Festival Weekend Classes

RECITAL CLASSES

Performers should choose a balanced and varied programme of 3 or 4 songs, chosen from Groups A to E below, one of which must be from Group E. Each song should come from a different group-letter.
Group A: an aria from a cantata, an opera, or an oratorio of any period
Group B: a song (excluding Group A) written before the 19^th century
Group C: a song (excluding Group A) written during the 19^th century
Group D: an art song (excluding Group A) written during the 20^th or 21^st century
Group E: an unaccompanied folksong or an unaccompanied traditional song
NB Repertoire from musicals, music theatre and musical films 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.

In Class 9: Junior Recital - the programme should consist of 3 songs only.
In Classes 10 and 11: Intermediate and Open Recitals - the programmes may consist of 3 or 4 songs.

Time Limits: All recitals must adhere to the time limits. The time limit is for the whole performance including short verbal introductions. 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 performer exceed the time limit, an adjudication will be given, but the Festival reserves the right to withhold a placing.

Placings: The adjudicator will choose two performers in each Recital Class who will become the winner and runner-up. These placings will be decided, and the awards presented, on the evening of Sunday 4 February 2024, when each performer 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

On the evening of Sunday 5 February 2023, the winner of each Non-Recital class (classes 10-26) will sing the winning song of each class again in competition for The City of Sheffield Teachers' Choir Silver Salver and Prize which is awarded to the most outstanding performance. Should an individual win more than one Non-Recital class, he or she should choose only one winning song to perform.

Time Limits in all classes except where otherwise stated is 4 minutes.

Song choices: A performer must NOT sing the same song in more than one class.

Class 12: Vocal Solo (age 9-11) | One song chosen from the following *:
Dalmation Cradle song arr. Roberton (pub. Roberton 75012*)
Monsters by Lin Marsh (from ABRSM Song Book Plus Grade 2*)
Seagull by Lin Marsh (from Best of Singing Grades 1-3, pub. Faber*)
Class 13: Vocal Solo: Songs from the Shows (age 9-11) | One song chosen from the following *:
Matchmaker by Bock (from Fiddler on the Roof, edition: The Black Book, pub. Wise 92249*)
Wouldn’t it be loverley by Lerner and Loewe (from My Fair Lady, edition: Best of Singing Grades 1-3, pub. Faber*)
Chim Chim Cher-ee by Sherman (from Mary Poppins, edition: ABRSM Musical Theatre Songbook Grade 1, pub. ABRSM*)
* Other editions may be used, but copies of other editions must be available for the official accompanist and the adjudicator.

Class 14: British Song (age 12-15) - one song excluding musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio, by any British or Irish composer of any period
Class 15: British Song (age 16-18) - one song excluding musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio, by any British or Irish composer of any period
Class 16: British Song (age 19 and over) - one song excluding musicals, music theatre, opera, operetta and oratorio, by any British or Irish composer of any period
Class 17: Oratorio or Sacred Song or Opera / Light Opera (age 16-18) ** -one sacred song (excluding hymns and religious pop songs) or one aria from an oratorio or opera of any period, in any language, or one song from Gilbert & Sullivan or any operetta composed before 1920.
Class 18: Oratorio or Sacred Song (age 19 and over) ** - one sacred song (excluding hymns and religious pop songs) or aria from an oratorio in any language and in the original key.
Class 19: Opera and Light Opera (age 19 and over) ** - own choice of an aria from an opera of any period or a song from Gilbert & Sullivan or any operetta composed before 1920. Your choice should be sung in the original language and key.
** In Classes 17-19, there is a performance time limit of 7 minutes to include any instrumental introduction, preliminary recitative, da capo, coda and any brief introduction. In keeping with current performance practice, baroque repertoire may be sung at baroque pitch. The accompanist must have a copy in the key being sung and not be expected to transpose.

Class 20: French or German Song (age 15 and under) - one song to be sung in English or the original language
Class 21: French Song (16 and over) - one song to be sung in the original language
Class 22: Lieder (age 16 and over) - one song to be sung in the original language
Class 23: World Songs (any age) - One song not in English but sung in the original language from any country except the British Isles, France or Germany excluding arias from operas or oratorios.
Class 24: A song with words by Shakespeare of any style or period (any age)
Class 25A: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals - pre 1960 (age 12-15)***
Class 25B: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals - post 1960 (age 12-15)***
Class 26A: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals – pre 1960 (age 16-18)***
Class 26B: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals – post 1960 (age 16-18)***
Class 27A: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals – pre 1960 (age 19 and over)***
Class 27B: Songs from the Shows, Films and Musicals – post 1960 (age 19 and over)***
*** Songs may come from musicals, music theatre, films, Disney songs and Light Opera (post 1920) but not from opera or pop songs. They should be performed as a concert item, i.e. without movement, (although meaningful gesture is permitted) and without recorded accompaniment or use of microphone.

Class 28: English Words and Song - One song, time limit 5 minutes. The performer should recite the text from memory and then sing the song. The adjudicator will judge both the speaking and the singing and will be listening for clarity of communication with understanding and imagination. The words must not be a translation from another language, but the composer need not be English. The winner will be invited to perform again on the evening of Sunday 4 February 2024 when they will receive their award but will not be eligible for The City of Sheffield Teachers’ Choir Silver Salver.
Class 27: Ensemble Class (any age) Up to 6 singers: one piece, time limit 4 minutes. Your ensemble may include one other instrument as well as piano or be accompanied by guitar. Two awards will be given, one for the best junior ensemble where all singers are under 18 years, and the other for the best ensemble overall. The overall winner will be invited to perform again on the evening of Sunday 4 February 2024 but will not be eligible for The City of Sheffield Teachers’ Choir Silver Salver. The Paul M Green Trophy and Award, presented by the Dore Male Voice Choir, will be given to the overall winner of this class.
Class 30: Junior Non-competitive class and workshop****
Class 31: Senior Non-competitive class and workshop****
**** Classes 30 and 31 are for singers who have little or no experience of performing solo, as a duet or in a small ensemble up to 6 singers. All performers will receive written comments only on their performance from the adjudicator and be able to participate in a workshop lead by the adjudicator after everyone has sung, with ideas and vocal tips to help you improve. You may sing your own choice of song in any style or period.

Order of classes: Once the Entry Forms have been received, the order in which classes will take place will be determined. See timetable below. Programme changes will only be allowed after 1 January in exceptional circumstances.