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 pieces of contrasting style is recommended for band and orchestra.
  • 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.

Scores

Directors are to bring copies of scores/octavos for the adjudicators.  These are in addition to the score/octavo you will be using yourself.

  • Choral – 2 copies of each selection to be performed
  • Band & Orchestra – 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.   They 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.

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 for you and your ensemble only.

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.

On Performance Day

Check in at the Festival Desk at your performance location. A festival guide will help you to storage, warm up, performance room, workshop room 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

A warm up room is provided immediately prior to the performance. Your festival guide will alert you when you have 5 minutes remaining and take you to the performance area, where you will be greeted by the performance room manager.

Conductor scores/octavos for the adjudicators

Please give these to your guide on arrival at the performance room. Your guide will take them to the adjudicators. They will be left on the conductor’s stand in the workshop immediately following your performance.  Please be sure to take them with you.

Audience

It is no fun performing to an empty hall.  To ensure an audience, regardless of performance time, you will be scheduled an audience time.  Attendance at other performances is of your choosing.

Please be sure 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 & ORCHESTRA

WARM UP:  A warm-up room is available for 20 MINUTES* including entrance and exit.  A guide will alert you when there is 5 minutes remaining and take you to the performance room.

PERFORMANCE TIME is a maximum of of 20 MINUTES* including set up, introduction of the ensemble, performance, commentary from the adjudicators, and exit from the stage. This time block is strictly enforced. An ensemble exceeding this time restriction will have its performance cut short.

* If you weren’t with us last year, please note that this a change from previous years due to circumstances beyond our control.

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 and Orchestra.

WORKSHOP: Each ensemble receives a 50-MINUTE workshop (excluding entrance and exit) with a Festival adjudicator immediately following its 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)
  • 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
  • Any equipment not specified above.

Concert Band Seating Layout

Orchestra Seating Layout

ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS: CONCERT/CHAMBER CHOIR

WARM UP:  A warm-up room is available for 20 MINUTES including entrance and exit.  A guide will alert you when there is 5 minutes remaining and take you to the performance room.

PERFORMANCE TIME is 25 MINUTES including set up, introduction of the ensemble, performance, commentary from the adjudicators, and exit from the stage. This time block will be strictly enforced. Any ensemble exceeding this time restriction will have its performance stopped.

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 50-MINUTE workshop (excluding entrance and exit). Observations made during the performance will be used to build ensemble strengths.

Equipment Provided

Warm Up Room:
  • 4 rows of chairs
  • Music stand, upright acoustic piano and stool
Workshop Room:
  • Chairs and music stand
  • 1 88-key weighted keyboard
Performance Area:
    • Risers (5 sections, 4 steps – 5 rows including floor)
    • 6′ Grand piano and stool
    • Music stand for director
    • Power bar & stands for auxiliary instruments

ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS: JAZZ BAND

WARM UP: A warm-up room is available for 25 MINUTES including entrance and exit.  A guide will alert you when there is 5 minutes remaining and take you to the performance room.

PERFORMANCE TIME is a maximum of 25 MINUTES that includes including set up, sound check, introduction of the ensemble, performance, commentary from the adjudicators and exit from the stage. This time block will be strictly enforced. Any ensemble exceeding this time restriction will have its performance stopped.

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 50-MINUTE workshop with a Festival adjudicator.

Equipment Provided

Warm Up Room/Performance Room/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)
In addition, the performance room will have:
  • congas with stand
  • 1 full-sized motorized vibraphone
  • multi-channel sound reinforcement
  • 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 LAYOUT

ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS: DRUMLINE

PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOP TIME is a total of 60 MINUTES including entry, set up, performance, workshop and exit.  Both performance and workshop are in the same room, so workshop time is variable depending on the length of the performance.

Equipment provided:

  • Quad toms
  • 4 bass drums of varying sizes

ADJUDICATION PACKAGES

A link to performance recordings and recorded adjudicator comments is e-mailed to each director prior to the festival and becomes active at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. Adjudication packages may be picked up at the Festival Desk from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday onwards. Adjudicator comments will provide a basis for continued development of the ensemble. Each ensemble receives:

Concert Band/Orchestra and Concert Choir

              • The written and/or recorded evaluation of two adjudicators
              • A performance recording
              • An engraved plaque – a grade is added where applicable

Jazz Band 

              • The written and/or recorded evaluation of one adjudicator
              • A performance recording
              • An engraved plaque – a grade is added where applicable

Drumline

              • The written evaluation of one adjudicator
              • A performance recording
              • An engraved plaque – a grade is added where applicable

SATURDAY  BAND & ORCHESTRA INTENSIVES

Have you ever gone to a festival and wished you could have worked with more than one of the faculty? At Con Brio we provide that opportunity to provide maximum benefit through active learning. In this 50-MINUTE ensemble intensive you will be working with a different leader in band/orchestra education to your adjudication workshop. Ensembles are to bring all of their music with them.  

Important note: this is an ensemble-building workshop, not a rehearsal for the massed ensembles.

SATURDAY VOICE MASTER CLASSES

Singers participate in 50 -MINUTE master classes with a vocal specialist. Participants should bring their massed performance music with them for use as a 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, band or string orchestra. Imagine being one of 40 tenor voices or one of 20 French horns rather than one of two…. or perhaps the only one. 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 on loan 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 lists 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 Whistler Conference Centre 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 all festival sites. Representatives from Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. and 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. All monies are to be paid in full in advance of the Festival according to the schedule set out by Ellison Travel and Tours.

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

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