SMA Music Awards from September 2011
The Schools Music Association of Great Britain (SMA) has expanded its music awards scheme for schools. The Council of SMA, conscious that many teachers would welcome advice and support, has decided to enlarge this scheme, which is open to all schools.
• Since September 2011 the SMA music awards has been open to school choirs, orchestras, bands and ensembles of all kinds and all ages - infant, primary, middle school and secondary.
• It is an on-going scheme so there is no entry deadline. The panel meets three times-a-year - after 31 March, after 30 June and after 31 December.
• To take part, a school will need to submit an audio recording. The quality of recording will not be marked but obviously it would help if the recording was such that the judges can hear the performance adequately and not wonder if it had been recorded in a ‘fish and chip shop!’
• Small schools may combine to form one choir or ensemble.
• There should be three contrasting pieces on the recording. The recording must be done for the award and not taken from a recording made earlier. All the performers on the recording must still be pupils at the school. You may also include examples of warm-up exercises, but this is not obligatory.
• The music for each of the three pieces performed should be submitted with the recording and fee. This music will be returned with the award certificate and the adjudication sheet(s) but the recording will not be returned.
• The charge for entering – as one would pay when taking part in a Festival – will be, until further notice, £10 for SMA members £15 for non members.
• The performances will be placed in one of the following categories:-
Diamond 90-100 marks
Gold 80-89 marks
Silver 65-79 marks
Bronze 50-64 marks
Copper 35-49 marks
• A written adjudication will be sent to the school with a certificate showing the appropriate category. This award is valid for three years. However, if Diamond is not awarded, you may re-enter within the same academic year. Each piece will be marked out of 100 and then averaged out to show an overall mark out of 100.
• The recording will be heard by at least three judges under the chairmanship of Douglas Coombes.
• So that the judges can give further advice there will be a questionnaire with many of the questions just requiring a tick in a box.
• Entry forms can be obtained from:- Hon Sec, SMA, 24 Royston Street, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2LP or email: secretary@schoolsmusic.org.uk
• If you would like other categories included in this scheme, SMA welcomes all suggestions and will consider such extensions.
Click here to view and print the entry form or contact Carole Lindsay-Douglas, Hon Sec, SMA, 24 Royston Street, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2LP.