Eligibility, Deadline, & Entry Requirements

Event Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010

Categories: Small Group (Quartet/Trio/Duo) & Large Ensemble (eight or more performers)

Description: Two selected pre-college groups, a small group and a large ensemble (one in each category), have the opportunity to demonstrate their success as part of the annual GFA convention. The Ensemble Showcase spotlights young performers in recital, and the teachers will give some description about the content and environment for each of the programs. The Ensemble Showcase was created as a critical step toward developing a community for elementary and secondary guitar education.

Eligibility:

• Open to any K-12 guitar ensemble, regardless of nationality, from a public or private school/studio, which performs on nylon string, classical type guitar.
• Participants must be registered students of the school at the time of the Showcase convention performance.
• Large Ensemble applicants should be from programs in existence for at least two years.
• A single school may enter both categories and have multiple entries, but only one group will be selected from a given school to perform at the convention.
• Previous Showcase performing groups must wait two years before re-applying.
• Entrants may use only unedited recordings of their ensemble.
• Groups are NOT required to have the same personnel in the Showcase performance as in the submitted recording. It is understood that the ensemble personnel may change between the time of the submitted recording and the actual performance during the GFA convention. 

Deadline: All entry materials must be received by November 1, 2009 (revised deadline). No late entries will be accepted.

• A written description of the instructional program in guitar, not to exceed 300 words.
• A recording (video/audio or just audio) of the entry ensemble lasting at least ten minutes but not more than fifteen minutes. Though the selections may be compiled from different performance dates, individual selections must be unedited recordings.
• Recordings must be submitted via e-mail attachment as mpeg video, mp3, windows media file, or other easily accessible formats.
• Recordings may be a compilation of selections made at various times within about the last year.
• Repertoire: a total of three selections which must include two selections in any combination from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, PLUS one free choice selection.
• A proposed program of twenty minutes total playing time. The Showcase will be a combination of the performance and a five minute description of the program. The convention schedule is very tight. Consequently, the 25 total minutes for the Showcase must be adhered to strictly. Make sure to check the exact timing of your total proposed program if you are selected to particpate: TOTAL TIME ON STAGE MAY NOT EXCEED 25 MINUTES. The presentation may be separated into two distinct portions (lecture and performance) or fully integrated alternations of performance and lecture.
• An estimate of the number of students that will participate in convention performance.
• Names of the director(s) and students on the recording.
• A very clear diagram of the ensemble setup (backline).
• Complete contact information for the ensemble director including e-mail and cell phone number.* This must be included the application.

Application

To apply for the K-12 Ensemble Showcase, complete this online form.

Convention Participation: Convention passes for the ensemble students, directors, and up to two chaperones will be provided for three days (Friday through Sunday). For daily rates and other convention participation options, please refer to the GFA website.

Registration is performed online, but please remember that all materials must be received by November 1, 2009.

Notification: The selection committee will inform the applicants of the final choice on December 1, 2009.

Questions: Please contact Dr. Michael Quantz at this link.

Please print a copy of this page for reference.