State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment is offered in each district in the spring, and in some districts in the fall for soloists and choral ensembles that have 2-16 singers. Soloists and ensembles perform unconducted, from memory, two selections for one judge in a closed setting. There is no sight-reading at State Solo & Ensemble Assessment. Directors may choose any of the State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment sites, and may register for more than one site if they wish.
1 Eligibility
- AVA events are designed for students in grades 6-12, who are enrolled in a middle, junior high, or high school choral program.
- Ensembles will consist of 2-16 members.
- The choral director must be a member of AVA/NAfME (NAfME.org).
- If a school is on the block system, students who are enrolled for one semester in that school year will be eligible for all AVA activities during that entire school year.
- AVA recognizes and includes homeschool choirs with the following stipulation: homeschool choirs must meet at least weekly for students to be eligible to participate in AVA adjudicated assessments or to audition for All-State Choirs.
- Students must be in good standing with their choral department and their school to participate in any AVA event.
2 Music
- Each soloist or ensemble 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.
- 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 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:
- State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment Form SE1
- school check made out to Alabama Vocal Association or signed school Purchase Order for Total Fees
- a copy of your NAfME card if you joined or updated after September 1
- State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment registration fees include:
- $40.00 school fee
- $10.00 fee for each soloist
- $20.00 fee for each ensemble
- ($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 Solo & Ensemble 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 State Solo & Ensemble 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 State Solo & Ensemble site for registration at least one hour prior to the first scheduled warm-up time.
- Directors should bring to the registration desk:
- One copy of State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment Adjudication Form SE2, with information complete FOR EACH SOLOIST AND ENSEMBLE,
- One clean, original copy of each music selection, with MEASURES NUMBERED, for the adjudicator (NO PHOTOCOPIES!) .
- Performances at State Solo & Ensemble are closed to the public; however, the director may be in the room for the assessment. The director may not sing with or conduct ensembles, but may accompany soloists and ensembles, if needed.
- 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 Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.
- Students may not have electronic devices at State Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.
- The adjudicator will assign each soloist and ensemble a rating of I (highest) through IV.
5 Medals
- Soloists and individual students in ensembles receiving superior ratings qualify to receive an AVA medal for the event, which may be purchased as follows:
- Only directors are authorized to purchase medals.
- Directors should order medals from the Executive Secretary, using the Medal and Plaque Order Form F1.4, and enclosing a copy of the applicable State Solo & Ensemble Superior rating sheet(s) and a school check.
- Medals are $5.00 each.
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