PANFest Solo Competition

NEW!!! The Solo competition will take place on Friday, May 7, 2027. Individuals are divided into Middle School, High School, and University/College divisions. An Individual can compete in one of two categories: Prepared Piece or Improvisation with a provided backing track. Students may register for multiple categories if the schedule permits, beginning on November 1.

PANFest Rules & Regulations PDF

General

Sign-ups will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the competition is full. Entries will be accepted in the order Registration Forms are submitted. Any middle school, high school, or full-time undergraduate university/college student may enter

DIRECTORS, STUDENTS, & ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS: No badge/ticket purchase is necessary to spectate and support solo performances throughout the day on Friday

Category Descriptions

Participants will choose one backing track from a selection provided by the Virginia International PANFest and solo on their pan of choice. All participants will be divided into three adjudication categories based on the rated difficulty from the Virginia International PANFest Committee.

*Track listings are available prior to registration. Audio Files will be available once an individual completes their registration

Rules & Regulations

- All participants will have an 8-minute interval, which includes set-up, performance time, breakdown, and the clearing from the performance area
- Each participant is responsible for providing, moving, and storage of their own equipment
- There is no required test piece. Repertoire must be selected form the VA PANFest's Prepared or Improv PML
- PREPARED SOLOS: Provide two copies of your music to the adjudicators before your solo begins (one original, one copy)
- IMPROVISATION SOLOS: A 5-second levels check is permitted to the soloist's preference. Sound will be operated by PANFest staff
- All participants will be playing “cold”, as there will be no warm-up location
- All music performed will be adjudicated. However, an individual may opt-out of the competition component at the director’s discretion and they will not be included in the final ranking
- Participants may NOT use live accompanists
- There will be three (3) adjudicators total
- All adjudicator scores will be averaged to determine the total score Comment sheets from all adjudicators will be available for participants
- "Awards will be given to the outstanding soloist in each instrument
  category. In the event of a tie in the snare drum/tenors competition, the Fundamentals Score will be used as the tie-breaker." PASIC RULES
- Adjudicators will have the liberty to give special/honorable mentions to participants on aspects of their performance that proved noteworthy
- The final verdict of a band's score upon the judges’ completing their deliberation will require that that final score be documented numerically and that the documented score shall be used solely to determine the correct ordinal placement of each band's position in the final placement. These final results will be posted publicly in order to provide complete transparency

Judging Criteria

Ratings & Awards

- Technique: 20
- Rhythm: 20
- Tone: 10
Collective Expression, Versatility, & Nuance
- Expression: 20
- Style: 10
Programming and Visual Presentation
- Stage Presence: 15
- General Effect: 5

Awards will be given to the outstanding soloist in each instrument
category. *See Rules and Regulations, Adjudication for further details

	Prepared Piece	Improvisation
1st Place	- $100 prize, free lesson, Mallet Man Sticks	- $100 prize, free lesson, Mallet Man Sticks
2nd Place	- Free lesson, Mallet Man Sticks	- Free lesson, Mallet Man Sticks

	pts.	SUPERIOR (90-100)	EXCELLENT (80-89)	GOOD (70-79)
Technique (accuracy, roll speed, visual)	20	Consistent striking zones, fluid, effective ergonomic movement around the pan.	Mostly consistent striking zones, mostly ergonomic movement around the pan.	Striking zones are sometimes consistent, occasional jagged/stiff/ laboring approach.
Rhythm (clarity, tempo, unisons, syncopation)	20	Steady tempo & solid ensemble interdependence, unison approach to rhythmic interp., and strumming.	Tempo & ensemble interdependence with inconsistent clarity, rhythmic interp. is mostly unison.	Tempo & Ensemble interdependence, sometimes shaky, rhythmic interp. varies, still largely in time.
Tone (balance, blend, tuning, touch)	10	Band has consistent control over touch, awareness of ensemble balance, and a blended sound.	Band displays control over touch, awareness of ensemble balance, and a blended sound most of the time.	Developing control over touch, ensemble balance & blended sound not always present.
Expression (dynamics, phrasing, direction, nuance)	20	Performers’ effective, unison use of dynamics and phrasing convey an artistic, energetic, and emotional understanding of the music and style to the audience.	Approaches to dynamics and phrasing are often effective, mostly conveying an artistic, energetic, and emotional understanding of the music and style.	Performers’ use of dynamics and phrasing present but not always effective, conveys general understanding of the music.
Style (arrangement, genre, execution)	10	Appropriate stylistic elements to reflect the varied genres of arrangements/selections.	Stylistic elements mostly reflect the varied genres of arrangements/selections.	Stylistic elements present, genres of arrangements/ selections.
Stage Presence (attire, energy, movement)	15	Performers are appropriately dressed, display movement and visual expression, exhibit connection/ communication with the audience.	Performers are appropriately dressed, display some movement and visual expression, slight connection/ communication with the audience.	Most performers are appropriately dressed, display little movement or visual expression, more engrossed in music execution.
General Effect	5	Very effective setlist.	Effective setlist.	Solid indiv. songs.

The PANFest Rules & Regulations, including Category Descriptions, Judging Criteria & Ratings, and Adjudication Rubric have been reviewed and approved by the following members of the Virginia International PANFest Committee:

Yuko Asada - Musical Instrument Technician and Director of Community School of the Arts Steelband at Northern Illinois University

Josanne Francis - Steelbands Director, University of Delaware

Managing Director, Steel on Wheels LLC

Tom Miller - Founder of Pan Ramajay Productions publishing; Director of Steel Drum Ensemble, World Percussion Studio, and Music Business academic courses, Lamont School of Music, University of Denver

Victor Provost - Adjunct Professor, Director of Steel Pan Ensemble, George Mason University

and facilitated by the Virginia International PANFest Board of Directors:

Dave Longfellow - PANFest Director

Daron Roberts - PANFest Coordinator

Audrey Holden - PANFest Operations Manager

PANFest Solo Competition

General

PARTICIPANTS

Category Descriptions

PREPARED PIECE

IMPROVISATION

Rules & Regulations

PERFORMANCE RULES

ADJUDICATION

Judging Criteria

Ratings & Awards

FUNDAMENTALS - 50 POINTS

MUSICIANSHIP - 30 POINTS

PERFORMANCE - 20 POINTS

RATINGS

AWARDS

PANFEST ADJUDICATION RUBRIC

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