Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School choirs will be competing at IHSMA State Large Group Contest next Friday, May 9th, at Independence High School. The G-R Cantori Choir consists of 9th and 10th grade women, and the Concert Choir includes 11th and 12th grade women and 9th-12th grade men. Large Group Contest is very similar to Solo/Small Ensemble Contest, but there are three judges who score you separately, and then those scores are averaged to give the choir an overall rating.

Judges focus on specific areas of concern, giving teach a score from 1 (poor) to 5 (superior) in each of those areas. They then total up all your scores in each of the areas to determine what Division rating you will receive. For each Division rating, there is a range of points you must fall in. 40-36 points= Division I (Superior), 35-30 points= Division II (Excellent), 29-22 points= Division III (Good), 21-12 points= Division IV (Fair), 11-8 points= Division V (Poor).

The areas of concern that are addressed at Solo/Small Ensemble Contest are the same at Large Group Contest. These may look familiar to you; they are:

-Tone quality: resonance, control, clarity, focus, consistency, warmth

-Intonation: within ensemble, accuracy to printed pitches

-Rhythm: accuracy of note and rest values, duration, pulse, steadiness, correctness of meters

-Balance/Blend: likeness of qualities, awareness of ensemble, accompaniment

-Technique: artistry, attacks, releases, control of ranges, music and/or mechanical skill

-Interpretation/Musicianship: style, phrasing, tempo, dynamics, emotional involvement

-Diction

-Other Performance Factors: choice of literature, appropriate appearance, poise, posture, general conduct, mannerisms, facial expression, memory

The choirs have been working hard to try and earn that Division I Superior rating! We encourage you all to come check us out and hear all the improvement we’ve made throughout the year at Large Group Contest! If you can’t make the trip to Independence, then you should definitely make it a priority to come to our Spring Concert on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Most of the music performed that night we will be taking to Large Group Contest that Friday! We hope to see you there!