The 44th Annual Oratorical/Musical Contest

Theme: “African American Students Taking Pride in Their Roots, and Leading the Way with Power in the Future"

Application Due: 

In-Person, February 15, 2024

PRESENTATIONS MUST BE MEMORIZED

Please mail the application to SFABSE, 1133 Bowdoin Street, San Francisco, CA 94134 

or email the application to turnerandlaura@gmail.com. 

**Note: No applications are accepted on the day of the contest! **

1. Poems, speeches, or spoken words that reflect Black Lives
2. Original speeches may be written on the theme
3. Music: All music must be memorized. No recorded music unless used for the background only.  ​No rapping or no lip-syncing.​ Students must present their own music.

General information may be obtained from the following people:  

1.  Brenda Jackson, Chairperson of Oratorical 415-819-9343 turnerandlaura@gmail.com 

2. Mary Twegbe, Chair of Judges 415-584-1294 ​maryt831@gmail.com

3. Etoria Cheeks, President SFABSE 415-302-2485 cheekse@sfusd.edu

4. Emily Wade-Thompson, wadethompsone@sfusd.edu

5. School-site 

In-person

Contest Date:  February 24, 2024, 9:30 am - 12 noon

Mission High Schools

3750 18th Street, San Francisco, California

Oratorical and Musical Contest and Purpose 

The Oratorical/Spoken Word/Musical Contest is an activity of the committee to develop oral language skills.  The committee was formed to provide a forum for students to demonstrate excellence in oral language, speaking,  comprehension, collaboration, presentation of knowledge, and ideas of the subject.  (Common Core State Standards for CCR English and Social Studies.)  Students who are enrolled in elementary, middle, and high schools are eligible to compete. Each contestant will be awarded a certificate verifying participation in the oratorical contest. 

The purpose of these competitions is two-fold: 

• To encourage students to develop skills in the memorization, interpretation, and delivery of famous speeches and poems 
• To encourage students to develop the artistry of public speaking through creative expositions and poems, throughout the competition, tempo, and name of the composer.  **All musical materials must be memorized. **Copy of the material must be presented to the chairperson. 

The participants will be judged on the following: enunciation, projection, style of presentation, poise, use of language, vocabulary, delivery, and knowledge of the subject. All oratorical materials must be delivered by memorization.  Contestants must not use notes, cue cards, or scripts.  Any contestant exceeding the maximum time limit will be penalized.  Single presentations only. 

MUSIC-- The purpose of performing arts is to encourage students to develop expertise., to recognize the uniqueness of each individual’s special talent, to develop skills, self-esteem, and self-confidence in the area of vocal, piano instrumental music. 

The participants will be judged on the following: basic musical knowledge, musical expression, key of the song, and music must be given to judges.  TIES: There are no ties. Only one person can win in each category! 

GENERAL RULES 

All applications must be completed and received by February 15, 2024.  The contest is open to any student from grades K through 12.  The students must be currently enrolled in school in San Francisco.  A sponsor may be a parent, guardian, counselor, teacher, community organization  (Church, Sorority, Fraternity, etc.)  

Primary school (Grades K-2) Rules: The maximum time limit for primary school students is three (3) minutes. Music ​– maximum time limit is five (5) minutes.  

Elementary School (Grades 3 ​– 5) Rules: The maximum time limit for elementary school students is five (5) minutes. Music- maximum time limit is five (5) minutes.  

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Rules: The maximum time limit for middle school students is seven (7) minutes.  Music ​– Maximum time limit is (5) minutes.  

High School (Grades 9 – 12) Rules:  The maximum time limit for high school is (10) minutes 

Music-- maximum time limit is (7) minutes 

THE SELECTION OF WINNERS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE JUDGES!