Adjudicators are largely drawn from a pool of working band directors who have attended a national training event held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since by far the largest part of this festival is educational, the band directors and adjudicators focus at this training event on what should be achievable by each grade of band, and what is actually being achieved.
SCBF was the first music festival where adjudicators had the opportunity to meet and agree on key aspects of performance and band repertoire before the process of “live” adjudication. This leads to a more uniform delivery of adjudication and helps iron out discrepancies, especially between regional events and the National Final.
Performances
Performances at regional level are awarded Platinum, Gold or Gold Plus, Silver or Silver Plus, or Bronze or Bronze Plus, based on the adjudicators’ view of how successfully the band and director have achieved the following:
- Rhythm
- Successful performance of all rhythmic elements, including changes of metre, accelerando and rallentando, appropriate use of rubato and choice of tempi.
- Melody
- Balance throughout each piece of the melodic line and counter-melodies (where present) with the rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment and bass line.
- Tuning & intonation
- Tuning up successfully before the performance and maintaining a high level of “in tune” playing throughout.
- Articulation
- Clearly performing all the styles of articulation each piece requires — legato, staccato, accents and so on.
- Dynamics
- Presenting a carefully structured dynamic range throughout each piece.
- Communication
- The band’s ability to respond to the conductor’s visual direction — and the conductor’s ability to give appropriate visual direction.
- Musicality & interpretation
- Evidence of detailed prior thought and preparation by the conductor on phrasing, creating a musical performance which is more than simply delivering the notes on the page.
- Choice & balance of programme
- A well-conceived, balanced and contrasting programme which plays to the strengths of the ensemble while presenting appropriate technical and musical challenges.
The awards
Awards are presented using the following hierarchy:
- Bronze
- Bronze Plus
- Silver
- Silver Plus
- Gold
- Gold Plus
- Platinum
At the National Final, since there may be several awards at Gold level, and in order to recognise a truly outstanding Gold performance, the adjudicators may, if they consider it appropriate, award one and only one Platinum Award.
At each regional event, the adjudicators may present The Most Entertaining Band award to the band achieving the highest level of performance — visually and aurally — in the optional entertainment item.
At each regional event, the adjudicators may present The Most Outstanding Soloist award to the soloist achieving the highest level of performance in the optional solo feature.
There is also an award for the band which successfully produces and performs the best commissioned new work for band. This award may be won at regional level, and is not necessarily tied to performances at the National Final.
Any questions?
This is a festival for you and your band. If you have any questions or comments about the Scottish Concert Band Festival, please get in touch.