Re: Competition

[Douglas Benton]

Valerie Stephenson said:

However, in my experience, we're always in some phase of competition with those in a similar medium. I know my groups always knew "where they stood" when in the midst of a festival (supposedly non-competitive). No, we were never graded or judged, but we sure knew if we were better or worse than the groups around us. In its own simplistic way, we judged ourselves. For the most past here, I'm speaking of the general adult or church youth choirs. I'm not sure our Guild functions would benefit by pitting groups into competition, with "chosen judges", to what end and for what benefit that we already don't get.

Well put.  IIRC, the wording in the Bylaws says something like 'no *direct competition* between ensembles and ringers.  When I was on the Bylaws Committee in another life, we wanted to allow competition against a standard for schools, etc., but not a "1st prize, 2nd prize, etc." type competition.  Not having direct competition allows the freedom to exchange new ideas rather than not sharing "secrets before the competition".  Plus, handbells, as an instrument, IS different than any other ensemble, generally speaking, of course, since there is more than one person singing soprano, and more than one person playing first clarinet.  In high school, my band (144) had 4 first trumpets and 8 first clarinets.  I was first *chair* baritone horn, of 4 baritones.  Not sure how many sops in the Choir (which I also sang in - as a bass, not sop!), but there were a LOT!

I would be opposed to *direct competition* but I don't have a problem at all with competition against a standard.

FWIW.

Doug Benton

Gold Canyon, AZ

[Barbara Brocker]

This is just purely subjective, but I love the way our organization doesn’t have competition.  It’s been a welcoming place.  I can name the people who were there to help me up when I stumbled.  I’ve learned enormously from watching other groups and individuals, not based on a “rating system” but on what I like, admire, and appreciate.  Creativity is supported, while the “core” values and techniques come out again and again and again.  It’s all there – we just have to look for it.

 

We also (many of us) work with people who “show up at church” and want to play bells.  Some of us are lucky enough to have an advanced ensemble within the program and other opportunities for everyone to “stretch.”  But to put us out there to either be adjudicated (or feel badly because we don’t dare) would add something I don’t want to add to our organization.  As a teacher struggles to have the triumph of Sally learning her letters (but falling short of a test), we also struggle with Nancy learning her rhythms.  And we triumph with her when she finally gets it right.

 

My friends tell me they want competition for their kids.  Well, I’m not a kid anymore.  And I love the fact that we don’t have adjudication.

 

Purely subjective,

Barb (who has benefitted beyond my wildest dreams from that supportive environment)