#BehindTheScenes: Competitions Through A Judge's Eyes

#BehindTheScenes: Competitions Through A Judge's Eyes

Contemporary competition season is here — what makes the judges give high marks? And why doesn't it always match what the audience thinks?

Jan 29, 2018 by Evan Feist
#BehindTheScenes: Competitions Through A Judge's Eyes

The scholastic contemporary a cappella competition season is upon us and with it the quest for understanding and mastering what it takes to win. It’s also the time of year when the judges who determine the winning groups sometimes come under fire for their decisions.

So how can you, as a competitor or an audience member, better understand what’s going on in the judges’ chairs? Or better yet, the judges’ minds?

Do Your Research

Most organizations that sponsor competitions make their judging criteria publicly available. Not all competitions are created equal, so it’s best to know what the terms are of the competition you are entering or attending. Sometimes scores are weighted more heavily towards performance and others more focused on musicality. 

Haven’t taken a look yet? Here are the current guidelines for the AEA and Varsity Vocals, which are constantly reviewed internally to uphold top standards:

AEA Contest and Judging Manual

Varsity Vocals Score Sheet and Category Summary Sheet

Good Judges Don’t Forget

With a good stage presence and the ability to put on a good face, most audiences will either miss a mistake completely or forget about it over time. It’s not a dig at the competence of the general public — it’s just psychology. If a group's members don't visually show you their mistake with their body language or facial expressions, you might just miss it. Or if they simply don’t draw attention to it, your brain moves on to enjoying the next part of the song.

The judges won’t. It's their job to see past the smoke and mirrors and hear and see the mistakes — to note exactly what they saw, the good and the bad. Sure, it makes for a slightly less entertaining experience, but it’s a necessary part of the equation.

Experience Matters

Many of the judges invited to sit in on these competitions have been in the field for a very long time. They’ve practiced, performed, listened, coached, and watched — extensively. With this experience, they’ve seen a lot of trends and a lot of breakthroughs. They’ve also seen a lot of imitation that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

While imitation may be the highest form of flattery, if not done genuinely, it can miss the mark on the scoring sheets. While a bold company front, a dubstep breakdown, or a fancy split arpeggio may look or sound cool from the first group you see do it, the judges have seen the best of the best and hold all groups to the highest possible standard.

Objectivity Is King

The host organizations do a fantastic job of finding not only competent but also unbiased judges. Judges often must affirm they have no connection to any competing group, which works to ensure the most objective view possible. With no previous interactions or personal knowledge of the performing groups, the judges are able to view the performance in the moment, exactly as it is.

As a family member, friend, or coach, it is easier to romanticize a performance. You know the struggles and the hard work of a particular group. You’ve seen the passion and you know the goals, the intentions, and the stories behind the performance. Bias subconsciously creeps in.

The Best Performance Is Not Always The Most Entertaining

Ultimately, we have to remember that what impresses the judges isn’t always the same as what entertains the audience. Sometimes the two overlap and the group will take home the coveted dual first-place AND audience favorite awards. 

While your favorite group may have dazzled you with funny jokes or flashy dance moves, if it missed some of the musicality points, the scores might not match up with your expectations. Often the winning group mastered skills like tuning, blend, and subtle dynamics that are easy to miss if you aren’t listening for them, especially when the top groups only have a small differentiation in execution.

Are you ready for the judge’s seat?