For Directors

Music Selection

At Con Brio, ensembles perform festival appropriate music of their own selection from their repertoire.

Quality of the music selected is of concern to the adjudicators, who will make comments on the appropriateness of your selections as well as the quality of your performances, so please choose repertoire carefully. We are a bit more particular about repertoire for the older bands, but with a young developing band, as long it’s not a pop tune, most things are good. It has more to do with substance and style than the source material – and film scores are often good pieces of music with substance. The Ralph Ford arrangement of Lord of the Rings, for example, is a particularly good young band arrangement.

  • Two or three pieces of contrasting style is recommended for band.
  • Choral selections should be limited to four pieces. A capella singing is encourage.
  • Jazz selections should be limited to three  pieces and allow opportunities for improvisation.
  • Quality of the music selected is of importance to the adjudicators, who will make comments on the appropriateness of your selections as well as the quality of your performances, so please choose repertoire carefully.

Ensembles are to perform festival-appropriate music of your own selection from your repertoire. Two or three pieces of contrasting style is recommended. Quality of the music selected is of concern to the adjudicators, who will make comments on the appropriateness of your selections as well as the quality of your performances, so please choose repertoire carefully. A capella singing for choirs is encouraged. Jazz selections should allow opportunities for improvisation.

Your Choice of Graded or Ungraded Performance

We believe that learning is not enhanced by a competitive environment and created our festivals to be non-competitive. We also understand that there is sometimes value in knowing where your ensemble ranks. Directors may select to have their ensemble graded to receive a bronze, silver, or gold ranking according to accepted standards and expectations for excellence. All ensembles receive the same adjudication materials and plaque regardless of which option is chosen, the only difference being that no mark or grade is assigned when the ungraded option is selected. In keeping with our commitment to a non-competitive environment, there is no publication of results. They are only for you and your ensemble.

Gold signifies that an ensemble has achieved excellence in all facets of its performance.
Silver signifies that an ensemble is demonstrating an exceedingly high standard of musical performance.
Bronze signifies an above-average quality of performance with latitude for improvement.

Scores

All directors must bring copies of scores/octavos for the adjudicators. These are in addition to the scores/octavos you will be using yourself.

  • Choral – 2 copies of each selection to be performed
  • Band – 2 copies of each selection to be performed
  • Jazz Band – 1 copy of each selection to be performed

Photocopied scores or octavos will not be accepted for adjudication unless accompanied by a letter of consent from the copyright owner or publisher. If you purchase music online and self-print, affix a copy of the e-mail confirmation at time of purchase to each piece of music and/or highlight permission to perform.

Scores/octavos are to be handed to your festival guide on your arrival at the performance room, who will deliver them to the adjudicators.   This music will be returned to you at the end of the ensemble workshop that immediately follows your performance. Please be sure to take it with you from the workshop room.

On Performance Day

Check in at the Festival Desk for your performance location 50 MINUTES before your performance time, where you will be introduced to your festival guide and then taken to storage, warm up, performance room, workshop and back to storage.

Storage

Coats and/or instrument cases will be stored in an area provided by the Festival for the time your ensemble is scheduled to be in its warm up, performance and workshop only. Please note that the Festival accepts no responsibility for the loss of personal property. Valuables are to be kept on the person or in the care of chaperones at all times and not left in Festival storage areas. At all other times, ensembles must arrange for storage of equipment in their hotels or buses.

Warm Up Room

Concert Band & Concert Choir: A warm up room is provided immediately prior to the performance for a maximum of 30 MINUTES (Band) and 20 MINUTES (Choir). You will be taken to the performance area 10 minutes before your performance time.  Jazz band warms  on stage.

Audience

It’s no fun performing to an empty hall.  To ensure an audience, regardless of performance time, you will be scheduled for one performance as an audience.  Attendance at other performances is your choice.  We encourage you to schedule time for your students to hear other groups and expose them to the music-making of others. In the past, some directors have asked their students to act as adjudicators themselves – analyzing strengths and weaknesses of other groups, listening critically to the music, their own sections, solos, etc. Several use standard adjudication forms for their students to make their comments. It’s something you might like to consider doing with your own students.

ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS: CONCERT BAND 

PERFORMANCE TIME is limited to a maximum of 30 MINUTES including set up, breakdown and exit.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Adjudicators will evaluate on the following criteria:
stylistic interpretation, intonation, dynamics, attacks, releases, articulation, blend, balance, phrasing, repertoire, instrumentation, deportment, overall ensemble musicianship and appropriateness of the music in style and challenge to the ensemble.

Evaluation Sheet: Concert Band.

WORKSHOP:  Each ensemble receives a 30-MINUTE workshop with a Festival adjudicator immediately following the performance. Observations made during the performance will be used to build ensemble strengths.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

Warm up room
  • Chairs and music stands
  • 1 bass amplifier with one input
Workshop Room
  • 1 pair of tympani
  • 1 bass drum
  • 1 bass amplifier with one input.
Performance Room
  • Chairs and music stands
  • 4 tympani
  • 1 bass drum
  • 1 chimes/tubular bells
  • 1 orchestral bells
  • 1 xylophone
  • 1 gong
  • 1 suspended cymbal
  • 1 marimba
  • 1 vibraphone
  • 1 five-piece drum set with snare, hardware with standard cymbal set (hi-hat, ride, crash) & suspended cymbal
  • 1 88 key weighted keyboard
  • 1 keyboard amplifier
  • 1 bass amplifier with one input

Bring additional cymbals, with stand, if required

The Festival does not provide:

Snare drums & stands, mallets, beaters, sticks, auxiliary percussion or any equipment not specified above.

Concert Band Percussion Layout and Seating Chart

 ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS: CONCERT/CHAMBER CHOIR

PERFORMANCE TIME is limited to 25 MINUTES including entrance and exit.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Adjudicators will evaluate on the following criteria:

stylistic interpretation, intonation, dynamics, phrasing, diction, blend, balance, repertoire, deportment, overall ensemble musicianship and appropriateness of the music in style and challenge to the ensemble. All aspects of performance, including accompaniment, will be considered.

Evaluation Sheet: Concert & Chamber Choir

WORKSHOP:  Immediately following the performance, each concert choir receives a 30-MINUTE workshop. Observations made during the performance will be used to build ensemble strengths.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

Warm up room
  • 4 rows of chairs
  • Music stand
  • 1 88-key weighted keyboard
Performance/Workshop Room
  • Risers (5 sections, 4 steps – 5 rows including floor)
  • 6’ grand piano and stool
  • Music stand for director
  • Power bar & music stands for auxiliary instruments

ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS: JAZZ BAND

PERFORMANCE TIME is a maximum of 25 MINUTES that includes set up, introduction of the ensemble, performance and exit.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Adjudicators will evaluate on the following criteria:

Stylistic interpretation & improvisation, intonation, dynamics, attacks, releases, articulation, blend, balance, repertoire, instrumentation, deportment, overall ensemble musicianship and appropriateness of the music in both style and challenge, to the ensemble.

Evaluation Sheet: Jazz Band.

WORKSHOP:  Immediately following the performance, each jazz ensemble receives a 30-MINUTE workshop with a Festival adjudicator.

Equipment provided

WARM/Performance/Workshop Room
      • chairs and music stands
      • 1 bass amplifier
      • 1 guitar amplifier
      • 1 keyboard amplifier
      • 1 88 key weighted keyboard
      • 1 five-piece drum set with snare, hardware with standard cymbal set (hi hat, ride, crash).
      • congas with stand
      • 1 full-size motorized vibraphone

Please bring additional cymbals, with stand, if required

The Festival does not provide:
      • Mallets, beaters, sticks
      • Auxiliary percussion
      • Any equipment not specified above.

Jazz Band Seating Chart

ADJUDICATION PACKAGES

An e-mail link to access performance recordings and recorded adjudicator comments will be sent to you prior to the festival. This link will become active at the festival at 8:30 PM on Saturday.

Adjudication packages may be picked up at Sun Peaks Grand Festival Desk from 8:30 p,m. on Saturday onwards. Adjudicator comments will provide a basis for continued development of the ensemble. Each ensemble receives:

      • the written and/or recorded evaluation of two adjudicators (concert band & choir);
      • the written and/or recorded evaluation of one adjudicator (jazz band);
      • a performance recording
      • an engraved plaque. A grade is added where applicable.

FRIDAY INSTRUMENT INTENSIVES

Con Brio Sun Peaks instrumental workshops are designed to reinforce the words that young musicians hear time and again from their band directors. It’s often an illumination to students that we are all working with the same information and that our education and experience does mean that we have considerable expertise! Sometimes, they just need to hear about the importance of posture, position, technique, etc. from one more person to actually believe it.

Please have your students bring their massed band music with them.  It will provide the basis for discussion as we play through. We will work through all of the basics at a rapid pace to ensure the musicians are looking, sounding, and doing the very best work in their performances at the festival and in their rehearsals when they return home. The intensives are an interactive, fast paced and fun experience that will help improve their musicianship.

SATURDAY VOICE WORKSHOPS 

Students find their best singing voice in this one-hour workshop using techniques that we all have in common. Please have your students bring the massed choir music with them for common reference.

MASSED CHOIR REHEARSAL

In preparation for the massed choir, all singers participate in a 90-MINUTE rehearsal. Please ensure your singers come prepared, as notation will not be taught.

MASSED ENSEMBLES

The massed ensembles create a tangible example of what is possible in large choir or band. Imagine being one of 15 tenor voices or one of 8 french horns instead of one of two……..or perhaps the only one in your section. The massed ensembles deliver a stirring and unforgettable finale to the festival experience. Music Directors – bring your instruments/voices and join in the fun. Concert dress is not required. Come comfortably dressed for the journey home, but no hats please!

MUSIC FOR MASSED ENSEMBLES

Music for the massed ensembles is sent to you in advance of the Festival for mastery of notation and basic rehearsal. This music is the property of Con Brio Festivals. Please return any undistributed music when you register on site.  All other music will be collected following each of the the massed performances.

FESTIVAL PASSES

Each registered participant receives a personalized Festival Pass prepared from the Festival Information Form list you provide to Ellison Travel & Tours. Passes are required for admission and participation in all Festival events and are to be worn at all times while at Festival venues. They may be removed for performance. Music Directors are asked to check in at the Festival Desk at the Sun Peaks Grand on arrival to pick up Festival passes. This is separate from hotel check-in, where you will be assisted by Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd.

ON-SITE INFORMATION

Our festival staff are available to assist you daily at festival sites. Representatives from Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. & Long & McQuade will be on site for the Festival duration to assist with your travel and accommodation or instrument needs.

HOTEL CHECK-OUT

You will need to coordinate your hotel/condo check out time with your massed performance workshop. Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. will be pleased to assist you.

HOTEL & TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Con Brio Festivals is pleased to appoint Ellison Travel and Tours as its lead agent to handle festival registration, travel and accommodation arrangements for the Con Brio Whistler Music Festival. Please contact your tour planner with any travel and accommodation questions you may have.

MEDIA/SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE

Local and/or national media, including social media, radio stations, television stations, newspapers and magazine writers and photographers, may be invited to attend Con Brio Festivals. The media may record comments, videotape and photograph for various programs, documentaries and features. This includes videographers and photographers employed by Con Brio Festivals directly to archive and capture the festival in its entirety. All ensembles (unless they have notified the Festival in writing that they do not wish to participate) will be considered for participation. Registering for the Festival constitutes the Ensemble’s agreement and permission for such media coverage, and constitutes a waiver of all copyrights, fees and royalties unless the Festival is notified in advance in writing.

FESTIVAL QUESTIONS?

Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can be of help.
Phone: 604-908-1293     E-mail: info@conbriofestivals.ca