Guidelines for Participating in A Cappella Music Video:

Individually, or as a team of unlimited size, participants will choose, perform, and record a spiritually-themed song.

• The song to be recorded must pertain to the current LTCSW theme.
• The song must be performed a cappella, without instrumentation or synthesizers.
• Participants are allowed to use vocal percussion, which is the art of creating sounds with one’s mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, as instrumental ensemble, or solo.
• The performance may employ appropriate props, costumes, and other elements of visual décor.
• Participants may use a variety of formats for their video, including live-action recording, animation, Claymation, computer animation, stop-motion, etc.
• The performance may tell a story, or simply be a video-recording of singers.
• The video recording must be no shorter than three (3) minutes and no longer than five (5) minutes. This time limit includes any narrative, the song itself, and all video and credits.
• Videos exceeding five minutes in length will be deducted 5 points per thirty seconds of excess length.
• All vocals must be clearly heard on the video recording. If lyrics cannot be heard or understood, 20 points will be deducted.
• Performances will not be based solely on video quality, but points will be deducted if quality interferes with the message of the performance.
• Adults may help and give direction, but only youth participants can be directly involved in each aspect of the performance and the creation of the video.
• Participants can only take an active part in one entry.
• An older participant may help participants in a lower grade level, and this participation should be credited, but if the older participant also makes a video for their own grade level they will only be given a award for that grade level.

 

Judging Criteria:

Performances and their video recordings will be evaluated according to the following criteria.

• Videos will be scored on a scale of 100 possible points.
  1. (30 pts) Adherence to Theme: How well does the video depict the LTCSW theme through visuals and lyrics? Is it easy to see the theme in the words and visuals?
  2. (5 pts) Creativity: Does the video depict thought and effort?
  3. (25 pts) Clarity: Is the video clear enough to get the message across? Are the lyrics/audio clear and understood?
  4. (10 pts) Effort: Is the quality of workmanship appropriate for the age of the group?
  5. (10 pts) Authenticity: Do costumes fit the characters? Do the vocalists look appropriate?
  6. (10 pts) Appeal: Does the video capture the audience’s attention?
  7. (10 pts) Props: Do props and backgrounds “go” with the story? Does the background distract from the vocalists?
• As appropriate, the following penalties will be applied to the overall score.
  1. Minus 5 points will be deducted per thirty seconds of excessive length (over the 5 minute maximum).
  2. Minus 5 points will be deducted for lack of or improper documentation (fully noted title sheet).
  3. Minus 20 points will be deducted for incomprehensible vocals.
  4. Performances with instrumentation and/or synthesizers are not eligible for judging.
• As a general rule, awards will should assigned accordingly: GOLD, 95-100 points; SILVER, 85-94 points; BRONZE, 70-84 points; and NO AWARD, 0-69 points.
• The Event Director reserves the discretion to assign the final award.

 

Submission Protocol:

Submissions of finished A Cappella Music performances should follow these guidelines.

• Once completed, notice should be made to the event director and the video recording should be posted to an online video hosting service such as YouTube, Vimeo, or to the church’s website or Facebook.
• After the online posting, a pre-convention event cover sheet and two copies of a title sheet must be submitted via email to the event director.
• The title sheet shall include:
  1. The church name, grade category, LTCSW team number, and the names and grades of each participant (each participant must be given credit on the title sheet, including vocalists, editors, camera people, costume or makeup artists, animators, etc.).
  2. The URL to where the video has been posted and can be viewed.
  3. The song title, name of the original author(s), printed lyrics, record of any narrative, and appropriate copyright information.
• The cover sheet and title sheets must be sent to the A Cappella Music Video event director. Click on the event director’s name posted at the top of this page, or visit the CONTACT US page, for information on how to submit materials to the event director.
• Do not send entries in a manner that require signature receipt.
• The event coordinator will send confirmation of receipt of the submission to the church coordinator.
• If applicable to the participant(s), a LTCSW Special Needs or Concerns Form should be submitted to the LTCSW Special Needs Coordinator by the registration deadline.

 

Resources:

Exemplary A Cappella Music Video performances can be found on YouTube and other Internet outlets. A few sample videos are listed on our LINKS page, under Resources for Events.