Song Leading

Guidelines for Participating in Song Leading:

The participant will lead a song, chosen from the provided list of eligible songs. The songs to be led at the LTCSW convention are chosen by the event directors for this event. These selections are inspired by the current LTCSW theme.

The participant will choose the song he/she will lead at the convention event. This song must be selected from the list of eligible songs. The participant will announce his/her song selection to the event director at the time of the performance.
The participant song leader will lead no more than two verses of the selected song. A song with one verse may be repeated.
Song lyrics and music will be displayed on a screen at the performance. The event director will make arrangements for this.
Boys and girls will present in separate rooms. Men and boys will be allowed in the female song leading with the exception that there will be one session designated for a female only audience.
Spectators will not be allowed to enter or leave the room while a participant is presenting.

Judging Criteria:

Song leading performances will be judged according to eight areas of judging criteria that are explained in detail below. Rach of these areas will be judged on a point continuum that will reflect the skill level of the participant as shown during the event. Three male judges will judge each boy. Three female judges will judge each girl. An award rating will be assigned based on the point average among the three judges’ sheets and the judges’ comments allowing for director discretion.

It has been said that music is one-half math and one-half emotion. Song leading may be expressed in similar terms. A large portion of song leading is indeed singing, while an important aspect of song leading is leadership; spiritual leadership. Therefore, the judging criteria for sone leading are divided into the following:

Song Aspects:
1. (15 points) Sound: VOLUME/PROJECTION. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader’s voice must be loud enough to be heard by the judges and audience while the song is being led. If the group can’t hear the song leader, they can’t follow. The judges may not be sitting at the front of the room. Song leaders must project as if they are in a chorus or playing on a playground. Use your “outside voice.” PITCH. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader must pitch the song so it can be comfortably sung in all four parts–Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. NOTE; Typically, if the song is pitched in the key it is written, it can be comfortably sung in all four parts. A pitch pipe or tuning fork may be used to assist the song leader in pitching the song correctly. Using either to set the pitch is not mandatory and will not negatively impact points awarded.
2. (15 points) Musicianship: ARTICULATION. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader should be understood when speaking and singing. Words are clearly enunciated. MUSICALITY. Knowing the song will make leading ten times easier. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader sings the melody with correct pitch and rhythm. The song is sung as its written, with some light creative license given.
3. (10 points) Timing: TEMPO I. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader must employ a tempo that conveys an appropriate mood for the song. TEMPO II. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader holds a steady tempo from beginning to end (barring any creative license taken) and does not allow the audience to drag or rush. Further, conducting helps to set and keep the tempo throughout the song and if doing so, it is “in tandem” with how the song is being sung.
4. (10 points) Transitions. Each song leader will lead two verses, and only two verses. NO EXCEPTIONS. (Note: A song with a single verse may be repeated once to fulfill this criterion.) To fulfill this criterion, the two verses must be led as the music dictates with smoothness and finesse. The song leader should control the transitions, not the audience.

B. Leading Aspects:
1. (15 points) Leadership. A leader must be strong and confident in their guidance so that they can be easily followed. This is in any situation: a teacher, a military commander, a band director, or a song leader. The audience will sing as you intend them to sing if the song leader “holds the reins.” When confidence and solidity are absent the audience will lead themselves and pull away from the leader making it harder for the song leader to lead and harder for the audience to sing. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader commands authority over the audience to keep them whole. Speak and guide with authority.
2. (15 points) Spirit of Worship. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader sets the tone, mood, and atmosphere for a time of worship. The song leader’s expression and appearance should reflect reverence and adoration. This entails the physical, emotional, and spiritual approach to leading and the musical regard for the song. This sets the audience up for an edifying worship.
3. (10 points) Interaction. Song leading never just entails a single individual worshipping God nor is it soloing in front of a group who happens to join in. Rather, song leading is an individual communicating with the body, and the body communicating praise to the Lord. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader makes frequent eye contact and smiles as is appropriate with t he mood of the chosen song. Additionally, they do not stare at the music.
4. (10 points) Poise. It is only natural to be nervous in front of a group of people, but the song leader channels this nervousness to excel. To fulfill this criterion, the song leader gives the impression that he/she is prepared to lead this song and is confident to perform the task at hand from walking up, announcing, leading, and stepping down.
C. Bonus: For an extra 5 points, use a pitching instrument. It is a wonderful tool to aid a song leader, and, dare it be said, vital. Learning to use one on your journey is a wise decision that can only help if able to use accurately. Ability to match pitch will not be negatively scored as it is a difficult skill to attain.