Dance is a type of art that generally involves movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, performed by many cultures and used as a form of expression, social interaction and exercise or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

• No teachers or parents are allowed backstage, except in the capacity of accompanist (which is very, very rare).
• Dancers must be appropriately, but simply costumed.
• Dancers should arrive at least 40 minutes before their session in order to dress, make-up etc.
• Effects are to be kept as simple as possible.
• No individuals under the age of 10 will be allowed to do point work in any dance.
• The time allowances for dancers must be strictly adhered to.  Performers exceeding the stipulated time will be penalized.
• Only ONE entry per candidate PER SESSION.  Candidates that perform solo but are also part of a duet, trio, quartet or group sessions are allowed. 

SESSION:  I1 BALLET

I1.1  SOLO                                                                                                              I1.2  DUETS

Time limit:  2.5 minutes                                                                                           Time limit:  2.5 minutes

I1.3  TRIOS                                                                                                             I1.4  QUARTETS

Time limit:  2.5 minutes                                                                                           Time limit:  2.5 minutes

SESSION:  I2  BALLET:  CHOREOGRAPHY

A dance for solo dancers or groups, designed by a pupil and lasting from 1.5 to 3 minutes.  A letter from the teacher certifying that the choreography is the independent work of the pupil must accompany the entry form. 

I2.1  SOLOS                                                                                                            I2.2  DUETS

I2.3  TRIOS                                                                                                             I2.4  QUARTETS

SESSION:  I4  HIP HOP

Please note:  Improvisational “freestyle” movements are encouraged in this session.

Minimum Dancers:  ONE

Maximum Dancers per group:  15

Individuals or Groups must provide their music on a CD/DVD/MEMORY STICK to the sound technician before their performance.

Latin American

Time limit:  Maximum 3.5 minutes

Duo’s

Candidates can enter any of the following styles:

• Cha-Cha

• Samba

• Ramba

• Mambo

• Polka

Ballroom

Time limit:  Maximum 3.5 minutes

Duo’s

Candidates can enter any of the following styles:

• Swing

• Wals

• Tango

• Jive

The intention of this category is to provide an opportunity for children from the same class to sing together, thus enhancing their love of singing and music generally, while learning to co-operate with each other in the presentation.  While all children from the class should be encouraged to participate, those who simply cannot hold a tune or rhythm should not be forced into a situation which they find uncomfortable. 

• Two (2) works of contrasting character must be performed.
• Not more than two (2) verses per song are to be performed.
• Songs may be in any language.
• Schools to provide their own accompanists.
• Instruments are not limited to the piano.  Any instrument may be used.
• Limited movement is permitted and will not be penalized.
• Copies of the works performed (sheet music or lyrics) must be handed in to the adjudicator secretary on the day of performance.
• A maximum time limit of 10 minutes allowed for both songs.
• Choice of repertoire:  Own choice
• The adjudicator will not adjudicate the songs separately.  An overall award will be given upon hearing both songs.
• Combined classes are not permitted for the Sundays River Valley Provincial Arts & Culture Festival.
• Please state whether a grade is English or Afrikaans

This session is designed due to several special requests received from previous festival.  Although Art Song, Opera etc. is included in the GENERAL singing session, we have decided to include this as a session totally isolated from the rest of the singing category. We provide the following information for you regarding the polemics surrounding Art Song and Opera.  There is a clear and definite difference between them.

TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION

QUESTION:  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ART SONG (classical singing) AND OPERA?

ANSWER:  Classical singing is an ambiguous term in the West, but implies the convergence of a number of European singing traditions geared toward creating a big vocal tone and sound with maximum natural resonance and without amplification. Of course, it also entails a certain literature. Baroque and pre-Baroque singing often falls under the header 'early music,' but classical singing from the late 17th century until today is pretty much what you'd imagine it to be in terms of the repertoire. Opera is a part of it.

Western composers over the ages have written a great deal of vocal music which is not opera, that is, which is something other than a stage drama with sets and costumes and acts and scenes all set to music. While many classical singers perform opera, many others do not take to the opera stage at all. There is a lot music for classical singers to choose from, as composers have written sacred and secular choral music, songs for soloists accompanied by a piano, chamber ensemble, or orchestra, and other types of non-dramatic or semi-dramatic music. All of these require 'classical singing.' 

The basic classical techniques for singing opera and not-opera are largely the same, except that in operatic singing there is usually a greater emphasis on largesse and power in the voice, while in concert singing there is more room for delicate lyricism and nuance. That's rather a gross generalization to make on my part, but it has to do with the nature of the music and of the venue. An opera singer must project over a large orchestra and across a huge hall without the aid of amplification. Other classical singers do not normally have quite those odds stacked against them, as they often sing lighter and more subtle music in smaller spaces

IN SHORT: 

ART SONG is a vocal music composition, usually written for one voice with piano accompaniment, and usually in the classical art music tradition.  An art song is most often a musical setting of an independent poem or text. Intended for the concert repertory, as part of a recital or other relatively formal social occasion.  Songs that are part of a staged work (such as an aria from an opera or a song from a musical) are not usually considered art songs.   Songs with instruments besides piano (e.g. cello and piano) and/or other singers are referred to as VOCAL CHAMBER MUSIC and are usually not considered art songs.  Folk Songs and traditional songs are NOT art songs.  ARIA is typically a stand-alone piece from an opera.  For example:  O mio babbino caro is an aria from Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi.  Nachtlied by Felix Mendelssohn is German Lied, which is a type of art song.

There is many other technical information about above-mentioned, but I trust that this will clear the uncertainties between Art Song, Aria and Opera.

GENERAL:

1. A maximum of three (3) songs may be performed.
2. A maximum of 15 minutes will be allowed for the three songs.
3. Candidates to provide their own accompanists.
4. Accompaniment may be done on instruments other than the piano.  Please bring your own instruments.  Ensure  

that it suits the overall style of performance.

• Entrants ARE NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE A COPY OF THEIR MUSIC WITH THE ENTRY FORM, BUT ARE

              REMINDED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR MUSIC TO THE ADJUDICATOR SECRETARY ON THE DAY OF     

              PERFORMANCE.  This copy may not be returned.

• Candidates are not limited to any language.
• Should a candidate so wish to perform three songs then the candidate must ensure that each song is accompanied by the appropriate entry form and the entry fee.

Editorial indications

Indications such as the realization of ornaments, phrasing, metronome marks, etc., need not be strictly observed. Where the music contains no such indications, candidates should use their discretion to achieve a musical performance.

Verses and repeats

Unless otherwise indicated in the syllabus, candidates should perform all items complete, although they may omit straightforward repeats of sections (i.e. where the music and words are unchanged and therefore little is added to the overall effect of the performance).  In verse/chorus songs, the choruses are required. All da capo and dal segno indications should be observed, unless the syllabus specifies otherwise.

Singing from memory

All items must be sung from memory, except for items from oratorios, cantatas and large-scale sacred works, where candidates are permitted to sing with score, if they wish, in accordance with accepted performance practice.

SESSION Z1.1

ART SONG

This session is open to Primary Schools, High Schools and Adults.

SESSION Z1.2

OPERA ARIAS

1. Candidates can choose any ARIA from any OPERA.
2. Candidates to choose according to their voice quality.

This session is open for High Schools and Adults.

Another huge category and we attempt to make provision for all types and genres for singers in this category.

1.  In ALL sessions a maximum of two (2) songs may be performed.

2.  A maximum of 10 minutes will be allowed for the two songs.

3.  Candidates to provide their own accompanists.

4.  Accompaniment may be done on instruments other than the piano.  Please bring your own instruments.  Ensure that it    

     suit the overall style of performance.

5.  Entrants ARE NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE A COPY OF THEIR MUSIC WITH THE ENTRY FORM, BUT ARE REMINDED TO     

     SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR MUSIC TO THE ADJUDICATOR SECRETARY ON THE DAY OF PERFORMANCE.  This copy may not        

     be returned

6.  LANGUAGE:  Not limited.

7.  A sound system, computer, microphones and a sound engineer will be provided by the Festival for the session:  POP/CONTEMPORARY.

8.  Candidates to provide their own DVD or memory stick (mp3 etc.) to the sound engineer before performance. 

9.  In the category POP/CONTEMPORARY a copy of the sheet music is not required for the adjudicator.  However, a copy of the   

     LYRICS is required and must be handed to the adjudicator secretary before performing. 

10. The same candidate MAY enter for more than one session, but are reminded that he/she should complete a separate entry form  

      for each entry and should be accompanied by the appropriate fee.

E.1

ART SONG

• In short, an art song is a poem set to music, usually for trained voice and piano accompaniment with duration of about three minutes.  As noted above, OTHER instruments may be used for the purpose of accompaniment.  Candidates to provide their own accompanists.
• In this session candidates are limited to SOLO performances only and a maximum of two (2) songs of contrasting character may be performed.
• Two entry forms are not necessary; due to the fact that the rules clearly state that a maximum of TWO (2) songs of contrasting character may be performed.

E1.1  Grade 1                                                         E1.5  Grade 5

E1.2  Grade 2                                                         E1.6  Grade 6

E1.3  Grade 3                                                         E1.7  Grade 7

E1.4  Grade 4                                                         E1.8  Grade 8

                                                                                E1.9  Adults

 E2

FOLK SONGS

E2.1  Grade 1                                                         E2.5  Grade 5

E2.2  Grade 2                                                         E2.6  Grade 6

E2.3  Grade 3                                                         E2.7  Grade 7

E2.4  Grade 4                                                         E2.8  Grade 8

                                                            E2.9  Adults

 E3

MUSICALS

E3.1  Grade 1                                                         E3.5  Grade 5

E3.2  Grade 2                                                         E3.6  Grade 6

E3.3  Grade 3                                                         E3.7  Grade 7

E3.4  Grade 4                                                         E3.8  Grade 8

                                                                                E3.9  Adults

E4

OPERA

E4.1  Grade 1                                                         E4.5  Grade 5

E4.2  Grade 2                                                         E4.6  Grade 6

E4.3  Grade 3                                                         E4.7  Grade 7

E4.4  Grade 4                                                         E4.8  Grade 8

                                                                                E4.9  Adults

E5

ORATORIO

E5.1  Grade 1                                                         E5.5  Grade 5

E5.2  Grade 2                                                         E5.6  Grade 6

E5.3  Grade 3                                                         E5.7  Grade 7

E5.4  Grade 4                                                         E5.8  Grade 8

                                                                                E5.9  Adults

E6

OPEN CHOICE

(Any other genre not mentioned above)

E6.1  Grade 1                                                         E6.5  Grade 5

E6.2  Grade 2                                                         E6.6  Grade 6

E6.3  Grade 3                                                         E6.7  Grade 7

E6.4  Grade 4                                                         E6.8  Grade 8                                                                                 E6.9  Adults