La Voix Singers Competition Pre-Competition Meeting
- Ms G
- Jul 21
- 8 min read
Good evening, everyone.
Today, we are holding our final meeting before the La Voix Singers Competition. Before discussing the competition, I would like to share a few updates.
Books and Vocal-Care Products
The first batch of books has arrived, and they are beautiful. Some students who had sessions or reviews with me have already received theirs. Those who have sessions with me this week will also receive their copies. The remaining books will be distributed through the tutors.
Those who attended the masterclass may remember meeting Joyce. She prepared the oil that was used to help the singers relax and feel more comfortable before performing. It may also provide support for the sinuses and has several other benefits.
I will share a separate post explaining the product in more detail. A new delivery has now arrived, so anyone interested may ask me about it during their lesson. The products will also be available from Josephine during the competition.
The vocal-recovery spray that some of you asked about will also be available.
Competition Preparations
Backing Tracks
It is extremely important that every singer gives their songs and backing tracks to their vocal coach or tutor so that they can be saved in our shared Drive.
Those who still have a lesson this week should confirm with their tutor that the correct versions have been uploaded. You may also check whether your tutor has left a note in your book confirming that this has been done.
Every coach may use a different method, so please speak directly to your coach and make sure everything is ready.
USB Backup
Every singer must also bring a USB containing the backing tracks for all the songs they will perform.
This is a live event, and unexpected technical issues can happen. Should there be a problem with the Drive or the main system, we must be able to use your USB as a backup.
Please check the USB in advance and make sure that all tracks are saved correctly and are clearly labelled.
Singing Equipment
Please bring your full singing bag with you, including any tools normally used during lessons or before performing. This may include:
Your vocal tube
Your singing straw
Vocal-recovery drops or spray
A nebuliser, when normally used
Your USB
A bottle of water
Any other items required for your warm-up or vocal workout
It is best to bring everything together in one prepared bag.
Please also make sure that all equipment is clean and ready to use. The toilets and common areas may be very busy during the event, so preparing everything beforehand will make the day easier.
The deadline for submitting songs and tracks was earlier today. As the final schedule was received late, please make sure that any remaining work involving songs or backing tracks is completed immediately.
Behaviour Inside the Theatre
Each competition category is divided into sections. We understand that people may need to use the toilet, visit the bar, go outside or move between areas. However, nobody should stand up or walk around while a singer is performing.
Doing so is disrespectful and may distract the singer at a very important moment. It could also affect what happens on stage.
Please show respect to every performer by remaining silent and seated during each performance.
There will be breaks between sections. Anyone who wishes to leave the theatre should do so during a break and return before the next section begins.
Movement and unnecessary noise can also disturb the jury and may cause delays to the programme.
Cleanliness
It is extremely important that we keep the theatre clean.
This is something that has been brought to our attention in the past. Please use the bins provided and dispose of all bottles, food packaging and other rubbish before leaving your seat.
Parking
Parking will be available inside the grounds, although not directly beside the hall. Members of the team will guide you when you arrive.
How the Awards Work
Each category contains several sections. For example, Category A may contain three separate sections. Once all the singers in those sections have performed, the results for each section will be announced.
First, second and third place may be awarded within each section. Ties may also be awarded.
There will also be a number of special awards, including awards such as:
Best Interpretation
Public Opinion or Audience Choice
Other special performance awards
Singers who receive exceptionally high marks across the entire category may move beyond the normal first-, second- or third-place awards.
Depending on the final score, they may instead receive a more prestigious category award, such as:
Grand Prix
Grand Prix Runner-Up
Overall Winner
Overall Runner-Up
Therefore, should you not hear a singer’s name announced among the normal section results, it may mean that the singer has qualified for one of the larger awards.
Naturally, should there ever be a mistake, it will be checked and corrected.
As with many of our competitions, singers may also receive opportunities to represent Malta in international competitions abroad. This competition will once again offer such opportunities, together with a number of prizes and gifts.
The Purpose of the Competition
Our intention is to create a beautiful and positive event.
The competition gives singers opportunities, but it also allows us to see their progress when they perform on stage.
During lessons, students learn and develop their songs. They work on technique, interpretation and confidence. However, the experience of performing on stage cannot be recreated fully by a vocal coach or technical tutor during a normal session.
The process works as a chain:
Students learn, practise, improve their songs, develop their technique and build their confidence. All of that work then comes together when they step onto the stage.
This is why we organise events regularly, usually every two or three months. We want our singers to have consistent opportunities to perform and grow.
These events also allow singers to receive feedback from experienced professionals who understand the industry. Their comments help us assess the work being carried out with each singer and identify areas for further development.
For those taking part with us for the first time, we hope this will be a very positive experience. Our aim is for every singer to enjoy the experience so much that they will want to return to the stage again in the following months.
We want our singers to enjoy performing, grow in confidence and continue developing.
Provisional Running Order
Saturday
Category A
Category A will begin at 8:00 a.m.
Everyone should be seated between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m.
The performances will take place, followed by the relevant blind performance, results and awards.
Category B
Category B is expected to begin at approximately 10:45 a.m.
Some details concerning the exact timing of Category B still need to be confirmed.
The category will be followed by its blind performance, results and awards.
Category C
Category C will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m.
This will be followed by the Super Grand Prix and the presentation of awards.
We must continue moving through the programme efficiently. Excessive noise may force us to stop, which would delay the entire schedule. Please help us remain on time.
Singers who perform earlier in the day and wish to return for the Super Grand Prix do not need to remain at the venue all day. Parents may take their children home or somewhere quiet to rest and then return later.
It will be a long day for the organisers, but this does not mean that the children should also remain there throughout the entire day.
Please follow the schedule for your own category.
Sunday
Sunday will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the blind performance for the 11-to-13 age group.
Its results will then be announced.
Category D
Category D is expected to begin at approximately 9:15 a.m.
The performances will be followed by the results and awards.
Category E
Category E will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m.
This will be followed by the Super Grand Prix and the final awards.
Sunday is expected to finish earlier than Saturday.
Punctuality
Please respect the times that have been assigned to you.
We have received questions asking whether singers may arrive after their assigned time. Unfortunately, this cannot be permitted.
A scheduled time must be respected. Failure to follow the timings provided may cause serious difficulties for the running of the competition.
Anyone wishing to book additional sessions with their tutors should arrange them outside competition hours. Our tutors will do their best to adjust their schedules during these two days.
We understand that singers and parents may feel nervous or excited. This is completely normal, and your coaches will understand and support you.
Please arrive at St Vincent de Paul approximately 15 to 20 minutes before your required arrival time. This will reduce confusion and congestion at the entrance.
A Healthy Competition
This is intended to be a healthy and positive competition. We want the children to make friends and the parents to speak and socialise with one another. We do not want arguments, rivalry or unnecessary tension.
As in every competition, there will be winners and some awards will be larger than others. However, the purpose of competing is to learn, develop and improve.
Healthy competitions teach children how to grow.
Later in their development, singers may experience larger and more challenging competitions. Some of those experiences may be disappointing. Without the correct mental preparation, disappointment can have a negative impact on a child.
It is therefore important for children first to experience what a healthy competition should be. We recently went through another major experience involving The Voice. I cannot share further information at this stage, but it was both a beautiful and stressful experience.
Children also grow when they gradually learn how to manage pressure. By using competitions and events like this one, we introduce singers to pressure slowly, safely and positively. This helps prepare them should they later wish to participate in larger productions or competitions such as The Voice, X Factor or similar programmes.
Without previous stage and competition experience, it can be much more difficult for them to cope with larger opportunities and possible disappointments.
Administration, Jury and Results
Our administration team will be available throughout the event, together with our helpers.
The competition will be judged by a professional jury.
Trixie and Alexia will also be present to calculate and verify the marks.
Singers will receive their judges’ comments and result sheets to take home on the same day.
The process will be fully transparent.
We hope that everyone enjoys the competition as much as we are looking forward to it.
Clothing and Stage Presentation
Please make sure that children are comfortable in what they wear. The same applies to our older singers.
It is summer, and the weather is very warm. Unless a particular costume is genuinely needed for the interpretation of a song, singers should not wear anything that makes them uncomfortable.
This is a performance, and a singer must be able to move, breathe and express themselves freely on stage.
An exaggerated costume will not automatically result in higher marks.
The main judging criteria are:
Interpretation
Voice
Vocal technique
The beauty or cost of an outfit is not part of the judging criteria. Naturally, clothing should still be appropriate for the song. For example, the styling of an emotional song should complement the performance. However, this does not mean that costumes need to be excessive.
This is a personal opinion, and others may see things differently, but please avoid dressing children as though they are attending a wedding or formal gala.
Let children remain children.
The same applies to excessive makeup and styling. It is summer, and singers need to feel fresh and comfortable. It is extremely important to keep them hydrated, particularly during the current heat.
Their health, comfort and ability to perform are far more important than elaborate makeup or costumes.
Warm-Up and Final Preparation
Every singer should complete a warm-up and vocal workout before performing.
They may find a suitable quiet area, use an available room or step outside briefly when appropriate.
Singers should also begin preparing and warming up at home before travelling to the venue. They can then complete their final warm-up shortly before performing.
Most importantly, prepare properly, enjoy the experience and have fun on stage.
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