Open Division Q&A with Paula Davis

What is your favorite contest memory with your quartet or chorus? While medals are always exciting, for many their favorite moments are memories of fun, storytelling and connecting with the audience—all elements of the Open Division! If you’ve never given it a try, here are some answers to questions you might have:

1.What are the benefits of participating in the Open Division?

Open Division was originally created to provide an option for quartets or choruses that were happiest performing in their communities rather than in the competitive International Division of our regional contests. Open Division was designed to provide education for barbershop growth (by including a barbershop contest-worthy song in the format) as well as helpful education in the area of entertainment, where these community performers spend much of their time and energies during the year.

The reach and effect of the Open Division has broadened, however. Groups that have tried the Open Division have found greater comfort on stage during contest. Some have moved back into the International Division with greater confidence and success. Other ensembles that have little interest in rankings have found a niche that provides them with growth opportunities in entertainment as well as the fun of barbershop. They explore their creativity and other talents while honing their entertainment value for their community.

Some groups have made the Open Division performances their focus. This different approach to convention performance preparation comes as a result of each group’s goals and vision. Some use it as a break from the intensity of preparing for the International Division (ranking and medals). While creating and preparing for a 10-minute entertainment package is fun, it is not necessarily easy! It teaches different kinds of skills and concepts that can benefit every group while letting them stretch their performance “muscles” in a different way. Knowing the goals and vision of your group will help you make the choice of which division you would like to participate in—International Division or Open Division.

2. Why do Open Division competitors only receive a letter score?

Because the Open Division was intended to provide opportunities to sing on the regional stage without ranking pressures, a letter score was chosen to convey the overall scoring area. If number scores were used, ranking would naturally happen. Even if these scores were not included in the ranking list of the contest, the pressure of placement in the contest would still impact the competitor.

Now that we have groups that choose Open Division repeatedly because of their vision and goals, they would love to know their numerical scores and be able to figure out where they would fall in the rankings for their own feelings of success. Because of the original purpose of this division, we are not revising the scoring method. However, the Judge Specialists are working toward finding further methods of recognition for performers who would like to participate.

3. How is the Entertainment portion of the Open Division judged?

The Open Division Entertainment judging commentary is based on five equally-weighted elements: 1) Musicality, 2) Unity, 3) Theme/Script/Emcee/Mic Technique, 4) Creativity and 5) Communication. Each judge considers all five elements (not category based), so any judge may comment on costuming, staging, emcee work, etc.

It usually becomes evident quickly where the strengths and challenges of each performing group lie. Judges have descriptors for each of these five elements in each scoring level. While these descriptors are not exhaustive, they guide each judge to their scoring level. Visit the members only content for Open Division in the Events section at www.sweetadelines.com.

4. Why are Open Division competitors mixed in with the International Division competitors?

Throughout the short history of the Open Division, we have tried separating the Open Division contestants to perform together at one time as well as putting them into the chorus mix and having their order drawn randomly, just as all International Division contestants are. While we know some regions prefer the grouping over the random draw, the majority of regions prefer the random draw approach.

This approach provides wonderful and varied entertainment for the audience throughout the contest day. Another perk of mixing the competitors throughout the day is that it entices enough audience members to stay and vote for the Regional Audience Choice Award, for those regions that participate.

5. How is the Open Division alike or different from the Entertainment Package at International Competition?

The judging elements are exactly the same for Open Division contestants and for International Contest Finals Entertainment Packages. The difference lies in the scoring method. Open Division competitors receive letter scores; International Finals competitors receive numerical scores. Specific scoring numbers are needed in the International Finals because rankings are being assigned and affect (and sometimes determine) the outcome of the contest.

The Open Division is fun and educational, and it provides an opportunity for you to share your group’s unique personality with your region and beyond. Give it a try and see what great things it can do for you!

Paula Davis

Sweet Adelines Immediate Past President, Judge Specialists Moderator and Director of Song of Seattle Chorus, whose vision is to become a recognized member of the Seattle Arts Community