SIBF 2016 – Information Pack

Started in 2008 by the Wind Bands Association of Singapore, the 5th biannual Singapore International Band Festival (SIBF) this year will take place from 26 to 31 July 2016. Running a series of activities, the festival is a wholesome experience for both the participating band and its conductor.

a. Workshop & Masterclass

• Participating bands may sign up for one 1.5 hour session of workshops conducted by an international adjudicator or clinicians.
• The workshop is based on the band’s performance at the Competition so the clinician can provide advice for the band.
• Conductors should be present during the workshop and should set aside time for discussion with the clinician.

b. International Exchange

• Participating bands may sign up for the exchange to meet an overseas band for performance, guest conducting, sectional practice or similar activities.
• Bands are matched with those who have competed in the same Division or age group, and will be put into contact directly to arrange for the content of the exchange.
  

  Outreach @ Sentosa in SIBF 2014 by Horwang Wind Ensemble (Thailand) / Credits – SIBF FB

c. Outreach Programme 

• Bands may sign up to perform 20- 30 minutes of light and easy listening music in an outdoor space.
• Basic percussion instruments, chairs, music stands and sound system will be provided for the performance.
• Performance are subjected to weather condition and may be cancelled due to wet weather.

d. Gala Concert

• Bands may witness a performance from a band specially invited to perform at this occasion.
• Participating bands will enjoy special package price for tickets to this concert.

e. Competition

• Competition for Division 1, 2A, 2B, 3 will be held at the National University of Singapore, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall.
• Competition for Open Division and Award Ceremony will be held at Esplanade Concert Hall.

Rules

Musicians
Where “musician” is being mentioned, it does not include the conductor of the participating band.

• Each musician may perform with only one of the participating bands, regardless of division.
• Every musician will be deemed as representative of participating band’s organisation.
• Participating band will be required to take responsibility for the behaviour of its musicians.
• Each band may have between 25 to 75 musicians for Division 1,2A, 2B, 3 and up to 90 musicians for Open Division.

Professional musician is defined as those who perform, conduct or teach music as a profession, on a full-time or part-time basis.

Those who have received tertiary education in music but has not been performing, conducting or teaching music as a profession for more than a year would not be considered to fall under the category of professional musician for this purpose.

Age Limit and Professional Musicians
Division 3

1. All musicians performing in competition must be current primary/ elementary school pupil.
2. No restriction for musicians who join the band for other activities in SIBF

Division 2A and 2B

1. All musicians performing in competition must be 18 years old or below (i.e. born in or after 1998).
2. No professional musicians allowed for competition.
3. No restriction for musicians who join the band for other activities in SIBF
   

   Competition Day at SIBF 2014 / Credits – SIBF FB

Division 1

1. No age limit on musicians.
2. No professional musicians allowed for competition
3. No restriction for musicians who join the band for other activities in SIBF

Open Division

1. No age limit on musicians.
2. No limit on professional musicians.

Instruments Allowed

• Basic percussion instruments are provided and will be set on stage.
• Bands are allowed to bring and use own percussion instruments without removing the large instruments from its original stage position.
• Space constraints on stage must be taken into consideration should the band decide to use own instruments.
• Participating bands may use any of the following instruments in the competition: Piccolo, Flutes, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinets, Bassoons, Saxophones, Horns, Trumpets, Cornets, Flugelhorn, Trombones, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba, Cello, Double Bass, Timpani, Percussion, Harp, Piano, Electric Bass, Synthesizer (only for replacement of instruments, e.g. Celesta, Harp or when indicated by composer) and any instruments as indicated on the score.
• Bands performing in Esplanade Concert Hall may use the organ, however, cost of using the organ will be fully borne by participating band, in addition to participation fees.

Music & Performance Time Limit

• Participating bands are advised to perform contrasting works that has a significant level of technical difficulty and musical depth, which can best display their band’s performance ability.
• Music duration timing will start on the first beat of music and continues till end of performance.
• Stage time will start when first musician step onto stage and continue until last person leaves the stage.

Division 3

1. No required music.
2. Band must perform at least 2 pieces of choice music that adds up to a minimum of 6 minutes performance time.
3. There is no restriction on the grade of music.
4. Band may perform more than 2 pieces or longer than 6 minutes but will only be allowed a maximum of 15 minutes on stage, including performance and all necessary instruments and musicians’ stage movement.

Division 2B

1. Band will need to perform 1 piece of required music and at least 1 piece of choice music that adds up to a total performance time of at least 8 minutes.
2. Choice piece music must be grade 3 or below.
3. Band may perform more than 2 pieces or longer than 8 minutes but will only be allowed a maximum of 15 minutes on stage, including performance and all necessary instruments and musicians’ stage movement.

Division 2A

1. Band will need to perform 1 piece of required music and at least 1 piece of choice music that adds up to a total performance time of at least 10 minutes.
2. Choice piece music must be grade 4 or below.
3. Band may perform more than 2 pieces or longer than 10 minutes but will only be allowed a maximum of 20 minutes on stage, including performance and all necessary instruments and musicians’ stage movement.

Division 1

1. Band will need to perform 1 piece of required music and at least 1 piece of choice music that adds up to a total performance time of at least 15 minutes.
2. Choice piece music must be grade 4 or above.
3. Band may perform longer than 15 minutes but will only be allowed a maximum of 25 minutes on stage, including performance and all necessary instruments and musicians’ stage movement.

Open Division

1. Band will need to choose 1 piece of required music and choice music that adds up to a total performance time of at least 40 minutes.
2. There is no limitation on grade of choice music; bands should consider the full performance programme as a whole.
3. Choice of music literature will be one of the adjudication criteria for this Division.
4. Band may perform longer than 40 minutes but will only be allowed a maximum of 50 minutes on stage, including performance and all necessary instruments and musicians’ stage movement.

Marking Scheme
Each band will be marked according to the following criteria for their performance:

1. Sound: Intonation, Tone Quality, Balance
2. Technique: Articulation, Ensemble Musicianship, Rhythm
3. Musical Performance: Phrasing, Dynamics, Interpretation
4. Choice of Literature (applicable to Open Division only)

Final result will be the averaged mark given by all adjudicators, rounded up to 2 decimal places and announced at the end of each Division.

In the case of a draw between two or more bands, the Division winner will be decided by adjudicators’ vote.

Each band will receive a written appraisal from our panel of international adjudicators and certificate based on the following merit:

• Gold                     90.00% and above
• Silver                   80.00% – 89.99%
• Bronze                 70.00% – 79.99%
• Certificate           Below 70.00%

Bands exceeding stipulated performance time by more than 1 second shall result in 5% deduction of final marks. Results after enforcement of penalty will be final and non-negotiable. Bands that violate any rules of the competition will be stripped of their award and any benefits. All decisions made by the adjudicators are final.

Awards

• Open Division   1^st Prize: S$10,000 & SIBF Trophy / 2^nd Prize: S$4,000
• Division 1           1^st Prize: S$3,000 & SIBF Trophy
• Division 2A        1^st Prize: S$2,000 & SIBF Trophy
• Division 2B        1^st Prize: S$1,000 & SIBF Trophy
• Division 3           1^st Prize: SIBF Trophy

Prize money will only be awarded if 1^st prize winner scores at least 90% marks.

• All participating bands must be represented at the Award Ceremony on 31 July 2016 to receive certificate and award.
• Winning bands from Division 1, 2A, 2B and 3 will be invited to perform at the Award Ceremony on 31 July 2016 (Sunday).

For more information on SIBF, visit their website at www.sibf.sg!

Written By Editor

A contributing editor at TBP.