• SCPA Dates and Sites
• SCPA Forms

State Choral Performance Assessment is offered in the spring in each district for choirs that have 17 or more members. All choirs perform from memory two repertoire selections in a public performance for three judges and sight-read for one judge in a closed setting. Directors may choose any of the State Choral Performance Assessment sites, and may register for more than one site if they wish.

1 Eligibility

• Each choir will perform from memory two selections.
• Although there is no required music list, directors should choose music that is age-appropriate and of good quality. Adjudicators may lower ratings based on choice of music. Pop, show music, vocal jazz and Broadway selections are unsuitable for adjudication at Performance Assessments.
• Choirs or ensembles may not perform for assessment any music from the CURRENT year's All-State list unless it is a different voicing or arrangement of that title.
• Choirs and ensembles with like voicing from the same school are not permitted to perform the same literature at State Choral Performance Assessment and/or State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.
• Photocopied music is illegal and not allowed, unless written proof is provided from the supplier indicating that the music in question was ordered at least eight weeks prior to the Performance Assessment date.
• Directors may not edit music for Performance Assessments. If either selection is marked a cappella , it must be performed a cappella .
• It is preferable that music be performed in the original language for which it was written; however, the director may choose a text translation if one or more translations appear in the music.
• Middle School directors may make slight changes to accommodate the changing male voice.
• Music must be performed from memory. Only the director and accompanist(s) may use music.
• Recorded accompaniment is not permitted at Performance Assessments.
• The director may not sing with his/her choirs.

3 Registration and Fees

• A complete audition application includes:
  1. State Choral Performance Assessment Form SCPA1
  2. school check made out to Alabama Vocal Association or signed school Purchase Order for Total Fees
  3. a copy of your NAfME card if you joined or updated after September 1
• State Choral Performance Assessment registration fees include:
  • $40.00 school fee
  • $1.50 fee for each student (each time a student performs with a choir)
  • ($50.00 late fee if registering after the deadline)
• Mail your complete application by the deadline to the District Chairman sponsoring the Assessment you choose to attend.
• No applications will be accepted later than one week prior to State Choral Performance Assessment..
• Directors must have current NAfME membership in order for their students to perform. If your membership is not current when you submit the registration, be prepared to present proof of membership (NAfME card or cancelled check to NAfME) when you register at the SPCA registration desk.

4 The Assessment

• Directors will receive notification of the performance assessment times after the complete registration application has been received and the Assessment times have been scheduled. 
• Directors should arrive at the SPCA site for registration at least one hour prior to the first scheduled warm-up time.
• Directors should bring to the registration desk:
  • Three copies of State Choral Performance Assessment Adjudication Form SCPA2, with information complete FOR EACH CHOIR,
  • One copy of the State Choral Performance Assessment Sight-Reading Form SCPA3, with information complete and
  • Three clean, original copies of each music selection, with MEASURES NUMBERED, for the adjudicators (NO PHOTOCOPIES!) .
• Each choir will be scheduled for the three events of the assessment cycle: Warm-Up, Performance, and Sight-Reading. Performance is open to the public; Warm-Up and Sight-Reading are closed.
• Discipline requirements:
  • Students must arrive at the Assessment dressed to perform, and may not change clothes at the Assessment site.
  • Students are not allowed in the registration area.
  • Students from a school who are not in the assessment cycle must be chaperoned.
  • Inappropriate student behavior can disqualify a school from State Choral Performance Assessment. 
  • Students may not have electronic devices at State Choral Performance Assessment.
  • NO ONE may enter or leave the performance hall while a choir is on the risers.

5 Sight-Reading

• The sight-reading selection for is each choir is based upon the voicing of their performance literature and the age range of the group, shown in the chart below:

• As shown in the chart, the director of a 6th Grade 2-part choir, MS SSA choir, MS TTB choir, or HS TTBB choir may may choose to sight-read a selection with one less voice split.
• High school groups must always read the high school sight-reading selection for which they qualify. However, the director of a middle school or junior high group may choose to sight-read the high school-level sight-reading selection of the voicing for which they qualify.
• Directors with students in more than one group of the same voicing will read an alternate sight-reading example with the second group.
• The Sight-Reading procedure is detailed below:

6 Ratings

• Each choir will receive a rating of I (highest) to IV from each of three judges who hear the performance and a rating of I to IV from the sight-reading judge.  The sum of these four ratings determines a choir's Overall Rating:

• * Any choir rating a III in sight-reading will not receive an overall I (superior) rating. A choir that is rated I-I-I in performance and gets a III in sight-reading, equalling a Sum of 6 points, will receive an Overall II rating.
• Ratings will automatically be lowered one level by performance judges when a director chooses to begin a piece again.
• Directors may choose to bring choirs for comments only but must complete the entire assessment cycle (Warm-up, Performance, Sight-reading).