SYF 2023: What You Need to Know

Singapore Youth Festival 2023: Arts Presentation
for (Secondary School & Junior College / Millennia Institute)

Secondary School Bands & Ensembles

11 – 14 April, 17 – 20 April, 3 – 5 May
Venue: TBC / 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

Junior College & Millennia Institute Bands & Ensembles

2 – 4 May
Venue: TBC/ 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

SUB-CATEGORIES

Band (Concert): To facilitate optimal seating for the band, schools should register either for Group A (51-80 performers) or Group B (24-50 performers) based on the number of performers

Brass Ensemble: Combination of two or more sections from the brass family of the concert band, e.g. B-flat Trumpet and Trombone. The ensemble cannot comprise instruments from one section only. The use of percussion instruments is not allowed in this category. (8-24 performers)

Percussion Ensemble: Combination of instruments from the percussion section of the concert band. (8-24 performers)

Woodwind Ensemble: Combination of two or more sections from the woodwind family of the concert band, e.g. Clarinets and Double Reeds. The ensemble cannot comprise instruments from one section only.
The use of percussion instruments is not allowed in this category. (8-24 performers)

A school may participate in up to two sub-categories, and up to one entry per sub-category.

PARTICIPANTS

Each student may participate in more than one SYF AP category and subcategory.

Schools may form a combined group between two schools, or across school types (e.g. between mainstream schools, between SPED schools and between mainstream and SPED schools). This decision should be made in consultation with their school leader(s). Schools participating as a combined group is considered one entry.

Bands that involve performers who are not students enrolled in the school in 2023 will be disqualified.

All performers, including accompanists, must remain on stage for the duration of the performance.

SET PIECES

Secondary School: Tanah di Bawah Angin (“Land beneath the Wind”) by Wong Kah Chun

Junior College / Millennia Institute: Kinderszenen (“Scenes from Childhood”) by Bertram Wee

CHOICE PIECES

To ensure meaningful band ensemble playing experiences, bands are discouraged from playing in unison. Solo performances with accompaniment are not allowed.

Bands and ensembles may not present a choice piece that their school performed at the SYF 2021 AP for Band.

Vocal accompaniment and solo instruments must not predominate the piece. Electric guitars, electric pianos, synthesisers, organs and all other electronic devices are not allowed.

Five copies of conductor scores for the choice piece(s) must be submitted at the registration desk at the AP venue on the day of the AP concerned. These scores will be duly destroyed at the end of each day. Please do not submit original scores.

DURATION

For Secondary School level bands participating in Band (Concert), the duration of the choice piece must not exceed 8 minutes.

For JC / MI level bands participating in Band (Concert), the duration of the choice piece must not exceed 10 minutes.

For Secondary School level and JC / MI level bands participating in Band (Ensembles), the total performance duration of the two choice pieces must not exceed 10 minutes.

Performance duration refers to the duration of the performance of the two pieces only. The performance duration will be timed from the first performance note sounded, to the last performance note of each piece. It does not include entrance, exit, tuning and transition time between pieces.

Five marks will be deducted for any performance exceeding the stipulated time. Mark deductions may result in a change of certification.

LOGISTICS

Standard percussion instruments will be provided for the Band sub-category.

Schools must adhere to the fixed seating plans provided. Preset chairs and music stands may not be moved during the AP. Special requests (e.g. use of the piano) must be made through the SYF portal

For Percussion Ensemble) only: All percussion instruments will be pushed to the back of the stage, as shown in the stage plan provided on the SYF portal. These instruments may be moved at the start of each
performance but must be restored to their original positions at the end of the performance.

AWARDS

Participating schools will be presented certificates based on the benchmark of their performances as follows:

Certificate of Distinction ≥ 75.0
Certificate of Accomplishment 60.0 – 74.9
Certificate of Commendation ≤ 59.9

There is no pre-determined number for any certificate type. The decision of the panel of adjudicators is final and no appeals will be entertained.

Results of each sub-category of the SYF AP will be published one working day after the last day of the sub-category, on www.syf.gov.sg. All participating schools will receive written comments by individual adjudicators, and the Adjudicators’ Report that provides an overview of schools’ performances will be made available in June 2023.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY

Unauthorised photography, video and audio recordings are not allowed during all SYF AP performances.

Professional photography services will be provided for all schools during the SYF 2023 AP. All participating schools will receive a soft copy of their performance photographs without charge.

Professional videography services will be provided to video-record all school performances of the set piece. Please note that the permission granted by the copyright owner of the set piece covers the video to be recorded for archival purposes only. This archival video will be provided to schools without charge. Schools should contact the copyright owner(s) should they wish to use the video for other purposes.

Professional videography services will be provided to video-record schools’ performances of the choice piece(s) for all schools who have obtained the necessary copyright clearance. Participating schools will receive a
video recording of their performance without charge.

School-appointed videographers are not permitted in the venue.

Written By Editor

A contributing editor at TBP.