2021 Solo and Ensemble Unit
Our Frost students will be working on a Solo and Ensemble unit. In this unit, students will have two options to choose from. We will have a Solo and Ensemble format through MSBOA that students can participate in, and the second option is our own solo performance at school. It is important to understand how both work out. All of our students will participate in one of the two options.
Solo and Ensemble Slide Show (INFO): https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rczrnnUTKfoOaFvfn75juxSce3Hvs7d6Lr2prVKe3J4/edit?usp=sharing
Solo and Ensemble Slide Show (INFO): https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rczrnnUTKfoOaFvfn75juxSce3Hvs7d6Lr2prVKe3J4/edit?usp=sharing
Option One: MSBOA Solo and Ensemble
Solos:
● Students will have 6 minutes and must begin by showing their original music before recording.
● Position yourself so the adjudicator can see your embouchure, both hand positions, face, arms,
etc.
● Minimum time requirements for middle and high school have been waived.
● The recording shall not be stopped or paused for any reason until the solo is complete.
Publisher:
● If a piece is not on the approved publisher list, the director must get publisher approval.
● If the publisher is not listed, you must select, “Publisher Not on List” and check the box indicating
that you have received permission to perform.
● If the score and parts have a different publisher, the director needs to only verify that the score is
on the approved list or seek permission to perform.
● If the publisher needs additional approval, a link to the MSBOA form letter can be found attached
to the approved publisher list.
● It is the directors responsibility to make sure the students have the original score when they are
recording their performance.
MUSIC
1. Solo and ensemble literature need not be from any list, but must be from the approved publisher list. If the literature is not
from an approved publisher, it is up to the director to seek out the proper approval. MSBOA has an informational list of solos
and a “suggested” list of Chamber Ensemble selections available on the web site under “Resources.” This is only an
informational list. The approved publisher list is available on the MSBOA homepage.
2. Each soloist, ensemble and chamber ensemble event must upload their score into OpusEvent with each measure numbered.
They must also show the original sheet music at the beginning of their video.
3. The number of members of a non-chamber ensemble/choir participating in the MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festivals shall
not exceed eight (8) members with one (1) player to a part and all parts being played or no rating will be given.
DEFINITION OF ORIGINAL SCORE
a. Scores for all Solo & Ensemble events must contain aligned parts representing the voices of the ensemble in either
concert or written pitch.
b. If the selection is copyrighted, the only acceptable score is a purchased edition; the actual paper and ink sold by the
publisher or music dealer. Photocopies and created scores of copyrighted music are illegal and unacceptable as the
adjudicator’s music unless accompanied by written permission from the PUBLISHER or a letter from the
DISTRIBUTOR proving that the music has been purchased and is NOT RETURNABLE.
c. For music purchased on the Internet, proof of purchase must be presented to the District Vice President for Solo &
Ensemble.
d. For music that is free on the Internet, documentation of the source must be presented to the. District Vice President
for Solo & Ensemble.(see director for help)
e. If the selection is not published or copyrighted (example: an original composition or arrangement) an acceptable
score is one produced by a computer, hand-made or legible manuscript. If a full score is not published, a condensed
score will be accepted. If no score is published, it is the responsibility of that event to make one. Computer or
legible manuscript scores must be presented to the District Vice president for Solo & Ensemble.
f. If the selection is not copyrighted, a photocopy is acceptable provided it copies the entire page and is deemed legible
by the District Vice President for Solo and Ensemble.
g. If the selection is out of print, photocopies are still illegal unless accompanied by written permission from the
PUBLISHER.
h. Instrument substitution is permitted without altering the score. Compliance with the provisions of the current
copyright laws is the responsibility of each participating school and its directors.
i. Four hand piano events may use secondo and primo scores.
RATING
1. One of the five divisional ratings for prepared solos and ensembles will be used. These ratings are defined as follows for all
solo and ensemble festivals:
First Division (I) - Superior - Highly refined and developed, considering the classification. Consistency is
demonstrated throughout the solo or within the ensemble. A few minor isolated flaws might exist, but they do not
detract from the performance.
Second Division (II) - Excellent - Somewhat refined and developed and consistency is often demonstrated in the
solo or within the ensemble. Noticeable flaws sometimes detract from the performance.
Third Division (III) - Good - Developing, consistency is sometimes demonstrated by the soloist or within the
ensemble, but not yet refined. Noticeable flaws often detract from the performance.
Fourth Division (IV) - Fair - Not yet developing or refined, consistency is seldom demonstrated by the soloist or
within the ensemble. Obvious flaws consistently detract from the performance.
Fifth Division (V) - Poor - Consistency is infrequently demonstrated by the soloist or ensemble.
FEES: Events will cost $10 regardless of size. per event.
OPUS EVENTS Performance window: February 1-7, 2021
Students that participate in this event are excused from option two school solo. These students will receive extra credit, feedback from their adjudicator, medal, a free skip an assignment/test pass.
Registration here: Click Here
Quick Information about Solo and Ensemble: Click Here
Option Two: School Solo
Students that do not participate in solo and ensemble, will prepare 1-2 excerpts from their method book to prepare and record their parts in Flipgrid and will receive feed back and grade for their performance. Students should do the following:
1. Select 1 - 2 studies or another work to perform on Flipgrid.
2. Student should dress up for this. (you can share your video with family and friends)
3. Piano accompanist is not needed.
4. Make sure if you are sitting and performing, play with proper playing position.
5. You may stand and perform too! Except: Tuba and Cello.
6. Make sure you select your piece or pieces before the end of December to let Mr. Rais know what you are preparing during December and January. A Google Form will appear in Google Classroom to fill this information out.
7. Students are responsible for preparing their music at home.
8. Students will be able to submit practice turn in videos on Flipgrid in the demo solo project for guidance from Mr. Rais or Mr. Lee
9. Final video must be recorded and submitted during the week of February 1-7, 2021.
Performance window: February 1-7, 2021
Music for all students can be found either at:
- Cameron's Music (5 Mile and Middlebelt), you can purchase your original music there.
- Frost lobby - Mr. Rais has put a cart of sheet music for band and orchestra. Make sure if you take a solo or duet book you sign it out on the sheet.
- If you are playing a solo, it cannot be played from a DUET book. A duet is for TWO players.
- Option two soloist, can play a couple studies from their method book. There are solos that are in their book too besides excerpts.
- Option one students cannot play a couple studies from their method book. They must play a solo.
Solos:
● Students will have 6 minutes and must begin by showing their original music before recording.
● Position yourself so the adjudicator can see your embouchure, both hand positions, face, arms,
etc.
● Minimum time requirements for middle and high school have been waived.
● The recording shall not be stopped or paused for any reason until the solo is complete.
Publisher:
● If a piece is not on the approved publisher list, the director must get publisher approval.
● If the publisher is not listed, you must select, “Publisher Not on List” and check the box indicating
that you have received permission to perform.
● If the score and parts have a different publisher, the director needs to only verify that the score is
on the approved list or seek permission to perform.
● If the publisher needs additional approval, a link to the MSBOA form letter can be found attached
to the approved publisher list.
● It is the directors responsibility to make sure the students have the original score when they are
recording their performance.
MUSIC
1. Solo and ensemble literature need not be from any list, but must be from the approved publisher list. If the literature is not
from an approved publisher, it is up to the director to seek out the proper approval. MSBOA has an informational list of solos
and a “suggested” list of Chamber Ensemble selections available on the web site under “Resources.” This is only an
informational list. The approved publisher list is available on the MSBOA homepage.
2. Each soloist, ensemble and chamber ensemble event must upload their score into OpusEvent with each measure numbered.
They must also show the original sheet music at the beginning of their video.
3. The number of members of a non-chamber ensemble/choir participating in the MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festivals shall
not exceed eight (8) members with one (1) player to a part and all parts being played or no rating will be given.
DEFINITION OF ORIGINAL SCORE
a. Scores for all Solo & Ensemble events must contain aligned parts representing the voices of the ensemble in either
concert or written pitch.
b. If the selection is copyrighted, the only acceptable score is a purchased edition; the actual paper and ink sold by the
publisher or music dealer. Photocopies and created scores of copyrighted music are illegal and unacceptable as the
adjudicator’s music unless accompanied by written permission from the PUBLISHER or a letter from the
DISTRIBUTOR proving that the music has been purchased and is NOT RETURNABLE.
c. For music purchased on the Internet, proof of purchase must be presented to the District Vice President for Solo &
Ensemble.
d. For music that is free on the Internet, documentation of the source must be presented to the. District Vice President
for Solo & Ensemble.(see director for help)
e. If the selection is not published or copyrighted (example: an original composition or arrangement) an acceptable
score is one produced by a computer, hand-made or legible manuscript. If a full score is not published, a condensed
score will be accepted. If no score is published, it is the responsibility of that event to make one. Computer or
legible manuscript scores must be presented to the District Vice president for Solo & Ensemble.
f. If the selection is not copyrighted, a photocopy is acceptable provided it copies the entire page and is deemed legible
by the District Vice President for Solo and Ensemble.
g. If the selection is out of print, photocopies are still illegal unless accompanied by written permission from the
PUBLISHER.
h. Instrument substitution is permitted without altering the score. Compliance with the provisions of the current
copyright laws is the responsibility of each participating school and its directors.
i. Four hand piano events may use secondo and primo scores.
RATING
1. One of the five divisional ratings for prepared solos and ensembles will be used. These ratings are defined as follows for all
solo and ensemble festivals:
First Division (I) - Superior - Highly refined and developed, considering the classification. Consistency is
demonstrated throughout the solo or within the ensemble. A few minor isolated flaws might exist, but they do not
detract from the performance.
Second Division (II) - Excellent - Somewhat refined and developed and consistency is often demonstrated in the
solo or within the ensemble. Noticeable flaws sometimes detract from the performance.
Third Division (III) - Good - Developing, consistency is sometimes demonstrated by the soloist or within the
ensemble, but not yet refined. Noticeable flaws often detract from the performance.
Fourth Division (IV) - Fair - Not yet developing or refined, consistency is seldom demonstrated by the soloist or
within the ensemble. Obvious flaws consistently detract from the performance.
Fifth Division (V) - Poor - Consistency is infrequently demonstrated by the soloist or ensemble.
FEES: Events will cost $10 regardless of size. per event.
OPUS EVENTS Performance window: February 1-7, 2021
Students that participate in this event are excused from option two school solo. These students will receive extra credit, feedback from their adjudicator, medal, a free skip an assignment/test pass.
Registration here: Click Here
Quick Information about Solo and Ensemble: Click Here
Option Two: School Solo
Students that do not participate in solo and ensemble, will prepare 1-2 excerpts from their method book to prepare and record their parts in Flipgrid and will receive feed back and grade for their performance. Students should do the following:
1. Select 1 - 2 studies or another work to perform on Flipgrid.
2. Student should dress up for this. (you can share your video with family and friends)
3. Piano accompanist is not needed.
4. Make sure if you are sitting and performing, play with proper playing position.
5. You may stand and perform too! Except: Tuba and Cello.
6. Make sure you select your piece or pieces before the end of December to let Mr. Rais know what you are preparing during December and January. A Google Form will appear in Google Classroom to fill this information out.
7. Students are responsible for preparing their music at home.
8. Students will be able to submit practice turn in videos on Flipgrid in the demo solo project for guidance from Mr. Rais or Mr. Lee
9. Final video must be recorded and submitted during the week of February 1-7, 2021.
Performance window: February 1-7, 2021
Music for all students can be found either at:
- Cameron's Music (5 Mile and Middlebelt), you can purchase your original music there.
- Frost lobby - Mr. Rais has put a cart of sheet music for band and orchestra. Make sure if you take a solo or duet book you sign it out on the sheet.
- If you are playing a solo, it cannot be played from a DUET book. A duet is for TWO players.
- Option two soloist, can play a couple studies from their method book. There are solos that are in their book too besides excerpts.
- Option one students cannot play a couple studies from their method book. They must play a solo.
