PMEAADJUDICATION

2018GUIDETOPARTICIPATINGINABANDORORCHESTRAMUSICPERFORMANCEASSESSMENT(MPA)

DevelopedbyTomSnyder,PMEAAdjudicationChairArtsCoordinator,WestAlleghenySD

UpdatedDecember31,2017•ItemsNEWFOR2018areinred.

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

SECTION1:BAND&ORCHESTRAMPA’S–THESYSTEM……..…………................…….4

A.Goals………………………………………………………………………………………4 B.AdjudicationInfrastructure…………………..………………………………..4 C.MPAContexts……..….…………..………..………………...………………….…4

D.Eligibility….……………....…………………………..………...………………….…4 E.MinimumNumberofEnsemblestoHoldanMPA..……………….…5

F.MaximumNumberofEnsemblesPermitted…………………………...5G.Calendar…………………………………………………..………...………………...5H.SchedulingPerformanceTimes………………………….…..………………5I.PerformanceContext:‘Traditional’or‘Festival’……………………….6J.RegistrationForm–Page1……………………………....……….…………..8K.RegistrationForm–Page2……………………………....……….………….8

L.AssessmentForms….…………………..………………..……………….….….12 M.Adjudicators……………....…………………………...………………………….12 N.ProvidingaRecording….……………....…..………...……………….……..13 O.CommunicatingwiththeHostPriortotheEvent...…...………….13 P.ToSubmitattheOn-siteCheck-in….……………....…………………….13

Q.Awards:Plaques,Certificates&Medals….……………....…….…….14 R.QualifyingtoPerformatthePMEAIn-ServiceConference…….14SECTION2:BAND&ORCHESTRAMPA’S–THEEVENT………………………………..….…15 A.RegistrationTable……………………………………….……………………….15 B.HoldingArea…………………………………………………………………..……15 C.Warm-UpArea……………………………………………….……………...…..15

D.AuditoriumStage………………..………………………………...…………...16 E.Warm-Up………………………….……..……………..…………….....…………17 F.PerformingthePreparedPieces………..……………………….…………17 G.HowtheAdjudicatorsUsetheAssessmentForms………..……..17H.DeterminingtheSummaryRatingofthePreparedPieces.……18 I.Sight-readingArea…………………………………………………………………18 J.Sight-readingComponent………………………………………..……………19 K.Sight-readingProcess…………………………………………..……...………21L.DeterminingtheFinalMPARating.………………………………..……..22M.GettingtheMPAResultsandMaterialsfromtheHost…….....22 N.AftertheMPA....…………………………………………………………..….....23O.Finale…………………………………………….……………………………………..23

CHECKLISTFORPARTICIPATINGDIRECTORS…………………….………………………..…….24

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INTRODUCTIONThefundamentalgoalsofthisGuideremainessentiallythesameasstatedwithinthefirstPMEAAdjudicationManualreleasedin1988:

•ToprovidedirectorswiththeinformationneededtosuccessfullyparticipateinanMPA•ToanswercommonquestionsaboutparticipatinginanMPA•Toprovideanongoingreferenceforthosewhohaveparticipatedinthepast•Toidentifyanychangesandnewaspectsofparticipatingfor2018•Toprovideachecklistandpracticalsuggestionsfornewparticipants•TohelpdirectorsbeascomfortableaspossiblewithallaspectsofparticipatinginanMPA

Inturn,feedbackandsuggestionsarewelcomefromallinvolvedforthistobestserveasarelevant,resource.ThefollowingformsareusedwhenparticipatinginaBandorOrchestraMPA:

•Band/OrchestraRegistrationForm •RequestforAdditiontoSelectiveMusicListForm(Ifneeded)

•Band/OrchestraMusicPerformanceAssessmentForm•Band/OrchestraSight-readingMPAForm

•Band/OrchestraMPARatingSummaryForm •MedalOrderForm(Optional) AllmaterialsandresourcesneededforparticipatinginanMPAarepostedwithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsiteatwww.pmea.net.ThePMEAOfficestaffisworkingtoconvertexistingformsto‘fillable.pdf’s’,whichwouldstreamlineresourcessignificantlybyhavingonecopyofeachform,insteadoftwo,thatcouldbeeithertypedinas‘fillable’orprintedandwrittenon.ContactTomSnyder,AdjudicationChair,withanyquestions.

tsnyder@westasd.org (724)816-0420C

FORMAILING–USEHOMEADDRESS 401BonAirCourt CranberryTownship,PA16066

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SECTION1:BAND&ORCHESTRAMPA’S-THESYSTEMA.GOALS(AsstatedinorupdatedfromtheoriginalManualin1988)TheoverallgoalsofPMEAAdjudicationinclude:

•Toprovideinterscholastic,educationallyvalidassessmentcontextsinwhichanyinstrumentalorvocalmusicstudentfromPennsylvaniaschoolswhoissponsoredbyaPMEAmembermayparticipate

•Tofostermusicalachievement

•Toprovideextrinsicrecognitionforthemusicalachievementofindividualsandensemblethroughplaques/certificatesandmedals(optional)

•ToenabledirectorstoselectrepertoiremostappropriatefortheirsoloistsandensemblesfromgradedlevelsofmusicdelineatedwithinthePMEASelectiveMusicLists

•Toprovidestudentsanddirectorstheopportunitytohearperformancesbyensemblesandsoloistsfromotherschoolswhenpossible

B.ADJUDICATIONINFRASTRUCTURETheAdjudicationChairisinitiallyresponsibleforadministratingtheAdjudication‘system’,tochairthePMEAAdjudicationCommittee,topromoteparticipationbyPMEAmemberdirectorsandtheirstudents,andtoattendtheannualmeetingsoftheStudentPerformanceEventsCouncilasavotingmember.TheAdjudicationChairreportstotheChairofStudentPerformanceEventsCouncil,thePMEAPresidentandthePMEAExecutiveDirector.ThePMEAAdjudicationCommitteemeetsannuallyattheannualPMEAIn-ServiceConferencetoprovideinputconcerningdirection,policiesandprocedures.ThePMEAAdjudicationCommitteeisinformallycomposedofallMPAhostsandthechairoftheAdjudicationMusicReviewCommittee---currentlyDr.TadGreigfromWestminsterCollege.AllinterestedPMEAmembersarewelcometoattendthismeetingandactivelyparticipateinthedialogue.C.MPACONTEXTSThefollowingMusicPerformanceAssessment(MPA)contextsareavailablewithinPMEAAdjudication:

•BAND&ORCHESTRA Band,FullOrchestraandStringOrchestra•CHORUS Mixed,TrebleandMen’s•JAZZENSEMBLE•PERCUSSIONENSEMBLE•SOLO&SMALLENSEMBLEWoodwind,Brass,Percussion,StringandVocal

PMEAAdjudicationdoesnotcurrentlyprovideanMPAcontextforVocalJazzChoirsorShowChoirs.D.ELIGIBILITYParticipatingdirectorsmustbemembersofPMEA.IfthedirectorisnotaNAfME/PMEAmember,his/herensemblemaystillparticipate,butwithahigherfeechargedasindicatedontheRegistrationForm.EnsemblesfromneighboringstatesarewelcometoparticipateinPMEAAdjudicationatthememberrateifthedirectorisaNAfMEmemberinhis/herstate.

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Anystudentenrolledinaband,orchestraorchorusclassatanelementary,juniorhigh/middleschoolorhighschoolinPennsylvaniaiseligibletoparticipatewiththatensembleinPMEAAdjudication.Abandmembermayalsoperformwiththefullorchestrafromthesameschoolifheisenrolledinbothensembles.Nostudentmayperformwithanensembleifheisnotenrolledinthatensemble’sclass.Nostudentmayparticipateinmorethanonebandororchestraunlessthestudentisenrolledinbothensembleclasses.E.MINIMUMNUMBEROFENSEMBLESTOHOLDANMPAAminimumofsixensemblesmustbeconfirmedwithregistrationformsandchecksreceivedtoholdasanctionedMPAduetotheneedtobestensurefinancialviabilitywithinboththeMPAitselfandtheyearlyAdjudicationbudgetasawhole.F.MAXIMUMNUMBEROFENSEMBLESPERMITTEDMPA’sarenotformallylimitedastothemaximumnumberofensemblespermittedtoparticipate.Hostsusuallydeterminethestartingandendingtimesandthemaximumnumberofensemblesthatcanbeaccommodatedbasedonthesite,directorinterest,ensembleschedulingflexibility,andadjudicatoravailability.Aftertheplannedperformanceslotsarefilled,hostsareurgedtomaintaina‘waitinglist’incaseanensemblecancels.G.CALENDARThemostcurrent,formalMPACalendar,listingdates,sites,hostsandcontactinformation,ispostedwithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsiteandisalsoreleasedintheFallIssueofthePMEANews.ContactthehostwithquestionsconcerningparticipatinginascheduledMPA.Additionalhostsarealwayswelcome,asmorehostsprovidemoredateoptions.MPA’sarenormallyheldduringtheschoolday,whenstudentscontinuetobebestavailable,butnotinallschools,unfortunately.Principalsandotherteachersshouldbemorereceptivetoensemblesparticipatinginan‘assessment’ratherthana‘festival’.HostinganMPAonaSaturdayorasmaller-scaleMPAonaweekdayafterschool/eveningisalsopermitted.H.SCHEDULINGPERFORMANCETIMESSchedulingperformancetimesisatthediscretionofthehost.Interesteddirectorsareurgedtoformallyscheduleperformancetimesatorsoonafterthetimeparticipationisconfirmed,asavailabletimesoftendeterminewhetherornotanensembleisabletoparticipategiventraveldistanceandreturntimeparameters.Schedulingensemblesona‘first-come’basisgreatlybenefitsdirectorsandhosts,asaconfirmedperformancetimehelpsavoidacancellationlaterduetotheinabilityofanensembletoperformatanarbitrarilyassignedtime,andisalsoanincentivefordirectorstoapplyearly.Schedulingwhenapplyingisevenmorecriticalforschoolsplanningtobringmorethanoneensemble,especiallytwoormoreensembleswiththesamedirectorortwoensemblesthatsharestudents.Whenconfirmingparticipationandperformancetimes,directorsshouldalsocommunicatewiththehostconcerning:

•Watchingotherensembles.Directorsareencouragedtoplantheirdaytoincludetimetowatch,enjoyandsupportotherensembleswhenpossible.

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•Iftheensembleisextremelylarge,confirmthatanensembleofthatsizecanbeaccommodatedonthehost’sstage(andsight-readingarea,ifseparate)

I.PERFORMANCECONTEXT:‘TRADITIONAL’OR‘FESTIVAL’Since2016,directorsmaychoosetoparticipateineitherthe‘Traditional’orthe‘Festival’performancecontext.Theexisting,‘Traditional’MusicPerformanceAssessmentcontextthatremainsstandardthroughoutthecountrycontinuesintactwithinPMEAAdjudication.Or,directorsmayelecttoparticipateintheFestivalperformancecontext,choosingfroma‘menu’ofavailableoptionstocustomizeanadjudicationexperiencethatbestmeetstheneedsofhisorherprogramatthattime.WehopethatdirectorsatthemiddleandhighschoollevelswhoarenewtoPMEAAdjudicationmaybemorecomfortableandinterestedinparticipatingwiththeseoptionsavailableratherthannotparticipateatall.We’veobservedthatsomedirectorsmaychoosetoparticipateinthe‘Traditional’contextwiththeirhighschoolortopensembleandthenalsobringtheirsecondormiddle/juniorhighschoolensemblestoparticipateinthe‘Festival’context.Also,forexample,someHSbanddirectorswithexperienceatMPA’shavebroughttheirensemblesintheTraditionalcontextandhavebeenabletoencouragetheirorchestraorjuniorhigh/middleschoolcolleaguesnewtoAdjudicationtojointhematthegivenMPAwiththeirensemblesintheFestivalcontext.TheFestivalperformancecontextincludesthefollowingoptionsforeachensemble:

1.Toperformpiecesofanygradelevel.ThepiecesarenotrequiredtobeonthePMEASelectiveMusicList.Thegradelevelsofthepiecesdonotneedtobedeclaredorprovidedtotheadjudicators.

2.Forinstrumental,participatingintheSight-Readingcomponentisoptional.IfSight-Readingisselected,thedirectormaychoosethegradelevelofthemusicinvolvedthatwouldbemostappropriateforhis/herensembleatthattime.IfSight-Readingisnotselected,thedirectorhastheoptionfortheensembletohaveaclinicwiththeadjudicatornormallyassignedtosight-reading.

3.ToreceiveScoresandRatingsthroughthePMEAAssessmentForm,ornot.4.ToreceiveAdjudicatorCommentsthroughdigitalaudiocommentaryinrealtimeand/oraswrittenontheAssessmentForm).

Ensembleschoosingthe‘Festival’performancecontextreceiveanofficialPMEACertificaterecognizingparticipation.Thecertificatewouldincludetherating,ifrequested,andchoiceofterminologytobeincludedonthecertificate(Superior,Excellent.....orOutstanding,Advanced....etc.).TheRegistrationFeeforensemblesparticipatingintheFestivalperformancecontextislessthanthoseparticipatingintheTraditionalcontextapproximatelybythedifferenceinthecostoftheplaqueanditsmailing.

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Aside-bysidecomparisonofbothperformancecontextsfollows:

MPAPARTICIPATION TRADITIONAL FESTIVALChoiceofRepertoire SelectedfromPMEASelective

MusicList(SML)orasapproved

Anypiecesthattheensembleispreparingforaconcert

GradeLevel DeclaredbydirectorfromthegradedrepertoireincludedinthePMEASMLorasapproved

Gradelevelsdonotneedtobedeclared.

Sight-reading(Instrumental) Requiredat1½to2gradelevelslowerthanthatofthepreparedpieces

Optional.DirectorsthatchoosetoparticipateinSight-readingmaychooseanygradelevelpreferredforthemusicused.Aclinicoptionisavailable.

ScoringandresultingRatingusingPMEAAssessmentForm

Included Optional

AdjudicatorCommentsthroughdigitalaudiocommentaryinrealtime

Included Included

AdjudicatorCommentsaswrittenonthePMEAAssessmentForm

Included Optional

Recording

Included Included

AwardRecognition

PMEAAwardPlaque PMEAAwardCertificate

RatingTerminology Choicebetween‘Superior/Excellent’,etc.andOutstanding/Proficient’,etc.

IfreceivingaRating,choicebetweenSuperior/Excellent’andOutstanding/Proficient,etc.

IndividualStudentMedals

Optional–availableforpurchaseseparately

Notavailable

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J.REGISTRATIONFORM–PAGE1DirectorsarerequiredtomailbothpagesoftheBandandOrchestraRegistrationFormandthecheckfortheRegistrationFeetothehostatleastfourweeksinadvanceoftheMPA.ThisformisavailablewithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsite.Thistimeframewasestablishedasanessentialcourtesytohoststofacilitateplanning,especiallyindevelopingaviableeventschedulegivenallofthenecessaryaccommodationsandinconfirmingadjudicatoravailabilityfortheentirelengthoftheevent.Participationandthetimeslotarenotformallyconfirmeduntilbotharereceived.Anensemblecannotperformunlessboththeregistrationformandthefeearesubmitted.ChecksaretobewrittenpayabletoPMEA.Formsandfeesmaybemailedseparately.NEWFOR2018:DirectorsnolongerneedtosubmitacopyofthecurrentNAfME/PMEAmembershipcard.ThePMEAOfficewillconfirmmembershipstatus.TheRegistrationForm,signedbythedirectorandprincipal,servesasa‘contract’withthehostconfirmingtheintenttoparticipate.TheRegistrationFeewillberefundedifthedirectorcancelsatanytimepriortothreeweeksbeforetheevent.TheRegistrationFeewillnotberefundedforanensemblethatcancelswithinthreeweeksoftheevent.Thispolicyisintendedtodiscourageadirectorfromcancelingfor‘non-extenuating’reasons,suchaspreparationconcernsorineffectiveplanningthatdidnotaccountforscheduleconflicts,permissions,studentavailability,etc.Extenuatingcircumstancescausingcancellationswithinthreeweeksoftheeventwillbeconsidered.Bybeingnotifiedthreeweeksormoreinadvance,ahostcanbestimplementscheduleadjustments,suchasreplacingtheensemblewithanotherfromawaitinglistorbetteraccommodatingschedulingpreferencesamongallinvolved.DirectorsaretocompletePage1withallinformationprovidedasrequested.Besuretoclearlyindicatetheexactnameoftheensemblethatispreferredtobeengravedontheawardplaque(Traditional)orprintedontheawardcertificate(Festival).K.REGISTRATIONFORM–PAGE2TOPTHIRD-Director’schoiceofeithertheTraditionalorFestivalPerformanceContextandamongtheavailableoptions.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESMENT: PERFORMANCE CONTEXT Traditional

- Two selections from the PMEA Selective Music List - Formal grade level as declared via the two selections - Sight-Reading - Ratings & Audio/Written Commentary - Wording for Award Plaque (Choose 1) Superior/Excellent/Good/Fair Outstanding/Advanced/Proficient/Basic

Festival - Two selections (do not need to be from the PMEA SML) - Do not need to provide grade levels - Choose 1 of the 3 options for the segment after the performance of the prepared pieces Sight-reading – Also indicate which Grade Level: would be preferred. or a Clinic or Neither - Evaluation options (Choose 1) Ratings & Comments or Comments Only

- If ‘Ratings’ is selected, which type of terminology is preferred for the Award Certificate? (Choose 1)

Superior/Excellent/Good/Fair Outstanding/Advanced/Proficient/Basic

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TRADITIONALPERFORMANCECONTEXT - Two selections from the PMEA Selective Music List ForensemblesparticipatingintheTraditionalcontext,thetwoPreparedPiecesmustbechosenfromtheexistingPMEASelectiveMusicList.SincetherevisedPMEASMLhasnotyetbeenissued,directorsmaychoosetoperformpiecesnotonthelist.DirectorsrequestingapprovaltoperformapiecenotontheexistinglistandtoconfirmthegradelevelsinvolvedmustsimplysubmitthecompletedRequestforAdditiontotheSelectiveMusicListformandacopyofthescore(s)toDr.TadGreig,theAdjudicationCommitteememberresponsibleforapprovingpiecesandconfirminggradelevels.ThisformisavailableonthePMEAwebsite.Directorsarepermittedtosubstituterepertoireaftertheregistrationformisinitiallysubmittedbutmustnotifythehostofthechangeinwriting---byemailisfine---priortotheeventsothatthehostmayverifythegradelevelsinvolvedandprovideaccurateinformationtotheadjudicators.Directorsshouldretainacopyofallwrittencommunicationsfordocumentationifneeded.AllofthePMEArepertoirelistsarebeingupdated.Untiltheserevisionsarecompleted,directorsarestronglyencouragedtosubmitrecentlypublishedandotherqualitypiecesforpermissiontoperforminadjudication.Agreatdealofflexibilityexistsconcerningthedirector’schoicesofpreparedpieces.Pleasedonotpermittheshortcomingsoftheexistinglist,lastrevisedin1991,todiscourageparticipation.AsanongoinggoalofPMEAAdjudicationistomaximizeparticipation,aprimaryobjectiveatthistimeinreviewingmusicsubmittedforpermissiontoperformismerelytoconfirmitsgradelevel.- Formal grade level as declared via the two selections Directorsformallydeclarea‘gradelevel’forAdjudicationasdescribedbelow(MIDDLETHIRD)- Sight-Reading TheSight-ReadingcomponentisdescribedlaterinSectionII–I.- Ratings & Audio/Written Commentary EnsemblesreceiveaudiocommentaryinrealtimefromeachofthethreeadjudicatorsinthehallaswellaswrittencommentsontheAssessmentformfromeachofthefouradjudicators,includingthesight-readingadjudicator. - Wording for Award Plaque (Choose 1) Superior/Excellent/Good/Fair Outstanding/Advanced/Proficient/BasicDirectorsareaskedtoindicatewhatratingterminologyispreferredtoincludeontheawardplaqueorawardcertificatetobestmeettheirneeds,eitherthetraditionalPMEAterms(Superior,Excellent,Good,Fair)orthetermsadaptedfromPSSA’s(Outstanding,Advanced,Proficient,Basic).

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FESTIVALPERFORMANCECONTEXT- Two selections (do not need to be from the PMEA SML) - Do not need to provide grade levels DirectorsofensemblesparticipatingintheFestivalcontextmaychooseanytwopiecestheywishastheirpreparedpiecesregardlessofgradelevel.Gradelevelsdonotneedtobedeclared.ThePreparedpiecesdonotneedtobeonthePMEASelectiveMusicList.Theycanbeanytwopiecesbeingworkedoninclassforanupcomingconcert. - Choose 1 of the 3 options for the segment after the performance of the prepared pieces Sight-reading – Also indicate which Grade Level: would be preferred. DirectorsofensemblesparticipatingintheFestivalcontexthavetheoptiontoparticipateintheSight-readingcomponentornot,whicheverbestmeetstheneedsoftheensembleandthestudentsatthattime.Ifchoosingtoparticipate,directorsmayselecttheGradeLevelofthepiecethatwouldbeused.WithintheTraditionalcontext,thesight-readingpieceis1½to2gradelevelsbelowthegradeleveldeclaredforthePreparedPieces,asdescribedwithinpages17-19below.

or a Clinic or Neither DirectorswhodonotwishtoparticipateintheSight-readingcomponentmaychoosetohavea‘Clinic’fromthesight-readingadjudicator.ConsiderableflexibilityexistswithintheClinicoption,aswehavediscoveredsincethisoptionwasfirstimplementedin2016.AtMPA’swheretheperformanceandsight-readingarebothonstage,thesight-readingadjudicatorcanlistenandprovideimmediatefeedbacktotheensemblebasedonoverallimpressionswithoutreferringtoscoresorcompletinganassessmentform.AtMPA’swheretheperformanceandsight-readingareinseparateareas,onstage,thesight-readingadjudicatorcouldspeakonaspecifictopiceitherselectedbytheadjudicatororasdeterminedinadvancethroughdialogueamongthedirector,hostandadjudicator.Ineithersetting,sight-readingadjudicatorscouldactuallydoa‘mock’sight-readingandtaketheensemblethroughtheprocesswiththedirectorobserving.Directorsareencouragedtodeterminewhattypeof‘Clinic’wouldbestservetheensembleandthestudentsatthattimeanddiscusspossibilitieswiththeHostwellinadvanceoftheMPAtoenableoptionstobeconsideredandthesight-readingadjudicatortoprepare.Directorsmaychoose‘Neither’andnotparticipateintheSight-readingcomponentoraClinic,simplyhavingtheensembleexitthestageafterperformingthePreparedPieces. - Evaluation options (Choose 1) Ratings & Comments or Comments Only Directorsmaychoosetoreceive‘Ratings&Comments’viathereal-timeaudiocommentaryandtheratingsandwrittencommentsusingtheAssessmentFormORthereal-timeaudiocommentaryandwrittencommentsontheAssessmentFormwithnoratingsissued,the‘CommentsOnly’. - If ‘Ratings’ is selected, which type of terminology is preferred for the Award Certificate? (Choose 1) Superior/Excellent/Good/Fair Outstanding/Advanced/Proficient/BasicDirectorsareaskedtoindicatewhatratingterminologyispreferredtoincludeontheawardcertificatetobestmeettheirneeds,eitherthetraditionalPMEAterms(Superior,Excellent,Good,Fair)orthetermsadaptedfromPSSA’s(Outstanding,Advanced,Proficient,Basic).

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MIDDLETHIRD-InformationaboutthePreparedPiecesandtheDeclaredGradeLevelPREPARED PIECES & DECLARED GRADE LEVEL Prepared Piece #1 Title:

Composer: Arranger

Year Published: PMEA SML Level (Needed for Traditional only): Prepared Piece #2 Title:

Composer: Arranger

Year Published: PMEA SML Level ((Needed for Traditional only) Declared Grade Level for PMEA Adjudication (Needed for the Traditional performance context only): I II III IV V VI

•AlldirectorsareaskedtoincludetheTitle,Composer,Arranger(ifapplicable)andYear

PublishedofthetwoPreparedPieces.Informationaboutthewarm-upselectionisnotrequired.•IregretthatIhavenotyetcompletedtherevisedSelectiveMusicLists.ThetaskhasturnedouttobeevenmoreextensivethanIthought.GiventhattheOrchestraSMLincludesbothStringOrchestraandFullOrchestraandtheChoralSMLincludesMixed,TrebleandMen'sChoruses,therearesimplymanymoretitlesforeachfromthesevenmergedsourcelistsascomparedtotheBandSML.It'sanextremelytediousprocess,unfortunately.WhileI'mdisappointedthattheywillnotbereadyfor2018,Iremainexcitedaboutthebenefitsforallinvolvedonceimplemented.For2018,directorsaretocontinuetosubmitpiecesnotonthecurrentSMLtoDr.TadGriegatWestminsterforoverallapprovalandtoconfirmthegradelevelforusewithinPMEAAdjudication.Theprocessforsecuringapprovalisdescribedonpage7above. •ForensemblesparticipatingintheTraditionalperformancecontext,hostsmustconfirmthattheDeclaredGradeLeveliscorrect.Ifbothpiecesarefromthesamegradelevel,thatwilltheDeclaredGradeLevelforadjudication.Ifthepiecesarefromdifferentgradelevels,thesummaryleveldeclaredforadjudicationwouldbethelowerlevelofthetwopieces.Forexample,anensemblethatsubmitsaGrade3pieceandaGrade4piecewouldformally‘adjudicate’ata‘DeclaredGradeLevelforPMEAAdjudication’ofLevelIII.

•TheDeclaredGradeLevelforPMEAAdjudication’alsodeterminesthesight-readinggradelevelforensemblesintheTraditionalcontext,essentialinformationforthesight-readingadjudicator’splanning,alongwithbeingincludedontheawardplaque.

•ForensemblesparticipatingintheFestivalperformancecontext,directorsarenotrequiredtoincludea‘PMEASMLLevel’forthePreparedPiecesordeclareaformalsummaryGradeLevel.

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LOWERTHIRD–EnsembleProfileENSEMBLE PROFILE

THIS ENSEMBLE’S status at this school: Click or check one:

AVERAGE NUMBER of scheduled rehearsals per 5-day week: (check one)

GRADE LEVELS of student members of this ensemble: (check all applicable):

Only Band Only Full Orchestra 1 3 5 5 9 Top Band Only String Orchestra 6 10 Second Band Top Orchestra 2 4 7 11 Third Band Second Orchestra 8 12 Other Third Orchestra Other:

Number of Student Members:

Length of rehearsal period: minutes

SCHOOL DISTRICT’s HIGH SCHOOL PIAA CLASSIFICATION FOR FOOTBALL - to convey relative size of the district: Check or click on one. A AA AAA AAAA 5A 6A None (not applicable)

ParticipatingdirectorsareaskedtoprovideinformationaspartofanEnsembleProfileasincludedabove,including: •ThisEnsemble’sstatusatthisschool •AverageNumberofscheduledrehearsalsper5-dayweekandlengthofrehearsalperiod. •GradeLevelsofstudentmembersofthegivenensemble •SchoolDistrict’sHighSchoolPIAAClassificationforfootballtoconveyrelativesizeofthe

district(whereapplicable)

Hostsarerequiredtoprovideacopyofpage2foreachensembletoeachadjudicator.Thisdirector-drivensectionoftheRegistrationForm,uniquetoPennsylvania,enhancesadjudicatorawarenesswhilecontributingtotheirperspectiveandoverallframeofreferencewithinwhichthegivenperformanceisperceivedandassessed.L.ASSESSMENTFORMSThePMEAAdjudicationAssessmentFormsforallMPAcontextsexceptSmallEnsemble-Vocalhavebeenrevisedtoreflectcurrentassessmentpractices.Inputwillcontinuetobesolicitedfromallinvolvedwithadjustmentsmadeaswarranted.AllformsarepostedwithintheAdjudicationareofthePMEAwebsite.M.ADJUDICATORSFouradjudicatorsareneededforaBand/OrchestraMPA,three‘onthefloor’or‘inthehall’toadjudicatetheperformanceofthePreparedPiecesandonetoadjudicatetheSight-readingcomponent.Hostsmaychoosetoholda‘band-only’MPAbutarestronglyrecommendedtoincludeorchestras.Ifseveralorchestrasareparticipating,hostsshouldcontractatleastoneadjudicatorwhoisanorchestraspecialistorhasastrongorchestrabackgroundinadditiontoband.Atthistime,contractingtheadjudicatorstocompriseahighlyqualified,qualitypanelisatthediscretionofthehost.Hostsareurgedtocontracta‘blendedpanel’ofactiveandretiredcollegeanduniversitydirectors,retiredhighschoolandmiddleschool/juniorhighdirectors,andavailableactivedirectors.Adjudicatorsarestronglyrecommended,butnotrequired,tobeNAfMEmembers.

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Nopoliciesexistconcerningadjudicatortrainingorformalcertificationatthistime.WeareplanningtodevelopanadjudicatoraccreditationprocessfocusingfirstonawarenessandunderstandingofPMEAAdjudicationphilosophiesaswellastheratingprocessthroughthePMEAAssessmentForms.AnyoneinterestedinbeinganadjudicatorforPMEAAdjudicationMPA’sisrecommendedtocontacttheAdjudicationChair.AnAdjudicatorApplicationisavailablewithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsite.N.PROVIDINGARECORDINGHostsarerequiredtoarrangeforrecordingtheperformancesofthepreparedpieces,eitherwithschoolpersonnelandequipmentoroutsourcedtoalocalvendor.Aperformancerecordingisinvaluablefordirectorsforreviewandasaneducationaltoolwiththeirstudents.DirectorshavehadtheirstudentslistentooneorbothpiecesandusetheAssessmentFormtoderivearatingforsomeoralloftheEvaluationAreasortheentireperformance.SomewilljustaskthestudentstolistenandwritetheirowncommentsforsomeoralloftheEvaluationAreas.ManyoptionsarepossibletoutilizelisteningandtheAssessmentFormtoaddress‘Criticism’or‘reflection’aspectsofstate/nationalstandards.O.COMMUNICATINGWITHTHEHOSTPRIORTOTHEEVENTDirectorsarestronglyrecommendedtobeproactiveincommunicatingwiththehostpriortotheeventtoensurethebestpossibleunderstandingofwhatisinvolvedinparticipatingatthegivensite,especiallyfordirectorparticipatinginaPMEAMPAforthefirsttime.Finalconfirmationsshouldinclude:

•TheMPAdate,especiallyiftheoriginaldateannouncedwaschangedatANYtime•ThatthehostreceivedtheRegistrationFormandcheckfortheRegistrationFee.•Thefinalscheduleofwarm-upandperformancetimes•Directionstothesite,includinganytrafficadvisories•Informationaboutbusparking,wheretoenterthebuilding,andwheretoregister•Seatingchart•Percussioninstrumentsprovided,especiallyifthehostisabletoprovideinstrumentsbeyond

theminimumrequired•Lunchrecommendations,ifneeded•Alistoftheadjudicators•Arrangementstowatchotherperformancesifpossible

P.TOSUBMITATTHEON-SITECHECK-INDirectorsaretosubmitthreemanilaenvelopes(10x13recommended),oneforeachadjudicator,labeledwiththeschoolname,ensemblenameand“Adjudicator#1,2or3”.Eachenvelopemustcontainanoriginalscoreforeachofthetwopreparedpieceswiththemeasuresnumberedifnotalreadynumberedbythepublisher.Scoresmustbeoriginalsunlessthepieceisoutofprint.Copiesmaythenbemade,butonlywithwrittenpermissionofthepublisherprovided.Ifcopiesaremade,pagesshouldbetaped,ratherthanstapled.Directorsarerecommendedtoordertheadditionalscoresfromtheirmusicdealerwellinadvanceoftheeventtopermitenoughtimetoreceivethemfromthepublishersorforobtainingpermissiontomakecopiesifthechosenpieceisoutofprint.Scoresdonotneedtobeprovidedforthewarm-uppieceorotherwarm-upmaterialsused.

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Q.AWARDS:PLAQUES,CERTIFICATES&MEDALSPMEAwillawardeachensembleparticipatingintheTraditionalperformancecontextwiththeofficial,PMEAAwardsPlaquethathasbeenpresentedsincethefirstyearofPMEAAdjudicationin1986.EachAwardsPlaquedisplaysthenameoftheensemble,theratingearnedandtheformalgradelevelofthepreparedpieces.TheAdjudicationChairisresponsibletoprocureandmailtheplaquetothedirectoraftertheevent.DirectorsareencouragedtodisplaytheirPMEAAdjudicationPlaqueswithprideintheirschool’srehearsalroomordisplaycases.PMEAwillawardeachensembleparticipatingintheFestivalperformancecontextwiththeofficial,PMEAAwardsCertificatedisplayingthenameoftheensembleandtheratingearned(ifselectedasanoption)TheAdjudicationChairisresponsibleprepareandmailthecertificatetothedirectoraftertheevent.DirectorsareencouragedtodisplaytheirPMEAAdjudicationCertificateswithprideintheirschool’srehearsalroomordisplaycases.DirectorsofensemblesparticipatingintheTraditionalcontextthatearnaratingofI:Superior,II:ExcellentorIII:GoodhavetheoptiontoorderofficialPMEAAdjudicationmedalsfortheirindividualstudentsthroughtheAdjudicationChair.TheMedalOrderFormisavailableonthePMEAwebsite.Directorsareencouragedtofundthepurchaseofthemedalsfromhisschool,ensembleactivityaccountorparentboostergroupfortheirstudentstobeabletoproudlydisplayevidenceoftheirensemble’sachievementontheirconcertattireandgraduationrobes.R.QUALIFYINGTOPERFORMATTHEPMEAIN-SERVICECONFERENCEOneperformanceslotattheannualPMEAIn-ServiceConferenceisdedicatedforaband,orchestraorchoruschosenfromtheAdjudicationsystem.Thisensembleisselectedfromrecordingssubmittedwithinthedeadlinesandcriteriaconsistentwiththeprocessinvolvedforallperformanceslots.TobeeligibletosubmitarecordingforconsiderationforthisdedicatedslotfromPMEAAdjudication,theensemblemusthaveparticipatedintheTraditionalperformancecontextatasanctionedPMEAMPAandreceivedaratingof'I:Superior'fromeachadjudicator,knownas‘straight1’s’.Thedecisiontoapplyisthatofthedirector.TherecordingdoesnothavetobefromtheMPAoroftherepertoireperformedfortheMPA.SinceperformingattheConferenceisaprestigioushonor,wehopethatthisadditionalpossiblerecognitionincreasesawarenessofPMEAAdjudicationandmotivatesmoredirectorstoparticipate.

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SECTION2:BAND&ORCHESTRAMPA’S-THEEVENTA.REGISTRATIONTABLEUponarrivingattheeventsite,thedirectororhisdesigneemustcheck-inattheRegistrationTable.Theregistrationtableshouldbelocatednearthedesignatedgroupentranceandisnormallystaffedbystudentorparentassistants.‘Checkingin’includes: •Confirmingthattheensemblehasarrivedandverifyingarrangementsforbusparking. •Submittingthreeenvelopescontainingscoresfortheadjudicatorsasdescribedonpage9 •Confirmingwherethestudentsaretoproceedfirst,usuallytotheHoldingArea. •Confirmingwheretherestroomsarelocatedthatthestudentsaretouse •Confirmingthelocationofadditionalchangingareasifrequestedandavailable •Confirminghowtocontactthehostdirectorifneeded,whetheritbebycellphone,a‘runner’

orsimplyknowingwheretheTabulationAreaorhost’sofficeislocatedB.HOLDINGAREAFollowingcheck-in,theensembleproceedstoadesignatedHoldingArea,asecureareaforinstrumentcases,coatsandpersonalbelongings.Studentorparentassistantsnormallysecurethisareathroughouttheevent.Ifaholdingareaisnotavailable,theseitemsshouldthenbekeptonthebuses.Ifkeepingpersonalitemsandcasesonthebusistheonlyoption,hostsshouldprovideaparkingareaforthebusascloseaspossibletothegroupentranceandnotifyparticipatingdirectorsinadvancetobepreparedaccordingly.Whilethisoptioniscertainlynotideal,ithasproventobeworkableratherthanbeadeterrenttohosting.Mostensemblesarrivewearingtheir‘concertdress’.However,ifstudentsdoneedtochange,usuallytheavailablerestroomswillsuffice.Directorsshouldconfirmanyneedsforchangingwiththehostinadvanceoftheevent.Notethathostsarenotrequiredtoprovidelockerroomaccessordressingrooms,oftennotpossibleduringtheschooldayduetousebyphysicaleducationclasses.TheensemblenormallystaysintheholdingareauntilproceedingquietlythroughthehallstotheWarm-UpAreaandwaitingquietlyuntilbeingdirectedtoenter.Studentsshouldnothavetowaitoutsidethewarm-uproomforaninordinateperiodoftime.Iftimepermitspriortothescheduledwarm-up,directorsmaychoosefortheensembletowatchanotherensembleperform.Directorshavenotedthatwatchinganothergroupisnotonlyvaluableinandofitself,butalsothatitlessenstheperformanceanxietyoftheirownstudents.C.WARM-UPAREATheformalWarm-UpAreaisnormallytheband,orchestraorchorusroomwithenoughchairsavailabletoseatallthewindorstringinstrumentplayers.Musicstandsarenotnormallyprovidedbutwouldbewelcomeifavailable.Somedirectorschoosetobringfoldingstandsforuseinthisarea.Percussioninstrumentsarenotprovided,astheprimaryuseofthisareaisintendedtobewarmingupandtuning,notrehearsing.Directorsareresponsibletobringtheirowntuners.

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Thelengthofthewarm-upslotis45minutesifthesight-reading/cliniccomponentisbeingheldonstagefollowingthepreparedpieces,or30minutesifthesight-reading/cliniccomponentisbeingheldinaseparatearea.D.AUDITORIUMSTAGETheauditoriumstageistheperformanceareawheretheformaladjudicationofthetwopreparedpiecestakesplace.Hostshavetheoptionofholdingthesight-readingcomponentonstageimmediatelyfollowingtheadjudicationoftheselectedrepertoireorinaseparateroom,usuallytheband/orchestraroom.Thelengthoftheperformanceslotintheauditoriumwillbe45minutesifthesight-reading/cliniccomponentisbeingheldonstagefollowingthepreparedpieces,or30minutesifthesight-reading/cliniccomponentisbeingheldinaseparatearea.Thistimeframeincludesentrance,set-up,optionalwarm-up,performingthetwopreparedpieces,thesight-reading/cliniccomponent---ifheldonstage,andexit.Thestageistobelitwithastandardconcertstagewashandequippedwithenoughchairsandstandsforallparticipatingensembles,aconductor’spodiumandconcertpercussion.Chairsandstandsarenormallypre-setinconcentricsemi-circlesonaflatstage.Risersarenottobeused.Hostsusuallycontactparticipatingdirectorsforaseatingchartinadvancefortheirstudent/parentstagecrewstousetore-setbetweenensembles.Directorsmayadjusttheseatingconfigurationpriortotheperformancebutmustdosoquickly.Mostchoosetoadjusttheseatingastheensembleisenteringthestage,assistedbythestudentsthemselves.Anyextrachairsandstandscanremainonstageorbemovedtothewings.Hostsarerequiredprovidethefollowingconcertpercussionattheminimum:concertbassdrum,fourtimpani,bells,xylophone,marimbaandchimes.Somehostsareabletoprovideadditionalpercussioninstrumentsandwillcommunicatethatlistinthepre-eventcommunications.Theparticipatingensemblesareresponsibletoprovidetheirownmalletsandsticks,snaredrums,crashandsuspendedcymbals,andauxiliary/accessorypercussioninstruments(i.e.triangle,tambourine,templeblocks,etc.)asneededwithintheirwarm-upandpreparedpieces.Mostdirectorsprefertousetheirownequipment,instrumentsthattheirstudentsareaccustomedtousingandhearing.Directorsareurgedtocontactthehostwellinadvancetoaddressuniquepercussionneeds.Ifthesight-readingcomponentisheldonstage,thestandardconcertpercussionrequiredforthiscomponentisalreadypresent.Ifthepieceusedforsight-readingcallsforaparticularaccessorypercussioninstrumentthatnotavailable,thepartissimplyomittedandtheensembleisnotpenalized.Inadditiontotheadjudicators,theonly‘audience’wouldbestudentsfromotherensemblesorthehostschool’sensembles.Thosestudentsareencouragedtoclapaftereachpiece.Studyhallsorotherstudentsfromthehostschoolarenotpermittedtousetheauditoriumduringtheevent.

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E.WARM-UPDirectorsmaychoosetoperformanoptionalWarm-Uppieceofanygradelevelorexercisesequenceofnolongerthanthreeminutes.Theperformanceofthewarm-upisnotassessed.AnymusicuseddoesnotneedtobefromthePMEASelectiveMusicListnorincludedontheBandandOrchestraRegistrationForm.Scoresdonotneedtobeprovidedtotheadjudicators.Mostbandandorchestradirectorsdochooseanon-stagewarm-upofsomekind,usuallyamarch(sometakesecondendings),achorale/ballad,oramemorizedorwrittenexercisesequence.F.PERFORMINGTHEPREPAREDPIECESBandsandOrchestrasmustperformtwoPreparedPiecesasdescribedonpages7-9above.G.HOWTHEADJUDICATORSUSETHEASSESSMENTFORMSAllPMEAAssessmentFormsarepostedwithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsite.TheadjudicatorsaretoassesstheperformanceandassignaScorefrom1-15foreachoffiveEvaluationAreas:Tone,Intonation,Accuracy,TechniqueandInterpretation,accordingtothefollowingrubricanddescriptors: PMEA LETTER APPROX.PSSA

SCORE RATING DESCRIPTOR GRADE EQUIVALENT13-15 I Superior A+ Outstanding10-12 II Excellent A Advanced7-9 III Good B Proficient4-6 IV Fair C Basic1-3 V Unprepared U BelowBasic

Thethree-pointrangewithinthescoringforeachEvaluationAreaprovidesadjudicatorswithflexibilityinconveyingtheirassessmentwithinagivenrating.ThescoresforeachofthefiveEvaluationAreasareaddedtogethertodeterminetheTotalScore,whichisthenconvertedtoaFinalRatingaccordingtothefollowingrubricanddescriptors: TOTAL FINAL PMEA LETTER APPROX.PSSA

SCORE RATING DESCRIPTOR GRADE EQUIVALENT63-75 I Superior A+ Outstanding48-62 II Excellent A Advanced33-47 III Good B Proficient18-32 IV Fair C Basic5-17 V Unprepared U BelowBasic

TheadjudicatorswillprovideAdditionalFeedbackwithineachEvaluationAreainthemiddlecolumnoftheAssessmentFormthroughtheuseofpluses“+”orminuses“-”withtheshortlistofcriticalattributesbeingevaluated,accordingtothefollowingdescriptors: + = Areaofstrength;Noticeablystrongwithrating Blank = Commensuratetorating - = Areaofconcern;NoticeablyneedingattentionwithinratingThiscomponentoftheAssessmentFormenablesadjudicatorstoprovideaconsistent‘nextlevel’ofquick,focused,directfeedbackbeyondthescoreitselfwithineachEvaluationArea,readilyidentifyingaparticularcriticalattribute(s)thatmaybestronglyaffectingthescore,positivelyornegatively.

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TheadjudicatorsarestronglyrecommendedtoprovideadditionalinputthroughwrittencommentswithineachEvaluationAreathatareclear,concise,directandrelevant.Thesecommentsshouldidentifystrengthsandareasofconcernalongwithsuggestionsforappropriateenhancementsorsolutions.SpaceforAdditionalCommentsisincludedonthebackoftheform,alongwithalistwithineachEvaluationAreaofattributesfortheadjudicatorstoconsiderforassessmentandas‘talkingpoints’fortheiroral&writtencommentaries.Theselistsshouldalsobehelpfulfordirectorsandstudents.AnarealistingOtherFactorsisincludedonthelowerleftfrontoftheform.Theadjudicatorwillprovidefeedbackthroughplusesandminuses,butthisevaluationisnotscoredorpartoftheFinalRating.Whiletheseattributesarecertainlyimportant,theyareinherently‘non-musical’andthereforenotpartofa‘musicperformanceassessment’.H.DETERMININGTHESUMMARYRATINGOFTHEPREPAREDPIECES TheSummaryRatingearnedfromtheperformanceofthetwoPreparedPiecesisdeterminedbycombiningtheFinalRatingsfromthethreeadjudicatorsaccordingtothefollowingtable:

DETERMINETHESUMMARYRATINGOFTHEPREPAREDPIECESBYCOMBININGTHETHREERATINGS

RATINGSFROMTHETHREE

ADJUDICATORS

I,I,I I,II,II I,III,III I,IV,IV I,V,V

I,I,II I,II,III I,III,IV I,IV,V II,V,V

I,I,III I,II,IV I,III,V II,IV,IV III,V,V

I,I,IV I,II,V II,III,III II,IV,V IV,V,V

I,I,V II,II,II II,III,IV III,IV,IV V,V,V

II,II,III II,III,V III,IV,V

II,II,IV III,III,III IV,IV,IV

II,II,V III,III,IV IV,IV,V

III,III,V

SUMMARYRATING I II III IV V

I.SIGHT-READINGAREAHostshavetheoptionofstagingthesight-readingcomponentinaseparateroom.Hostswhochoosetodosomostcommonlychooseanensembleroom,LGIroom,recitalhallormini-theatreofsomekind.Aseparatesight-readingareawouldalsobeequippedwithchairs,stands,aconductor’spodiumandconcertpercussion.Chairsandstandsarenormallypre-setinconcentricsemi-circlesiftheroomisflat.Aroomwithexistingbuilt-intiersmaybeused.

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Thefollowingconcertpercussionmustbeprovidedforthesight-readingareaattheminimum:concertbassdrum,atleastthreetimpani,andbells.Hostsshouldalsoprovideafourthtimpanitocompletethesetandaxylophoneifatallpossible.Asmentioned,ifaparticularlargepercussioninstrumentcalledforbythepieceusedforsight-readingisnotavailable,thepartissimplyomittedandtheensembleisnotpenalized.Thisusuallyhappensonlywhenaseparateroomisusedforthesight-readingcomponent.Hostsmustprovideatleasttwostudentsorparentsavailablethroughoutthedaytoassistwithdistributingandcollectingthesight-readingfoldersaswellaswithmovingchairsandstandsasneeded.Aprimarygoaloftheoptionintroducedin2006toholdthesight-readingcomponenton-stageimmediatelyaftertheperformanceofthepreparedpieceswastoenablemoreschoolstobeabletoserveashosts.Beforethen,manydirectorscouldnothostbecausetheirfacilitydidnothaveaseparateroomlargeenoughtouseforsight-reading.Evenifasecondareawasavailable,hoststhendidnothaveathirdarealargeenoughtoserveasawarm-uproom,letaloneanotherspaceforaholdingarea.Outfittingasight-readingroomwithasecondsetofstandsandappropriatepercussioncanalsobeadauntingchallenge.However,retainingtheoptiontoholdthesight-readingcomponentinaseparateareacontinuestoworkwellforhostswithamplefacilitiesandequipmentresources.Also,hostscanaccommodatemoreensemblesoverallintheeventbyschedulingperformanceslotsin30-minute,ratherthan45-minute,intervals.Manyhostsanddirectorssimplypreferthe45-minuteblockforavarietyofreasonsandchoosethatoptioneachyear.J.SIGHT-READINGCOMPONENTEnsemblesparticipatingintheTraditionalperformancecontextarerequiredtoparticipateinanadjudicatedsight-readingcomponentimmediatelyafterperformingthetwoPreparedPieces,withtheratingreceivedfactoredintodeterminingtheFinalRatingearned.EnsemblesparticipatingintheFestivalperformancecontexthavetheoptiontoparticipateinanadjudicatedsight-readingcomponent.Ifthatoptionisselected,directorsmayalsochoosethegradelevelofthepieceinvolved.WithintheTraditionalcontext,toappropriatelycoordinatethegradelevelofthesight-readingcontentwiththatofthePreparedPieces,ensembleswillsight-readapieceapproximately1½to2levelsbelowthedeclaredgradelevelofthePreparedPiecesaccordingtothefollowingtable:

DECLAREDGRADELEVELOFTHEPREPAREDPIECES

GRADELEVELOFTHEMUSICTOBESIGHT-READ

6 45 34 Approximately2½3 Approximately1½2 11 ½

Thesight-readingadjudicatorisresponsibleforprovidingthefoldersandmusictobeused,includingatleasttwopiecesateachgradelevelneededforthegivenevent.Hemaychooseoneforthedirectoror

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givethedirectorthechoice.Thedirectorshouldchooseapiecethathe/sheisnotfamiliarwith.Thedirectorshouldbegivenanoriginal,unmarkedscoretouseifatallpossible,notacopyoronethatismarkedupwithconductornotesorcues,andoriginalpartsifpossible.Thesight-readingadjudicatormusthaveascoretouseandisresponsibleforeitheracquiringasecondoriginalscoreormakingacopy.Providingqualitypiecesforsight-readingisessential,astheappropriatenessofthemusicchosensignificantlyimpactsthesuccessandoverallqualityoftheexperiencefortheensemble.Changesinthelevelsofthesight-readingmusicforensemblesthatadjudicatedpreparedpiecesatlevels4and3and1weremadein2008basedonthefollowingrationale:PREPAREDPIECESATGRADE4---SIGHTREADATGRADE2½Ensemblesadjudicatingatgradelevel4werepreviouslysight-readinggradelevel2music.Forthiscontext,basicgradelevel2musicoftenseemedtooeasy,aconcernvoicedbybothdirectorsandadjudicatorsasnotbeingbeneficialforthestudents.Furthercomplicatingthisissuewasthatadjudicatorswereoftenchoosingmusicatavarietyofdifficultylevelswithingrade2,someactuallylabeledas‘Grade2½’.Thisledtosignificantinconsistencysitetosite,evenbandtobandwithinagivenevent,aslabeledgrade2andlabeledgrade2½piecesareoftensignificantlydifferent.Wenowrequireoursight-readingadjudicatorstochooseappropriatelabeledgradelevel2½piecesforensemblesperforminggrade4preparedpiecestosight-read.Whilenoknownstateorfestivallistseparatespieceswithinagivengradelevel,mostpublishersdodistinguishbetweengrades2and2½repertoire.PREPAREDPIECESATGRADE3---SIGHTREADATGRADE1½Highschoolandjuniorhigh/middleschoollevelensemblesadjudicatingatgradelevel3werepreviouslysight-readinggradelevel1music.Manydirectorsandadjudicatorssharedthesameconcern,thatusinggradelevel1musicseemedtooeasyandnotbeneficialfortheirstudents.Furthercomplicatingthisissuewasthatadjudicatorswereoftenchoosingmusicatavarietyofdifficultylevelswithingrade1,someactuallylabeledas‘Grade1½’.Thisledtosignificantinconsistencysitetosite,evenbandtobandwithinagivenevent,aslabeledgrade1andlabeledgrade1½piecesareoftensignificantlydifferent.Wenowrequireoursight-readingadjudicatorstochooseappropriatelabeledgradelevel1½piecesforensemblesperforminggrade3preparedpiecestosight-read.Whilenoknownstateorfestivallistseparatespieceswithinagivengradelevel,mostpublishersdodistinguishbetweengrades1and1½repertoire.PREPAREDPIECESATGRADE2---SIGHTREADATGRADE1Itremainsappropriatethatensemblesadjudicatingatgradelevel2sight-readapiecelabeledasgradelevel1.Thehostshouldremindhiscontractedadjudicatorofthisrequirementandstressthatthepiecesselectedareindeedgrade1pieces,not1½,whichwouldbetooclosetothecontentofthegrade2preparedpieces.

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K.SIGHT-READINGPROCESSTheSight-readingcomponentwillbeimplementedasfollows:

1.Immediatelyfollowingtheadjudicationofthepreparedpieces,theensemblewillremainonstageorproceedtoaseparatearea.

2.Theadjudicatorand/orhisassistantswilldistributemusicfoldersthataretoremaincloseduntilhe/shedirectsthestudentstoopenthemtoretrievetheassignedpiecetobesight-read.Asmentioned,theadjudicatorshouldbeabletochoosebetweenatleasttwopiecesateachgradelevel.Thedirectorshouldnotbefamiliarwiththechosenpiece,asitshouldbesight-readingforhimaswellasforhisstudents.Directorsmayassistinconfirmingthateveryonehasafolder.

3.Theadjudicatorresponsibleforthesight-readingcomponentwillintroducehimself/herselfandreviewtheprocess.Whencompleted,theadjudicatorwillannouncewhichpiecetoretrievefromthefolder.Directorsmayassistinconfirmingpercussionassignmentsforthegivenpiece.

4.Theadjudicatorwillformallystartatimedtwo-minutepreparationperiodtobeusedbythedirectorandstudentstosilentlyperusethemusic.Nooneistospeak;noinstrumentsmaybeplayed.Theadjudicatorwillnotifythedirectorandensemblewhenthirtysecondsremain.

5.Theadjudicatorwillthenformallystartatimedthree-minuteperiodforthedirectortouseashe/shechoosestobestpreparethestudentsforperformance.Noinstrumentsmaybeplayed.Thedirectorandstudentsmaysing,clap,finger,count,askquestionsorotherwisehighlightaspectsofthemusicinpreparation.Theadjudicatorwillnotifythedirectorandensemblewhenoneminuteremains,followedbywhenthirtysecondsremain.

6.Theadjudicatorwillinstructthedirectortobeginthesight-readingperformanceoftheassignedpiece.Duringtheperformance,thedirectormaytaponthestand,singparts,count,calloutrehearsalnumbers/lettersandgiveverbalinstructionswithoutpenalty.Thelessthedirectorneedstobeinvolvedverbally,thebetter.Thedirectorshouldstrivetocommunicateasefficientlyandeffectivelyaspossiblethroughhisconducting.

7.Thedirectormaychoosetostopandre-starttheensembleonceduringtheperformancewithoutpenalty.Theadjudicatorwillthenidentifythepointwheretheensemblewillrestart,whichshouldbearehearsalnumber/letterjustbeforethepointinthemusicwherethedirectorstoppedtheperformance.Obviously,thefewerstopsandre-starts,thebetter.

8.Aftertheensemblehasfinisheditsperformance,theadjudicatorwillbrieflydiscusshisevaluationwiththestudentsandthedirector,usingasmuchoftheremainingtimeasdesired.Theadjudicatormaychoosetohavetheensembleplayanexcerptaspartofthefeedback,conductedeitherbythedirectororhimself/herself.Theadjudicatormustalsoallowenoughtimeforthemusicfolderstobecollectedandforthestudentstoexittheareabeforetheentranceofthenextscheduledensemble.

Directorsarestronglyrecommendedtopreparetheirstudentsforthiscomponentbyestablishingandpracticinganapproachtoeffectivelyimplementeachstepinvolvedintheprocess.Directorsareurgedtodiligentlyandregularlypracticesight-readingalongwiththeirwarm-ups,skilldevelopmentexercises,preparedpiecesandalloftheirconcertmusic.Somedirectorssuccessfullyutilizeaseparate,designated‘sight-readingfolder’.

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L.DETERMININGTHEFINALMPARATINGTheFinalMPARatingtheensemblereceivesisdeterminedbycombiningtheSummaryRatingofthePreparedPieces(PP)withtheFinalRatingreceivedforSight-reading(SR),accordingtothefollowingtable:

COMBINETHESUMMARYRATINGOFTHEPREPAREDPIECES(PP)WITHTHEFINALRATINGFROMTHESIGHT-READING(SR)COMPONENTTODETERMINETHEFINAL

MPARATING

I II III IV V

PP SR PP SR PP SR PP SR PP SR

I I I III II IV III V V IV

I II I IV II V IV III V V

I V III II IV IV

II I III III IV V

II II III IV V I

II III IV I V II

III I IV II V III FINAL PMEA LETTER APPROX.PSSA

RATING DESCRIPTOR GRADE EQUIVALENTI Superior A+ OutstandingII Excellent A AdvancedIII Good B ProficientIV Fair C BasicV Unprepared U BelowBasic

Forexample,anensemblethatreceivesaSummaryRatingofIIforitsPreparedPieces(PP)andaFinalRatingofIforitsSight-reading(SR)wouldearnaFinalMPARatingofII:ExcellentorAdvanced.M.GETTINGTHEMPARESULTS&MATERIALSFROMTHEHOSTCorrectlyandefficientlyprocessingtheassessmentresultsthroughouttheeventisoneofthemostimportantresponsibilitiesofthehost.Hostsusuallyperformthisdutythemselves,butitcanbedelegatedtoaqualifieddesignee,usuallyanothermusicteacher.Studentsandparentsarenotpermittedtoserveinthisroleduetotheimportanceofthetaskandtheprofessionalconfidentialityrequired.Thehostorhis/herdesigneemustproceedquicklytoprocessandprovidethefollowingitemstothedirectorpriortotheensemble’sdeparture: •Band/OrchestraMPARatingSummaryform •FourAssessmentForms,onefromeachadjudicator •Thethreeconductorscoresofthepreparedpiecessubmittedfortheadjudicatorstouse

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Thehostwillprovidetheaudiorecordingsfromtheadjudicatorandthedigitalrecordingoftheperformanceasmp3filesburnedontoaCD,madeavailablethroughDropBox,orotherwisecommunicatedelectronically.Ratingsfromtheotherparticipatingensemblesarenotprovided.N.AFTERTHEMPAWerecommendthatparticipatingdirectorsconsiderthefollowingactionsaftertheMPA:

•Tothanktheadministrator(s)whograntedpermissionfortheensembletoparticipate,anycolleagueswhoassistedbeforeorduringtheevent,andanyparentvolunteerchaperonesfortheirtimeandefforts•Tousetheperformancerecording,adjudicatorrecordingsandassessmentformsaseducationalclassroomtoolstoenhancetheoverallexperienceforthestudents•Tosendanemailtothehostexpressingappreciationforhostingwhilealsoprovidingpositivefeedbackandconstructivesuggestions•TosendanemailtotheAdjudicationChairwithanypositivefeedbackconcerningtheeventandnotablebenefitsfromoverallexperiencealongwithconstructivesuggestionsconcerninganyaspectofparticipationsothatthe‘system’cancontinuetoevolvetobetterimprovetheeducationalexperienceforallinvolved

•ToattendtheannualmeetingofthePMEAAdjudicationCommitteeatthePMEAIn-ServiceConference.AnyinterestedPMEAmemberisinvitedtoattend,certainlyincludingdirectorswhohaveparticipatedinanMPA.Whilethemeetingisinformalinnature,theAdjudicationChairusesthisforumtoreviewthe‘stateofPMEAAdjudication’andtopresentideasfordiscussionandfeedback.Thismeetingiswellattendedandhasbeenanexcitingforumfordeliberatinguponpossible‘nextsteps’,establishingpriorities,andexchangingperspectives---allwithincollaborativegroupdialoguenotpossiblewithinindividualconversationsandemails.

O.FINALEToprospectiveparticipatingdirectors----IhopethatthisGuideprovidesacomfortlevelandtheinitialinformationneededtosuccessfullyparticipateinaBandorOrchestraMusicPerformanceAssessmentsponsoredbyPMEAAdjudicationforthefirsttime!Toexperiencedparticipatingdirectors----IhopethatthisGuideeffectivelyservesasareferencetooltorefreshmemories,introducechangesoranswerquestionsconcerninganyaspectofparticipatinginaBandorOrchestraMusicPerformanceAssessmentsponsoredbyPMEAAdjudication.PleasefeelfreetocontacttheAdjudicationChairwithcommentsorquestions.ContactinformationislistedintheIntroductionofthisGuideandinseverallocationsonthePMEAwebsite.

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PMEAADJUDICATION:BAND&ORCHESTRAMPA’SCHECKLISTFORPARTICIPATINGDIRECTORS

oDownloadandreviewtheGuidetoParticipatinginaBandorOrchestraMusicPerformanceAssessmentfromAssessmentfromwithintheAdjudicationareaofthePMEAwebsite.Don’thesitatetocontacttheMPAHostorAdjudicationChairwithANYquestionsaboutANYaspectofparticipation!oDownloadthecurrentMPACalendartoidentifythedateandsitethatbestworksforyourensembletoparticipate,thencontacttheHosttoconfirmtheavailabilityofaperformanceslotandthebestavailableperformancetimethatworkswithinyourscheduleparameters.Seekofficialpermissiontoparticipatefromyourprincipalandprocessthenecessarytransportationrequestform(p.5))oDownloadtheBandandOrchestraRegistrationFormtocompleteandsubmittothehost.SubmitboththeRegistrationFormandthecheckfortheRegistrationFeetotheHosttoconfirmparticipationnolaterthanfourweekspriortotheevent.(p.6)oDecideonthetwopreparedpiecestoperformandconfirmthegradelevelsinvolved,ifnecessary,withDr.TadGreigatWestminsterCollege,bydownloading,completingandmailinghimtheAdditiontotheSelectiveMusicListformandacopyofthescore(s).(p.7)oDownloadandreviewthecurrentversionsoftheformsinvolvedintheMPA,including:(p.10) •Band/OrchestraMusicPerformanceAssessmentForm •Band/OrchestraSight-readingMPAForm •Band/OrchestraMPARatingSummaryFormoReviewhowadjudicatorsusetheAssessmentFormsandhowallRatingsaredetermined.(pp.15-16)oUsetheMPAformsasclassroomtoolsbeforeandaftertheevent.oChooserepertoireandpaceyourrehearsalscheduletobestensurethatyourstudentsarefullypreparedandconfidentfortheirperformanceattheMPA.oReviewallaspectsoftheSight-readingcomponentandpracticethesight-readingprocesswithyourensemble.Considerputtingtogetheraseparate‘sight-readingfolder’ofmusicfromyourlibrarytodrawfromforpractice.(p17)oReviewtheGuideconcerningthesequenceinvolvedfromarrivalthroughdepartureandwhatoccurswithineachpartoftheprocess.(Section2–startingonp.13)oCommunicatewiththehostpriortotheeventtoconfirmallessentialinformation.(p.11)oDownloadtheMedalOrderFormandordermedalsforyourparticipatingstudentsaftertheMPA.(Optional)