CHORAL SPEAKING COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

“Choral Speaking is the interpretation of poetry or prose by a group, comprising anything from half a dozen to a hundred speakers. It involves a full and varied use of the individual voices that make up the group. There may be divisions of the whole group into light and dark voices, broken and unbroken, male and female, treble and so on. Individual voices may be used as solo.”

1. Introduction

Choral Speaking is a competition organized by the Ministry of Education. The competition aims at encouraging and increasing the usage of English among students. It builds confidence in students to speak, render, memorize and express in English.

2. Competition Rules

2.1 Eligibility 2.1.1 This competition is open to students of government-aided schools

from Year 4 to Year 6 only.2.1.2 Each Choral Speaking team is to come from ONE school only.

2.2 Time 2.2.1 Each team is given a presentation time limit of 5 to 8 minutes.

Marks will be deducted thereafter.

2.3 Team 2.3.1 Each team should comprise 30 to 35 students. A conductor should

be appointed from these students.2.3.1.1 Teams comprising more or less than the stipulated

number of participants will be disqualified.2.3.2 Each team should be accompanied by 4 teachers-in-charge.2.3.3 Names of schools / states should not be mentioned during the

competition.

2.4 Material2.4.1 Selection of material is free and can be in the form of poetry or

short prose.2.4.2 Materials should preferably be original and authentic.2.4.3 Adapted materials should be acknowledged by citing the source.

2.4.4 Reusing past years’ materials (your own or others) must be avoided.

2.4.5 Participants are not allowed to refer to any notes or printed materials during the performance.

2.4.6 Materials presented must not touch on sensitive issues, such as race, religion, stereotyping, colour, personalities, etc.

2.4.7 Copies of choral speaking texts must be submitted to the organisers two weeks prior to the competition.

2.5 Attire 2.5.1 All participants should wear school uniform permitted by the

Ministry of Education when competing. No additional accessory or make-up is allowed.

2.5.2 Conductor : the use of gloves is allowed2.5.3 Vests, bows and jackets are not allowed.

2.6 Exclusions2.6.1 There should be no inclusions of music, singing, sketches, skits or

drama, costuming, props to enhance the presentation or artificial sound effects which are electronically or physically aided.

2.6.2 No leg movement is allowed. Unnecessary hand movement is not allowed.

2.7 Stage Arrangement 2.7.1 The arrangement of the teams on the stage will be in fixed 3-tiered

straight rows.

2.8 Judges 2.8.1 National level competitions should be adjudged by 5 or 7 judges. 2.8.2 The Best Conductor should be adjudged by a separate panel of 3

judges.2.8.3 The judges will be appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and

Arts, Ministry of Education.

2.9 Decisions 2.9.1 Points will be allocated according to the score sheet and

aggregated.2.9.2 Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority

vote.2.9.3 The decision of the judges is final.2.9.4 Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

2.10 Prizes 2.10.1 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the

winning teams. 2.10.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating

teams.

2.11 This concept paper is valid until further notification from the Ministry of Education and should be used at all school, zone/cluster, district, state and national levels.

Co-curriculum and Arts DivisionMinistry of Education