Festival Guidelines - Gospel

2021 YMIC Metropolitan Gospel Music Festival

 Updated 11/02/20

Before submitting an application form, please read the full festival guidelines below and make sure that all video-recording rules are followed(video title, publish setting, etc.). Failure to do so will result in an ineligible application submission.

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COVID-19 related information

- When preparing for the festival, particularly when it involves more than two persons in one space, please make sure to take actions in accordance with all county and state COVID-19 guidelines. All CDC recommendations such as social distancing and wearing of masks should be followed.
- In the case that participants will be wearing masks in their video recording, a photo of the participant with the name listed must be sent to our email prior to the application deadline.
- For additional safety and protection measures, we recommend face shields and/or acrylic or glass barriers especially for students who may be unable to wear a mask for their performance. (i.e. Wind/Brass chamber)
- We also recommend utilizing SmartMusic for accompaniment and Zoom for whenever it may be difficult to have a group gathered in one location.
- YMIC Competitions/Festivals is not responsible for any COVID-19 related incidents that may arise during the students’ preparations for the festival.

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ONLINE APPLICATION INFORMATION

● Deadline: Monday, December 6, 2021

● (1) Complete online application; (2) Provide a YouTube link of *video recording; (3) Pay application fee through PayPal.

● Participants may apply to both classical and gospel festivals but will need to apply separately.

● Best performer winners of the 2020 National Gospel Music Competition and/or students of this year’s judges may not participate.

● In the event of a high volume of applications, participants will be organized to compete in groups.

APPLICATION FEE

● Solo (Piano, String, Wind/Brass, Voice) application and processing fee: $40 (non-refundable)

● Chamber application and processing fee: $30 per applicant (non-refundable)

○ All chamber fees must be submitted together.

REPERTOIRE and REQUIREMENT:

● For chamber category, the age division of the ensemble will be determined by the average grade of the ensemble's participants.

● Any piece related to hymn/gospel/praise music style

● One piece must be prepared and recorded in its entirety. Please see below for time limit information.

● Piano / Voice will require memorization. For all other instruments, memorization is recommended but not required.

*VIDEO RECORDING:

● YouTube Video Naming Rules:”

- Title: Metropolitan Classical Music Festival 2021 – Instrument, Full Title of piece, Movement, Full Composer Name

- Description box: Grade, date/year of recording (this information should NOT be in the title)

- The participant's name should NOT appear anywhere on the YouTube video, including channel name.

- If the information for the title does not all fit due to character limit, please include the remainder of the title in the description box.

Example of Correct Video Title: Metropolitan Gospel Music Festival 2021 - Piano, Sonatina op.55 No.1, 1st mvt, Friedrich Kuhlau

Example of Incorrect Video Title: Jane Doe - Piano, Kuhlau, Sonatina op.55, No.1

● Videos must be taken horizontally.

● Save/publish the video’s visibility to UNLISTED.

● Videos will not be accepted if they are not titled/described accordingly.

● The video being submitted may be made anytime during 2021; however, the participant must be in the same grade

division during the time of recording as they are applying for the festival.

● Participants’ face, hands, feet with pedals as well as keyboard/instrument, must be visible for the entirety of the video.

● Piano and String will require memorization. For all other instruments, memorization is recommended but not required.

● Video recording MUST be a one-take; editing, such as cutting and merging multiple takes, is prohibited.

● Formal and appropriate attire must be worn, otherwise the video will not be accepted.

● Piano accompaniment is required for all pieces that have an existing accompanying part.

● The applicant must prepare the movement or piece in its entirety. We recommend uploading a full performance that falls within the assigned time limit; however, if the video time length is longer than the designated time limit, judges reserve the right to listen to different sections of the piece. Participants may not upload an incomplete movement/piece