Script for All Sight-Reading Levels
The sight-reading script has been separated and clarified for each classification level. Be sure to read through this before your assessment.
Score Study Period
- Prior to the instruction period the director will be allowed to study the sight-reading music full score for a minimum of three-minutes during which time the director may take notes or utilize removable notes in the score, but not mark directly on the score.
- During the score study period music will be distributed to the students, but the students may not view or study the music until the instruction period begins.
- The score study period concludes once the script has been read and the adjudicator is ready to begin, as long as that time exceeds the three-minute minimum.
Compliance Official
A compliance official, as selected by the District Director and compensated, shall remain in the sight-reading room during the instruction period to monitor time, ensure compliance with procedures, and read the official LMEA script to the ensemble. The compliance official may be a current or prior music teacher, or any other person determined by the District Director to be competent to perform the responsibilities.
- Instruction Period
The adjudicator will start recording their comments at this point of the process via audio recorder. - Only one director may instruct and direct the ensemble.
- There shall be one instruction period as follows for all organizations:
○ Level 4 and 5: 10 minutes
○ All other levels: 8 minutes - The director may not sing during the instruction period. Elementary directors sight-reading rhythm only exercises may not demonstrate the rhythms in any way.
- The director may not utilize technology devices.
- The tonic chord may be played in broken chord style at any time during the instruction period up to 5 times.
- The students may sing the sight-reading evaluation music individually, in small groups, or with the full ensemble, at the discretion of the director.
- The students may sing the music, count, clap, tap rhythms, and/or chant using solfege syllables, numbers, or words during the instruction period. Students may also sing the scale and/or arpeggio of the key.
- Piano may play up to 4 measures with students singing two times during instruction.
- Neither the director nor the students may mark on the music unless instructed to do so by a judge.
- At any point during the instruction period, Elementary and Middle School choirs may stop the clock, receive starting pitches, and sing through the exercise once with the piano playing. Afterwards, the clock will restart and instruction may then continue until the time expires.
- At any point during the instruction period, High School choirs may stop the clock, receive starting pitches, and sing through the exercise once with the piano playing. Afterwards, the clock will restart and instruction may then continue until the time expires.
After the Instruction Period and Prior to the Performance
- The students will be instructed to turn the music face down at the end of the instruction period.
- Immediately following the instruction period, while the music is face down and prior to the performance, the ensemble may sing a sustained note – unison or chord. No further warm-up or musical instruction of any kind is permitted by the director.
Performance
- When the judge is ready, the ensemble shall turn the music face up. A starting pitch for each voice part will be given, and then the ensemble shall perform the piece using solfege syllables, numbers, or neutral syllables.
- Elementary and Middle School choirs will sing the selection once with the piano playing.
- High School will sing the selection once a cappella.
- In the event the director chooses to stop the performance, it should be for the sole purpose of designating a starting point and receiving the starting pitch. No further instructions may be given. Any stoppage of the sight reading performance will result in the lowering of the overall rating by one division per occurrence.
- Directors may not make an obvious contribution to the performance by either singing with, using hand signs, or speaking to the students while they are performing.
After the Performance
- The judge may provide verbal feedback to the ensemble or director with the objective of guiding ensemble and director growth.
- The ensemble’s performance shall be evaluated by the adjudicators in accordance with the Louisiana Music Adjudicators Association sight-reading adjudication rubric and the performance shall be the sole criteria for assigning a rating.
- Violations of the stated guidelines at any point during the sight-reading process will result in a penalty of one rating per violation. A judge’s decision in these occurrences would need to be brought to the District Director and the Compliance Official after the ensemble’s performance. The District Director makes the final decision.
Student Conductor Area
The student conductor event is limited to one student conductor per large ensemble. This event is conducted in the sight-reading room after the group has completed sight-reading. An original score of the selection must be given to the sight-reading judge. Student conductors will be assessed using the Student Conductor Adjudication Form.
Script
The sight-reading script has been separated and clarified for each classification level. Be sure to read through this before your assessment.