Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Diocese of … · Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Diocese of Southwest America Sunday School Association ... Elocution- Rules

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Diocese of Southwest America

Sunday School Association Dallas Region (Dallas, Oklahoma, Denver)

2013 Oral Talent Competition Guidelines

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Table of Contents

1. Document Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 5

2. Logistics ................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.1. Date/Time ..................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2. Hosting Parish ............................................................................................................................... 5

3. Competition Committee ....................................................................................................................... 5

3.1. Committee Organization ............................................................................................................... 5

3.2. Duties of the Committee ............................................................................................................... 5

4. Program Schedule ................................................................................................................................. 6

5. Registration Deadline ............................................................................................................................ 6

6. Venue Coordination & Judging ............................................................................................................. 6

6.1. Venue Coordination ...................................................................................................................... 6

6.2. Judging .......................................................................................................................................... 7

7. Competition Eligibility ........................................................................................................................... 8

8. Competition Items ................................................................................................................................ 8

8.1. Group 1 (Grades Pre-KG and KG) .................................................................................................. 8

8.1.1. Solo Song Malayalam ............................................................................................................ 8

8.1.2. Solo Song English .................................................................................................................. 8

8.1.3. Group Song Malayalam – Annyonam Slomma Nalkin (1st stanza) ........................................ 8

8.1.4. Group Song English – Let us give peace from our hearts (1st stanza) ................................... 8

8.2. Group 2 (Grades 1 & 2) ................................................................................................................. 8



8.2.3. Group Song Malayalam – Yajamaanan varumannera (full song).......................................... 8

8.2.4. Group Song English – Blessed are those servants whom (full song) .................................... 8

8.3. Group 3 (Grades 3 & 4) ................................................................................................................. 8



8.3.3. Group Song Malayalam – Paulose sleeha ............................................................................. 8

8.3.4. Group Song English – Paul the blessed ................................................................................. 8

8.3.5. Elocution – Parable of the Prodigal Son ................................................................................ 8

8.4. Group 4 (Grades 5 & 6) ................................................................................................................. 9



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8.4.3. Group Song Malayalam – Anpudayone nin vaathil (4 stanzas) ............................................ 9

8.4.4. Group Song English – Hearken gracious Lord we pray (4 stanzas) ....................................... 9

8.4.5. Elocution – Holy Baptism .................................................................................................... 9

8.5. Group 5 (Grades 7 & 8) ................................................................................................................. 9



8.5.3. Group Song Malayalam – Nin mathavu vishudanmmaa (full song)...................................... 9

8.5.4. Group Song English – By Thy Mother’s earnest prayers ....................................................... 9

8.5.5. Elocution – Prayer and Fasting ............................................................................................. 9

8.6. Group 6 (Grades 9 & 10) ............................................................................................................... 9



8.6.3. Group Song Malayalam – Melpattakar pattakarodu ............................................................ 9

8.6.4. Group Song English – High priests and priests and deacons too .......................................... 9

8.6.5. Elocution – Importance of Morning Prayers during Holy Qurbana ...................................... 9

8.7. Group 7 (Grades 11 & 12) ........................................................................................................... 10

8.7.1. Solo Song Malayalam .......................................................................................................... 10

8.7.2. Solo Song English ................................................................................................................ 10

8.7.3. Group Song Malayalam – Rakshakanura chaitha (Full Song) .............................................. 10

8.7.4. Group Song English – Savior has thus spoken (1st 4 stanzas).............................................. 10

8.7.5. Elocution – Impact of the first three ecumenical councils.................................................. 10

9. Event Guidelines ................................................................................................................................. 10

9.1. Time Limits .................................................................................................................................. 10

9.2. Solo Songs – Rules for English and Malayalam Solo Songs ......................................................... 10

9.3. Group Songs - Rules for English and Malayalam Group Songs ................................................... 11

9.4. Song Evaluation - Explanation of Terms ..................................................................................... 11

9.5. Elocution- Rules .......................................................................................................................... 12

9.6. Elocution - Explanation of Terms ................................................................................................ 12

10. Miscellaneous Items ....................................................................................................................... 12

10.1. Master of Ceremony Guidelines ............................................................................................. 12

10.2. Tabulation Process .................................................................................................................. 13

10.3. Winners and Awards Guidelines ............................................................................................. 13

10.4. Ever-Rolling Trophy Award ..................................................................................................... 14

10.5. Candidates with Special Needs ............................................................................................... 14

10.6. Financial Matters .................................................................................................................... 14

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10.7. Additional Guidelines .............................................................................................................. 15

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1. Document Purpose

The purpose of this document is to outline the guidelines by which the Sunday School Oral Competition will be conducted and administered. The guidelines are intended to give a fair and unbiased set of criteria to judge the talent of the Sunday school participants.

2. Logistics

2.1. Date/Time

Saturday, March 16th 2013, 9:00am CST

2.2. Hosting Parish

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church Valiya Pally 14133 Dennis Lane Farmers Branch, TX 75234

3. Competition Committee

3.1. Committee Organization

a) Regional Coordinator: Philip Thomas b) Competition Coordinators: Thomas John c) Regional Competition Committee Members: All Principals + Philip Thomas d) Judges Coordinator: Eugene Abraham + 4 to 6 judges from each parish e) Tabulation Coordinator: Bijoy Thomas, Sony Alexander, Benny Kurian f) Finance Coordinator: Eugene Abraham and Jiji Abrahram g) Venue Coordinators: Jiji Abraham (Lead), Sangeetha Thomas h) Master of Ceremony: 2 from each church (2 per venue will be assigned) i) Rules Coordinator: Eugene Abraham j) Food Coordinator: Eugene Abraham and Jiji Abraham k) Time Keepers: 1 from each church l) Award Coordinator: Rev. Fr. Rajesh K. John + TBD m) Publicity Coordinator: TBD n) Doorkeepers: TBD from Hosting Parish

3.2. Duties of the Committee

a) The regional competition committee is in charge of conducting and overseeing the competitions in a professional manner.

b) Venue coordinators will supervise each venue

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c) The participant along with their parents will bring up any complaints or disputes arising from the competition to the respective principals who will then bring it to the attention of the Regional Coordinator or one of the committee members.

d) The issue will be referred to the regional competition committee for final decision. e) Committee’s decision will be final and binding to all participants.

4. Program Schedule

a) Regional Coordinator, along with the Regional Competition Coordinator will organize the event with the assistance of the regional competition committee and any sub-committee or members from the hosting parish.

b) All the Judges must be present at the Church for briefing at 8:30 AM on the day of the event for judges briefing and information. All Principals and the Regional Committee members are also required to participate in the briefing along with the Judges. All Priests from the region are most welcome to be a part of this briefing.

c) Program will start at 9:00 AM with Prayer by the Priests at the venue. d) The regional committee will provide lunch and light snacks to all participants.

5. Registration Deadline

a) List of the Church Competition winners will be e-mailed electronically to the Regional Coordinator by the principals of all churches on or before March 6th 2013.

b) Names received after the deadline will not be included in the final list of the regional competition participants.

c) No addition or substitution of participant names will be allowed after the principals submit their finalized lists.

d) Names of candidates with special needs must be attached with the final list.

6. Venue Coordination & Judging

6.1. Venue Coordination

a) Each venue will be supervised by one (1) Venue Coordinator and one (1) representative from an alternative parish, different than that of the venue coordinator.

b) The Lead Venue Coordinator will assign a coordinator for each venue, with approval from the Regional Competition Committee, for each venue of the competition.

c) The Venue Coordinators will work with the MC, judging/timekeeping volunteer, audio volunteer and doorkeeper to ensure smooth flow of the competition for that venue.

d) Venue Coordinator’s responsibilities include: i. Selecting individuals from their parish to provide assistance

ii. Maintaining the files for each individual event for the venue. iii. With the help of the judging volunteer:

a. Provide the judges with appropriate/respective judging sheets for each event.

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b. Collect the judging sheets after each event (group) and deliver these judging sheets to the tabulation room as soon as possible.

c. Ensure at the time of collection of judging sheets that all necessary information has been entered, including any deductions.

e) With the help of the timekeeper: a. Time each event (timed events) and maintain log of time for each participant. b. Be responsible for letting the participant and judges know of the times through

appropriate colored cards (black - under minimum time; yellow – warning; red – over maximum time).

f) Coordinate audio volunteer to stay at the front during the competition and manage audio systems.

g) Have master list for cross verification in tabulation for no shows, dressing violations, over/under the time limit violations, and exact individual times for timed items.

h) Maintain decorum at each venue so that the participants and judges have minimum distractions. Make sure no one walks around by the performer during the performance.

i) Be responsible for smooth transitions between events. j) Post sign on the venue doors to control traffic – prevent door opening during performance.

6.2. Judging

a) In order to keep the fairness in the competitions, each church will provide at least 3 judges to the Regional Committee. It is recommended that each parish provide more than 3 judges to avoid judging fatigue.

b) Of the 3 judges, 2 shall be for singing events and 1 shall be for speaking events. c) Names of the judges from each parish should reach the Regional Coordinator by March 6th 2013

with the preference of their criteria in judging and any conflicts they have with judging specific participants. E-mails and phone numbers for all judges shall also be given to the Regional Coordinator.

d) Willingness to judge and dedication to fair and accurate judging shall be primary criteria to select judges from each parish.

e) Good judging from previous years shall be considered when selecting judges from each Parish. f) As much as possible, Seminarians, deacons, and priests shall be assigned as judges for speaking

events. g) As much as possible, judges who know Malayalam shall be assigned for Malayalam song events. h) Judges will not do any tabulation in the grading sheet. i) The tabulation Committee will do the tabulations after each event. j) By March 13th 2013, judges will be provided with judging guidelines and judging criteria for each

item. k) As much as possible, by March 15th 2013, a conference call shall be conducted with all judges to

ensure familiarity with judging guidelines and expectations. l) Judges must ensure that any no-show participant names are stricken from their judges sheet.

This must be done for solo and also group events. m) No-show participants in a group competition are ineligible for medals, should their group place

1st or 2nd.

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7. Competition Eligibility

The maximum number of students a parish can send for a regional competition event is 2, i.e. the first and second place winners at the parish level. In the event of a tie at the parish level, the parish is required to break the tie to designate the two eligible names for the regional competition.

8. Competition Items

8.1. Group 1 (Grades Pre-KG and KG)

8.1.1. Solo Song Malayalam

8.1.2. Solo Song English

8.1.3. Group Song Malayalam – Annyonam Slomma Nalkin (1st stanza)

8.1.4. Group Song English – Let us give peace from our hearts (1st stanza)

8.2. Group 2 (Grades 1 & 2)



8.2.3. Group Song Malayalam – Yajamaanan varumannera (full song)

8.2.4. Group Song English – Blessed are those servants whom (full song)




8.3.3. Group Song Malayalam – Paulose sleeha

8.3.4. Group Song English – Paul the blessed

8.3.5. Elocution – Parable of the Prodigal Son

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8.4.3. Group Song Malayalam – Anpudayone nin vaathil (4 stanzas)

8.4.4. Group Song English – Hearken gracious Lord we pray (4 stanzas)

8.4.5. Elocution – Holy Baptism




8.5.3. Group Song Malayalam – Nin mathavu vishudanmmaa (full song)

8.5.4. Group Song English – By Thy Mother’s earnest prayers

8.5.5. Elocution – Prayer and Fasting

8.6. Group 6 (Grades 9 & 10)



8.6.3. Group Song Malayalam – Melpattakar pattakarodu

8.6.4. Group Song English – High priests and priests and deacons too

8.6.5. Elocution – Importance of Morning Prayers during Holy Qurbana

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8.7. Group 7 (Grades 11 & 12)



8.7.3. Group Song Malayalam – Rakshakanura chaitha (Full Song)

8.7.4. Group Song English – Savior has thus spoken (1st 4 stanzas)

8.7.5. Elocution – Impact of the first three ecumenical councils

9. Event Guidelines

9.1. Time Limits

a) Solo Song - Minimum 2 Minutes and Maximum 5 Minutes b) Recitation - Minimum 2 Minutes and Maximum 5 Minutes c) Elocution - Minimum 2 Minutes and Maximum 5 Minutes d) Time limit is NOT applicable to Group Songs

9.2. Solo Songs – Rules for English and Malayalam Solo Songs

a) The Song must be Non- Liturgical, which means Christian Devotional songs. b) The Maximum time limit for the solo song is five (5) minutes. A Yellow Card sign will be shown

after four (4) minutes and a Red card sign after five (5) minutes. Overall, five (5) points must be deducted by each judge if the song is more than five (5) minutes (continuation of song after Red card).

c) Four copies of the solo song must be brought by the participant for the judging purpose. If any judge does not get a copy of the song, the judge will not grade the participant.

d) For Malayalam solo song, four copies of the song must be in Malayalam and four copies of the song in Manglish.

e) Books or notes are NOT allowed to be used by the participants. If the participant uses books or notes, then the participant will not be graded for that event.

f) Participants are not allowed to state an introduction. If any introduction is given, other than stating the name of the song, five (5) points must be deducted by each judge for that participant.

g) Evaluation will be done based on: I. Diction & Dynamics

II. Pitch III. Phrasing IV. Presentation

h) Definitions of the evaluation criteria will be on the Grading sheet.

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i) Each evaluation criteria is worth a maximum of 25 points each. The total score is out of 100 points.

j) All the participants must be in appropriate church attire (No T-shirts, jeans, or shorts). If the participants are not in church attire, five (5) points must be deducted by each Judge for that participant.

k) Wearing scarves is at the discretion of the participant and will not affect judging in any manner.

9.3. Group Songs - Rules for English and Malayalam Group Songs

a) There is no time limit for the assigned English and Malayalam group songs. b) Books or notes are NOT allowed to use in the competition. If books or notes are used by anyone

in the group, then the group will not be graded for that event. c) Participants are not allowed to state an introduction. If any introduction is given, other than

stating the name of the song, five (5) points must be deducted by each judge for that participant.

d) Evaluation will be done based on: I. Diction & Dynamics

II. Pitch III. Phrase IV. Presentation

e) Definitions of the evaluation criteria will be on the Grading sheet. f) Each evaluation criteria is worth a maximum of 25 points each. The total score is out of 100

points. g) The candidate must sing only the liturgical song assigned for each group and must sing exactly

the same version of the group songs provided from the regional committee for the competition. No other songs or versions will be graded.

h) A participating group must have a minimum of two (2) participants and a maximum number of seven (7) participants in a group. If any participant from the official registration list is absent, the remaining group will be allowed to sing, provided there is a minimum of two (2) participants present.

i) No substitution of participants will be allowed. Only participants whose names are in the official list given by each Parish will be allowed to participate.

j) The MC shall verify the identity of participants prior to each event. k) All the participants must be in appropriate church attire (no T-shirt, jeans, shorts etc.). If the

participant is not in church attire, five (5) points will be deducted by each judge. l) Wearing scarves is at the discretion of the participant and will not affect judging in any manner.

9.4. Song Evaluation - Explanation of Terms

a) Diction and Dynamics: Language and words should be precise and clearly sung. The tune and manner of singing are also evaluated (25 Points).

b) Pitch: Notes should sound melodious according to the tune of the song (25 Points). c) Phrasing: Phrasing the lines of the song and use of breath is evaluated (25 Points). d) Presentation: Overall enthusiasm and performance of the participant. (25 Points).

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9.5. Elocution- Rules

a) Presentation of the elocution must be in the English language only, with exception of direct quotations and songs.

b) Participants must present the topic assigned for each group. No other presentations will be graded.

c) Participants should speak about the given subject for a minimum of two minutes in order to be graded for the item.

d) The Maximum time limit for the elocution is five (5) minutes. A Yellow Card sign will be shown after four (4) minutes and a Red card sign after five (5) minutes. Overall, five (5) points must be deducted by each judge if the elocution is more than five (5) minutes (continuation of elocution after Red card).

e) Books or notes are NOT allowed to use by the participants. If the participant uses books or notes, then the participant will not be graded for that item.

f) All the participants must be in appropriate church attire (no T-shirt, jeans, shorts etc.). If the participant is not in church attire, five (5) points will be deducted by each judge. Wearing scarves is at the discretion of the participant and will not affect judging in any manner.

g) Evaluation will be done based on: I. Introduction

II. Knowledge of the Subject III. Presentation IV. Conclusion

h) Definitions of the evaluation criteria will be on the grading sheet. i) Each evaluation criteria is assigned maximum points per explanations below. The total score is

out of 100 points.

9.6. Elocution - Explanation of Terms

a) Introduction: An introduction should provide the background knowledge and courtesy towards the audience to introduce them to the topic (15 Points).

b) Knowledge: The knowledge on the topic should well inform all the audience in a clear and appropriate manner (35 Points).

c) Presentation: The speaker should talk very clearly and keep the audience interested with voice, body language, enthusiasm, and appropriate attire (35 Points)

d) Conclusion: The speaker should sum up with points and end the speech making sure that the topic was fully presented to the audience (15 Points)

10. Miscellaneous Items

10.1. Master of Ceremony Guidelines

a) MC’s attire must be appropriate per the established expectation for participants. b) Prior to each event, the MC shall announce the names of all the participants for that event. c) Participant’s name will be called out 3 times before the performance.

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d) If the participant is not available to perform after the announcement and if there has been no prior communication of any personal emergency by the respective Principal, then it will be considered as a no show.

e) The MC shall read the names of each participant (for solo and group events) and verify the identity of the participant prior to participation.

f) The MC will ensure that the name of any no-show participant is stricken from the judges scoring sheets. This must be done for solo and also group events. No-show participants in a group competition are ineligible for medals, should their group place 1st or 2nd.

g) The master list of participant verification shall be turned in to the venue coordinator at the end of each event.

h) Regional Committee will take the appropriate steps to assign an MC in case of the MC’s absence.

i) The MC will call out only the names of the participants and will not make any other remarks before or after the event.

10.2. Tabulation Process

a) Each church will provide one representative to the tabulation committee. b) The six (6) representatives will oversee the tabulation process using calculators to double-check

the results and assist the tabulation coordinator as needed. c) A software program will be used for tabulation of all results. d) The software program shall be tested prior to the Regional Competition. e) The Tabulation Committee shall have a briefing on the day of the competition, prior to

tabulation starting. f) Professionalism and confidentiality shall be stressed at this briefing. g) There will be no elimination of the lowest or highest score in tabulating the final score. h) In case of any scoring or tabulation irregularities, the regional committee should be notified

immediately. i) An electronic file of winners will be maintained by the Tabulation Committee and this list will be

printed and given to the Regional Coordinator at the end of tabulation. j) The participants for each event shall be setup in the same order in both the judging sheets as

well as the tabulation tables. k) As much as possible the same participant shall not start or end consecutive events. l) No-show participants in a group competition are ineligible for medals, should their group place

1st or 2nd.

10.3. Winners and Awards Guidelines

a) At the conclusion of all events for a single group, awards will be distributed at the venue to the 1st and 2nd place winners in all categories.

b) No tiebreakers are required for any first and second place winners. c) The award shall have the diocesan emblem

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10.4. Ever-Rolling Trophy Award

a) An ever-rolling trophy for first place will be awarded to the church that scores the highest points.

b) Second place trophy will be awarded to the church that scores the second highest points. c) The point system for the items will be as follows:

I. 1st place winners get 5 points II. 2nd place winners get 3 points

d) Points will be awarded as defined above, to winning teams for Group Songs. e) In the event of a tie, then the winners will keep the trophy for 6 months in each church

according to the alphabetical order of the church name. f) The regional coordinator will make necessary transportation arrangements after the first 6

months period from one church to another. g) It is the responsibility of the Vicar and the principal of the winning parish to bring back the

trophy to the venue of the next year’s competition prior to the starting of the event. h) No further ever-rolling trophies will be accepted or setup for the Regional Competitions

10.5. Candidates with Special Needs

a) Any participants, who have physical, mental, or intellectual challenges, can provide a letter from their parish priest stating their challenges.

b) The Regional Competition Committee will take appropriate steps to accommodate those candidates as per their needs.

c) The request must be sent to the Regional Coordinator by the principal of the candidate's parish on or before Wednesday, March 6th 2013.

10.6. Financial Matters

a) Funds will be raised from Regional parishes, Individuals and Businesses. b) The committee has agreed to charge $10 per participating student, from each church to meet

the expenses of the competition. c) Any unused amount will be carried over to the next year's oral and/or written competition. d) The amount due from each parish will be determined on Wednesday, March 6th 2013 when

then names are submitted. e) Any parish that does not make full payment of their agreed-upon amount within the deadline of

March 10th, 2013 shall not be allowed to send any participants to the Regional Competition. f) All expenses for this event will be from the common fund collected from the parishes of the

region and from sponsors. g) Any remaining balance will be returned to each church. h) In the event of any deficits, then it will be collected from the regional parishes proportional to

their number of participating students. i) Checks can be made payable to the Regional Coordinator. j) Those who would like to be a sponsor can make a charitable donation to the cause of Sunday

School Competitions by writing a check towards the hosting parish.

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10.7. Additional Guidelines

a) If any of the Judges, Coordinators, Volunteers or MC is absent or late for the event, the Regional Competition Committee will take the appropriate steps towards filling that position and continue the competition without any interruption.

b) The Regional Competition committee has the full responsibility to delegate any tasks to any suitable candidates with the approval of the regional coordinator for the smooth functioning of the event.

c) All participants, Principals, Coordinators, Volunteers, MCs and Judges must be in appropriate church attire for the entire duration of the competition (no T-shirt, jeans, shorts etc.) per the established expectation for participants.

d) Competition schedules along with names of participants for each event will be posted at all venues.

e) The Visudha Kurbanakramam (MOC Publications); Living Sacrifice; and the Orthodox Study Bible will be source of all assigned subject and material for the Competition.

Yours in His Service, Philip Thomas

Dallas Region Coordinator

Documents

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Diocese of … · Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Diocese of Southwest America Sunday School Association ... Elocution- Rules