Entries will be judged for skill in music composition as influenced by documentable period practices. An entry may be vocal or instrumental, or both. Entry must include a legible score in modern notation, with lyrics, if any. Lyrics must be period or original in period style. Entries must be performed live or on tape; performance skills will not be judged, but instrumentation will.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)

• 0:No actual documentation
• 1:3x5 card with any one of the following: country of origin, period of origin, form of composition, one copy of music for the judge
• 2:3x5 card with any two of the above
• 3:3x5 card with any three of the above
• 4:3x5 card with all four of the above

• 0:Not at all authentic
• 1:Authenticity questionable
• 2:An authentic form or style is attempted, but isn't successful
• 3:An authentic form or style is attempted with some success
• 4:Accurate and appropriate, however simple, realization of a period style or form

• 1:Simple short melody in less than an octave range, very little rhythmic variation
• 2:Simple short melody an octave in range and/or some rhythmic variation
• 3:Melody with one of the following traits
  competent use of a more complex rhythm (Ex. use of a dotted rhythm)
  more complex melody (Ex. good sense of phrasing, attempt at text painting, or multiple sections)
• 4:Either the piece exemplifies both traits in #3, or one trait is more developed or some attempt at multiple "voicing" is made - either melody with choral accompaniment or very simple round
• 5:Both traits in #3 are developed or there is a somewhat more advanced attempt at multiple part-writing

• 1:SCA-type song (basically a modern folk style), rather poor
• 2:"Period style"song, rather poor; or somewhat better SCA song
• 3:Fair SCA song; or period style, but has several problems
• 4:SCA song, catchy and singable tune; or fair period style piece
• 5:Period style piece that holds together; "real music"

• 1:Piece illogical in context of period or accompaniment is improvised in performance.
• 2:Use of pre-existing text set to original music.
• 3:Some original but ununified elements.
• 4:Unified combination of both period elements and original elements logical to period context.
• 5:Presence of innovative methods logical to period to combine disparate elements and techniques.
• 6:Original as a period composer might have been original, including an adaptation and balance of several period techniques; use of special or unusual elements; special appropriateness to stated occasion or situation.

• 1:Cacophony
• 2:Some melodic attempt, but rather poor
• 3:No harmony, but fair melody
• 4:Occasional sour note or question of harmony
• 5:Fits together, but there is some problem (Ex. -inappropriate ornamentation, unsettling resolution of melody, too many beats in a given measure)
• 6:Everything fits nicely; it sounds like music

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least 1 page; 2-3 pages preferable. More is acceptable. Give one point for each of the following that is present:

• 0:No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
• 1:Minimum information (time, place, style, specific techniques used).
• 2:#1, with more discussion of each technique used; cites precedents or models for each.
• 3:#2 plus cites intended occasion/situation for first performance. Gives rationale for choice of specified instrumentation (or, if score gives none, rationale for instrumentation of entry performance).
• 4:#3 plus discussion of appropriateness of chosen techniques to total work. Explains any original research or experiment. Explains any deviation or variation from period norms.

0. 0:Work is written in non-period compositional styles.
1. 1:Captures a few basic period stylistics; has some period feel but misses overall effect.
2. 2:Captures period sentiment; still some inconsistencies, e.g. obvious modern overtones, obvious mixing of elements from different periods or cultures.
3. 3:Impression is completely and consistently period.
4. 4:The work feels as though it were written by a reincarnated spirit of a period musician. It inspires the same reactions as a period composition would have in equivalent circumstances. COMPLEXITY (1-5 points)
   • 1:Simple short melody in less than an octave range, very little rhythmic variation
   • 2:Simple short melody an octave in range and/or some rhythmic variation
   • 3:Melody with one of the following traits:
     competent use of a more complex rhythm (Ex. use of a dotted rhythm)
     more complex melody (Ex. good sense of phrasing, attempt at text painting, or multiple sections)
   • 4:Either the piece exemplifies both traits in #3, or one trait is more developed or some attempt at multiple "voicing" is made - either melody with choral accompaniment or very simple round
   • 5:Both traits in #3 are developed or there is a somewhat more advanced attempt at multiple part-writing
   WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.
   
   • score: clear, legible, accurate (can it be eight-read?)
   • suitability for performance (note technical demands on performers)
   • harmonic and contrapuntal technique ("horizontal" and "vertical" sonorities and voice-leading as appropriate to period practice)
   • overall musical form (is the work a consistent, unified whole?)

     [Consider in the following only if applicable]

   • compatibility of music and lyrics, including text placement
   CREATIVITY (1-4 points)Give score based on the following:
   
   • 1:Some original but ununified elements.
   • 2:Unified combination of both period elements and original elements logical to period context.
   • 3:Presence of innovative methods logical to period to combine disparate elements and techniques.
   • 4:Original as a period composer might have been original, including an adaptation and balance of several period techniques; use of special or unusual elements; special appropriateness to stated occasion or situation.
   QUALITY (1-8 points) Evaluate the work as a whole

   NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, and other such items not previously addressed. Keep in mind that this entry is at Intermediate Level, regardless of the skill of the entrant.

   
   

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   MUSIC COMPOSITION - ADVANCED

   DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)

   • 0:No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
   • 1:Minimum information (time, place, style, specific techniques used).
   • 2:#1, with more discussion of each technique used; cites precedents or models for each. Cites intended occasion/situation for first performance. Gives rationale for choice of specified instrumentation (or, if score gives none, rationale for instrumentation of entry performance).
   • 3:#2, plus discussion of appropriateness of chosen techniques to total work.
   • 4:#3, plus in-depth discussion of applicable period conventions; appropriateness of lyrics (if any) to piece; thematic relationships; private or subtle references. Explains any original research or experiment. Explains any deviation or variation from period norms
   AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)
   • 0:Work is written in non-period compositional styles.
   • 1:Captures a few basic period stylistics; has some period feel but misses overall effect.
   • 2:Captures period sentiment; still some inconsistencies, e.g. obvious modern overtones, obvious mixing of elements from different periods or cultures.
   • 3:Impression is completely and consistently period.
   • 4:The work feels as though it were written by a reincarnated spirit of a period musician. It inspires the same reactions as a period composition would have in equivalent circumstances.
   COMPLEXITY (0-6 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following. Note: Judge how complex the composition is, not how difficult to perform.
   
   • scope of effort (length, pitch range, number of parts, modes employed, instrumentation, etc.)
   • difficulty of overall musical form
   • contrapuntal and harmonic ideal attempted
   • embellishment and virtuosic ideal attempted
   WORKMANSHIP (0-6 points) ) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following.
   
   • score: clear, legible, accurate (can it be eight-read?)
   • suitability for performance (note technical demands on performers)
   • harmonic and contrapuntal technique ("horizontal" and "vertical" sonorities and voice-leading as appropriate to period practice)
   • overall musical form (is the work a consistent, unified whole?)

     [Consider in the following only if applicable]

   • compatibility of music and lyrics, including text placement
   CREATIVITY (0-4 points)
   
   • 0:Piece illogical in context of period.
   • 1:Some original but ununified elements.
   • 2:Unified combination of both period elements and original elements logical to period context.
   • 3:Presence of innovative methods logical to period to combine disparate elements and techniques.
   • 4:Original as a period composer might have been original, including an adaptation and balance of several period techniques; use of special or unusual elements; special appropriateness to stated occasion or situation.
   QUALITY (1-6 points) Evaluate the work as a whole.

   NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed

   
   

   

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