MSVMA Vocal Solo & Ensemble Registration

High School Solo and Ensemble Festival    
  • February 1, 2025
  • Saturday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Registration Deadline with WMHFA is Dec 3, 2024
  • Fees: Solos $20, Small Ensembles $30
Northern Lights Chorale will also be attending this festival
 
**Students need two music selections of contrasting style and will need an accompanist.
Click Here to Register for 2025

MSVMA Rules

Festival Performance of Original Arrangements
  • All copyright laws will apply.  This includes use of copyrighted texts.
  • In order to perform an arrangement of a copyrighted piece, you must have written permission that includes all pertinent information.
  • Adjudicators are required to comment on the quality of literature for all Choral Festival events.
  • All other MSVMA Festival literature requirements apply.
  • Two original copies of each song are required in the performance room, and measures must be clearly numbered. Failure to do so will result in a no rating.
*An art song is usually written for one voice with piano accompaniment in the classical art music tradition. In German it is called lieder; in French, chanson.  An art song is a complete composition in itself and is not part of a larger work such as an opera or oratorio. 
 
Performance
  • Soloists must perform from memory to receive a final determination.
  • Ensembles may use music.
  • Instrumental accompaniment other than piano is allowed but must not detract from the performance.
  • Small ensembles consist of 2 – 5 singers.
  • Large ensembles consist of 6 – 20 singers.
  • The personnel of the ensemble shall not change between the performance and sight reading rooms.
  • The personnel of the ensemble shall not change from one selection to the other.
  • Performance time may not exceed 8 minutes.
  • Choreography is not allowed. However, artful staging and appropriate choral movement that reflect performance practice of the genre is allowed.
  • An original score of each piece with the measures numbered must be provided for the judge in order to earn a final determination.
  • Directors and accompanists may not conduct and/or play for more than 5 events on Friday, and no more than 5 events on Saturday morning or afternoon. 
  • Students may participate in up to 5 events, with no more than 3 occurring on Friday, Saturday morning or afternoon.

Guide for choosing music

  • Soloists must sing two age appropriate songs of contrasting nature. These songs should be from the art song, oratorio, or operatic repertory, but only one post-baroque aria may be performed.* 
  • When choosing literature, soloists can use the Suggested Solo Repertoire below as a guide. There is no longer a required list for soloists. ​
  • If multiple strophic verses are included in the original work, it is acceptable to select two (or more if needed) in the interest of time
  • If an original work repeats without any changes to text or musical content, it is acceptable to eliminate the repeat sign in the interest of time (da capo arias)
  • Accompanists are encouraged to reduce lengthy introductions and interludes in the interest of time.
  • Popular, show/musical tunes, vocal jazz, barbershop novelty selections, and minstrel songs are not acceptable and will result in a ‘no rating’. 
  • If public domain or copies of music purchased online is used, printed proof of origin is required and must be in the performance room during the performance. Failure to do so will result in a ‘no rating’.