As I am making preparations to adjudicate tomorrow at one of our Indiana districts for our state competition, Hoosier Auditions, I thought I would briefly share some tips on how to prepare.
#1 Obtain A Repertoire list
If possible, request ahead of time, a list of the repertoire entered. If you have a little heads-up, it’s nice to be able to jump online and your memory on the pieces ahead of time.
As your watching and listening, try to think through specifics regarding the piece and elements you may look for when the student performs. To me, this is simply being mindful of what’s to come.
#2 Do a Little Reading
Read through a few articles online on what it means to be a good judge.
Marcia Vahl wrote three excellent articles on Compose Create:
- 4 Ways Being a Piano Judge Can Make You a Better Teacher
- 7 Qualities of a Great Piano Judge
- 10 of the Best Judging Comments
Also, check out:
- 16 Ideas for First-Time Music Festival Adjudicators by Chris Foley
- John Griffiths has a pdf available online: Music Adjudication: An Art in Itself
- Essential Tips on Being an Effective Piano Judge or Adjudicator
#3 Bring Sufficient Tools
Take your own pack of half a dozen pencils (I often use the Blackwing Matte Pencils I first saw recommended by Diane Hidy) and a small, quiet hand pencil sharpener.
If you’re like me and struggle with messy handwriting, that may a good eraser and plenty of pencils are a must!
#4 Arm Your Vocabulary
Print out a copy of adjective sheets to keep nearby if you get stuck for words.
The first is Ways to Say Good Job (once again, by Marcia Vahl—I guess she really knows what she’s doing!), and the second is a Teaching Adjectives document I found years ago, but I can’t recall where I obtained it.
I usually have to write so quickly that I don’t even have time to look at the sheets, but it’s reassuring to have them on hand. Even if you don’t take them with you, reviewing them beforehand is nice to get the “comment juices” flowing.
#5 Keep a Reference Sheet
Designate one location for all of these items, whether it’s bookmarking this article, saving a document titled “Adjudicator Preparation” and listing all of these links, or using Evernote (like I do!).
I save each item or link as a separate note and tag each as “judging.” I can then recall everything in one place, whether it’s an article, a PDF, or a note from myself, all in one nice, tidy reference for next year.
(Click on the image to view it closer.)
Here’s a little closer look
(For a tutorial on how to use Evernote in this way, check out the video series.)
I hope you found this small list of tips on preparing yourself for an adjudication role helpful! I would love to hear what helps you as a judge in the comments below!
Thanks for these tips on adjudicating. It makes sense that you should bring sufficient tools to make sure you can do everything correctly. I think that would help make sure that everyone could be judged fairly and correctly.
You’re welcome, glad you found it useful!