On stage or on the field when the first notes are played, the true test of many hours of preparation begins. In the business of scholastic music education, the performers are young and sometimes things don’t go as hoped. Many times a fixation on the negative by an adjudicator can cause disappointment and frustration since so much has gone into preparing for a performance and no one goes on stage with the intention of performing poorly.
The first and most important thing for an adjudicator to remember is that the members of a performing group are people. The members have feelings and emotion and those elements are tied into the performance at a very personal level. It is important to find positive aspects of a performance, cite them and give praise to the performers for that accomplishment to reward the effort that resulted in that achievement so they will desire to continue achieving. When presenting aspects of a performance that are not meeting expectations, a gentle and kind approach has far better results. It should be as if the adjudicator was speaking to the performer on a personal face to face level offering helpful solutions like a coach to preserve the student’s enthusiasm so they will continue to learn and grow.
Education and training are crucial factors to achieve positive results in any field. One of the most recognized names around the country in the pageantry arts adjudication world is the Central States Judges Association. CSJA requires that its judges participate in continuing education professional development and update training every 24 months. CSJA also evaluates each judge’s recorded comments in each caption annually to ensure that comments are communicated in a positive professional manor focusing on education and supporting the assigned score and placement. Membership in the Central States Judges Association requires trial judging, an oral board examination and approval by all members. A majority of the member music judges are current and retired band directors and music teachers having an extensive teaching experience and performance background with a variety of ensembles. CSJA visual judges have a vast depth of experience in dance, choreography, color guard weaponry, marching technique and drill design. To find out more about Central States Judges Association, please click the CSJA logo below.
To request adjudication for your concert, jazz, marching or solo & ensemble event, please click ‘Contact Us’ on the top menu. You may also contact us for referral of Florida Bandmasters Association certified adjudicator recommendations.