RECITAL CLASSES

Competitors should choose a balanced and varied programme of 3 or 4 songs, chosen from Groups A to F in the Song List below, one of which must be from Group F. No two songs should come from the same Group-letter.
Group A: an aria from a cantata, an opera, or an oratorio of any period
Group B: a song from an operetta by Offenbach, J Strauss, Gilbert & Sullivan, German, Lehar or Novello
Group C: a song (excluding Groups A and B) written before the 19th century
Group D: a song (excluding Groups A and B) written during the 19th century
Group E: an art song (excluding Groups A and B) written during the 20th or 21st century
Group F: an unaccompanied folksong or an unaccompanied traditional song

NB Repertoire from musicals or music theatre is not appropriate in a Recital Class.

At no stage in the Festival should a Recital programme contain both an accompanied folk or traditional song arrangement and an unaccompanied folk or traditional song.

All recitals must adhere to the above time limits. The time limit is for the musical performance. It does not include short verbal introductions, which are encouraged, or gaps between songs. Any re-starts which are the fault of the singer are included in the performance time limit. Any re-starts which are not the fault of the singer will not be included in the performance time limit. Should a competitor exceed the time limit, an adjudication will be given, but the adjudicator reserves the right to withhold a placing.

The adjudicator will choose two competitors in each class who will become the winner and runner-up. These placings will be decided, and the awards presented, on the evening of Sunday 5 February 2012, when each competitor will repeat two songs of their own choice from their original programme. These two songs may, or may not, include the unaccompanied folk or traditional song.

NON-RECITAL CLASSES

Class 5 - Vocal Solo (age 9 to 12 years)

one song

Class 6 - British Song (age 13 - 16)

one song ~ excluding, musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio

Class 7 - British Song (age 17 - 21)

one song ~ excluding, musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio

Class 8 - British Song (age 22 and over)

one song ~ excluding, musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio

Class 9 - Sacred Song or Oratorio (1700-1900) or Sacred Song (age 13 - 16)

one aria or song in any language ~ excluding hymns and religious pop songs

Class 10 - Oratorio (1700-1900) or Sacred Song (age 17 - 21)

one aria or song in any language ~ excluding hymns and religious pop songs

Class 11 - Oratorio (1700-1900) or Sacred Song (age 22 and over)

one aria or song in any language ~ excluding hymns and religious pop songs

Class 12 - Opera (age 17 - 21)

one aria in any language

Class 13 - Opera (age 22 and over)

one aria in any language

Class 14 - French Song (any age)

one song ~ to be sung in the original language

Class 15 - Lied (any age)

one song ~ to be sung in the original language

Class 16 - Songs from the Shows (age 13 - 16) **

one song

Class 17 - Songs from the Shows (age 17 - 21) **

one song

Class 18 - Songs from the Shows (age 22 and over) **

one song

Class 19 Anniversary (any age)

one song

2012 includes the anniversaries of the births of Debussy, Delius and German (all in 1862) and the deaths of Gershwin (1937) and Ireland (1962). Songs in this class, therefore, should be chosen from the works of one of these composers.

** Songs from the Shows (which may also come from operettas, but not from operas) should be performed as a concert item, i.e. without costume, movement (although gesture is permitted), recorded accompaniment or use of microphone.

In Classes 5 to 19, there is a performance time-limit of five minutes to include any instrumental introduction, preliminary recitative, da capo and coda, but not any verbal introduction.

On the evening of Sunday 5 February 2012, the winner of each class will sing the winning song of each class again. This will be in competition for The City of Sheffield Teachers’ Choir Silver Salver and Prize which will be awarded for the most outstanding performance by a winner of the Non-Recital Classes. Should an individual win more than one Non-Recital Class, he or she should choose only one of his or her winning songs on this occasion. The singer will also receive his/her awards during this evening.