Massachusetts 4-H State Performing Arts Day March 29, 2014

Bedford Middle School, McMahon Rd, Bedford, MA Check-in Time: 9:30- 10:45 a.m. Open to: - Currently enrolled MA 4-H Program members in good standing - Members 8 to 18 years of age as of 1/1/14 who have given a visual presentation at one of the County Visual Presentation Day Competitions in 2014. Middlesex County members may have given their presentation at a Town/Club Competition.

Performance Categories: Singing, Dance, Acting, Instrumental Performance Requirements: 1. Each member will be given 5 minutes with a minimum of 3 minutes to introduce themselves, to sing, dance, perform with a musical instrument, or give a dramatic presentation. We recommend that solo performers perform pieces designed for solo performance. 2. If this is a group performance, all members of the group must be 4-H members and register for this competition. 3. Unless it is happening at the same time choose only one style of performance (ex. You may sing and play an instrument at the same time acceptable; play an instrument then switch to a new vocal song not acceptable; group with a vocalist, instrumentalist and a dancer performing at once - acceptable Registration Deadline: Complete this form and return it postmarked by March 17, 2014 via mail, fax or email to: 4-H Office, 400 Main St., Walpole, MA, 02081 fax 508-668-2646; email sguyott@umext.umass.edu.

MA 4-H State Performing Arts Registration Form: Name __________________________________________

Street Address Town/City

Age as of 1/1/14 __________

State Zip

Address ____________________________________________________________________ Phone # ___________________________________ E-mail _________________________

Name of Your 4-H Club ________________________________________________________ County of Enrollment ________________________ Where did you give your 2014 Visual Presentation? __________________________________ I am performing as: ____ an Individual ____ as part of a Group List all names of group performers (see rule #2)

_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Type of Performance (see rule #3): ___ Vocal ___ Dance ___ Instrumental ____ no ___Acting

Are you bringing your own sound or other equipment? ____ yes

Massachusetts 4-H State Performing Arts Day Learning to perform in front of an audience is a fun and creative 4-H project. Members learn poise, vocal control, what and audience will respond to, respect for themselves, and much more. Resources: 4-H Curriculum: Theatre Arts set of 4 www.4hmall.org Community instrumental, vocal and dance school and lesson teachers 4-H county volunteers Members are encouraged to read the information below and also review the Performing Arts Judging Form. What to Expect:

Check into the Performing Arts Room from 9:30-10:45 am look for signs to direct you If you are also presenting a Visual Presentation at State VP Day be sure to check in at the Performing Arts Room before going to your VP room. Every effort will be made to schedule you as one of the first presenters in your VP room. Be assured that regardless of how long it takes to present your VP you will still have time to do your performance. You will be performing in a classroom space approximately half the class size; be aware that you may need to adjust your routine or other needs based on the room assigned to us. Dancers may need to adjust for room height if jumps are involved. 2-3 judges will watch your performance and give critique on a judging form no verbal critique will be given. Questions may be asked by the judges following your performance, but performer does not need to ask for any questions. Family and friends are invited to watch the performances There is no piano in the room you may bring a keyboard There is no microphone in the room nor is one required, however, if desired, individuals and groups may bring sound equipment. Please let us know that you are doing this. A CD player will be provided for your accompaniment, however you may bring your own CD player, Mp3 player, IPod, or background music via computer (Wi-Fi is not available). Accompanists on background music are not required to be 4-H members; accompanists that are present must be 4-H members. Only dancers may have vocal background music. Performers may ask another 4-H member to help with their music set-up. No parents will be allowed to help A warm-up area in a separate room or area close to our room will be available Refer to the MA 4-H Code of Conduct that members signed when they enrolled in 4-H, both dress and language, as these will be upheld All performers will receive a Danish ribbon and judging sheets. Some performers may also receive a Big E Award which will let them be eligible to register for a possible slot on the New England Center stage during our MA 4-H Days on September 12 and 13, 2014. More information will be given to those who receive this award. Awards will be given in the Performing Arts room following every few performances.

DESCRIPTIONS FOR JUDGING PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATIONS

Presentation Format Introduction given and well-spoken; should include name of piece or title of act and names of performers. Transitions are well done from introduction to performance. Appropriateness of clothes, hair/make-up, costumes, and props do they enhance the performer or are they distracting. Accompaniment music may be used and may be judged on sound quality only, but not the ability of the recorded accompanist(s). Dancers background recording may have vocal accompaniment, however all other performers using a background recording may have instrumental recorded music only. Performance Quality The level of excellence; superiority and distinctiveness; creativity and uniqueness of performance. Voice(s) are clear and pleasing to the ear and are able to be heard. Words are pronounced clearly and can be understood. Breathing and phrasing are done correctly. Dance done with fluidity, actors movements and facial expressions in correlation to their skit, vocal and instrumentalist movements and facial expressions do not distract from their performance. Group musicians/singers are in sync with each other and do not overpower lead vocalists or instrumentalists. Age or instrumental disrepair does not affect the instruments tone to their disadvantage. Skill Demonstrated ability. Degree of difficulty and originality of performance. Instrumental Instruments in tune. Piece should be appropriate for individual or group presentation. Few notes missed during performance. Piece may or may not be memorized. Follows music directions for dynamics, rhythm, and other attributes for an artistic presentation. Performers represent music style appropriately. Dance Intricacy of dance, interpretation of music, rhythm, timing, execution of choreography. Evidence of skill in dance demonstrated. Singing Intricacy of song, interpretation of music, rhythm and timing. Sings notes on pitch. Words appropriate for age of presenter. Ability to memorize words. Actor Ability to memorize lines, creates a mood appropriate to the performance, working together as a team with other performers, believability Showmanship Personality of performer on stage. Communication/eye contact with audience if appropriate. Performer possesses poise, confidence, charisma, etc. Entertainment quality of performance and introduction. Time Time requirement of 3-5 minutes is observed. Points should not be deducted for silence/lead-in time at beginning of recorded music. Time includes performers introduction.

MASSACHUSETTS 4-H
Individual or Group

STATE PERFORMING ARTS SCORE SHEET

Name(s): Town: Telephone: Zip:

Jr.

Sr.

Mailing Address/Street: County: School/Club: Years in 4-H Performing Arts Project: Time: Years at State Performing Arts Contest: Performance Style:

Age Jan.1: Years in 4H:

Leader's Name:

___ Singing

___ Instrumental

___ Acting ___ Dancing

Excel -lent

Very Good

Good

Comments

PRESENTATION FORMAT: Introduction Transition Clothing/Props/Hair/Make-up Recorded Accompaniment Quality

PERFORMANCE QUALITY: Distinctiveness of Performance Clarity of Words/Sound Quality Movement Group dynamics

SHOWMANSHIP: Connection with Audience Poise/Confidence/Charisma Entertainment Quality

SKILL worth 50%: Demonstrated Ability, Level of Excellence Memorized, Intricacy, Pitch, Instrument in Tune, Dynamics, Rhythm, Timing, Interpretation, Believability, Degree of Difficulty for Childs Age

TIME: 3-5 minutes

Final Rating: Excellent_____

Very Good_____

Good_____

(See reverse side for explanation of terms)

Judge's Signature______________________________________________