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(Paragraph 1 is adjudicated by all judges)
Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied vocal music characterized
by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly
homophonic texture. The melody is consistently sung by the lead,
with the tenor harmonizing above the melody, the bass singing the
lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone completing the chord.
The melody is not sung by the tenor except for an infrequent note
or two to avoid awkward voice leading, in tags or codas, or when
some appropriate embellishing effect can be created. Occasional
brief passages may be sung by fewer than four voice parts.
(Paragraph 2 is adjudicated primarily
by the Music judges)
Barbershop
music features songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable
melodies, whose tones clearly define a tonal center and imply major
and minor chords and barbershop (dominant and secondary dominant)
seventh chords that resolve primarily around the circle of fifths,
while making frequent use of other resolutions. Barbershop music
also features a balanced and symmetrical form, and a standard meter.
The basic song and its harmonization are embellished by the arranger
to provide appropriate support of the song's theme and to close
the song effectively.
(Paragraph 3 is adjudicated primarily
by the Singing judges)
Barbershop singers adjust pitches to achieve perfectly tuned chords
in just intonation while remaining true to the established tonal
center. Artistic singing in the barbershop style exhibits a fullness
or expansion of sound, precise intonation, a high degree of vocal
skill, and a high level of unity and consistency within the ensemble.
Ideally, these elements are natural, unmanufactured, and free from
apparent effort.
(Paragraph 4 is adjudicated primarily
by the Presentation judges)
The presentation of barbershop music uses appropriate musical and
visual methods to convey the theme of the song and provide the audience
with an emotionally satisfying and entertaining experience. The
musical and visual delivery is from the heart, believable, and sensitive
to the song and its arrangement throughout. The most stylistic presentation
artistically melds together the musical and visual aspects to create
and sustain the illusions suggested by the music.
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