What’s the difference?

There are many music festival companies on the market today. Why Choose Rhythms International? There are many reason but here are some of the most important:

Education! Rhythms is not a competition festival company. It is a participation festival where everyone leaves a winner. The only reason that some of our judges will work exclusively for Rhythms is because we are devoted to musical education. We do not want to discourage the musician and have them return home and quit the group. The judges, upon request, will rate your group but the rating is not one compared to the other groups at the festival but according to the group’s own performance. The main objective of the festival is to assist you in motivating your students to want to continue on music and do the best that they can.

Adjudication & Judges!We all know that the success of our program is the music. Every possible effort is put in selecting the finest adjudicators and judges possible to assure you and your group of the most rewarding session possible. They are carefully selected to meet each group’s individual needs.

Reliable! Though we always plan for many groups at each festival, there are some dates where few groups register for a certain festival. WE NEVER CANCEL A FESTIVAL, PERIOD! If your group is the only one registered at a festival we will advise you and you will have the option of travelling or not. If you choose to be the only one present we will operate your group as a private festival. You will receive all the festival inclusions and the festival will be tailor-made for your group. When this occurs we involve local schools.

Extras! When you participate at a Rhythms International festival you will be adjudicated by a fine panel of judges. Since you are travelling to the destination and bringing all your equipment, why not do a public performance? At no extra charge we may arrange a public performance for your group at a local school, a public area, church etc…

Word of Mouth! We can sit and boast all we want but we encourage you to contact ANY of our groups who have been to one of our festivals. They are our best salespeople since we have a 100% return with all our groups who demand the best possible festival on the market! Because of all of the reasons listed above, we are sure that you too will agree that Rhythms International is all that it says it is!

Our Concept: Adjudications, Ratings, Classifications

Team Spirit

Rhythms International is, above and beyond all, devoted to the highest level of musical experience possible. We are a NON-COMPETITIVE company based on group participation. All groups are rated against themselves and not compared to other groups within the festival. The objective of our concept is to motivate each and every participant to want to continue their musical endeavours and improve through our educational process. There is no 1st or 2nd place. Everyone leaves a winner for having participated and done their best.

Our judges use a cassette tape recorder to evaluate the performance through time, following the musical score provided by the group. These comments are to be constructive, analytical, incisive, and direct but always maintaining a positive outlook. While referencing specific problems by measure and section, they may also include suggestions for improvement.

While the performance is in progress and the adjudicators are doing the tape narratives, they will be filling in comments on the adjudication sheets provided. These comments may be items that did not get mentioned on the tape or on the tape that need particular reinforcing. It may be a time to sketch musical examples or rhythmic concerns on the back of the sheet. The comments on the sheet may be completed in the time immediately following the performance. The information will both encourage the students and help them improve their musical skills.

Following the performance of each group, the adjudicators (maybe just one or all three) go to the stage and greet the conductor and the students, introducing themselves and welcoming them to the weekend of Rhythms International Music Festivals. Although groups are free to perform as much or as little of their hour as they choose, most groups will typically perform about 20 minutes, leaving about 35-40 minutes for the adjudicators to work with the group in a clinic environment. This workshop/clinic may take any form that the adjudicators feel would be the most beneficial to the group: dealing with fundamentals of tone and intonation, interpretation, style, attacks, releases, balance, blend, or any other aspect of the performance that is deemed to need consideration. At all times the adjudicator maintain a positive and cordial atmosphere for the students as well as the director. The adjudicators may share the clinic time equally or agree to any apportionment of the time that is in the best interest of the group; however, the students should have the opportunity to meet and work with the adjudicators, if even for a short time.

Rhythms International ratings are: GOOD. EXCELLENT AND SUPERIOR. Remember, this is NOT a contest or competition but a festival. No matter what the performance level of any group, all have the right to receive a thoughtful and positive evaluation.