Influence of Selected Variables on Solo and Small-Ensemble Festival Ratings

Abstract

With this study, we examined four potential influences on American high school solo and small-ensenble festival adjudicator ratings-time of day, performing medium (vocal or instrumental), type of event (solo or ensemble), and school size. A total of 7,355 instrumental and vocal events from two consecutive midwestern state solo and ensemblefestivals were analyzed. The twofestivals, held in 2001 and 2002, employed 75 adjudicators (33 vocal and 42 instrumental). Statistically significant differences were found in the main effects of time of day, type of event, and school size. The averages rating for all events moved toward "Superior" ("I") as the day progressed. This tendency, found in all size classifications except the largest, was most prevalent among events from mid-size schools. Large-school events received higher average ratings than did small-school events. Although preliminary analyses showed that small-school events were disproportionately held during morning hours, the interaction between time of day and school size was not significant. Significant time-of-day by performingmedium (vocal/instrumental) and type-of-event (solo/ensemble) by performing-medium interactions were found. The two performing media seemed to mirror each other's rating patterns. Vocal ensemble events were more likely to receive a superior rating than were vocal solo events, whereas the opposite was true for instrumental events. Similar time-of-day tendencies were found in both festivals, despite almost entirely different adjudicators. Representing a more even mix of public school and college teachers and selected based on different criteria, the 2002 adjudicators awarded significantly more Superior ratings.Each year, participation in evaluative festivals serves as an important rite of passage for thousands of young musicians in American schools. For many soloists and small-ensemble members, success at evaluative festivals represents the achievement of a major performance MartinJ. Bergee is an associate professor of music education in the School of Music and Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, 138 Fine Arts, MU, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211; e-mail: bergeem@missouri.edu. Melvin C. Platt is a professor of music and director of the School of Music at the same institution;

An Examination of the Reliabilities of Two Choral Festival Adjudication Forms

“…Form B yielded significantly different ratings in every dimension except interpretation, suggesting that the adjudicators in this setting rated the choirs more severely when using Form B. This finding contradicts previous research (Bergee & Platt, 2003;Bergee & Westfall, 2005) (Asmus, 1999;Gordon, 2002;Whitcomb, 1999). The goal of all assessment research should focus on the development of reliable and valid tools that are specific enough to provide diagnostic feedback for conductors and performers, yet global enough to allow for artistic expression.…”

Validation of a Model of Extramusical Influences on Solo and Small-Ensemble Festival Ratings

“…Although cause and effect has yet to be established, these influences seem quite salient; they persist across time In accordance, a line of investigation has attempted to develop a theoretical model of key extramusical influences. In the first study in this series, Bergee and Platt (2003) examined four potential influences on state high school solo and small-ensemble festival ratingstime of day, performing medium (vocal or instrumental), type of event (solo or ensemble), and school size. A total of 7,355 instrumental and vocal events from two consecutive Midwestern state solo and small-ensemble music festivals (the 2001 and2002 Missouri State Music Festivals) were analyzed.…”

Beginning and intermediate piano students’ experiences participating in evaluative performances

“…For vocal entries, being part of an ensemble was beneficial, while instrumental soloists tended to be more highly rated than ensemble entries. Bergee and McWhirter (2005) sought to replicate Bergee and Platt's (2003) study and confirmed the findings from the earlier research. They also investigated the impact of school district expenditure and found, not surprisingly, that increased spending resulted in higher festival results.…”

“…Bergee and Platt (2003) identified time of day, school size and whether the performance was by a solo or ensemble as factors that influence how many superior ratings are awarded in a solo and small-ensemble festival competition. Competitors who came from larger schools and who performed in the afternoon were more likely to receive high ratings.…”

“…In evaluative performances, objectivity is supposed to be achieved by having standard training procedures for examiners and by having more than one adjudicator at some festivals. However, even when the evaluation criteria are determined ahead of time and the evaluators are given consistent training, judging a musical performance is still intensely personal and influenced by a variety of nonmusical factors (Bergee and Platt, 2003;Ryan, Wapnick, Lacaille, and Darrow, 2006). Because many music educators feel the need to establish the legitimacy of their discipline, they often resort to strategies that have been applied in other areas of learning without examining the costs.…”