Singapore Youth Festival 2018: Arts Presentation for (Secondary School Level)
Display Bands
14 April
Venue: To Be Confirmed / 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Festival Details
Sub-Categories
- Band (Display) (Category A): 32-70 students, combination of instruments from the woodwinds, brass and percussion sections.
- Band (Display) (Category B): 71-150 students, combination of instruments from the woodwinds, brass and percussion sections.
- Band (Display) (Percussion Ensemble): 12-32 students, either a combination of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments within the band or a combination of unpitched percussion instruments within the band.
A school may participate in up to two sub-categories, and up to one entry per sub-category. However, schools may only participate in either Band (Display) (Category A) or Band (Display) (Category B).
Sequence of Performance
Warm-Up
Each display band has 10 minutes of warm-up time at a designated warm-up room.
Performance Arena Set-Up
- The first horn is sounded at the start of the 20-minute block for Categories A and B, and at the start of the 15-minute block for Percussion Ensemble.
- Props (only for Categories A and B) and equipment may be brought into the arena only at this time. No additional props and equipment may be brought in or out of the arena during the actual performance.
- The set-up may be conducted by non-participants. Non-participants must leave the performance arena before the start of the actual performance.
Actual Performance
- Actual performance time begins when the first note of music or the first step is made after the student representative’s introduction.
- Any movement of props during performance must be by the participants.
- For Categories A and B, either the drum major or the conductor signals the end of the actual performance.
- For Percussion Ensemble, the band signals the end of the actual performance by bowing (or saluting).
Exit and Tear-down
- Only light battery percussion sound is allowed for exiting bands of Categories A and B.
- Exit and tear-down must begin immediately after the announcer thanks the display band for their performance.
- All props and equipment must be completely removed at this time. Non-participants are allowed to re-enter the arena to assist.
- Schools must ensure that the arena is returned to its original state after their respective performances.
- At the end of the AP, all bands must re-enter the arena for the announcement of the results.
Programming
A student representative must be nominated to introduce the pieces presented. The introduction segment gives the student representative an opportunity to share their learning process. This student should preferably be a member of the performing group concerned. This introduction must be kept under 1 minute, and should include the following:
- Name of school
- Name of conductor (where applicable)
- Title and brief description of performance
- Students’ key musical learning points from the preparation process and highlights of the work(s) to be performed
This introduction will not be assessed by the adjudicators.
The performance arena is 60 yards (width) x 30 yards (depth). Marking lines are provided every 5 yards, with a numbered cone at the end of every line. The centre mark is numbered ‘0’. Fanning out both left and right from this zero-position, each 5-yard point position is marked accordingly with ‘5’, ‘10’, ‘15’, ‘20’, ‘25’ and ‘30’.
The entire performance must be within the arena only.
Display bands may use or adapt the Arts Education Branch (AEB)-prescribed sets of formation for their actual performance:
- Set I: For band size of 32 participants
- Set II: For band size of 64 participants
These formations will be sent to schools upon request.
Provided Instruments
The following instruments are provided:
- A set of 4 timpani
- 1 Tubular Bells
- 1 Marimba
- 1 Xylophone
- 1 Vibraphone
- 1 Gong
- 1 Concert Bass Drum
- 1 Drum Set
The percussion instruments are pre-set at a designated area at the beginning of each band’s performance. These pre-set instruments may be moved during the AP but must be restored to their original positions within the stipulated time frame.
There will not be any professional timpanist for the purpose of tuning the timpani. Students are expected to learn to tune their own timpani.
Bands are allowed to bring additional/other instruments, but all set-up must be within the stipulated time frame. The list of additional auxiliary instruments and props must be submitted to the officers-in-charge through e-mail by 8 March 2018.
The maximum height of any prop is 2.5 m for Categories A and B. No props are allowed for Percussion Ensemble.
If a podium is required for the conductor, the school must provide the podium.
Duration
- The actual performance must not exceed 10 minutes for Categories A and B, and must not exceed 8 minutes for Percussion Ensemble.
- The total time for the performance area set-up, actual performance, exit and take-down must not exceed 20 minutes for Categories A and B, and 15 minutes for Percussion Ensemble.
Five marks will be deducted for any actual performance exceeding the stipulated time. Another five marks will be deducted for exceeding the total time.
Participants
Each band in Band (Display) (Category A) is to involve 32 to 70 current students of the school. This number includes auxiliary groups (colour guards, pom-pom groups, dancers, flag-bearers and baton twirlers) and excludes the Drum Major and conductor(s).
To support schools with small enrolment, bands with fewer than 32 current students may (a) request to participate with fewer than 32 current students, or (b) combine with bands from other schools to form a combined band to participate in Band (Display) (Category A). Requests to do so must be put in writing to the SYF Secretariat at MOE_SYF_Secy@moe.gov.sg stating the following information:
Scenario (a)
- Name of school
- Category of participation: Band (Display) (Category A)
- Current CCA strength
Scenario (b)
- Names of schools forming proposed combined band
- Category of participation: Band (Display) (Category A)
- Current CCA strength for each of the combining groups
Requests must reach the SYF Secretariat by 17 November 2017 and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Each band in Band (Display) (Category B) is to involve 71 to 150 current students of the school. This number includes auxiliary groups (colour guards, pom-pom groups, dancers, flag-bearers and baton twirlers) and excludes the Drum Major and conductor(s).
Each band in Band (Display) (Percussion Ensemble) is to involve 12 to 32 current students of the school, including the student conductor (optional).
Each band in Band (Display) (Categories A and B) can involve one Drum Major and only up to a maximum of four conductors. These bands may replace one of the conductors with an individual who is not a current student of the school, but the Drum Major and other conductors must be current students of the school. The conductor must not be the Drum Major and vice versa.
With the exception of one conductor, bands that involve performers who are not current students of the school will be disqualified.
Each student may participate in more than one SYF AP category.
Schools must adhere to the reporting time allocated to them for the SYF AP. Five marks will be deducted for schools that report late. The reporting time is not the performance time.
Awards
Certificate of Distinction ≥ 75.0
Certificate of Accomplishment 60.0 – 74.9
Certificate of Commendation ≤ 59.9
Results of the SYF AP for Band (Display), including Drum Major of the Year (for Categories A and B), will be published one working day after the end of category. In May 2018, written comments by individual adjudicators, along with an Adjudicators’ Report that provides an overview of schools’ performances at the SYF 2018 AP, will be made available to participating schools.
For More Information: SYF 2018 AP Display Bands
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