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Goals for All Music Competitions

  1. To give honor and praise to God for the wonderful gift of music.
  2. To encourage the study of music among our young people.
  3. To encourage mastery of performance and musical technique.
  4. To provide a unique forum for the sharing of music with peers.
  5. To give recognition to, and praise God for, those who excel in this gift.

General Description + Regulations

The music competition is open to piano, instrumental, vocal, choral, and ensembles. An ‘ensemble’ is defined as two or more performers. An accompanist will be allowed if needed.

Contestants will be judged in the following categories.

  1. Accuracy
  2. Rhythm
  3. Musicianship
  4. Technique
  5. Other Performance Factors

Awards for Music Competitions

Points Placement Award Division Rating
22-25 First Blue I
17-21 Second Red II
10-16 Third White III

Students are judged on their own performance, not compared to other performers. Awards will be given for gold ribbon winners. The judges’ rating sheets, with valuable comments, will be given to each school at the closing of LEST.


Piano, Instrumental + Instrumental Ensembles

  1. Regarding the use of Arrangements
    • Literature played must be written for the instrument and not an arrangement from a different genre (i.e. theme from a piano concerto, movie theme, etc.). Contestants may play an arranged piece and be evaluated, but they may not be eligible for an award. Transcriptions of music after the year 1900 are allowed, but these entrants should realize that they are competing against other students who play Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Clementi, etc. The decision of the judges is final. The LEST reserves the right to make adjustments on requirements for this competition from year to year.
  2. About the Schedules
    • Due to the many unforeseen events, all scheduled times are subject to change. At LEST, multiple events are usually proceeding simultaneously. Outcomes are often unpredictable. The music judges will do their best in preparing and maintaining a schedule. If someone comes early and is prepared to play, they may be requested to appear before someone who is late or is delayed by another LEST event. It is very important that the individual registration forms be filled out completely with particular attention being paid to the part where a listing is given of other LEST events in which the individual will be participating. This can help prevent potential conflicts in scheduling performances.
  3. Pianos will be provided for the competition. If an instrumental piece is written with a piano part, a piano must be used. All other instruments must be brought by the student/school.
  4. Music stands and chairs will be provided for instrumentalists.
  5. There is NO EXIT or ENTRANCE during a performance. This behavior is discourteous and disturbing to the performers. Do not bring food or drink into the performing areas.
  6. There is NO TALKING during a performance. Please keep small children as quiet as possible. We are here to help build everyone up, not provide interference with them doing their best.
  7. Contestants must provide an original piece of their music for the judge. NO PHOTOCOPIES. This is illegal and would violate U.S. Copyright Laws.
  8. Instrumentalists must provide their own accompanist (if needed). Instrumental pieces, which were written with an accompaniment, must be heard that way. Only pieces which were truly written as “solo” may be heard without accompaniment.
  9. Arrive at least 10 minutes early before your scheduled time.
  10. Memorization of music is strongly encouraged.
  11. Upon acknowledgement by the judge, each contestant should begin with the announcement of his or her name, their school name and location, followed by the title and composer of their piece.
  12. Total time for each performance may not exceed six (6) minutes.

How to Participate in Piano and Instrumental Events

Pre-registration is necessary for proper planning of this event. Please list performers on individual registration forms. Please fill the registration form out completely. The registration for Ensembles has a different registration form than individual performers. Because of limited time and facilities, there is a limit on the number of entries from each school. The following formula for the 5th and 6th grade competition in piano, instrumental, vocal, and ensembles, and the 7th and 8th grade competition in piano, instrumental, vocal, and ensembles will be used:

  • Schools with enrollment of 75 students or less in grades 5 - 8 = 8 participants in each grade combination (i.e. - 8 in 5th/6th and 8 in 7th/8th) for instrumental, 8 participants in each grade combination for piano, and 4 ensembles for grades 5 - 8
  • Schools with enrollment of more than 75 students in grades 5 - 8 = 10 participants in each grade combination (i.e. - 10 in 5th/6th and 10 in 7th/8th) for instrumental, 10 participants in each grade combination for piano, and 5 ensembles for grades 5 - 8

Individual adjudication forms should be filled out on the top half and sent in with the LEST Registration Form by December 10. Changes to the name of the piece to be played can be made by sending the name of the new piece to the LEST Director.

  1. Any adjudication forms received after December 10 might not be able to be included in the final schedule for participation in the LEST.
  2. The top of the adjudication form needs to be completely filled out.

How to Participate in Handbells + Handchimes

Schools participating in Handbells + Handchimes

Schools participating in Handbells + Handchimes should send the Handbells + Handchimes Registration Form to the LEST Coordinator (Leah Roney) by December 10, 2021. Schools will be guaranteed a spot for at least one Handbells + Handchimes ensemble, but can submit registration forms for up to three ensembles. The additional ensembles will be included on the performance schedule if there is enough time.

Schools may request to use Concordia University’s Handbells + Handchimes instead of bringing their own. Concordia University has Malmark bells, and there are standard (C3-C8) five octaves of bells and 4 octaves of hand chimes. Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to Concordia University’s handbells + handchimes.


Solo Vocal and Vocal Ensembles

The vocal competition is open to solo and small vocal ensembles (groups). “Ensembles” are classified as two or more singers. Music for the vocal ensembles should be written in two or more voice parts, (i.e., soprano and alto, etc.), not just in unison. If a piece is written with a piano accompaniment, a piano accompanist must be used.

Contestants will be judged in five categories:

  1. Intonation and Musical Accuracy
  2. Diction (pronunciation)
  3. Breath Control
  4. Vocal Quality (clear tone)
  5. Stage Presence (posture, presentation, facial expression)

Special Regulations

  1. Singers should choose music of good quality written primarily for the voice and avoiding contemporary ‘pop’ literature.
  2. Music should be memorized.
  3. Three copies of the musical score should be brought with and presented to judges.
  4. Regarding Scheduling: Scheduled times and performance rooms may need to be adjusted since multiple events will be running concurrently. Singers may appear out of order due to schedule conflicts; please communicate with the judge prior to any performance change so that the events may continue on time. It is very important that the individual registration forms be filled out completely with particular attention being paid to the section where a listing is given of other LEST events in which the individual will be participating. This can help prevent potential conflicts in scheduling performances.

Music Team Leaders

Siri Lyon
Concordia University Irvine

Jordan Kirby
Crean Lutheran High School

Elliott Bark
Crean Lutheran High School

Anna Reiley
Crean Lutheran High School

Megan Carvale
Orange Lutheran High School

Aaron Zeilinger
Orange Lutheran High School

Dan Vu
Orange Lutheran High School

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