Concert Adjudication Jim Matthews

  Adjudicators are simply Observers  We are Evaluators - intentions are to be: Fair, Meaningful and Helpful.  We are a Resource to Teachers and Students  We must Speak the Truth in Love – according to our experiences. That is why there are three stage and one Sight-Reading. Introduction to Adjudicating

  What are YOUR Negotiables/Non-Negotiables?  What is on YOUR iPod?  Build the Perfect Judge!  Are YOU that perfect judge?  Can you be unbiased about director, situation, circumstances?  Could you give your best friend a 2/3?  Are you able to take down the “wall” and speak to them so they will listen?  Are you going to confer? Are you going to have your mind made up BEFORE you confer? Are you going to be persuaded? Your Musical Background

  F.B.A. Adjudicator’s Handbook – YOU MUST READ IT! Can you imagine a referee who didn’t know the rule book?  Concert Adjudication Sheet  Concert Adjudication Rating Sheet – Outline  Script? Pen and Pencil set? Topics Reminder Sheet?  Laws of Making Music Adjudicators Tools

  Be Organized: Fill out contract, send in immediately, respond quickly to District Chair, Print Directions – Mileage. Print and count travel back and forth to Hotel.  Dress Professionally, Speak with all Site/School Personnel Professionally.  Be as Helpful to District Chair as possible.  Keep Things Moving – Make sure the event is running on time. Adjudicators Role

  Never talk on Social Media during event! Be professional – you are on their time.  Try to never make a comment without making a prescription.  Don’t Anticipate Problems  Try not to Sing over the entire recording.  Be careful to LISTEN and not speak the entire time.  Know what you are talking about. Don’t speak about something you are not clear about. Cautions

  We are called to a higher calling because we are speaking to the entire group. Treat this very respectfully.  Take the time throughout the year to develop a listening library of your own. Share with other adjudicators.  Practice Adjudicating – put on recording and tape yourself and listen back. Refine your art.  Find the most glaring or immediate concept to address and stick with it. There are three other adjudicators. You can’t get it all. Cautions/Suggestions

  We are here to help everyone involved to grow – including ourselves.  Learn how to speak concisely.  Have as many solid solutions as possible. Also suggest resources for teachers and students to be able to refer to.  Pause, think about what you are going to say. Don’t start talking until you really have something to say.  Remember to challenge them to the next level of musicianship. Cautions/Suggestions

  Keep in mind that you are speaking to the students, but the director is the main one you are ultimately speaking to. Be cautious.  Adjudicators make long lasting career impressions. We are speaking to real people, with real souls.  Don’t compare the ensemble with YOUR band, compare it to the Standard that is in your head and the score in front of you.  How can you speak more directly with the teacher?  Be able to say the same thing five different ways. You don’t if they are getting it after only once. Who are You Speaking To?

  Fennell – Cleveland Winds – Holst Suite in F Mvt. #2. FBA – Concert Examples Track 2 - M.S. Band Chanson and Bouree – Erickson Track 9 – H.S. March Track 12 – Skip around because of length Sorry – Not Pretty – Track 3 – Morning Peer Gynt NO Concept of Laws – Track 7 Track 6 – Desire, Good Intentions, Potential! Wrong Choice. Exercise - Polly Oliver – Cell Phones, Split into groups. Listening Examples Take out Adjudication Sheets

  See hand-out.  New E-Book! Principles of Musical Performance  Use them to have plenty of suggestions to fix conceptual problems.  Have a list near you so you can stay on track?  Have a pad to jot down concepts to go back to at the end of the last piece.  Ask the District chair to give you a copy of your comments after you adjudicate – then listen and evaluate your won recordings. Laws of Making Music

  Break into small groups and listen and make comments.  Use Cell phone or iPad.  Select one person to share with same group.  Meet as full group and make comments on activity.  Encourage everyone to do this more often, as district chair for a copy of your comments.  Share with mentor and grow!  Expand your Vocabulary as you grow. Real-Time Exercise

  Make them feel comfortable!  Do they have a process?  Encourage the very best from students to directors.  Are they able to transfer fundamentals of stage to sight- reading process?  Same basic Concepts: Tone, Balance, Listening to teacher, Listening to other sections, Dynamics etc.  Be organized, handing out and collecting music and scores.  Constantly compliment the helpers. That is their payment. Sight-Reading

  Employs ALL LAWS of MAKING MUSIC.  Patience  Expand YOUR Library.  Share ideas and recordings with others.  How are you taking control of YOUR OWN GROWTH? Final Recording