O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat
Singers Scramble and Texas Tune Tussle

Definitions
Singers Scramble – a singing ensemble consisting of an instructor/coach and students that is challenged with selecting, rehearsing and performing on stage a song or songs up to a maximum of 8 minutes.

Texas Tune Tussles – an instrumental ensemble consisting of an instructor/coach and students that is challenged with selecting, rehearsing and performing on stage instrumental melodies up to a maximum of 8 minutes.

Purpose
One of the most enjoyable aspects of music is its performance.  Regardless of one’s level, playing or singing in front of others is exhilarating, and when the audience is packed with encouraging supporters, it’s momentous.  We want our contests to be fun and begin a tradition of student performance that ends our retreat Sunday night on the right note.

Requirements
Students will voluntarily enroll in rehearsals of the Singers Scramble or the Texas Tune Tussle when they register.  There is one 60-minute rehearsal each day of the retreat at 5-6 p.m. and, to be eligible to perform with the ensemble at the Sunday contests, we prefer that the students attend all three rehearsals.  The instructor/coach may waive this requirement.

Forming Ensembles
One week before the retreat, students who have previously enrolled in the rehearsals will be assigned to ensembles by a committee.  The committee will attempt to balance each ensemble as much as is possible with the enrollment information given.  Only the students assigned to the ensembles will be permitted to perform with their respective ensembles, meaning -- no recruiting ringers or stealing players from other ensembles.  Ensembles may involve the audience in their performance.   

Rules

1.      Rehearsals are not limited to the 60-minute daily sessions.  The students may meet or practice outside of these times to prepare their performances.  The instructor/coaches, however, can only attend the three scheduled rehearsals. 

2.      Ensembles entering the Texas Tune Tussle contest may only use tunes found in any of the O’Flaherty retreat tunebooks.  Ensembles in the Singers Scramble must sing songs of Irish origin in any language understood in Ireland.  It is up to the ensemble to determine what materials it will perform.  The instructor/coach may offer ideas and help as requested.

3.      All of the students of an ensemble must perform within the 8 minute performance.  The instructor/coach may participate as the ensemble chooses.

4.      All of the singers and/or instruments will be miked (as the number of mics allow) and a brief sound check will be permitted before the performance begins.  This must happen quickly or points could be taken off by the judges.

5.      During the time that an ensemble takes the stage, a representative may approach the judges to offer any incentives or bribes with the intent of persuading the judges to judge its performance more favorably.  Threats and monetary bribes, however, are not permitted.

6.      The performance on stage will begin with the first note played or sung and must be no more than 8 minutes in length including any remarks.  A timer will be set and the ensemble will be warned when the 8 minutes is about to be up.  The performance must end soon thereafter.

7.      The judges will deliberate following the contests and announce their awards following the closing instructors’ concert.

What the Judges Are Looking For
A number of awards will be awarded but will not be announced until the contests are over.  The top award for the Singers Scramble and the Texas Tune Tussle will be for “Most Entertaining.”  Here is a list that the judges will consider in their deliberations:  arrangements, song or music selection, props, antics of any kind, group spirit, collaborative effort, presentation, introduction, wit, humor, creativity, things that make the ensemble distinctive and, of course, the quality of the bribes.  Performances must be “family friendly.”  Clearly, it’s not just about the music, it’s about having FUN!