EVENT PARAMETERS: Teams must provide a score of all music to be performed and submit it in notated form at the beginning of their presentation. All music submitted must be written in the appropriate clef for their musical instruments. Each member will play at least one instrument.

THE COMPETITION: A TEAM OF: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 30 minlSet-up 5 mill

1. Each team member must play the required scale as given in the following chart and will be evaluated on range, pitch, and sound quality. However, to help teams select music and to improve their overall score they may wish to include notes within the maximum allowable scoring range.

Members will also be asked to play any note from the required scale and the judge will test its accuracy with an electronic tuner. No electric or electronic devices, toy or professional instruments or parts of such instruments will be permitted including items such as bells, whistles, mouthpieces, reeds, audio-oscillators, etc. The only exception to this exclusion is that strings (instrument or others) of any type are permitted. No electricity may be used. The students while playing the instruments must generate all energy.

2. Instruments will also be evaluated on creativity and originality, variety and workmanship.

3. The students will be asked to describe the principles behind the device and its construction (e.g., How does it make a sound? What determines the pitch of a note? How is volume changed?). This may be done through an oral interview andlor through a written set of questions. Questions about design and construction may also be asked of the team. Students must be able to define or explain basic terminology regarding sound, sound production, and related science terms. These include but are not limited to fundamental elements of wave theory, Bernoulli Effect, acoustics, musical sound perception, and harmonics. No notes, calculators, books, etc. will be allowed.

4. The team will then perform, in any key within the musical ranges specified, the lines of music included on the next page. The piece will be played as a duet. Each instrument must be capable of playing the required lines as written or as transposed into a key adapted to their instrument but staying within the maximum allowable scoring range. They will also play a duet of their choosing which best shows the capabilities of their instruments. Students will be given a maximum of four (4) minutes to play both the required and their chosen duets.

SCORING: All teams will be ranked by the following tiers:

1. All teams that follow all the rules.

2. Teams that do not write their music in the appropriate clefs.

3. Teams that do not have music for the judges.

4. Teams that play out of the given ranges (C4 to D6 and F2 to G4).

5. Teams that use any prohibited devices.

It is important that all scoring is done by the same set of judges (preferably 2-3). If more than one person is judging, the average of all judges’ scores will be the final score for the team. Judges should have knowledge of both music and the physics of sound.

1. Range of notes: quality of sound (24 points)

Demonstrated range ____ octaves (for instrument #1) ____ notes _____ Points (6)

Sound quality (compared to standard instruments #1) _____ Points (6)

Demonstrated range _____ octaves (for instrument #2) _____ notes ______ Points (6)

Sound quality (compared to standard instruments #2) _____ Points (6)

Range Rubric 1 octave - 8 notes 1 point

1 octave - 12 notes 2 points

1.5 octaves - 12 notes 3 points

1.5 octaves - 16 notes 4 points

2 octaves - 16 notes 5 points

2 octaves - 25 notes 6 points

2. Creativity, variety, and workmanship of instruments (30 points)

Variety (percussion, wind, brass, string, other) _____ Points (10)

Workmanship (appearance, easy to play, durability, etc.) _____ Points (10)

3. Knowledge of theoretical basis of instruments (26 points) _____ Points (30) Includes participation of both team members and an explanation of simple mathematical and physical principles of sound. It is suggested that this be done in an interview setting with approximately 4 to 6 pre-selected questions adaptable to various instruments.

4. Sound of the ensemble (20 points)

Group Performance points for both selected songs will be based on harmony, blend, technique, timbre, suitability of tune for instruments, rhythm, interpretation of music, etc. Group Performance for the required song (10 points) ______ Points (10) Group Performance for the chosen song (10 points) _____ Points (10)

Suggested references: Musical Instrument Design by Bart Hopkin, See Sharp Press, 2000, $18.95. Making Simple Musical Instruments by Bart Hopkin, Altamont Press, 1995, $24.95. National Science Education Standards /CONTENT STANDARD E: All students should develop abilities of technological design and understandings about science and technology.