Contest Rules
All schools entered in the Opening Knight Showcase will compete in one of four divisions (Junior High, Womens, AA (Varsity) or AAA-Championship). Trophies will be awarded in each division at the conclusion of the preliminary competition. The top five scoring groups will return for the evening Final Competition. A trophy will be awarded to the Grand Champion in the finals. Medallions will also be given to each member of the Grand Champion Show Choir.
Show Choirs are free to execute any type of performance they wish. There is no maximum number of songs a group must perform.
Choir accompaniment may be live or CD/cassette.
All singers/dancers must be bona fide students of their respective school system. Junior High Show Choirs may consist of students from grades 6 through 9. High School Show Choirs may consist of students from 9 through 12th grade.
All members of the Stage Crew must be junior/senior high school students or parents. Parents may assist the students in transporting risers, props, etc. to and from the stage area as well as assist in the set-up/tear-down on the stage. Only students and directors will be allowed on the stage during the actual performance of high school show choirs.
Each group will be allotted twenty-five (25) minutes total performance time. (This includes set-up, performance and tear-down/clearing the performance area). Time begins as soon as any member of the performing group steps onto the stage. It will stop when the stage is set and the announcement of your Show Choir is being made by the Emcee. Timing will begin again with the first beat of music and will run until all equipment and participants have exited the stage. Penalty: Five(5) points per thirty (30) seconds if the time limit is exceeded.
A timing official will be at the stage site and should be consulted before you take the stage in order to prevent any misunderstanding as to the rules and to provide direction about when the judges, etc. are ready for you to begin your performance.
Combo bands with professional musicians will not be eligible for the outstanding combo band trophy.
At no time will any singing, dancing or accompaniment occur outside of the designated performance area. No one is allowed to go over in front of the stage for any reason. All performers/equipment must enter and exit from stage left.
There is no limit on the number of props utilized by a Show Choir. However, no prop that could cause harm to the performers, spectators or school facilities shall be allowed. Such props would include but are not limited to: water, fire (candles, fireworks or other explosive devices), live animals, etc. If confetti/streamers or a similar prop is used, that Show Choir assumes responsibility to clean the stage of debris before the next group enters. Such clean up will count as part of the total allowed time of twenty-five (25) minutes. It is the responsibility of each Show Choir Director to contact the host school in order to clarify any questionable item/items that are being used on stage. This should be done in advance of the competition date.
No changes to the lighting system will be allowed.
A professional sound system will be provided.
Each director will receive taped comments and suggestions from each judge in addition to their scoring sheets.
Appropriate awards will be presented after the completion of the preliminary performances. Any ties in the scoring will be settled by a consensus vote of the judges.
Your homeroom will be locked while your choir is in warm-up, performing or when no choir members or directors are in the room. A chaperone MUST be present if students are in the homerooms.
No food or drinks are allowed in the auditorium or homeroom area. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Your school is responsible for any and all damages to the homeroom. You will be billed for any repairs and future participation in the competition may be jeopardized.
Video feed of the performances will also be broadcast to the 4 big screen televisions in the cafeteria.
Absolutely, no photography or video taping of the performances will be allowed. Professional photographers and videographers will have photos and video available for purchase.
Opening Knight Showcase utilizes the Charles-Douglas Scoring System used for national ranking of Championship Division Show Choirs.
Judges forms will be available from your hosts after your room has been cleared at the conclusion of the competition
Show Choirs are free to execute any type of performance they wish. There is no maximum number of songs a group must perform.
Choir accompaniment may be live or CD/cassette.
All singers/dancers must be bona fide students of their respective school system. Junior High Show Choirs may consist of students from grades 6 through 9. High School Show Choirs may consist of students from 9 through 12th grade.
All members of the Stage Crew must be junior/senior high school students or parents. Parents may assist the students in transporting risers, props, etc. to and from the stage area as well as assist in the set-up/tear-down on the stage. Only students and directors will be allowed on the stage during the actual performance of high school show choirs.
Each group will be allotted twenty-five (25) minutes total performance time. (This includes set-up, performance and tear-down/clearing the performance area). Time begins as soon as any member of the performing group steps onto the stage. It will stop when the stage is set and the announcement of your Show Choir is being made by the Emcee. Timing will begin again with the first beat of music and will run until all equipment and participants have exited the stage. Penalty: Five(5) points per thirty (30) seconds if the time limit is exceeded.
A timing official will be at the stage site and should be consulted before you take the stage in order to prevent any misunderstanding as to the rules and to provide direction about when the judges, etc. are ready for you to begin your performance.
Combo bands with professional musicians will not be eligible for the outstanding combo band trophy.
At no time will any singing, dancing or accompaniment occur outside of the designated performance area. No one is allowed to go over in front of the stage for any reason. All performers/equipment must enter and exit from stage left.
There is no limit on the number of props utilized by a Show Choir. However, no prop that could cause harm to the performers, spectators or school facilities shall be allowed. Such props would include but are not limited to: water, fire (candles, fireworks or other explosive devices), live animals, etc. If confetti/streamers or a similar prop is used, that Show Choir assumes responsibility to clean the stage of debris before the next group enters. Such clean up will count as part of the total allowed time of twenty-five (25) minutes. It is the responsibility of each Show Choir Director to contact the host school in order to clarify any questionable item/items that are being used on stage. This should be done in advance of the competition date.
No changes to the lighting system will be allowed.
A professional sound system will be provided.
Each director will receive taped comments and suggestions from each judge in addition to their scoring sheets.
Appropriate awards will be presented after the completion of the preliminary performances. Any ties in the scoring will be settled by a consensus vote of the judges.
Your homeroom will be locked while your choir is in warm-up, performing or when no choir members or directors are in the room. A chaperone MUST be present if students are in the homerooms.
No food or drinks are allowed in the auditorium or homeroom area. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Your school is responsible for any and all damages to the homeroom. You will be billed for any repairs and future participation in the competition may be jeopardized.
Video feed of the performances will also be broadcast to the 4 big screen televisions in the cafeteria.
Absolutely, no photography or video taping of the performances will be allowed. Professional photographers and videographers will have photos and video available for purchase.
Opening Knight Showcase utilizes the Charles-Douglas Scoring System used for national ranking of Championship Division Show Choirs.
Judges forms will be available from your hosts after your room has been cleared at the conclusion of the competition
