Rules
The Voice of Grove City Vocal Competition is held at the The Arts in the Alley annual event in the Heart of Grove City Ohio, and is brought to you by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The purpose of this event is to foster and promote the art of music through a vocal competition that provides musical performance opportunities for people from ages 13+ to educate, recognize and encourage them to continue to use their gifts and talents.
1st Prize $2,500 and a trophy (Sponsored by Broadway Fireplace and Decor)
2nd Prize $500 and a trophy
3rd Prize $150 and a trophy (Sponsored by Belocal Grove City)
People's Choice Award is held at the Live Event in the final round - Bring your family and friends
Online Entry Deadline: August 31
- $25 Entry Fee
Live Round on Saturday, September 16
Entry Recording Selections
All videos should consist of either a solo or duo performance of a song either A Capella or with instrumental accompaniment. Any style of music is excepted that is family friendly in its lyrical content. VOGC reserves the right to not allow songs that are deemed inappropriate.
Preliminary Online Judging
Preliminary round recordings are reviewed by a selection committee of professional judges with various musical backgrounds, talent and creativity. The judging for the online preliminary round is based upon the following criteria: *Performance metrics will apply at onsite final rounds
- Quality of tone and pitch
- Level of difficulty and dynamics
- Accuracy of intonation and diction
- Quality of vocal technique and inflection
Advancement to the Live Event
After online judging is completed, twenty contestants will advance to the first of two live rounds held on Saturday during the Arts in the Alley Festival located in the heart of Grove City, Ohio. This will be a one day event and the winners will be determined by the end of day. Final notification of the top 20 online contestants, chosen by a diverse judging panel, will be sent via email no later than a week before the live event.
All 20 live contestants should be prepared to perform two live song selections and provide backtrack files or the type of accompaniment 48 hours after they have been selected to attend the live event.
If you are chosen to be part of the 20 semi-finalists, we will require your immediate acceptance to attend the one day live event. If you can not attend please notify us within 24 hrs so we can reach out to another contestant. This will also enable us to provide you with important information regarding the one day event requirements.
The winner of the Voice of Grove City will sing live at the Arts in the Alley finale awards presentation on Sunday afternoon at the close of the Arts in the Alley weekend.
Judging Criteria
Judges will consist of local and regional vocal, music, and entertainment professionals. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. A judging panel, consisting of no less than five professional judges will be present at both live rounds on Saturday beginning Saturday at noon (exact times will be communicated upon your acceptance to attend the live finals).
The judges will evaluate in all entries with the following criteria:
- Quality of tone and pitch
- Rhythm and voice control
- Level of difficulty and dynamics
- Abilities and skill as vocalist
Live auditions will add the following criteria:
- Marketability as an artist
- Display of confidence
- Use of space
- Song appropriation
Judging - Contestant Expectations
Contestants should prepare a brief introduction of their piece for the audience. After the performance, the judges panel is invited and encouraged to offer commentary. Judges typically offer direct, encouraging, and constructive observations on the nature of the performance with an emphasis on the artist’s strengths and helpful advice on how to improve on weaknesses.
The value of this competition is to provide many opportunities to the contestants to learn and improve their artistic expression. Contestants should prepare a brief introduction of their piece for the audience. After the performance, the judges panel is invited and encouraged to offer commentary. Judges typically offer direct, encouraging, and constructive observations on the nature of the performance with an emphasis on the artist’s strengths and helpful advice on how to improve on weaknesses. The value of this competition is to provide many opportunities to the contestants to learn and improve their artistic expression.
Although the rules above may appear rigorous and strictly observed, The Voice of Grove City Vocal Competition volunteers make every effort to ensure that artists have a successful and enjoyable professional experience. Participants are advised that their relationships with competition staff, accompanists, judges, and colleagues should be considerate and professional at all times.
Music Selection
Only songs that are family friendly in their lyrical content will be accepted. This includes all styles and genres.
A digital file of two songs must be emailed as a reply within 48 hours of being chosen to attend the live event via email. Each song will be a minimum length of 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes in length. Please see the following instrument accompaniment instructions, if applies:
- Single instrument accompaniment is permitted.
- Keyboard with basic effects and full sound system will be provided.
- Guitars or other instruments will need to be provided by the contestant.
- Another person playing an instrument is permitted.
- No full bands permitted because of setup time issues between contestants.
Attire
For all rounds, all types of attire is permitted as long as it is appropriate for a family friendly audience. Although multiple outfit changes are permitted, please keep the weather in mind for your preference of attire. If attire is not deemed appropriate for a family audience, you will be asked to change into something more appropriate. Please be mindful that part of the judging process involves presentation and marketability as an artist. We respect that all Voice of Grove City judges have a right to their diverse and professional opinion and their constructive advice is to be beneficial for every contestant.
Live Rounds
There will be a total of 2 rounds held on Saturday. No less than 20 contestants will perform outdoors on Saturday during the Arts in the Alley event before a live audience. The first round will be with 20 contestants who were chosen from an online judging process from videos uploaded to the website. Judges will then select the top 10 contestants from the first 20 semi finalists to continue to a final round to be held later that afternoon.
Sound checks will be provided Saturday morning as requested, no later than 1 hour before the event begins.
Attendance and parking for all family and friends is free during the Arts in the Alley event.
Finals Awards
First Place, Second Place and Third Place cash awards and trophies will be announced live at the end of the Final performances. The winner of The Voice of Grove City will be required to attend the following year with an opportunity to perform and be a judge, as well as present to crown the next year’s first place winner.
The Voice of Grove City - Assistance
If any aspect of the competition falls short of your expectations or requirements, you will have access to the producers or a volunteer representative to handle communications and remediation for you. This information will be provided to you upon your acceptance to perform at the quarter-final round. If assistance is needed, you will be formally introduced to the producers on Friday evening and will have their contact information for your use during your stay in Grove City. We will continue to make every effort to improve upon The Voice of Grove City vocal competition every year.
The Voice of Grove City Grievance - Procedures
Decisions by the The Voice of Grove City Vocal Competition judges panel, producers, and staff are final and not subject to appeal. Any complaints or requests for assistance or information are to be handled by contact with your contestant representative during your stay in Grove City, or by email after the event. Under no circumstances should a competitor’s agents, managers, or other professional or personal representatives contact the Grove City Chamber of Commerce office or staff concerning an artist’s involvement in The Voice of Grove City Vocal Competition.
