TALENT FESTIVAL COMPETITION HANDBOOK Encounter Church of God, Fredericksburg, VA April 25, 2015
VIRGINIA CHURCH OF GOD TALENT FESTIVAL 2015 COMPETITION HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS I. GENERAL INFORMATION... 2 A. STATE COMPETITION... 2 B. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION... 2 II. ENTRY DEADLINES AND FEES... 2 A. DEADLINES... 2 B. FEES... 2 III. SUMMARY OF COMPETITION GUIDELINES... 3 A. MANUALS... 3 B. ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES... 3 C. RECOGNITION AND AWARDS... 4 D. OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM... 4 E. COMPETITION SCHEDULE... 4 IV. DIVISION SUMMARY... 4 A. ART DIVISION... 4 B. BIBLE DIVISION... 4 C. CREATIVE WRITING... 5 D. DRAMA DIVISION... 5 E. MULTI-MEDIA DIVISION... 6 F. MUSIC DIVISION... 6 APPENDIX Official Entry Form Group Members List 1
I. GENERAL INFORMATION Talent Festival 2015 is for both junior and teen level competitors. The Festival includes Art, Bible, Creative Writing (Teen Only), Drama, Multi-Media, and Music. It is the responsibility of each participant to be aware of, and comply with the competition requirements and guidelines outlined here and in the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual published by the International Department of Youth and Discipleship. The 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual and the 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual are available for purchase at www.cogyouthstore.org A. STATE COMPETITION 1. Competition for all Art, Bible, Creative Writing, Drama, Multi-Media, and Music Divisions will be conducted on the State level. 2. State competition will be held at Encounter Church of God - (Fredericksburg, VA) on Saturday, April 25, 2015. B. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION The 2015 International Teen Talent competition will be held at Lee University in Cleveland, TN on August 3 August 7, 2015. II. ENTRY DEADLINES AND FEES A. DEADLINES B. FEES 1. All entries and fees must be received/postmarked by April 6, 2015. Fax entries will not be accepted. 2. All group entries must be accompanied by a Group Members List (see appendix). 3. Entries in the Creative Writing Division must be postmarked by April 6, 2015, along with the participant s entry from, and the Creative Writing Statement of Verification of Originality (see handbook). Fax entries will not be accepted. 1. Entry forms will not be accepted without the appropriate entry fee. 2. Fee Structure a) Individual/Solo Entry $30.00 per entry b) Drama and Music Groups $75.00 per entry c) Bible Quiz Teams $75.00 per entry d) Choir $100.00 per entry 2
III. SUMMARY OF COMPETITION GUIDELINES Guidelines in this handbook are an abbreviated summary intended to serve as a brief overview of the Talent Festival program. The official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual referenced under General Information must be consulted for complete details. A. MANUALS 1. Teen Talent Competition and Bible Quiz Manuals have been revised for 2015. All Teen Talent Manuals other than the current, revised, 2015 edition should be discarded. 2. The 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual and the 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual are available for purchase at www.cogyouthstore.org. B. ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES 1. All divisions will be governed by the rules established by the International Department of Youth and Discipleship as set forth in the 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual, the 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual, and the Virginia Talent Festival 2015 Competition Handbook. 2. There are two divisions a) Teen: Each participant must be ages 13-19 to be eligible to enter Talent Festival competition. A Teen Talent Festival participant must be 13 years of age by April 25, 2015 and no older than age 19 on August 7, 2015. NO EXCEPTIONS. (This age ruling includes all talent participants, but it does not apply to accompanists, choir directors, directors, or quiz team coaches.) All birthdays must be verified on entry forms and/or group members list (see appendix). b) Junior: Each participant must be ages 7-12 to be eligible to enter Talent Festival competition. A Junior Talent Festival participant but be 7 by April 25, 2015 and no older than age 19 on August 7, 2015. NO EXCEPTIONS. (The age ruling includes all talent participants, but does not apply to accompanists, choir directors, directors or quiz team coaches. All birthdays must be verified on entry forms and/or group members list (See appendix). 3. All participants must meet the stated deadline (postmark by April 6) to be eligible for competition. Late entries will not be accepted and walk-ons will not be permitted. 4. A participant or group may only submit one entry per category but may enter multiple categories. 5. All participants must be regular attendees of the Church of God and may only represent the church which the participant regularly attends. 3
6. Questions relative to competition requirements should be asked in advance of the competition dates. C. RECOGNITION AND AWARDS 1. Awards will be given to the winner and runner up in each Teen Talent category. 2. All students will be recognized for their participation. D. OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM Entry Method 1. Complete and mail registration forms at the end of this document to Talent Festival, Virginia Church of God State Office, PO Box 7547, Roanoke, VA 24019. 2. Complete registration forms online at https://www.vacog.org/talentfestival2015.php. E. COMPETITION SCHEDULE IV. DIVISION SUMMARY The proposed competition schedule will be published approximately 2 weeks after all applications are received. Please do not contact the office to request a change of schedule. A. ART DIVISION 1. Each work must be the original work and idea of the participant and must have been created since the close of the previous International Competition (August 2013). Reproductions of existing art are not acceptable. Kits, models, or work from patterns are not eligible. 2. Each entry must be accompanied by an Art Project Information Sheet (see handbook). 3. Each participant is responsible for the delivery of his/her entry to state competition. 4. Competition is open to both religious and/or secular subjects. 5. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete B. BIBLE DIVISION 1. The 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual is the official study manual for 2015 state and international competition. Previous editions should not be used in the preparation for Bible Quiz competition. 2. The 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual is available for purchase at www.cogyouthstore.org. 4
3. Junior talent bible quizzing will formulate their questions from the even numbered questions of the bible quizzing manual. 4. Group leaders must submit a completed Group Members List (see appendix) with the entry form. No Bible Quiz team additions or substitutions may be made at any level of competition after the official entry form has been submitted to the State Youth Department. 5. Each Bible Teaching participant must complete a Bible Teaching Lesson Preparation Plan (see handbook) and submit to the judges before he/she begins to teach. 6. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete C. CREATIVE WRITING 1. Entries in the Creative Writing Division must be postmarked by April 6, 2015, along with the participant s entry from, and the Creative Writing Statement of Verification of Originality (see handbook). Fax entries will not be accepted. 2. Each entry must be the original unpublished work of the participant and must have a religious theme (explicit or implied). 3. Each entry must be typed in a standard, legible font and double-spaced using a word processing program and printed on the front side of letter-sized paper. 4. All entries must include the following information in the top right-hand corner of the first page: a) Full Name b) Age c) Address d) Local Church e) Number of Words 5. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete D. DRAMA DIVISION 1. Drama pieces often require permission and production rights in order to perform. It is the responsibility of the participant to secure these performance privileges. If you have questions, contact the publishing company of your selection. 2. All music used in competition must be of a Christian nature, recorded by a Christian Artist. 3. Please consult the Drama Guidelines Table (see handbook) for information on correctly classifying your performance piece. 5
4. A Drama Presentation Form (see handbook) for each entry must be completed and submitted with the entry form. 5. Group leaders must submit a completed Group Members List (see appendix) with the entry form. 6. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete E. MULTI-MEDIA DIVISION 1. Each work must be the original work and idea of the participant and must have been created since the close of the previous International Competition (August 2013). Reproductions of existing projects are not acceptable. 2. Each entry must be accompanied by a Multi-Media Project Information Sheet (see handbook). 3. Each participant is responsible for the delivery of his/her entry to state competition. 4. A CD or DVD of the project must be submitted at the state competition. 5. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete F. MUSIC DIVISION 1. All music used in competition must be of a Christian nature. 2. Participants in each category will perform one selection except for choirs which will perform two songs (one required and one free choice). 3. The required song for choirs is Rise up. 4. A Music Presentation Form (see handbook) for each entry must be completed and submitted to the Division Coordinator before the performance. 5. Group leaders must submit a completed Group Members List (see appendix) with the entry form. 6. Refer to the official 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual for complete 6
VIRGINIA STUDENT TALENT FESTIVAL April 25, 2015 Official Entry Form Encounter Church of God, Fredericksburg Individual entries Use one form per individual. If the individual is a member of a group, the group leader will separately submit those names with the group entry application. Group entries Use one form per entry. Submit the members names of the group (with birth dates & ages) on the group information sheet. Name Gender Age Date of Birth / / OR Group Name Email Address Local Church Group Leader Primary Phone Number City/State/Zip Pastor s Signature Level Junior (Born between 08/08/02 and 04/25/08) Teen (Born between 08/07/1995 and 08/07/2002) By initialing here, I verify that I have read and will comply with the guidelines set forth in the Virginia Church of God Talent Festival 2015 Competition Handbook. I further understand that the official governing manuals for 2015 Virginia Student Talent Festival are the 2015 Teen Talent Competition Manual and the 2015 Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Manual published by the International Department of Youth and Discipleship. Initial Here Entry Divisions (Please check the appropriate box) Art Drama Music Ceramics & Glass Solo Expressive/ Female Vocal Solo Computer Graphics Interpretive Movement Male Vocal Solo Drawing Solo Human Video Brass Solo Graphics Solo Mime Electronic Keyboard Solo Mixed Media Solo Monologue Organ Solo Oil / Acrylic Painting Solo Pantomime Percussion Definite Solo Photography Solo Synchronized Percussion Indefinite Solo Sculpture Movement Piano Solo Textiles Spoken Word Strings Bowed Solo Wet Media Painting Group Expressive/ Strings Plucked Solo Bible Interpretive Movement Woodwind Solo Individual Bible Teaching- Children Group Human Video Contemporary Christian Individual Bible Teaching- Youth Group Mime Performance Individual Bible Quiz Group Pantomime Choir (13 singers and up) Team Bible Teaching- Children Group Skit Vocal Ensemble, Large Team Bible Teaching- Youth Group Synchronized (6-12 singers) Team Bible Quiz Movement Vocal Ensemble, Small (2-5 singers) Multi-Media Presentation Non-Video Creative Writing Instrumental Ensemble, Website Design Short Story (Teen only) Hand bells Presentation Video Articles and Essays (Teen only) Instrumental Ensemble, Video Short Clip (Up to 2 min) News Writing (Teen only) Steel Drums Short Film (5 to 15 min) Plays & Skits (Teen only) Instrumental Ensemble, Long Film (16 to 60 min) Poetry (Teen only) Large (9-12 players) Presentation Animated Instrumental Ensemble, Animated video Short Clip Small (2-8 players) (Up to 2 min) Animated Short Film (5 to 15 min) Fees Individual/Solo Entries $30.00/per entry Animated Long Film (15 to 60 min) Group Entries Music & Drama $75.00/per entry Team Bible Quiz $75.00/per entry Choirs $100.00/per choir Full payment is required when submitting your entry form. We accept check, money order (payable to Church of God State Fund), Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Mail completed form with payment to: YOUTH DEPARTMENT PO BOX 7547 ROANOKE VA 24019. All forms must be postmarked by April 6, 2015. (No late entries, no walk-ons accepted.) Total Due Check one: VISA MasterCard American Express Name on Card Billing Address Card Number Expiration Date Security Code Entry deadline: Postmark by April 6, 2015 (NO EXCEPTIONS) Questions? Please call 540.362.1549x102 or email yd@vacog.org Today s Date / /
TALENT FESTIVAL GROUP MEMBERS LIST Group Name Local Church Division Category Group Leader 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. NAME AGE DATE OF BIRTH