Contest Rules and Judging Info

Song & Music

Contestants can sing to a backing track or they can accompany themselves on guitar or piano or some other instrument.  Since this is a singing contest, you will only be  JUDGED ON YOUR VOCAL TALENTS.  The song cannot exceed five minutes, the words have to be family friendly and the song memorized.  You can sing any type of music.  We hear everything from Broadway to rock n’ roll, country rock, country, folk, jazz, blues, swing, contemporary Christian, arias from operas and much more.  Once you have your performance filmed (please make sure the audio sounds good) e-mail me at the address provided.  You will then be sent download instructions.  If you are using a camera or some other device that uses an SD card or Compact Flash card, simply mail me the card and I’ll take care of everything.  (Only include your performance on the card)  When you mail the card, please include a postage-paid self-addressed return envelope.

Eligibility 
Youth Division contestants must be at least 13 but no older than 20 years of age ON September 27, 2020. (Contestants must not be younger than 13 or older than 20 on that date, regardless of their age when they qualified at the city level for that division).  Contestants 21 and older will compete in the 21 & older division.
This is an amateur competition, so if more than 25% of your 2019 income came from singing, then we consider you to be a professional and not eligible to compete.
4. Only individual contestants are eligible, sorry no multiple singers or additional instruments may be used. 
​5. One winner from each division will compete, so be sure winners meet eligibility requirements .

NOTE: Once a contestant has won First Place at Minnesota Sings, he/she is not eligible to compete again. So, a new First  place winner is chosen every year.

​

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Judging at the Minnesota Sings Finals will be conducted by a combination of  performers, instructors and members of the music industry. We have provided a sample of the the judges scoring sheet. cityjudgesscoresheet_sample.pdf This is the same criteria that should be used at each city sings competition.
Vocalists will be judged based on the criteria listed below and will receive judge's brief comments immediately following their performance. All judges' decisions are final.

1. Vocal Skills: Includes pitch, breath control, dynamics, phrasing, enunciation and tone.

2. Presentation Skills:  Includes eye contact, body expression, facial expression, attire, and microphone technique.

3. Audience Response to Performance: Based on judge's observation

4. Judge's Overall Impression of your Performance: At discretion of judges

5. Choice of Material: Singer chose proper song to showcase their abilities

​

​

JUDGES POLICY:

We require all Judges to reside OUTSIDE of Minnesota.  Our judges are carefully selected to assure the most equitable judging team possible. Historically, our judges have represented wide ranges of backgrounds and experience ranging from Broadway, choral direction, world opera stage and naturally touring music group.   Information on this years judges will be posted soon.