The performance of each song is judged by three categories: Music, Performance and Singing. Each category judge will determine a single quality rating or score, on a scale of 1 to 100. The judge will determine whether the level of the performance is excellent (A-level, from 100-81), good (B-level, from 80-61), fair (C-level, from 60-41), or poor (D-level, 40-1), and award an exact score based upon an evaluation of all the elements in the performance that have an impact on the category the judge is scoring. Poor (D-level) performances normally will be assessed a score of 40 instead of an exact score. If no quality rating is appropriate, owing to an unequivocal and definite violation of the rules, the judge will forfeit the score by awarding a zero.
There is no appropriate formula for weighting the various elements in a category; rather, it is up to the judge to view the total performance from the judge's particular orientation, and evaluate the elements of the performance on a song-by-song basis. Elements that are particularly crucial in one song performance may be less important in another song performance. The judge will evaluate the overall effect or value of the performance.
The major responsibilities of each judging category are as follows:
A. Music
- Music is defined as the song and arrangement as performed. The Music judge evaluates the suitability of the song and arrangement to the barbershop style and the performer's musicianship in bringing the song and arrangement to life.
- Major elements in the category are: consonance; theme; delivery and musicality; execution; and embellishment.
B. Performance
- Performance is defined as the net impact of the performance upon the audience. The Performance judge evaluates to what degree the audience is entertained through the performer's communication of the story/message/theme in its musical and visual setting.
- Major elements in the category are: entertainment value; "from the heart" delivery; audience rapport; artistry and expressiveness; and unity between the performance's vocal and visual elements.
C. Singing
- Singing is defined as quality, in-tune vocalization accomplished with a high degree of unity, ensemble consistency and artistry. The Singing judge evaluates the degree to which the performer achieves artistic singing in the barbershop style.
- Major elements in the category are: intonation; vocal quality; unity of word sounds, flow, diction and synchronization; expansion and "ring"; and artistry.
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