Updates & Rule Changes

Each year, WSMA Festivals Committee members review festival rules and information based on feedback from WSMA member school teachers and our continued efforts to serve students well. Once proposals are refined through discussion and suggested revisions, the recommendations are taken to the WSMA Board for approval.

The 2017-2018 Festival Rules and Music List Event Headers reflect the following changes:

A. Festival Rule Changes (changes noted in italics):

IIIA: School Solo & Ensemble festival eligibility is no longer affected by concert participation. (The WSMA Accreditation Plan replaces the former eligibility rules.) To participate in a WSMA Music Festival, the school must be a current member of WSMA (membership runs from July 1-June 30). In addition, students must meet the following requirements. Please refer to section III for additional details.

V.C.3: Students performing together in a Regular or Special Ensemble may be from multiple schools. In order to register this event, a Co-Op Ensemble form must be submitted to WSMA. In order for an ensemble to qualify for a co-op:

1. All participating student must attend WSMA member schools or be registered as non-WSMA member participants.
2. The member school teachers of all participating students must approve the formation of the ensemble.

 B. Festival Music List Event Updates (changes noted in italics):

Event 1311: Music Theater – Soprano/Alto Solo
 10. Stylistic choices that differ from the score are permissible but not required.
Event 1321: Music Theater – Tenor/Bass Solo
 Stylistic choices that differ from the score are permissible but not required.

Event 6258:   SSA/A Contemporary A Cappella – NEW
Allotted Set Up & Performance Time: All Classes = 20 min.     Required Number of Selections: 2
In addition to the festival rules outlined in the WSMA Festival Handbook, the following apply to this event:

1. A SPECIAL Ensemble. This SPECIAL ensemble may only be directed by a student performing from within the ensemble.
2. No Permissions or Transfers Allowed (Exception: Student Compositions)
3. For 5- 24 unaccompanied singers
4. Set up and perform two selections within a 20-minute time limit.
   1. The REQUIRED number determines the class entered, and must be chosen from the current WSMA Festival Music List.
   2. The SELECTED number may be from any other source including the current WSMA List, but may not be selected from a lower class. The selected number must be of the same class difficulty and idiomatic integrity as the required number. It is not necessary to send the selected number to WSMA for permission.
      REMINDERS – All music, including arrangements, must meet copyright laws. Adjudicators must be presented with a legal copy of the music for the evaluation.
5. This is a Class A or B event only.
6. Selections may be transposed up or down as much as a minor third into a key that best accommodates the tessitura of the voices.
7. Amplification is permissible in this event but is not provided by the festival manager.
8. Stylistic choices that differ from the score are permissible but not required.

Event 6268: TTB/B Contemporary A Cappella – NEW
Event 6278:   Mixed Contemporary A Cappella – NEW
(Both headers are the same as Event 6258.)

Event 6448: Jazz Improvisation Combo – Eliminated and replaced with new events 6468 & 6478 (see below)

Event 6468: Jazz Combo – NEW
In addition to the festival rules outlined in the WSMA Festival Handbook, the following apply to this event:

1. A SPECIAL Ensemble. This special ensemble may not be conducted by an adult.
2. Permissions and Transfers Allowed
   1. For information about permissions, transfers and student compositions see rule VI in the WSMA Festival Handbook.
3. For any combination of 2 – 12 instruments and/or voices.
4. Set up and perform two contrasting tempo or style selections within a 20 minute time limit.
   1. The REQUIRED number determines the class entered, and must be sent to WSMA for permission ONLY if it is not on the current WSMA Festival Music List.
   2. The SELECTED number may be from any source including the current WSMA List, but may not be selected from a lower class. The selected number must be of the same class difficulty and idiomatic integrity as the required number. It must complete the contrasting style or tempo requirement. It is not necessary to send the selected number to WSMA for permission. Helpful Hint: When choosing a selected number to complete your program; take into consideration the complexity of the chord progression/”changes” for the appropriate class.
   3. One of the numbers performed must be a swing tune; the other number must complete the contrasting style or tempo requirement.
5. Both selections are required to have improvised solos.
   1. Improvised Solo Expectations:
      1. Class C – At least one soloist must perform a minimum of 12 measures per selection.
      2. Class B – At least two soloists must improvise for a minimum of 24 measures per selection.
      3. Class A – At least three soloists must improvise for a minimum of 24 measures per selection.
6. A MIDI wind controller may be used as a solo instrument, but not as a substitute for an instrument that has a written part.
7. The use of an iPad as a performance instrument is not allowed.

Event 6478:   Creative Jazz Combo – NEW
In addition to the festival rules outlined in the WSMA Festival Handbook, the following apply to this event:

1. A SPECIAL Ensemble. This special ensemble may not be conducted by an adult.
2. Permissions and Transfers Allowed
   1. For information about permissions, transfers and student compositions see rule VI in the WSMA Festival Handbook.
3. For any combination of 2 – 12 instruments and/or voices.
4. Set up and perform two contrasting tempo or style selections within a 20 minute time limit.
   1. The REQUIRED number determines the class entered, and must be sent to WSMA for permission ONLY if it is not on the current WSMA Festival Music List.
   2. The SELECTED number may be from any source including the current WSMA List, but may not be selected from a lower class. The selected number must be of the same class difficulty and idiomatic integrity as the required number. It must complete the contrasting style or tempo requirement. It is not necessary to send the selected number to WSMA for permission. Helpful Hint: When choosing a selected number to complete your program; take into consideration the complexity of the chord progression/”changes” for the appropriate class.
5. Students must create their own introduction and coda for both selections consistent with the style they have chosen to perform.
6. Both selections are required to have improvised solos.
   1. Improvised Solo Expectations:
      1. Class C – At least one soloist must perform a minimum of 12 measures per selection.
      2. Class B – At least two soloists must improvise for a minimum of 24 measures per selection.
      3. Class A – At least three soloists must improvise for a minimum of 24 measures per selection.
7. A MIDI wind controller may be used as a solo instrument.
8. The use of an iPad as a performance instrument is not allowed.

C. Other Changes:

1. Beginning in 2017-2018, your school can become WSMA Accredited. This replaces the former Concert/Clinic Festival Requirement that was necessary to participate in Solo & Ensemble. Click here for more information.