| Are you thinking about starting a quartet? Here are answers
to some of the questions you might have been thinking about.
- When we audition for the
Chorus, are we obliged to sing two songs, as in competition,
i.e. an uptune and a ballad?
There is a document called “Basic Criteria for Public
Performance” issued by International. You receive this (along
with competition handbook) if you enter regional competition,
and also when you register as a quartet. The Educational
Coordinator (Alyson Chaney) is responsible for evaluating the
musical abilities of choruses in the region, and choruses are
likewise expected to establish quality control and auditioning
procedures for quartets which represent them. The document sets
out basic requirements for musical and visual performance and
appropriateness of subject matter, unit appearance of costume
and grooming, and adds that members should act as ambassadors
for the organisation.
In terms of the musical side of things, they are looking for
correct notes and words, singing in synch and in tune, and some
energy in the performance. It is up to choruses to decide how
they will audition quartets, but there should be a procedure.
This could be to sing a song or two to the director, or maybe to
sing a song in front of the whole chorus. It would be a good
idea to do a ballad and an uptune to show a range of ability.
The director or music team should decide if the quartet meets
the basic standards for public performance – which includes
competition.
Top of the page
- Do we have to have passed an
audition with the Chorus Music Team before we register with
International, or may we go ahead with that regardless?
You can register regardless of whether you have passed your
chorus audition. Some quartets might just want to sing in
private for their own pleasure, but they still like to be
regarded as a “proper” quartet and get the badges and so on that
comes with it. If you decide you want to sing out or compete
then you’d need to pass your audition.
Top of the page
- How much does it cost to
register with International and thereafter, how much does it
cost to compete?
It costs $60 to register your quartet and then there’s a $60 fee
each year to renew your membership. If you want to compete, you
need to make sure your quartet is registered by 15 January in
the year of competition (so by 15 Jan 2007 if you want to
compete in May 2007). There is a form on the Sweet Adelines
website so you can register and renew your quartet membership
on-line, and you can also check whether your chosen quartet name
is free using the quartet search facility. That’s the most
exciting bit! You’ll need all four membership numbers to hand
when you register. Annual quartet registrations expire on 1 May
each year and you have until 31 July to renew (although there is
the possibility of late renewal).
It costs $75 to register for the quartet competition. Each year
that you renew your quartet membership, you have to indicate
whether you intend to compete or not – this means you get sent
the pack of competition info at the beginning of the year,
although you can still register to compete even if you didn’t
indicate that on your form.
Top of the page
- How do you find out about
things like the Irish Music Festival? Does the RMT let quartets
know, or should we sign up with the LABBS information service?
Whenever the RMT receives information about education or other
events, we pass it on to the quartet liaison person, to
circulate to all registered quartets. One advantage of
registering is that you get onto the official regional database,
the website and the email list! We also try to put as much info
on the regional website as possible. However it’s probably still
a good idea to get on the LABBS and BABS (or Irish Association
of Barbershop Singers) mailing lists if you are interested in
their education or competitions.
Top of the page
|
