News and Updates

Special Rules and Procedures for the 2021 Remote Contest

Houstonfest Scholarships

Scholarships at State

Teacher-to-Teacher Tips

Tips for Pair Discussion

Photo Gallery 2014

Arrival at Heights High School

Lunch options

Plays will be performed at Houstonfest

Daily log of changes to state-qualifier list

Important Dates

Sat., Jan. 16, 2021:  Regular deadline to submit registration spreadsheet in order to pay regular price of $10/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 1/25).

Mon., Jan. 25, 2021:  Final deadline to submit registration spreadsheet for late price of $12/student and deadline to postmark payment.

Mon., Feb. 1, 2021:  Proof sheet of entries sent to teachers for final verification and changes.

Wed., Feb. 3, 2021, 8:00 p.m.:  Deadline to submit changes (adds, drops, substitutions). After this point, no more additions or substitutions will be allowed.

Sat., Feb. 6, 2021:  Houstonfest (100% remote): some events conducted "live" (online) that day, all others submitted digitally by 9:00 a.m.

Sat., Feb. 13, 2021:  Houstonfest online awards ceremony, time TBA.

Wed., Feb. 17, 2021:  State online registration due by 11:59 p.m. for "early bird" price of $10/student (payment does not have to be mailed yet). Also, deadline to apply for the Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship and to submit entries for promotional video contest to State director Jennifer Christianson.

Mon., Feb. 22, 2021:  State online registration due by 11:59 p.m. at regular price of $12/student.

Sat., Feb. 27, 2021:  Texas State German Contest (100% remote): some events conducted "live" (online) that day, all others submitted digitally by 9:00 a.m.

Sat., Mar. 6, 2021:  State online awards ceremony, time TBA. Also, Houstonfest Scholarship applications due.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2021:  Gail Cope Scholarship applications due.

Fri., April 30, 2021:  Gail Cope Teacher Grant applications due.

Rules:  Declamation Events

Below are the "normal" rules for Houstonfest in a non-pandemic year.  To preserve a record of the normal rules, alterations to the rules for the 2021 remote contest will not be reflected here but rather documented at this link: Special Rules and Procedures for the 2021 Remote Contest.  In a nutshell, however:  Poetry Memory and Poetry Reading will be combined into  "Poetry" and adapted for the online environment for 2021 (likewise with Prose).

General rules for all declamation events:

• A student may not perform the same poem or prose selection in both the Memory and Reading competitions the same year.

• A student may not perform the same poem or prose selection that he/she has performed in any previous year.

• Failure to provide at least 2 copies of the piece to the judges will result in a 10-point deduction from the cumulative score.

Poetry Memory:

Entry Limit:  3 contestants per level, per school (except for the Advantaged level, where the limit is 2 contestants) (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, & Advantaged).

Length and Time Limits:

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.

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.  Poems may be edited to fit time or line limits (see above).  Poetry Memory is dramatic interpretation, but without costumes and props.  The contestant may use one chair and may move during the presentation.  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 2 copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Poetry Memory selections may not be used as Poetry Reading selections or vice versa by the same person.  Download critique sheet.

Poetry Reading:

Entry Limit:  3 contestants per level, per school (Levels 1, 2, 3, & 4).

Length and Time Limits:

Level 1:  16-24 lines OR 1-2 minutes.

Level 2:  20-32 lines OR 1.5-2.5 minutes.

Levels 3 & 4:  24-46 lines OR 2-3 minutes.

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.  Poems may be edited to fit time or line limits (see above).  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 expressions, and some use of hands.  No props or costumes may be used.  The contestant may not walk around.  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 2 copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Poetry Reading selections may not be used as Poetry Memory selections or vice versa by the same person.  Download critique sheet.

Prose Memory:

Entry Limit:  3 contestants per level, per school (except for the Advantaged level, where the limit is 2 contestants) (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, & Advantaged).

Length and Time Limits:

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.

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.  Piece may be edited to fit time or line limits (see above).  Prose Memory is dramatic interpretation, but without costumes and props.  The contestant may use one chair and may move during the presentation.  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 2 copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Prose Memory selections may not be used as Prose Reading selections or vice versa by the same person.  Download critique sheet.

Prose Reading:

Entry Limit:  3 contestants per level, per school (Levels 1, 2, 3, & 4).

Length and Time Limits:

Level 1:  16-24 lines OR 1-2 minutes.

Level 2:  20-32 lines OR 1.5-2.5 minutes.

Levels 3 & 4:  24-46 lines OR 2-3 minutes.

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.  Piece may be edited to fit time or line limits (see above).  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 expressions, and some use of hands.  No props or costumes may be used.  The contestant may not walk around.  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 2 copies of the selection must be presented to the judges at the contest.  Prose Reading selections may not be used as Prose Memory selections or vice versa by the same person.  Download critique sheet.