News and Updates

Houstonfest Scholarships

Gail Cope Scholarships at State

Plays will be performed at Houstonfest

Changes to rules and critique sheets for 2010

Scholarships for winning research papers at State

Daily log of changes to state-qualifier list

Important Dates

Mar. 5, 2010:  Houstonfest Scholarship applications due

Mar. 10, 2010:  Gail Cope Scholarship applications due

Jan. x, 2011:  Early-bird registration ($8) must be postmarked and online registration must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.

Jan. x, 2011:  Regular registration ($10) must be postmarked and online registration must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.

Feb. 5, 2011:  Houstonfest, Lanier Middle School, Houston

Feb. x, 2011:  State early-bird registration due (submit online registration and mail payment; payment must arrive by Feb. x)

Feb. x, 2011:  State regular registration due

Feb. 26, 2011:  Texas State German Contest, University of Texas at Austin

Rules:  Declamation Events

General rule for all declamation events:

A student may not perform the same poem or prose selection in both the Memory and Reading competitions, and a student may not perform the same poem or prose selection that he/she has performed in any previous year.

Poetry Memory:

Length and time requirements:

Level 1:  16-24 lines or 1-2 minutes

Level 2:  20-32 lines or 1.5-2.5 minutes
Levels 3, 4, and Advantaged:  24-46 lines or 2-3 minutes

Three entries per level per school (except for the Advantaged level, where the limit is two entries per school).  The selection must be by a German-speaking author, i.e., originally published in German.  It may not be a translation from a non-German speaking author, even if it has been published, but it may be by a non-German who writes in German, e.g., Kishon.  The title of the selection and the author must be listed along with the name of the student performing it on the alphabetical student list at the time of registration.  At least two copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Poems may be edited to fit time or line limits.  Poetry Memory is dramatic interpretation, but without costumes and props.  The contestant may use one chair and may move during the presentation.  Download critique sheet.

Poetry Reading:

Length and time requirements:

Level 1:  16-24 lines or 1-2 minutes

Level 2:  20-32 lines or 1.5-2.5 minutes
Levels 3 and 4:  24-46 lines or 2-3 minutes

Three entries per level per school.  The selection must be by a German-speaking author, i.e., originally published in German.  It may not be a translation from a non-German speaking author, even if it has been published, but it may be by a non-German who writes in German, e.g., Kishon.  The title of the selection and the author must be listed along with the name of the student performing it on the alphabetical student list at the time of registration.  At least two copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Poems may be edited to fit time or line limits.  Poetry Reading is judged on the basis of reading and not on any interpretation by the contestant, other than the use of voice changes, eye contact, facial gestures, and some use of hands.  No props or costumes may be used.  The contestant may not walk around.  Download critique sheet.

Prose Memory:

Length and time requirements:

Level 1:  16-24 lines or 1-2 minutes

Level 2:  20-32 lines or 1.5-2.5 minutes
Levels 3, 4, and Advantaged:  24-46 lines or 2-3 minutes

Three entries per level per school (except for the Advantaged level, where the limit is two entries per school).  The selection must be by a German-speaking author, i.e., originally published in German.  It may not be a translation from a non-German speaking author, even if it has been published, but it may be by a non-German who writes in German, e.g., Kishon.  The title of the selection and the author must be listed along with the name of the student performing it on the alphabetical student list at the time of registration.  At least two copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Prose Memory is dramatic interpretation, but without costumes and props.  The contestant may use one chair and may move during the presentation.  Download critique sheet.

Prose Reading:

Length and time requirements:

Level 1:  16-24 lines or 1-2 minutes

Level 2:  20-32 lines or 1.5-2.5 minutes
Levels 3 and 4:  24-46 lines or 2-3 minutes

Three entries per level per school.  The selection must be by a German-speaking author, i.e., originally published in German.  It may not be a translation from a non-German speaking author, even if it has been published, but it may be by a non-German who writes in German, e.g., Kishon.  The title of the selection and the author must be listed along with the name of the student performing it on the alphabetical student list at the time of registration.  At least two copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Prose Reading is judged on the basis of reading and not on any interpretation by the contestant, other than the use of voice changes, eye contact, facial gestures, and some use of hands.  No props or costumes may be used.  The contestant may not walk around.  Download critique sheet.