PROPS — NO MORE PENALTY — PROPS — NO MORE PENALTY — PROPS

By Tori Postma, Mountain Jubilee Chorus, Region 8

Announcing a new change in the competition penalties! There is no longer a penalty attached to the use of props or visual devices in any regional or international contest session. Starting in 2008, any contestant in any Sweet Adelines International contest may use props or other visual elements without penalty.

• What does that mean? What is a visual device?

Anything we can easily carry on and off stage that helps us tell the story and set the scene is a visual device. We ARE limited by the time factor — there ARE still delay of contest penalties! There is NO extra time allowed for setup or take down. Everything must be ready to go and in place (or hidden close at hand for later use) by the time the chorus is on the risers, or the quartet is front and center. All props and visual devices must enter and exit the venue with the chorus or quartet. There is no storage at the contest site for anything other than riser chairs or medical necessities. A pop-up palm tree, a hay bale, a bunch of balloons, any wild and crazy thing we can create is penalty free as long as we get it on and off the stage on time. Be aware that all contestants are required to leave the stage in the condition they found it. There is a 25-point penalty for leaving stuff on the stage.

As with choreography or costuming, the showmanship judge will evaluate the effectiveness of the visual props, and will reflect, in her score, how well they enhance or detract from the musical performance. We must be sure that ALL elements of the visual performance enhance the music, and do not draw excessive attention away from the singers and the musical message. Spending lots of time preparing props and practicing using them, while neglecting musical areas would not be wise.

• If we use props and visual devices will we score higher in Showmanship?

Maybe yes, maybe no. The wording in the JCDB reads: “The showmanship judge rewards the performance where the music and the characterization is enhanced by the use of these visual devices or props, and will likewise reduce her score if such elements interfere or detract from the musical message. Creative performers will use these visual elements in a way that reinforces the message of the music, helps to set the mood, and entertains. Props and visual devices may be used effectively when they are an integral part of the visual plan.”

• Shall we stage the Battle of Bunker Hill, complete with booming cannons and rifles, while singing Something About A Soldier?
No. There is still a penalty for “noise making devices.”

• How about building the Titanic onstage, complete with icebergs, and singing My Heart Will Go On, and I Ain’t Down Yet?
Sounds like a disaster! Let’s NOT go overboard here. A large or elaborate set is likely to detract from the singing and negatively affect our Showmanship score. We will probably get a delay of contest penalty while we set it up, and the time we spend creating icebergs could be spent on the dynamics or those pesky diphthongs.

It is exciting that we, as an organization can now explore a new area of the visual performance. Props and visual elements can be a creative way to increase audience rapport, enhance characterization and to entertain. It is hoped that this will be a positive change that will add to the entertainment value of our competitions. Keeping props or visual elements small and simple is likely the best advice. Remember, our contests are still all about the music, and the showmanship judges will continue to reward the best singers and most entertaining performers in the barbershop style.

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