Screening FAQ

The screening audition was put in the All East/All State audition process to guarantee that students have done the preparation necessary to get the most benefit from participating in All East or All State. If the choir members do not know their parts on the pieces, the guest conductor will have to spend valuable rehearsal time correcting notes instead of working on more advanced concepts such as blend, tone, and musicality. The addition of the screening auditions has raised the quality of All East and All State considerably.

Who has to participate in the screening audition?

Following the first audition in the fall a list of students who are eligible for All East is published. All the students on that list must pass the screening audition before they are enrolled in an All East chorus. After All East the names of students who are eligible for All State are published. All the students on that list must pass the All State screening audition before they are enrolled in an All State Chorus.

Why do alternates have to screen?

Alternates are students who did not score high enough on the first audition to be eligible for an All East or All State group. These students are given the opportunity to replace a student who did qualify for All East or All State should one of those students have to give up their place due to illness or some conflict. Because we require all students going to All East or All State to prove they have prepared their music, alternates must also prove they have prepared to retain their eligibility. Some alternates will go all the way through the screening process and never be called, but at least they have the chance to be called.

What happens in the screening audition?

During the screening audition all singers assigned to Men’s, Women’s or SATB choruses will be assigned into small groups for the audition, usually one person to a part (meaning that Men’s and Women’s choir members will audition in groups of four and SATB members will audition in groups of eight.) At the All East screening, it is possible that you might audition with others from your home school; at All State screening, it is less likely that you might audition with others from your school.

Your small group will be called to a judging room where you will be asked to sing a section from each of the pieces your assigned choir will perform at All East or All State. You will sing along with a pre-recorded accompaniment that may or may not be playing your individual voice parts as well as any piano or instrumental accompaniment. While you are singing, at least one judge will be assigned to listen particularly to you. This judge may sit several feet away or they may walk up right beside you or in front of you to hear you better. It is to your advantage to sing out strongly so the judge can hear you. Following your audition, the judges will decide whether to pass, fail or recall each member of your small group.

Do we have to sing correct diction in foreign languages?

When a song is to be performed in a language other than English or Latin, students have the option of singing a neutral syllable instead of the language. Students are still expected to prepare the languages before All East or All State, especially if a diction aid is provided, but you will not fail the screening for not having the language prepared.

What is required to pass the screening audition?

To pass the screening audition a student is expected to have 80% of the notes and rhythms correct on ALL the assigned pieces. A student COULD be failed for being unprepared on just one piece out of the set. It is up to the judges’ discretion to decide if the student has prepared at least 80% of the correct notes and rhythms on ALL pieces.

Why might I be recalled for a second audition?

You could be recalled for several reasons. Some of the most common are:

· You have a relatively soft voice, but the people who auditioned with you sang much louder.

· You were extremely nervous during your audition and the judge felt your nerves kept you from performing to the best of your ability.

· Your judge had difficulty deciding if you really knew the music or if you were leaning on the others in your group.

· You seemed to be prepared on most of your music, but one or two particular pieces were obviously not as well prepared as the rest.

If I am recalled, will I have to sing the entire audition again?

If you are recalled, you may be asked to repeat the entire audition or only certain excerpts. You may be asked to sing with the same people from your initial audition or you could be asked to sing with the top scoring students from each section of your assigned choir.

Do I have the right to a recall audition?

Being recalled is NOT a right. If you are recalled, it is because the judges have chosen to give you a second chance on your audition. This decision is totally at the discretion of the judge who was focusing on you. No student is automatically granted a recall audition.

If I’m recalled, do I have to do the second audition?

If a student is recalled and he/she has already left the building or refuses the recall, the student will fail the audition.

What if I’m sick or have a conflict on the screening audition date?

The screening audition is required of all students. There are different procedures for personal illness and conflicts with the All East Screening and the All State screening.

· For All East screening:

If a student is physically unable to sing at the screening audition due to laryngitis, if at all possible, the student should present himself at the audition and request a makeup screening. If the student cannot present in person, the student’s director should consult an executive board member and ask for a makeup. The chances of being granted a makeup are much better with a doctor’s note. Generally, makeup auditions will not be granted due to schedule conflicts. A director may appeal to the executive board for an exception, but only for legitimate unavoidable conflicts. College visits, theatrical performances or rehearsals, and other rehearsals or performances are not considered legitimate excuses.

· For All State screening:

The only excusable absence from the screening is for an illness and a doctor’s excuse is REQUIRED. In the event of an emergency situation, the Executive Board may grant a makeup screening. The policies for the All State screening are set by TMEA (TN Music Ed. Assoc.)

Are pass and fail the only options for the screening?

There have been some circumstances in which the judges feel that a student has been sincerely working on preparing their music but they have not yet achieved 80% of the notes and rhythms. In such a case the judges may opt to assign a student a certain amount of rehearsal time between the screening and All East or All State, to be documented by the student’s director and/or parents rather than failing the student. This is totally at the discretion of the judges who hear the audition and is by no means guaranteed.

Why do we do the screening audition in small groups?

The first step in the process of making All East and All State is a solo audition in which the quality of your voice, tone, diction, musicality and technical accuracy are evaluated. Since you are auditioning to sing in a chorus, you are expected to have the skill to sing your part against other parts. If you have learned your notes well enough, you should be able to stand next to someone singing a different part and successfully perform your own part.

What happens if I get put in a bad group?

Occasionally a person in a screening group will be thrown off because the other members of the group are unprepared, are too loud, or for other reasons. This is one reason why we have recall auditions. If the judges feel one person did not get a fair chance at his audition because of the other singers with which he was grouped, they may choose to recall the singer with the singers who scored the highest on their parts.

Why do the top-scoring persons have to be ringers?

The top scoring persons in each section of each choir are to serve as ringers for the entire audition. They may be asked to replace group members who are no-shows, or they may be asked to sing in a group to ensure that all students have a fair chance at their audition. The ETVA Executive Board and TMEA decided that using the top scoring students as the ringers is a fair process and is not an unreasonable requirement for these singers.

What are the directors’ responsibilities at the screening?

All directors are responsible for attending the screening with their students. The Executive Board must approve all absences. All directors will be assigned some job at the screening – either serving as a judge, a runner, a CD operator, or a warm-up room monitor.

What are Executive Board members’ responsibilities at the screening?

There will be one executive board member serving in each room to ensure that all students are treated fairly. The executive board member should not judge unless absolutely necessary, but may contribute to discussion of the audition outcome or may be asked to make a final decision regarding pass or fail or the assigning of extra rehearsal time.

Is there a dress code for the screening?

There is NOT a dress code for the screening. Students may wear school shirts, All East or All State t-shirts, or any other such clothing as will make them feel comfortable.