Hi, Tina.  I know it must be frustrating, but if they state plainly that they want no musical theater songs, you have no choice but to comply.  Of course you COULD apply for a dispensation, if (a) the rule is really new and was not sent out at the beginning of the school year, (b) it has never been a requirement in the past, and (c) you've already put considerable rehearsal time into it.  But in my experience it isn't good politics to ask to be an exception to the rules everyone else has to follow.  And whether a rule is reasonable or not isn't in question here, since it's already been announced.  Sounds as if someone on the sponsoring committee is scratching a particular itch, but that kind of thing does happen.

 

Example:  When we are allowed to run a search to fill a new faculty position, we write a fairly tight job description and lay out the requirements, which often include a certain level of degree completed or in process.  And we ALWAYS get applications from people who think they're perfect for the job, explaining why they should be considered even though they don't meet the requirements.  It never does them any good, but it does make it easy for us to reject their applications.

 

And no, it's been a long time since I've adjudicated, and I'm not up on the latest news, but I can't help thinking that it's better to follow the rules.

 

All the best,

 

John

 

 

Dear Tina,

 

I've never adjudicated a choral festival and I haven't lived in the US in many years so I can't answer with any authority, but I would defend your choice on the basis that "Over the Rainbow" is not a pop, jazz or theater song (it was written for a film, so in the strictest sense it doesn't violate the strictures) but is rather an American Lied or chanson, of a substantive musical quality comparable to those of Schubert and Brahms or Faure and Debussy.  Lieder singers frequently program it as an encore.

 

Best regards,

Jerome Hoberman

 

Music Director/Conductor, The Hong Kong Bach Choir & Orchestra

Principal Conductor, Baguio Cathedral International Music Festival (Philippines)

Good morning Tina - At least it is still morning in California.  I think the above responses are very good and on mark.  Here is my response:  ask yourself what is the reason you are going to the festival and is it tied into your evaluation as a teacher?  If it is tied into your teaching evaluation then you need to change the last number and not take the chance that your evaluation would be effected.  If the reason for going to the festival is for the kids to have a chance to have an outsider adjudicate their/your work by giving you feed back as to tone, musicality, intonation etc, then I think it doesn't matter.  In closing I would add that I would not want to put an adjudicator in a position of having to worry whether a selection is "valid" or not, he she has so much more important things to evaluate.  All the best and I hope your kids "knock-their-socks-off" no matter what you sing.  Dan Earl

Tina

There are several issues here that we all should consider.  First, why do the rules say no pop, jazz, or theater song?  The answer is that, frankly, most of the choral music pieces published today in those genres are not of significant quality nor difficulty to merit adjudication.  Secondly, ask yourself whether the rating you'll receive matters.  If it does, then switch pieces.  As an aside, I know that most administrators understand ratings.  If you have an administrator who will criticize you for the lower rating, switch pieces.  Finally, there is a great deal of prejudice in the choral music world against jazz, pop, and music theater.  You know the type.  If it's not choral literature (however that is defined) then it's not good music.  So you may be facing that discrimination.  Whatever you decide give it your all and have joy in the making of music with your kids.  John Fohner