Rules Governing The Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Contest For Adjudicators
The following information is from the I.G.S.M.A. Constitution and By-Laws. To read the complete rules concerning Solo & Ensemble Contest - Click Here
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A. SOLOS
1. Events
a. Solo instruments acceptable shall include all instruments used in bands and orchestras.
2. Classification
a. Solos are to be classified solely according to the difficulty of the selections as given on the required lists published by this Association. (School enrollment classifications are in no way correlated to the classifications given to these events.)
Class A Difficult
Class B Medium Difficult
Class C Medium
Class D Easy
Class E Beginner
Class D and E are restricted to District participation.
b. The soloist may be entered in any classification desired during his first year of participation in the contests. Thereafter he is REQUIRED to advance at least one classification higher, having received a Division I rating the previous year at District Contest. The soloist may advance as many classifications as desired regardless of previous ratings earned, but is NOT permitted to enter a lower classification.
3. Participating schools will be permitted an unlimited number of solo entries.
4. If a student chooses to participate in more than one solo event, he must perform a different selection each on different instruments i.e. piccolo and flute, baritone and trombone, etc.
5. A soloist shall not perform a composition performed by him in former District or State Contest.
6. All soloists will be required to perform the same selection at the State Contest that was performed at the District Contest.
9. Wind, string and percussion solos may use music.
10. The performance time of a composition shall not exceed six minutes.
11. All solos shall be accompanied by piano unless the score indicates the composition is unaccompanied.
12. Students appearing without an accompaniment or without an adjudicators score shall be referred to the contest chairperson. They shall make the decision whether or not the student shall perform.
13. A soloist will not be permitted to wear uniform, medals or in any other way reveal his or his schools identity to the adjudicator. A director will not identify a soloist to the adjudicator by any action or deed.
14. To be eligible to perform, soloists shall provide for the adjudicator one original score of their performance selection. All measures must be numbered consecutively from the beginning to the end of the selection. Failure to have the measures numbered will result in a penalty of being placed one Division lower in the final rating.
15. Drum soloists will NOT be required to play rudiments.B. ENSEMBLES
1. INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE EVENTS.
Designations as to type of ensemble shall be determined by the number of ensemble members and instrumentation.
e. Directors may conduct large ensembles with more than six members.
f. Lab Band is considered to be an ensemble and must participate in the Solo and Ensemble Contest. SEE ADDITIONAL RULES TO FOLLOW.
g. Lab Orchestra is considered to be an ensemble and must participate in the Solo and Ensemble Contest. SEE ADDITIONAL RULES TO FOLLOW.C. STAGE (JAZZ) BANDS ADDITIONAL RULES
1. Stage (jazz) bands must participate in a District Contest to be eligible for the State Solo and Ensemble Contest and shall be listed as a choir event.
2. Classification of stage (jazz) bands is determined by the size of the school, as for all other organizations.
3. Fees are the same as for all other ensembles.
4. Ratings and awards are the same as for bands, orchestras and choruses except there is only one adjudicator and no plaque is to be awarded.
5. Stage (jazz) bands must perform two contrasting selections.
6. Music should be performed as scored for a stage (jazz) band.
7. There shall be NO doubling of like instruments with the exception of bass below.
8. Bass guitar may be used in place of string bass or both string bass and bass guitar may be u used.
9. Rhythm guitar may be excluded.
10. The director may conduct the ensemble, but may NOT play with the group.
11. On stage tuning by the director is allowed.
12. Twenty minutes shall be allowed for performance, including set-up and tear-down.E. LAB BANDS ADDITIONAL RULES
1. Lab Bands must participate in a District Contest to be eligible for the State Solo and Ensemble Contest and shall be listed as a choir event.
2. Classification of Lab Bands is determined by the size of the school, as for all other organizations.
3. Fees are the same as for all other ensembles.
4. Ratings and awards are the same as for bands, orchestras and choruses except there is only one adjudicator and no plaque is to be awarded.
5. Lab bands must perform two contrasting selections.
6. Rhythm guitar may be excluded.
7. The director may conduct the ensemble, but may NOT play with the group.
8. On stage tuning by the director is allowed.
9. Twenty minutes shall be allowed for performance, including set-up and tear-down.
10. There will be no maximum or minimum number of students in Lab Bands.F. LAB ORCHESTRA ADDITIONAL RULES
1. Lab Orchestras must participate in a District Contest to be eligible for the State Solo and Ensemble Contest and shall be listed as a choir event.
2. Classification of Lab Orchestras is determined by the size of the school, as for all other organizations.
3. Fees are the same as for all other ensembles.
4. Ratings and awards are the same as for bands, orchestras and choruses except there is only one adjudicator and no plaque is to be awarded.
5. Lab orchestras must perform two contrasting selections.
6. Rhythm section may be included.
7. The director may conduct the ensemble, but may NOT play in the group.
8. On stage tuning by the director is allowed.
9. Twenty minutes shall be allowed for performance, including set-up and tear-down.
10. There will be no maximum or minimum number of students in Lab Orchestras.