J. B. Lyle Choral Festival

Sight Reading Procedures

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1.  Each chorus should be met at the door by an attendant and told to file in and take seats quickly and quietly, rearranging same if necessary to the accustomed seating arrangement. 

2.  The attendant may pass out the music after the chorus members take their seated positions.  The music is not seen until instructions have been given.

3.  The judge or chairman will read the procedures to be used and/or deliver such other instructions as s/he feels will assist the choir in doing the best possible job of sight reading.  The choral director will choose the examples the choir will read.

4.  At the conclusion, members of the group should remain seated until all the music has been handed in. 

Types of exercises:

Exercises are labeled according to the level of difficulty.  If more than one chorus is entered from a school, the director will decide which exercise is to be performed, so as not to duplicate exercises between groups.

1.  There are four rhythmic exercises available to Senior High Schools, each increasing in difficulty.

2.  There are three 3-part SSA exercises. 

3.  There is one 2-part TB exercise and one 3-part TBB exercise.

4.  There is one 3-part SAT exercise and one 3-part SAB exercise that may be used only by beginning Senior High groups.

5.  There are four 4-part SATB exercises.

Rules:

          All exercises are sung a cappella.  Each director and chorus will have one minute to study the rhythmic exercise and two minutes to study the vocal exercise.   This is to be done silently.   The rhythmic exercise will be performed before study of the vocal exercise begins.  During the study time, the director may indicate:  key signatures, repeat signs, rhythmic difficulties, harmonic and linear voice leading, or other peculiarities of the music.  It is not permissible for the director to actualize in any way, any rhythm, harmonies or voice leadings.

          Rhythmic exercises may be clapped, counted, sung, or recited on a neutral syllable such as “tah” or in any combination of the four.  Vocal exercises may be sung with the words, on a neutral syllable, numbers or syllables, at the discretion of the director.  The director may establish the key feeling in any manner s/he sees fit without reference to the sight reading music. After the key feeling has been established and pitches are given, each section is allowed to sing its starting tone.

          The director shall not give any audible assistance to the chorus during the singing; shall not sing with the chorus at any time; and shall not give any visual assistance other than a standard conducting pattern.