The Art of Barbershop - Step by Step

OK - so to recap, we now know that the word ENERGY appears in some form in all four categories of the Sweet Adeline judging system. 

What are some other ways that we can view across all four categories and make some connections?

One that I found is the word CHARACTERIZATION.  Now, this one isn’t as easy as the word energy because it is more the concept that carries across the categories instead of an actual word.

If it appears as CHARACTERIZATION in the Showmanship category, what is it called in the other three?

Expression Category = Emotional Communication and/or Finesse

Music Category = Musical Artistry 

Sound Category = Vocal Style

In my opinion, to achieve CHARACTERIZATION, you must have a VOCAL STYLE that can use MUSICAL ARTISTRY and FINESSE to create an EMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION/CONNECTION to your audience.

Once again, just like with the concept of ENERGY it is easy to see how important it is to consider the interlocking relationship between ALL of the Sweet Adeline judging categories to get the most bang for your buck in your contest performance.

Contest season is just around the corner, so consider this as you begin to create your musical plans.

OK, so now the secret is out.  The word ENERGY appears in all FOUR categories of the Sweet Adelines judging system. 

What does this mean to you?  It means that when someone tells you that only one judge is looking at you in an effort to minimize the showmanship category down to the obvious “visual” impact that it has, you should think twice before agreeing with them. 

We’ve already established that the word ENERGY appears in the Sweet Adelines International Showmanship Category. 

How does it appear in the other three?

In the Sweet Adelines International Expression Category the word ENERGY appears.  

In the Sweet Adelines International Music Category the words MUSICAL ENGERGY appear.

In the Sweet Adelines International Sound Category the words ENERGIZED VOCAL LINE appear. 

So even though choreography may play a part in how your quartet or chorus chooses to rev up the energy in your performance, you have to remember that the energy has to be something that the judges can HEAR, and not just SEE. 

There are some other items that appear in all four Sweet Adeline judging categories, but I’ll save those for another post. 

I am teaching a class this weekend for the Sweet Adelines International - Region 7 Quartet Music School where I will talk about ways that the Sweet Adelines International Showmanship category can reach across and touch all FOUR categories - I am going to post a series here where I give you the Net-Net of what the class will entail.
 
When your barbershop quartet starts to think about the Showmanship category, what do you think of first?

Choreography is the easy answer and one that usually comes to mind first for all of us in the Sweet Adeline and Barbershop world.  Choreography is very specific per the song that you are singing and per the group that is performing.  So what I want to focus on is something a little bigger than that.  Something that reaches the Sweet Adelines International Showmanship judge; but also reaches out and touches ALL FOUR categories.  Fellas, keep in mind that your Presentation category may not follow these exact guidelines, but this concept works for you as well.
 
Here is a list of words that are used in the official category description for the Sweet Adelines International Showmanship category:

PERFORMANCE (0-70 Points)

VISUAL COMMUNICATION OF MUSICAL PRODUCT
Vocal Skills
Poise and Command
Entrance/Break/Exit
Pitch Pipe Technique
Physical Expression
Posture
Unity
Choreography
Characterization
Audience Rapport
Energy

PREPARATION (0-30 Points)

VISUAL PLAN
Entrance/Break/Exit
Costume
          Makeup/Grooming
          Choreography
Creativity
 

Do you want to know what one word appears in all FOUR Sweet Adelines International judging categories?
 
ENERGY
 
Think about it…….