Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 May 2013 From: Kiran Prakash, Talent Competition Coordinator

To: All Sunday School Principals and Area Coordinators Re: The Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions 2013 ……………………………………………………………………………. The Annual Sunday School Talent competitions and Talent show for the year 2013 is tentatively scheduled to be held on October 12, 2013 (back up date Oct 26, 2013) from 9:00 AM. Venue will be announced later. Registration will commence at 8:00 AM. Principals of Individual Sunday Schools are to conduct the competitions at their parish and register for the Area Competitions. The Area Competition date, venue, and registration dead line for your area will be provided by your Area Coordinator. Area Coordinators are requested forward the Diocesan level completion details, rules and judging criteria provided for the 2013 Talent Competition to all Sunday Schools in your area. The area competitions for 2013 should be conducted using the same format of the diocesan level competition. Registration deadline for the diocesan competition is October 01, 2013. The Diocesan Competition Event General Guideline provided should be used to brief your Area Principals after the Area Competition at your area. This is solely for the Diocesan Event. Page 1 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Please note all Rules and Judging Criteria for each of the competitions and the Elocution topics and Bible Quiz topics have been reviewed and approved by Diocesan Metropolitan HG Zachariah Mar Nicholovos and Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese. The approved Competition Rules and Judging Criteria for each of the 2013 talent competitions have been attached. The topics for Elocution and Bible quiz that was published earlier are also attached. Please note that the General Event Guidelines for Diocesan Talent Competition are applicable for the 2013 Diocesan Level Talent Competition and need not be the event guidelines at the area level. For 2013, it is up to the Area Coordinator to decide on the Event Guidelines for the respective Area but it is strongly recommended to follow the Diocesan Talent Competition Structure. For additional information, please www.indianorthodoxsundayschool.org

check

Thank you for your support and cooperation,

Kiran Prakash Talent Competition Coordinator

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Sunday

School

website

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Categories: Talent Competitions will be held in each of the following categories 1. Bible Storytelling 2. Elocution 3. Solo Song 4. Group Song 5. Bible Quiz

Solo Categories: As in the past, each parish can register 2 participants per group in each solo category for the area competition The solo categories comprises of Bible Storytelling, Elocution and Solo Song. Bible Storytelling competition is held for groups 1 through 3. Elocution competition is held for groups 4 through 7. Solo song competition is held for groups 1 through 7. Each of these competitions will be held in Malayalam and English. Please note that a participant can register and participate in only one of the languages and not both. Each Sunday School Area is to register the 2 winning participants per group, in each solo category, for the diocesan competition. Group Song: Each parish can register one Group Song team for the area competition. There must be a minimum of three participants in the team. The area competition Group Song winning team will move on to the Diocesan level. Bible Quiz: Each parish can register one Bible Quiz team for the area competition. Each team comprises of 3 representatives and at Parish level, if there are more than 3 candidates, the best three are to be chosen to represent the Parish. The area competition Bible Quiz winning team will move on to the Diocesan level. Page 3 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 The participants are registered into one of the 7 groups based on the grades they were in as of 01/01/2013. Please note the 2013 Talent Competition is held for the 2012-13 Sunday School year. Even if the 2013 Parish competition is being held later on, that is in the next Sunday School year 2013-14, Principals please register your participants as per their grades as of 01/01/13.

2

Grade 1 Grade 2

3

Grade 3 Grade 4

4

Grade 5 Grade 6

5

Grade 7 Grade 8

6

Grade 9 Grade 10

7

Grade 11 Grade 12

English Elocution

Malayalam Elocution

English Bible Storytelling

Malayalam Bible Storytelling

English Solo Song

Group Song

Nursery KG

Bible Quiz

1

Malayalam Solo Song

*(As of Jan 01 2013)

Grades*

Groups

Competition Categories and Group/Grade Matrix:

Open to all grade levels

Open to all grade levels

Note: Shaded box means competition is not available for the corresponding group/grade level.

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Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Rules: Solo Song: Can participate in Malayalam or English (Not Both)  Only Christian songs of appreciable quality in Malayalam or English  Song sheets are permitted  Time limit: 3 MINUTES ONLY (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED) Group Song: One team from a parish.  Minimum 3 members in the team.  Only liturgical songs from the Holy Qurbana, Daily Prayers (Namaskarakramam), Sacraments (Kudasakramam) or Festivals (Perunal Geethangal) in English or Malayalam.  Song sheets are permitted  Time limit: 3 MINUTES ONLY (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED) Elocution: Can participate in Malayalam or English (Not Both)  Time Limit: 5 MINUTES ONLY (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED)  No written aids will be allowed  The topic will be randomly chosen just prior to the start of the competition Bible Storytelling: Can participate in Malayalam or English of your Choice. (Not Both)  Time limit: 3 MINUTES ONLY (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED)  No written aids will be allowed Bible Quiz (English):  Time limit: 1 hour  Questions from the 2013 assigned books of RSV Bible.

Microphone system may be used if available at the venue for Malayalam/English Solo Song/Group Song. The decisions of the judges will be final for all competitions

Approved by Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese Page 5 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Components for Judging Solo Song Component General Appearance Song Presentation Music Overall Appeal

Points 10 10 20 10

Bible Storytelling Component Introduction Selection/Delivery Content Moral/Conclusion

Points 10 10 20 10

Elocution Component Introduction Presentation Content Conclusion

Points 10 10 20 10

Group Song Component General Appearance Song Presentation Music Group Coordination/Overall Appeal

Points 10 10 20 10

Approved by Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese Page 6 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Definition of Components

Solo and Group Song 

General Appearance o Confidence, humility, poise, posture, and eye contact.

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Song Presentation o Lyrical delivery, intensity, speed of the song (tempo), devotional, and enthusiastic.

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Music o Correct pitch, tone, harmony, breathe control, volume, rhythm, and diction.

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Overall Appeal (for solo song only) o Message conveyed to listener, vocal quality, vocal skills and techniques, ability to engage listener, and confident beginning and ending of the song.

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Group Coordination/Overall Appeal (for group song only) o Message conveyed to listener, vocal quality, vocal skills and techniques, ability to engage listener, and confident beginning and ending of the song, and group coordination.

Approved by Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese Page 7 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Bible Storytelling 

Introduction o Stage approach, introduction of Bible story (including story title and reference from the Bible), and brief narration of the Biblical context

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Selection/Delivery o Age appropriateness of the Bible story selected, language, clarity, body language, tone, emotion, and confidence.

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Content o Context (was the Bible story being narrated according circumstances in which the passage occurred) and proper adherence to all plot details.

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Moral/Conclusion o Summary of the Bible story (delivery of moral of the story) and ending.

Elocution 

Introduction o Start of speech and introduction of topic.

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Presentation o Language, clarity, body language, tone, emotion and flow of speech.

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Content o Relation of speech to the given topic, presentation of ideas, knowledge about the subject, organization of ideas, relevance, citing examples from Bible and relating message to the present day (citing examples from history/society).

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Moral/Conclusion o Sum up ideas and proper conclusion Approved by Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese Page 8 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

2013 Annual Talent Competitions Elocution Topics – 2013 GROUP 4 (grades 5 & 6 as of 01/01/2013): 1. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own. (1 Corinthians 6:19) 2. Describe the importance of prayer in the life of an Orthodox Christian.

GROUP 5 (grades 7 & 8 as of 01/01/2013): 1. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1) 2. Describe the importance of Scripture in the life of an Orthodox Christian. GROUP 6 (grades 9 & 10 as of 01/01/2013): 1. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, (James 1:19) 2. How does the Tradition of the Church preserve the Orthodox Faith? GROUP 7 (grades 11 & 12 as of 01/01/2013): 1. Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21) 2. What is the importance of the Holy Trinity within Christian Orthodoxy?

Bible Quiz – 2013 Reference for Bible Quiz: Ezra, Job, and Gospel of St. John (RSV Bible Version)

2013 Sunday School Elocution topics and Bible Quiz reference books reviewed at the Sunday School Board meeting on Feb 28, 2013 under the guidance of Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese and has been approved by Diocesan Metropolitan HG Zachariah Mar Nicholovos.

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Diocesan Competition General Event Guidelines: General Information:       

Collect participant badge from the participant registration desk between 8:00 am and 8:50am. Participant badge should be collected by participant in person and will NOT be handed over to parents, principal, or any other individual. Any and all clarifications should be done before the commencement of each competition. No individual can leave/enter the competition room during the performance of any participant or group. If there is any concern/issue/problem, please approach the Talent Competition Coordinator along with the Area Coordinator of your Sunday School Area. No competition can be interrupted for any reason including entering or leaving the competition room the performance of any participant or group. One of the two elocution topics will be chosen at random at the venue on the day of the competition and will be announced immediately.

General Rules:     

Time limit will be strictly enforced. Microphone system may be used if available at the venue for Malayalam/English Solo Song/Group Song. The decisions of the judges will be final for all competitions. No audio or video recording of any competition is permitted. No pictures with or without flash can be taken of any competition. Until the final results are announced, no participant/parent/individual is allowed to approach any of the judges for any reason. If participant/parent/individual is found approaching the judges, this will affect the points adversely.

2013 Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions - General Event Guidelines (Diocesan Competition) Page 10 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013

Tie breaker:

Competition

Priority 1

2

3

4

Malayalam Solo Song

Music

Song Presentation

Overall Appeal

Appearance

English Solo Song

Music

Song Presentation

Overall Appeal

Appearance

Malayalam Bible Storytelling

Content

Delivery

Conclusion

Introduction

English Bible Storytelling

Content

Delivery

Conclusion

Introduction

Malayalam Elocution

Content

Presentation

Conclusion

Introduction

English Elocution

Content

Presentation

Conclusion

Introduction

Music

Song Presentation

Group Coordination/ Overall Appeal

Appearance

Group Song

2013 Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions - General Event Guidelines (Diocesan Competition) Page 11 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Competition Specific Guidelines: Solo Song  Can participate in either Malayalam OR English (not both) as per participant’s choice at the time of registration by Principal.  Only Christian songs of appreciable quality in Malayalam OR English.  Song sheets are permitted  Time limit: 3 Minutes. No warning will be given in the event of exceeding the time limit and 5 points will be deducted from the combined score from all the judges.  An introduction of the solo song or the title of the solo song does not have to be presented by the participant. If it is presented, the time for the participant starts with this introduction/title. It will be included as part of the 3 Minute time for the participant.

Bible Storytelling  Can participate in either Malayalam OR English (not both) as per participant’s choice at the time of registration by Principal  Only Biblical event can be narrated.  No costumes or story theme related articles to be used.  No written aids or notes will be permitted  Time limit: 3 Minutes. No warning will be given in the event of exceeding the time limit and 5 points will be deducted from the combined score from all the judges. Elocution  Can participate in either Malayalam OR English (not both) as per participant’s choice at the time of registration by Principal.  One of two topics that were provided prior to competition will be chosen at random and announced at the beginning of the competition.  Presentation must be on selected topic.  No written aids or notes will be permitted.  Time limit: 5 Minutes. No warning will be given in the event of exceeding the time limit and 5 points will be deducted from the combined score from all the judges.

2013 Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions - General Event Guidelines (Diocesan Competition) Page 12 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013 Competition Specific Rules (cont.): Group Song  One team from a parish with a minimum 3 participants in the team.  Only liturgical songs from the Holy Qurbana, Daily Prayers (Namaskarakramam), Sacraments (Kudasakramam) or Festivals (Perunal Geethangal) in English or Malayalam.  Song sheets are permitted.  Time limit: 3 Minutes. No warning will be given in the event of exceeding the time limit and 5 points will be deducted from the combined score from all the judges.  Microphone system may be used if available at the venue and is to be setup/adjusted/placed in position for the team by the Principal/Sunday School teacher/Member of the parish of that group song team.  An introduction of the group song or the title of the group song does not have to be presented by the group song team. If it is presented, the time for the group song team starts with this title/introduction. It will be included as part of the 3 Minute time for that group song team.  If the group song team would like the group song title to be announced, this should be handed over to Diocesan Talent Coordinator. An announcer will announce the title prior to the start of the group song and this will not be included as part of the 3 Minute time for that group song team. Only the title/name and no other information of that group song will be announced. If it is a compilation of various permitted songs (as per group song rules), then it will be announced as a ‘Compilation of Permitted liturgical songs’ and the title of the individual songs comprising the group song will not be announced.

Bible Quiz  The Bible Quiz will be conducted in English.  Questions from 3 previously assigned books of the Bible.  Only the Revised Standard Version (RSV) should be used.  Time limit will be approximately 1 hour.  One team from a parish. Only 3 participants in the team.  Each of the six teams will have 3 participants each. A teacher from a different SS Area will be assigned to each team as an evaluator. 2013 Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions - General Event Guidelines (Diocesan Competition) Page 13 of 14

Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East Northeast American Diocese

Sunday School Annual Talent Competition 2013          

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There will be 30 questions. Each of the questions will be read by the Quiz master and will appear on Screen as well. Once a question is read, the 30sec count-down timer on the screen will start. During the 30 seconds, each team can discuss amongst themselves and write down their Answer on the given Answer Sheet. Once the 30 seconds is up, the team can NOT write or change their Answer on the paper. The pen must be put down. After the 30 seconds is up, the Quiz Master will read out the answer, which will also appear on the screen. The teacher assigned to the team will verify if the answer is correct and let the Quiz Master know if the team has received a point for this answer. The points attained by each team will be noted on the Score-Screen. Each complete correct answer will be awarded one point. There are no half points or fraction points. No points will be awarded if the answer is not complete. [Example: Question-Who is the first man and woman created by God? If the answer by the team is "Adam" and not "Adam and Eve", then no point will be awarded to the team for this answer as team’s given answer is partial and not complete. No partial or fraction point will be awarded.] At the end of the 30 questions, the team with the highest score will be declared as the winner. If there is a tie at the end of the 30 questions, a tie breaker question will be given. Tiebreaker questions will be given until a clear winner can be determined. During the Quiz, NO parent or member of the audience will be allowed to interrupt the Quiz. The team members are not allowed to discuss the question or answer with the assigned teacher. All questions or concerns or clarifications must be directed to the Quiz Master. The Quiz Master is to conduct the Quiz as per the rules and guidelines approved and provided. All concerns raised by the team or teachers that can not be cleared by the rules and guidelines provided, should be re-directed by the Quiz Master towards the Sunday School Director or the Talent Competition Coordinator. In this case, the Sunday School Director and the Diocesan Talent Competition Coordinator will make the final decision. If there is any issue or concern regarding the Question or Answer or with the Quiz format or any other Quiz related concern, the Sunday School Director and Talent Competition Coordinator will make the appropriate decision which will be final.

2013 Annual Sunday School Talent Competitions - General Event Guidelines (Diocesan Competition) Page 14 of 14