It is a pleasure to announce the UTA Solo & Ensemble 2008. For this year we have implemented an important modification: all applications must be made online. We hope that this, and other modifications, will result on an improvement on the organization of this event. This festival provides a venue for students of all ages to gain experience playing in a solo or small ensemble situation. None of this could happen without the support of the public school and private string teachers.  Please accept our thanks for all of your hard work.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, April 19, 2008

Application Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2008

Schedule:  9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Students entering this contest will be assigned a time slot for his/her performance(s).
• The schedule will be available online to the directors two weeks prior to the contest.
• Performances will be scheduled from 9:00 am to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
• A one-hour lunch break will be scheduled from 12:00 to 1:00 PM.

Eligibility: This contest is open to all students who have had at least one year of classroom or private instruction and are at least 5 years of age before the application deadline date. Students may play in up to as many as three ensembles, or play one solo and two ensembles, or two solos on two different instruments and one ensemble.

Entry Fees:  $10.00 per solo entry – Jr. High and Sr. High (7 – 12)

 $ 6.00 per solo entry – elementary (K – 6)

 $ 5.00 per ensemble performer- MAXIMUM of 12 in an ensemble

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Application: Applications must be made online at www.uilforms.com. Even if you have an account already with uilforms or charms, please create a new account and select Region 35.  This region has been set aside specifically for our festival.  A letter is being mailed out that will also contain detailed Instructions on how to register student entries.  If you have not received a letter by January 21st, please e-mail stringprep@uta.edu and we will be happy to send you the information.

Mailed entries will not be accepted.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REGISTER WITH UILFORMS

Application Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2008

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JUDGING CRITERIA

Students will be judged on musicality, intonation, rhythm, style, tone quality, ensemble, suitability of piece to performer, and stage presence (which will include student’s attire). The suitability of music selected will be a consideration in the student’s performance rating. Students must furnish the judge with a copy of the selection to be performed, with numbered measures (good copies are acceptable).

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Please make note of special requests in the comments section of the enrollment screen.

Anyone arriving at the assigned room and time without music and/or accompanist (if one is needed) will be given a choice of:

• Playing without music, accompanist, etc., 
• Forfeiting the assigned time slot with the understanding that if someone later in the schedule does not show, the time can be conditionally be reassigned to him/her, or
• If the students cannot wait for an undetermined period for a “no-show” spot, he/ she will forfeit the assigned time slot without recourse.

SCHEDULE CHANGES CANNOT BE MADE THE DAY OF THE CONTEST. The monitors are instructed not to change or allow the schedule to be tampered with.

BEHAVIOR:  Directors, teachers, and parents are responsible for the personal behavior of their students. Students should be aware that they must not enter the room until the monitor indicates that the judge is ready to begin.  ROOM 115 will be reserved for cases, etc.

THERE IS NO COPY MACHINE AVAILABLE IN THE MUSIC BUILDING.

RATINGS

Elementary Division (through grade 6)

Junior/Senior Division (grades 7 through 12)

All participants will receive a critique sheet from the judge.

HONORS RATING

This category is awarded to students that in addition to receiving 25 points, present outstanding memorized performances (ensemble works need not be memorized). In the case of Junior/Senior categories these performances need to be accompanied according to the requirements of the score (piano reductions are acceptable). Students in Elementary Division do not need to have an accompanist to obtain Honors rating.

Students in Honors category will be invited to perform on a public recital to be held on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 4:00 P.M. in Irons Recital Hall.

DISTRIBUTION OF AWARDS

Only directors (or music teachers) may pick up the awards and critique sheets. Sorting judges comment sheets and preparing medals and ribbons takes time. Please allow a minimum of 90 minutes after the performance of the laststudent. If preferred, we will be happy to ship the awards.

PAYMENT

PLEASE DISREGARD the payment information on the printable forms.  Make checks payable to

String Solo and Ensemble/Music Department

Please mail your invoice and check to:

String Solo & Ensemble Festival
Department of Music
University of Texas at Arlington
Box 19105
Arlington, TX  76019

For any additional questions, please contact the Solo and Ensemble office at  (817) 272-2440, or send an email to Dr. Sergio Espinosa at espinosa@uta.edu