3. Musicianship (1-5)
  4. Appearance/poise (1-5)
  5. Interpretation (1-10)
  6. Blend—how bells/chimes are struck together (1-10)
  7. Appropriateness of selection (1-10)
  8. Rhythmic accuracy (1-15)
  9. Tone—consistency of strike, form (1-10)
  10. Technique—damp, trills, vibrato, etc. (1-15)
  11. Proper documentation submitted (1-5) TOTAL POINTS (100) 

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE JUDGING CRITERIA Areas of Evaluation POSSIBLE POINTS 

Tone 

  1. Beauty/clarity (1-4)
  2. Color (1-4)
  3. Strength, control, embouchure (1-4)
  4. Intonation (1-4)

Technique and musicianship

  1. Meter (1-4)
  2. Melody (1-4)
  3. Fingering and hand positions (1-4)
  4. Accents (1-4)
  5. Precision (1-4)
  6. Slurs (1-4)
  7. Bowing (strings), tonguing (wind instruments) (1-4)
  8. Attacks (1-4)
  9. Cutoffs (1-4)
  10. Accuracy (1-4) 

Interpretation 

  1. Tempo (1-4) 
  2. Style (1-4)
  3. Phrasing (1-4)
  4. Dynamics (1-4) 

Presentation 

  1. Deportment (1-3)
  2. Posture (1-3)
  3. Balance and integration of accompaniment (1-3)

Selection

  1. Message/ministry—Does it minister to the listener as performed? (1-4) 
  2. Degree of difficulty (1-10) 

Proper documentation submitted (1-5) TOTAL POINTS (100)