[02/10/2010]  Support & Growth: Week Two.

Directors/Instructors/Designers:

Week 2 of competition has come and gone and the focus shifts now to the Eastwood/Holland double contests February 13 & 14. As I look over the recaps for all classes from Feb 7 it appears OIPA scoring is in line with the national scene and local numbers seem to be reflected nationally. As we move forward many classes are going to become very competitive within the OIPA and this should produce exciting competitive events.

Now that units begin to finish their programs, add costumes, flags and floors become show ready there will be a fluctuation in score and changes in class dynamics. Remember, competition is a test of skill. Skill of the performers, designers & technicians will all play an important role in the development and scoring of each program. It is important to take the time to view your competitors from the same area where the judges view them. This will give you a sense of the class and where you may fit into the class.

Penalties begin February 13 for all classes of competition. Flag Lines please remember you must have flags in hand for a minimum of 2 minutes of your performance time. If you have a 3 minute show, you can dance for 1 minute as long as you meet the minimum 2 minute equipment time. Directors for all percussion, guard and line units be sure you are familiar with the minimum and maximum time, required equipment time and boundary restrictions for your class.

GE Variations. We all experience GE score fluctuations from judge to judge. This is normal. Each judge has a different background and each will hopefully provide you with solid commentary and accurate scoring based on their caption. There would really be no point for there to be more than one judge at a contest if all scores had to line up. For a Color Guard it is possible to win Equipment, finish 8th in Movement, 4th in Ensemble and 1st and 7th in GE. Its not ideal however it does happen. Often when it does the first thought is " he had us 7th. He took us out." Consider the possibility that the 1st place score may be incorrect. This is the time to use the judges commentary and critique to seek more information regarding how the judge reached their score decision. Ask questions. Focus on your unit only and offer dialogue that will focus on your unit's positives that the judge may have missed. Inconsistency in scoring from judge to judge (even nationally) occur as often as inconsistency in performances by students. Most often this inconsistency is derived from the inconsistency in the design process or the performance. A well composed, effective program coupled with a strong technical and expressive performance will offer more stability; however no unit is immune to the score roller coaster. Assigning a score to works of art that we as instructors/designers feel passionately about is problematic by design. Deep down each of us know our own program flaws and short comings. Develop a plan to reduce or eliminate these negatives When you have the opportunity, be the student, listen to the criticism with an open mind and heart and then use this information to focus forward for the best possible results. Remember, no judge is accountable to the score given to a unit by another judge. Try to avoid comments like "last week we had a 13.1 and you gave us an 11.1" Maybe another way to say the same thing would be to reword it something like "We are experiencing fluctuations in this caption score wise. Could you offer us some input as to where we may be vulnerable."

Setting Goals: At each rehearsal set realistic, achievable goals for your staff, your students and yourself. Try to avoid score goals as this is really not within the control of the students/staff. Setting goals each day and achieving them will become the building blocks for your program's ultimate growth and success.

Take the time. Be sure to take the time to work on technique at every rehearsal. Even if the time in minimal. Ten minutes of technique at each rehearsal could equal 250-300 minutes by seasons end.

As always I wish you the best and am continually excited to see your performers and programs develop and succeed!

See you at Eastwood/Holland!

Michael

Michael Lentz
Director of Education & Adjudication
Ohio Indoor Performance Association
937.305.5122