All-State Show Choir

 

link to pdf version of Standing Rules for All-State Show Choir Festival

All-State Show Choir (ASSC) is showcase performance ensemble for the annual Alabama Music Educators Conference. It consists of a group of approximately 60 students (30 male, 30 female) who are selected from a rigorous vocal and dance audition. The show choir rehearses with a vocal coach and choreographer for three days during the AMEA conference and performs their show in an AMEA Saturday performance venue. The ASSC will perform again for the opening ceremonies of the All-State Festival in March.

1 Eligibility

  1. Students who audition for All-State Show Choir (ASSC) must be in grades 10-12, and must be enrolled in a high school choral program in Alabama, of which the choral director is a current member of AVA/NAfME. Students are not required to be a member of a school show choir to audition for ASSC.
  2. Students who audition ASSC may also audition for All-State Choir and should be strongly encouraged to do so.
  3. Students who were selected for the previous year's All-State Choir or ASSC and did not attend, or who were dismissed from the previous year's All-State Choir or ASSC, are not eligible to audition for ASSC.

2 Ordering Music and Preparing Students for the Audition

  1. ASSC music is chosen by the ASSC clinicians and approved by the AVA Board at the Summer Board Meeting. As soon as the list is finalized it is posted on the website. It can be ordered through any music store. ASSC typically sings four pieces.
  2. Music should be ordered at least four weeks before auditions so that students have ample time to prepare the music.
  3. Each student must have an original copy of each piece of music. Photocopied music may not be used during auditions. Such use will disqualify a school from participating in ASSC. If ASSC music ordered is still on backorder from the publisher three weeks before auditions, the director should contact the District Chairman for copies of music. Photocopied music will be accepted at the audition ONLY if the director offers proper proof, in the form of a written communication from the supplier that the music in question has been ordered four weeks prior to the audition date.
  4. Students are responsible for knowing their entire voice part in all of the selections. Each student will sing an excerpt from EVERY music selection by himself/herself. Excerpts will be announced in the audition. A student who doesn't know the music will not make ASSC, regardless of his/her vocal or dancing ability.
  5. Music does not have to be memorized; students will use their music in the audition.
  6. Alabama ASSC Practice CDs are available for students to learn their all-state music. They are optional, and are not officially endorsed by AVA, but can serve as a rehearsal aid to supplement the time the director spends teaching the music.
  7. Students must be prepared to sing a cappella numbers without accompaniment. The adjudicator may elect to have other parts OR accompaniment interludes played when those parts are crucial to hearing entrances.
  8. Students do not have to do any preparation for the dance audition; they will learn a routine at the audition.

3 Audition Application and Fees

  1. A complete audition application includes:
    • All-State Show Choir Audition Application Form F3.1
    • All-State Show Choir Applicant List Form F3.2
    • a copy of your NAfME card
    • school check made out to Alabama Vocal Association or signed school Purchase Order for audition fees, which include:
      • $40.00 school fee
      • $20.00 fee for each student auditioning for All-State Show Choir
      • There are no late fees for this event, since no applications will be accepted after the deadline.
  2. Schools are scheduled on a first-come/first served basis. Mail your complete application before the deadline to:
    Pat Blackwell
    AVA Executive Secretary
    1703 Emily Circle
    Huntsville, AL 35802
  3. Directors must have current NAfME membership in order for their students to audition. If your membership is not current when you submit the application, be prepared to present proof of membership (NAfME card or cancelled check to NAfME) when you register.

4 The Audition

  1. Directors will receive notification of the audition time(s) after the complete audition application has been received and the District auditions have been scheduled. 
  2. Directors must accompany students to the audition, and should bring to auditions only the students who have learned their music.
  3. Each student must bring the following to auditions:
    • FOUR COPIES of All-State Audition Adjudication Form F3.3, signed by PARENT and STUDENT, after reading Parent Information for All-State Show Choir
    • complete set of music (NO PHOTOCOPIES)
  4. Students should wear modest rehearsal attire suitable for movement to the audition. Dance shoes are not required, but are entirely appropriate.
  5. The procedure for All-State Show Choir auditions is as follows:

    All-State Show Choir Audition Procedure:
    1. Approximately 10 students will be scheduled for the same audition time and will be escorted into the vocal audition room with their completed F-5 forms and music.
    2. For each of the four pieces:
      • the adjudicator will tell students the page and measure of the audition excerpt (approximately eight to twelve measures for each piece)
      • one at a time, each student will sing the excerpt with accompaniment (or a cappella for an unaccompanied piece)
    3. The same group of students will then undergo a dance instruction session, lasting about 20 minutes, where they will be taught a short routine (approximately 4 eight-counts).
    4. They will then perform the routine together for the adjudicator several times; each student will be on the front row once for the adjudicator.

5 Registration for students selected from the auditions for All-State Show Choir

  1. ASSC results will be mailed to directors soon after the audition. If you do not receive these results, contact Pat Blackwell.
  2. Mail ASSC Registration to Pat Blackwell (see address above) by the deadline. A complete registration includes:
    • All-State Show Choir Registration Form 3.4
    • a xeroxed copy of the ASSC Notification Letter, with changes and corrections marked in red ink
    • school check made out to Alabama Vocal Association or a signed school Purchase Order for All-State registration fees:
      • $40.00 school fee
      • $60.00 fee for each student
      • ($50.00 late fee if registering after the deadline)

6 All-State Show Choir Festival

  1. Directors must accompany students to AMEA, and register for the AMEA conference.
  2. Directors and students MUST arrive one hour early for the first rehearsal to help set up platforms. Participants will also break down and set up equipment throughout the festival.
  3. Directors will be given rehearsal assignments to monitor behavior.
  4. Each student must bring a complete set of original music and a pencil to each rehearsal, even if he/she has already memorized the music. Photocopied music in rehearsals is not allowed.
  5. Students must wear nametags in each rehearsal, displayed prominently so the choreographer can read each name.
  6. Roll is taken at each rehearsal and names of students who are absent are reported to the AVA Board. If a student is late for two rehearsals he/she will be removed from the choir. Absence from a rehearsal or performance or removal due to disciplinary actions will result in disqualification from this and the following year's ASSC festivals, as well as the All-State Choir Festival.
  7. ASSC rehearsals are long and physically grueling. Wear modest, comfortable, COOL, loose clothing, and comfortable shoes for dancing. Plan to eat and sleep so that you have the stamina to maintain your energy through the rehearsals. You may need to bring energy snacks. Water is provided.
  8. Bring black pants and shoes for the performance. You will be given an ASSC T-shirt to wear in the performance. Guys: black dress pants (no jeans, no cargo pants, zippers, etc.) and black socks. Girls: black pants that are not too tight; your t-shirt will be tucked in or tied at waist level in the back.

7 All-State Festival Performance

The All-State Show Choir will perform again at the General Assembly meeting for All-State Festival on the Thursday of All-State.


 

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