ARTICLE I - ORGANIZATION

3.1.1. The preeminent concern is to select the finest musicians possible from the eligible secondary schools in Arkansas .

3.1.2. Only schools which have paid ArkCDA participation fees, and which are members in good standing of the Arkansas Activities Association, may participate in the all region/state event. 

3.1.3. Entrants must be a member of a choral group at their respective school, provided such is available. 

3.1.4. Students who only study with private voice teachers are not eligible to participate in region or state level auditions.

3.1.5. Only males may tryout on the tenor part.

3.1.6. Each region may qualify students to audition for the All State Choir based on the number of students auditioning at the region level. Allocation numbers are;

3.1.7. Allocation numbers will be determined by using the actual data file from the all region tryouts

3.1.8. When a region fails to fill its first eleven tryout slots in any given section the remaining slots will be made available to the other regions in order of the number of students auditioning at the region level.

3.1.9. After the region clinics any cancellations of students in the all state audition roster should be reported to the executive director. The executive director shall notify the choral director of the alternates moved into the tryout.

3.1.10. The All State clinicians will be determined by the board of directors. To assist with planning, the board will determine the clinicians two years in advance where possible.

3.1.11. Region clinicians must be selected no later than September 15 of the year preceding the event.

3.1.12. The music to be performed by the All Region and State Choirs will be determined by the clinicians after consulting with the all state chairman, and president.

3.1.13. Region clinicians and their contact information should be reported to the executive director as soon as those clinicians are confirmed. Music to be used at region clinics must be reported to the executive director no later than February 1. Selections not reported by the deadline date may be chosen by the region chair in consultation with the directors of the region.

3.1.14. After consulting with the clinicians, the all state chair and the president will determine those selections to be used for region level tryouts, and those to be used for state level auditions. Required region audition selections will consist of two SATB selections, one SSA/SSAA selection, and one TTB/TTBB selection. The state level audition will consist of two SATB selections and two SSA/SSAA and TTB/TTBB selections, with only three of the four pieces actually being used at the audition

3.1.15. Regions may not include the state level pieces in their tryouts or concert.

3.1.16. The actual tryout recording should be between one minute fifty seconds and two minutes fifty seconds from start to finish.

3.1.17. Sight reading pieces will be prepared for performance by each All State Choir. Music will be provided by the ArkCDA.

3.1.18. Region concerts shall include the designated region pieces plus a minimum of two additional selections which shall be determined by the region choir clinician.

3.1.19. In the event of audition postponement the alternate date for auditions will be Wednesday of the following week with times and locations the same if possible.

3.1.20. The all region chair (region) and executive director (state) shall be responsible for securing the following personnel for the audition;

• Registrars
• Hall Monitors 
• Forty Judges (state)
• Room Managers 
• Runners
• Tally Room Workers

3.1.21.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ALL STATE AUDITION - GENERAL DUTIES

• Assign the personnel to the adjudication and tally areas.
• Provide for the preparation of the audition cd for each section following consultation with the region directors on the region level or the region chairs on the state level.
• Post the tryout material in the registration area thirty minutes prior to the beginning of the auditions.
• Provide for the preparation of the all state practice cd.
• Consult the clinicians regarding performance tempo of each selection.
• If necessary, consult with the high school region chairs and the president to discuss technical aspects of the music prior to the production of the cd.
• Acquire the data file of eligible students from each region chair.
• Prepare audition number tags for each student.
• Provide workers at the registration tables.
• Oversee the registration process.
• Provide for the lining up of each section, following the completion of the registration process.
• Provide persons to lead each group to the adjudication rooms (These may be the same workers who assisted with registration).
• Secure the following materials and equipment; numbered tags, master registration list, individual scoring form for each student , public address system, signs for registration tables, 8 pencils
• Assign judges to each part after consultation with the region chairs.
• Assign a warmup/holding room manager to prepare students immediately prior to their audition.
• Assemble the judges packets for five judges on each of the eight parts.
• Provide room managers to operate the cd equipment, announce student numbers, etc. for each audition room.
• Secure the following materials and equipment: warmup/holding room, eight audition rooms with screens, eight music stands, eight cd players, forty adjudication packets including numbered adjudication sheets, pencils, and one rank form, extra cassette cd players, extension cords, audition cds (including extras), signs identifying each audition room.
• Prepare tally forms following the completion of the registration process.
• Provide eight runners (may be students) to bring completed adjudication forms to the tally room 
• Compile the final list of all auditioned students, showing each student's number, name, school, raw score, rank score (by each judge), and total 
• Secure the following equipment and supplies; tally room, pencils, individual tally sheets

3.1.22. WARMUP/HOLDING ROOM AREA MANAGER - GENERAL DUTIES

Instruct students in the mechanics of the audition process.

Play the audition cd allowing the students to sing through the tryout material.

3.1.23. ROOM MANAGER - GENERAL DUTIES

Bring groups into the audition room for warm up, then bring each individual student into the room in proper numerical sequence.

Announce each student's audition number to the judges.

Operate the cd equipment.

Insure that the judging sheets are stapled together in the proper order.

3.1.24. All directors who register students to audition for the region or state choir shall be required to participate in an assigned capacity the entire day as needed. Failure to do so shall result in notification of the proper school administrators and a charge equal to the amount necessary to employ a replacement. Director absences must be approved by the region or state chairman at least two weeks in advance, unless an emergency arises which is deemed acceptable by the audition chairman.

3.1.25. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CLINIC - GENERAL DUTIES 

• Provide for the preparation of the all state practice cd.
• Consult the clinicians regarding the performance tempo of each selection.
• If necessary, arrange a conference call with the region chairs and the president, to discuss the technical aspects of the music, prior to the actual production of the cd
• Contact and secure clinicians for the all state choirs.
• Mail and secure signed contracts from the clinicians at the earliest possible date.
• Obtain music from the clinicians and choose the all state program with input from the clinicians and the president
• Obtain from the clinicians before the clinic the following;
• Autobiographical information to be submitted for publication
• Seating or standing arrangement for their particular group
• The program order Any special requests within reason. Example; microphones, etc.
• Obtain instrumentalists as needed for the choirs with the approval of the executive board.
• Prepare the printed program. NOTE: Changes in the printed program will only be accepted through Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. following the auditions.
• Obtain risers, chairs, stands, pianos, and other instruments as needed for each rehearsal area.
• Prepare name tags for the chairs (students) of each choir.
• Provide a set up crew. Example; members of a college or university Phi Mu Alpha chapter.
• Arrange transportation of the clinicians to and from the clinic site (including making airline arrangements).
• Assign rehearsal managers for each choir. Rehearsal managers shall be under the guidance of the clinic chair and the president and shall have the following responsibilities;
• Check attendance at every rehearsal
• Report absences to the clinic chair
• Distribute patches to the students
• Provide pertinent information to the clinician and the students from the clinic chair and the president
• Report problems or special requests to the clinic chair Assist the clinician and accompanist as needed.

ARTICLE II - AUDITION PROCEDURES

3.2.1. Each voice classification shall be assigned a series of numbers as follows;

3.2.2. When the tryout time for any section is estimated to exceed 7 hours regions should strongly consider dividing the section into two tryout rooms.

3.2.3. When a section is divided into two rooms singers will be selected for the choir by using an equal percentage of students who audition in each room. The following formula will be used to determine the percentages;

1. Total in section taken in the region choir =

2. Total auditioning in Room 1 =

3. Total auditioning in Room 2 =

4. Total auditioning in section (add lines 2 & 3) =

5. Divide line 2 by line 4 to get the percentage to take from room 1

6. Divide line 3 by line 4 to get the percentage to take from room 2 

7. Multiply line 5 times line 1

8. Multiply line 6 times line 1

Singers from room 1 accepted =

Singers from room 2 accepted =

3.2.4. Students will be called to audition, in groups of eleven; 1-11, 12-22, etc.

3.2.5. The volume level of the solo audition cd will be determined by the judges in each room prior to the first audition and may not be adjusted thereafter.

3.2.6. A student will not be allowed to repeat any part of the auditions process unless the head judge determines that a technical difficulty with the equipment or an unusual disturbance occurs in or outside the room which was not caused by the auditioning student.

3.2.7. The head judge will make immediate and final decisions regarding interrupted auditions.

3.2.8. The material selected for the state level auditions shall be performed by all students who audition.

3.2.9. Students who miss their scheduled audition time will only be allowed to audition subject to approval by the region/state audition chair.

3.2.10. All ArkCDA auditions should be scored using the computer program developed by the ArkCDA for this purpose. In the event that computerized scoring is not available, the following eight procedures will be used in ranking students.

3.2.11. Using judging forms provided by the ArkCDA, each student will be assigned a raw score from 1-99.99 by each of the five judges.

3.2.12. Judges will record each student's audition number beside the assigned raw score on the ranking sheet.

3.2.13. The tally committee shall compile each student's raw score and place them in order, according to the student's audition number.

3.2.14. Upon completion of the audition, tally committee members shall meet with the judging panel of each voice part. Each student's audition number will be called off and each judge will state his or her RANK number for that student. The highest and lowest rank score, and the corresponding raw scores will then be eliminated, and the remaining three raw and rank scores will be totaled to deter mine the student's final score. If three judges are used the rank and raw scores are simply totalled.

3.2.15. The student with the lowest rank score in each voice part will be assigned first chair in his/her respective part.

3.2.16. Ranking of students will continue until each student has been ranked. The all state choirs shall consist of the following chairs;

• 1-20 (each part) = Mixed Choir
• 21-45 (Soprano & Alto) = SSAA Choir
• 21-45 (Tenor & Bass) = TTBB Choir

3.2.17. Region choirs will be a maximum of twenty singers per part or 160 singers.

3.2.18. Regions may include additional choirs such as Female and/or Male Choruses chosen from students who score higher than chair 21 in each section.

3.2.19. Ties in rank scores will be broken by comparing the raw scores of the students involved. Should further comparisons be needed to break the tie, the scores in knowledge of music, tone quality, etc., shall be considered, in the order listed on the scoring form.

3.2.20. Results of the audition will be distributed to the directors by the audition chair, and shall be considered official. Thereafter, any corrections which must be made shall only be made in the form of additions to the choir.

3.2.21. The official list shall show each judge's scores, as well as each student's name, number, and school.

3.2.22. Regions may move up the proper alternates from within their own region to compensate for cancellations as necessary.

3.2.23. Students who participate in a choir other than the Mixed Choir at the region clinic are not eligible for all state tryouts.

3.2.24. Alternates will be accepted at the state level auditions at any time up to the close of registration on the day of the auditions.

3.2.25. Alternates will be accepted into the SATB choir no later than 24 hours prior to the start of registration. Alternates to the SSAA and TTBB groups will be accepted no later than thirty minutes into the first rehearsal. Alternates will be posted on the website as they occur until 24 hours before the start of the first rehearsal.

ARTICLE III - JURIES

3.3.1. State level juries shall consist of five judges on each voice part as follows;

• Region chairmen shall submit at least ten persons to work at the auditions.
• As far as possible, no more than one person from any given region shall be assigned to judge the same voice part.

3.3.2. Only the chairman, judges, director of auditions (or their agents), and the students being judged will be allowed in the audition room during adjudication.

3.3.3. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the audition room while a student is performing.

3.3.4. Judges are not allowed to discuss a student's performance in the presence of any students.

3.3.5. Region level juries shall consist of a minimum of three judges per voice part.

3.3.6. Regions will use adjudication forms as provided by the ArkCDA.

3.3.7. Unless a rules committee is first appointed, the all region/state audition chair shall have the authority to render final decisions as necessary.

ARTICLE IV - CONDUCT PROVISIONS

3.4.1. Each student selected for the choir will be expected to attend all rehearsals and the performance of the choir.

3.4.2. The ArkCDA executive board shall assume the responsibility for a delinquent student by dismissing him or her from the choir. A delinquent student is defined as one who has become a discipline problem relating to the all region/state event, or one who has failed to fulfill the attendance requirements.

3.4.3. Procedures for due process shall be the same as those stated in Article VII (Due Process) of the bylaws.

3.4.4. Directors with students participating in the all state clinic must submit the code of conduct form, with proper signatures, for each student, at the time of registration.

3.4.5. Regions shall consider it their duty to enforce similar rules for region events.

ARTICLE V - AWARDS AND PENALTIES

3.5.1. Each student who is selected for the all state choir shall receive a certificate from the ArkCDA.

3.5.2. Each student who participates in the all state clinic shall receive a patch from the ArkCDA.

3.5.3. Using information provided by the directors, appropriate symbols will be placed beside the names of students in the official all state program, which lists the number of years a student has been selected for the All State Choir.

3.5.4. Regions will secure similar awards for the members of their all region choirs. 

3.5.5. An individual student found to be using illegally photocopied music at either tryouts or clinic will be disqualified from that event.