“…Performers’ physical attributes have been linked with adjudicators’ initial impressions (Fredrickson, Johnson, & Robinson, 1998; Robinson, 2000) and assigned performance ratings (Ryan & Costa-Giomi, 2004; Siddell-Strebel, 2007; Wapnick, Darrow, Kovacs, & Dalrymple, 1997; Wapnick, Mazza, & Darrow, 1998, 2000) along with other visual factors including performer race (Elliott, 1995b; Goldin & Rouse, 2000; Johnson & Stewart, 2005; McCrary, 1993), perceived performance status (Duerksen, 1972), choral conductors’ body types (VanWeelden, 2002), and preference for performances with memorized versus nonmemorized music (Siddell-Strebel, 2007; Williamon, 1999). Findings from these studies indicate that visual and nonmusical factors influence adjudicators’ perceptions of performance quality.…”