It is the desire of the PILOTS Convention to have the highest quality music competition possible. The intent of the music competition is to encourage students to apply their musical talents to church work and Christian values. Music must be appropriate for a typical evangelistic Independent Baptist church service.
All Music Event Submissions – Copies of music as performed and titles for all music entries are required to be digitally submitted to the PILOTS program by January 31 to be pre-approved for all music entries including vocal, instrumental, ensemble, choir, and band entries. Schools will be contacted directly regarding any issues with music that is submitted. Please be sure to submit entries promptly to avoid delays in the approval process and keep PILOTS guidelines in mind when selecting pieces, as it can be difficult for students to change pieces without adequate time to prepare for a performance. Please contact the PILOTS office with any questions before the deadline if needed.
Music files are to be uploaded directly to the program, rather than emailed to the PILOTS office. Please note, that while minor changes to wording, phrasing, etc. is acceptable, judges will be reviewing the submitted music files while judging in addition to their printed copies to ensure the submitted music is similar to what has been given to them in the performance rooms.
General Guidelines
- Competition arrangements are to be Christian or patriotic rather than secular.
- If included in the arrangement, classical music must be a complement to the hymn/religious piece and must not be the dominant focus. If a piece could be played in a church service as a special, it should be considered acceptable.
- Music sung or played with a jumpy, sensual, or worldly style is not acceptable.
- Jazz, rock, or country music will not be permitted, nor will contemporary Christian music.
- No electric instruments are allowed.
- While we realize each church is free to set their own standards for music, below are some guidelines that have been established for the music approval process:
- Each song is run through an internet search for the song title and viewed for the top artists known for singing the song. Songs associated with the contemporary music genre will not be approved.
- Each song is looked at for the writers of the song.
- Each song is looked at for the rhythm and overall feel of the song. A song could pass the previous bullet points but still have a contemporary overall feel.
- Professional background tapes are not allowed. However, a contestant may have a pianist record the accompaniment to be used at the competition. Other soundtracks are not permissible. Accompaniments must be submitted for approval as well.
- Three labeled (with all participant names, the church/school name, and entry type) copies of the arrangement as performed must be given to the judges before a performance.Music must be performed exactly as it appears on the score.If any changes are made to the score, the judges must receive copies of the corrected/changed score. Please see detailed requirements below.
- Judges will also be reviewing the approved music files submitted to the program while judging to ensure the piece being performed is similar. Major changes to the structure of the piece and printed music as performed vs. what was approved will result in points being deducted. Minor changes to wording, phrasing, expression, notes, etc. will not be affected.
- A student may not use the same song they have performed previously at PILOTS.
- There should be a pre-selected spokesman for each group who will introduce the group, the church/school represented, and the title of the song to be performed.
- Judges may not accompany any groups.
- Personal amplification equipment is not permitted.
- For judging criteria, see judge’s forms MF1, MF2, MF3, or MF4 (shown on each event's page).
Requirements for All Vocal/Instrumental Performances
- Three copies of the music must be brought to PILOTS by the student. All three copies of the music arrangement as performed are to be placed in one clear report cover folder; each copy of the music is to be stapled (if multiple pages) and clearly labeled with the contestant's name(s), church/school name, and the category entry (Female Duet, Male Trio, etc.) clearly visible on the front of each copy of music. Copies should be made prior to arrival at PILOTS. The office will not be able to provide copying of music or materials for students.
- Each measure in each song must be numbered to assist the judges in judging. Please ensure the title/name of the piece being performed is visible on each copy.
- All music for ensembles, choirs, and bands must be submitted digitally within the PILOTS program by the January 31 deadline as well. Files including song changes will not be accepted after that date.