General Information

  • This program is open only to Loudoun County students in grades 10 through 12 (including home-school students). Entrants need not be Loudoun Arts Council members, but are encouraged to become members to enjoy discounted entry fees and the other benefits of arts council membership.
  • Entry forms and payments must be submitted online by February 15th, 2019.
  • You may enter in up to three categories. You may not enter more than once in each category. There is an entry fee of $10 for each category entered, discounted to $5 per category for current or new LAC members. You may request a fee waiver if the entry fee poses a hardship for you.
  • Visual artists must deliver their work to StageCoach Theatre, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 & 120, Ashburn, VA 20147, from March 4th through 8th between 10am and 2pm. Digital submissions must be emailed to info@loudounarts.org by March 8th.
  • Literary artists must email their submissions to info@loudounarts.org by March 8th.
  • Audition Day for all performance categories will be Saturday, March 9th, at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn. Participants will be notified of their audition time by March 1st.
  • All entries must be appropriate for public performance, viewing, reading. The LAC reserves the right to deem any entry inappropriate for the general public. If your submission is not accepted for this reason, your entry fee will be refunded.
  • Judges’ sheets will be provided to each participant after the competition.
  • The LAC cannot take responsibility for lost or damaged art submissions, but will take all the necessary precautions to ensure that your creations are safe. You will be able to pick up your work after the competition exhibit ends on March 31st (or, for winning entries, after the awards ceremony on April 27th at Loudoun Valley High School).

Guidelines

Theatre and Voice

You must prepare and perform two contrasting pieces. Pieces are contrasting if they differ in style (comedic/dramatic), time period (modern/classical), tempo, characterization, etc. If you have a question about the appropriateness of the piece, please contact the LAC. Pieces must be memorized, and auditions must not exceed seven minutes total.
 
Theatre pieces may be soliloquies, monologues, or dramatic readings. 
 
Judging Criteria - Vocal ability, physical ability, stage presence, creativity, dynamics/contrast, and overall acting.
 
Vocal Music pieces may be art songs, jazz standards, spirituals, arias, or songs from the standard music theatre repertoire. If you require an accompanist, you must provide your own. Three copies of the score must be provided for judges.
 
Judging Criteria - Tone quality, technique, interpretation (phrasing/style), stage presence, and overall musicianship.

Danc​e

You must prepare and present one piece in the style of dance of your choosing, including jazz, modern, ballet, tap, or step. The selection must not exceed five minutes. A piano synthesizer and sound system will be available. If you require an accompanist, you must provide your own.
 
Judging Criteria - Technique, interpretation (phrasing/style), skill, and overall expression.

Instrumental

You must prepare and present one piece from the classical, jazz, or permanent pops repertoire. The selection must not exceed five minutes. Memorization is not required but is suggested. Three copies of the score must be provided for judges. Any instrument is eligible to enter. If you require an accompanist, you must provide your own.
 
Judging Criteria - Intonation, technique, interpretation (phrasing/style), tone quality, and overall musicianship.

Visual Arts

You may submit one original piece of art that does not use any trademarked or copyrighted material. Entries may be in any media, digital (including video and computer-mediated works), flat or three-dimensional (2D or 3D), and must be easily transportable and constructed on a scale that will fit through a standard door. Presentation is very important. If the artwork is to be displayed on a wall, it must be in appropriate condition to be hung, complete with adequate hardware. Artwork must be labeled with your name, medium, and title of work. If the artwork is digital, it (or a link to it on YouTube, Vimeo, or another website) must be emailed to info@loudounarts.org by March 8th for consideration.
 
Judging Criteria - Design, technique, cohesiveness of composition, expression, originality, skill, craftsmanship, and presentation.

Literary Arts

You may submit one original work. It may be poetry, fiction, criticism/essay, or a dramatic scene. Entries must total no more than 5 pages in length, double-spaced in 12 point Arial with one inch margins. Each entry must be clearly marked with your name, the type of work (e.g., poetry, fiction, etc.), and title, and must be emailed to info@loudounarts.org by March 8th.
 
Judging Criteria - Originality, use of literary elements within the genre, and expression and sophistication of ideas.

Awards Reception and Arts Showcase

A reception will be held at the Loudoun Valley High School Auditorium, 340 North Maple Avenue, Purcellville, VA 20132, on Saturday, April 27th, from 2pm to 4pm, for all participants and their guests, volunteers, judges, and the public. Prizes will be awarded at this time. Winners of the performance and literary arts categories may be invited to present a selection, as well as any video submissions to the visual arts category. Winning 2D and 3D visual arts pieces will be displayed in the lobby, to be picked up after the reception. This event is open to the public, although seating will be limited.
 
Questions? Email info@loudounarts.org for answers.