2025 Region 21 Contest Judging Panel
SOUND JUDGE PANEL CHAIR
Valerie Taylor |
MUSIC JUDGE
Kay Bromert |
EXPRESSION JUDGE
Lisa Hunszinger |
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONJudy Pozsgay
|
PANEL SECRETARY
Cammi MacKinlay |
ALSO IN THE PIT
TRIAL SCORER, EXPRESSION
TRIAL SCORERS, VISUAL COMMUNICATION
|
Contest Scoring
Sweet Adelines International (SAI) regional contests are adjudicated by a panel of certified judges who evaluate performances across four specific categories, aiming to measure barbershop skill, artistry, and visual presentation. The structure is designed to evaluate the performance as a single entity, where sound, music, expression, and visual components are intertwined.
Judging Categories
A regional competition panel consists of judges specialized in four key areas, typically with one judge per category scoring each song:
- Sound: Evaluates vocal production, balance, blend, barbershop resonance, and tuning of chords.
- Music: Evaluates the arrangement of the song, the timing of chords, and the execution of the musical plan.
- Expression: Evaluates artistic delivery, emotional communication, vocal drama, and matched vowels.
- Visual Communication: Evaluates audience engagement, theatricality, poise, costuming, and the visual performance plan.
Scoring Structure
- Maximum Score: Each judge awards up to 100 points per song, with two songs performed. Total potential score is 800 (4 categories x 1 judge x 2 songs).
- Minimum Score Requirement: To be eligible for awards (excluding Most Improved), contestants generally must achieve a total score of 400 points or higher (designated as "C+" level).
- Evaluation Only: Performers can choose to compete for feedback only, receiving score sheet comments but no numerical scores.
Point Values
- Total Points: In a standard regional contest, four judges (one for each category) score two songs. This results in a maximum possible score of 800 points.
- Performance Levels: Scores are often mapped to letter grades to provide context for the performance quality:
- A Level: 80% (640+ points) — Superior
- B Level: 70% (560+ points) — Excellent
- C Level: 60% (480+ points) — Good/Average (400+ points is usually required to be eligible for most awards).
Competition Divisions
- Regional Contest: Designed for ranking and selecting regional champion quartets and choruses, often determining eligibility for the International competition.
- Open Division: A "performance package" (maximum 10 minutes) that includes a contest song, emcee work, and other material. It is geared towards entertainment and educational feedback, rather than purely technical ranking.
- Harmony Classic: A competition specifically for small and mid-sized choruses (Division A and AA).
Key Rules & Procedures
- Timing: Songs are timed to ensure they meet regulation requirements; performances that are too short or long can lead to penalties.
- Performance Package: In addition to the contest song, competitors are encouraged to present a cohesive 3-7 minute package.
- Eligibility: Participants must be members of SAI. Chorus size, including the number of singing members, is used to determine division eligibility.
Common Penalties
Penalties are typically deducted from the total score and can range from minor point losses to full disqualification.
- Over Time: 1 point per second over the limit, up to a maximum of 50 points.
- Significant Over Time: Exceeding the limit by 30 seconds or more is grounds for disqualification.
- Spoken Material: Using spoken words (beyond a brief intro) or noise-makers in International Division songs can cost 3 to 10 points.
- Inadmissible Songs: Performing a song not rated "Admissible" by the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) leads to immediate disqualification.
- Staging/Props: Excessive setup time that delays the contest can result in a 4 to 12 point penalty.
- Crowns/Tiaras: Wearing crowns in the style of SAI Champion Quartets (unless part of a specific costume like a wreath) is a 5-point penalty.
Disqualification Criteria
A disqualified group will still receive feedback and comments from the judges, but their numerical scores and levels will be removed from the official scoresheet. Major disqualifying factors include:
- Singing the same song in two different sessions of the same contest.
- Including a non-singing member on stage (other than the director).
- Performing competition songs that are not primarily in English, or are religious/patriotic in nature.
- Conduct deemed "injurious to the welfare" of the organization.
