Schools Competition

The Bridgeton Burns Club

President 2011 - 2012 Ian Lightbody

The Schools Competition

The Annual Schools Competition takes place in St Mungo's Academy in Crownpoint Road in Glasgow on the first Friday in December. Between 500 and 700 children and young adults take part in the competition and their ages range from 5 years to 17 years old. Other children take part in the Art and News desk Competitions. The Competition is run on a voluntary basis by the Directors and Past Presidents of the Club, ably assisted by a panel of independent Adjudicators who are responsible for judging the various participants.

Several of the competition winners are invited to perform their winning pieces at the annual dinner on the 25th January, in the Glasgow Marriot Hotel, in front of 700 members and guests and again at the annual concert and prize giving in Woodside Halls in February

The Bridgeton Burns Club pays for all of the costs of the children taking part in the Competition, the Annual Dinner and the Concert and Prize Giving. This includes transport, the cost of renting the School and Woodside Halls, medals and prizes for the children, refreshments, printing, materials, etc. The Club funds all of this from generous donations made by the members and their guests on the evening of the Annual Dinner. The cost of the Schools Competition and Concert is now in exceeding £18,500.00 per annum and the amount raised at the Annual Dinner is £4,500.00 short of the required amount.

In previous years, when there has been a surplus of funds, that surplus has been passed to the Fund for The Arts and is used to support young adults progressing to University to study Art, Music, Drama or Literature.

The Bridgeton Burns Club welcomes any donation to assist with its work in promoting the life and work of Robert Burns amongst the school children of the schools of the East End of Glasgow.

*If you would like to make a donation, to help support the work of the Club, please send it to The Bridgeton Burns Club address on our Home Page.*

Schools Convener Eric Thompson contact details: Tel: 01436 678943 Mobile: 07703 563018 Email: eric@camiseskan1.demon.co.uk

Schools Competition Results 4th February 2011 (Postponed from December 2010):

A Full list of all of the results of the recent Schools Competition can be found by clicking on the link below.

02/12/2011 - Competition Results
02/12/2011 - Art Competition Results
02/12/2011 - News Desk Competition Results

Syllabus for 2011 Competition

ELIGIBILITY: The Competition is open to all SCHOOLS in the EAST of GLASGOW and Members’ Children. There is NO ENTRANCE FEE

VENUE: The Competition was held on FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER, 2011 commencing at 5.00 p.m. in St. Mungo’s Academy, Crownpoint Road, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 2RA.

CONTENT: The Competition is open to both PRIMARY and SECONDARY SCHOOLS and includes:

w VERSE SPEAKING [Individual and Group Choral]

w CHOIRS [Both Primary & Secondary]

w SOLO SINGING [Both Primary & Secondary] and DUETS [Secondary only]

w SINGERS & PLAYERS [Primary only]

w ART [Both Primary and Secondary ]

w NEWS-DESK SOLO INSTRUMENTAL PRIMARY and SECONDARY (No bagpipes)

REFERENCES: Poems & Songs of Robert Burns - Fontana/Collins

Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns - Harper Collins

Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns – Geddes & Grosset

The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns – Alloway Publishing

Various Song Books as specified.

CONDITIONS: Names of pupil entrants must be forwarded to the Competition Convener, ERIC THOMPSON, Bridgeton Burns Club Competition Office, c/o Flat 1/1, Greenhead Court, 89 James Street, Glasgow G40 1BZ not later than Thursday 3rd November, 2011.

As an experiment, for one year only, because of the difficulties of selected songs being unsuitable for some voices and numbers in some choirs, it has been agreed that all entries for the musical sections for Primary Schools should be song(s) that are the choice of the pupils in conjunction with their teachers rather than being prescribed by the Club. The pieces chosen must be Burn’s songs and a maximum of three verses. Schools may only enter up to 6 soloists, who may sing the same piece as sung by their choir (see Primary singing section for more details). The Convenor must be advised by the 30^th November what pieces the pupils will sing so that adjudicators can be given advance notification of the music.

Pupil entrants may NOT enter for more than 4 sections in VERSE and MUSIC.

The Club can supply Music and Art Paper, if required, free of charge. Requests should be placed with the Competition Office as soon as possible.

TROPHIES & PRIZES : Prizes will awarded to the first three successful contestants in each section.

Cups, Shields and Trophies will be held by the winning school for one year. These must be returned to the Competition Office prior to the date of the following year’s Competition or on the evening of the Competition at the latest, i.e 2nd December 2011 for the current year.

ANNUAL CONCERT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES:

First and Second Prize-winners will be expected to perform at the Annual Concert and Prize-giving on FRIDAY 3^rd FEBRUARY 2012 in Woodside Halls, Glenfarg Street, Glasgow, with all Prize-winners being present to collect their respective prizes, Doors open at 6.00pm - Concert commences 6.30pm.

ART & NEWSDESK: An Exhibition of the Winning Entries in both these categories will be shown at the

Annual Prize Winners’ Concert on Friday 3^rd February 2012.

PRIMARY VERSE SECTION

All competitors may be questioned by examiners on the interpretation and English equivalent of Scots words and phrases from the selected piece. Number of entrants from each school should not exceed 6 for each Category, with the exception of Choral Speaking which can be 5 to 15 voices.

All Poems mentioned can be found in either The Bridgeton Burns Club Presentation Book of Poems and Songs, The Complete Poems & Songs of Robert Burns (Geddes & Grosset) or (Collins Classics edition) whichever book you have

For Solo Verse Speaking – If “gestures” are deemed desirable, natural movements are preferred to coached.

SOLO VERSE

PRIMARY 1 – THE JOANN GILMARTIN PLINTH

“On a Dog of Lord Eglinton’s” (6 lines)

“ I never barked when out of season,

I never bit without a reason;

I ne’er insulted weaker brother,

Nor wronged by force or fraud another.

We brutes are placed a rank below;

Happy for man could he say so.”

PRIMARY 2 & 3 – THE BARBARA OGSTON MEMORIAL ROSEBOWL

The Ploughman Verse 1 and Verse 3 and Chorus (12 lines)

PRIMARY 4 to 7 – THE WILLIAM LAW MEMORIAL TROPHY

PRIMARY 4 & 5 To a Louse Verses 1 & 2, 7 & 8 (16 lines)

PRIMARY 6 & 7 – A Parcel of Rogues in a Nation Whole Poem (24 lines)

SECONDARY VERSE SPEAKING SECTION

For Solo Verse Speaking – If “gestures” are deemed desirable, natural movements are preferred to coached.

SOLO VERSE

SECONDARY – THE PAST PRESIDENTS TROPHY – BOYS or GIRLS

SECONDARY 1 & 2 Willie Wastle Whole Poem Verses 1 - 4 (32 lines)

SECONDARY 3 to 6 Address to a Haggis Whole Poem Verses 1 to 8. (48 lines)

CHORAL SPEAKING. The use of “gestures” is acceptable and may be coached.

SECONDARY 1 TO 6 – THE WINNING WEBSTER TROPHY

(for Primary or Secondary) – Groups of 5 to 15 voices

SECONDARY 1 to 6 Address to the Toothache Whole Poem Verses 1 – 6 (36 lines)

SPEECH-MAKING **NEW SECTION for Secondary 1 – 6**

Write and deliver a speech (3 mins minimum – 5 mins maximum) on ONE of the following three traditional

Burns Supper Topics. Maximum number of entrants from each school – 6.

1) “The Immortal Memory.” or 2) “Toast to the Lassies” or 3) “Reply from the Lassies”

Notes : a) Speeches should be based on pupil’s own research. Use of notes is allowed.

b) Immortal Memory can either be biographical on Robert Burns or refer to one of his favourite

themes, i.e. Love, Politics, Nature, or a combination. It is for the entrant to decide.

c) For Toast to the Lassies and Reply, schools could adopt a “double act” with a boy doing the “Toast

to the Lassies” and a girl “The Reply”, but each would be judged separately.

d) Entrants should endeavour to show, in what they say, that they have captured the true spirit of

Burns.

PRIMARY SINGING SECTION

As an experiment, for one year only, because of the difficulties of selected songs not being suitable for some voices and also the numbers in some choirs, it was agreed at the this year’s Choosing Meeting that all entries for the musical sections for Primary Schools that should be song(s) that are the choice of the pupils in conjunction with their teachers. The pieces chosen must be Burns’ songs and a maximum of three verses should be sung. Schools should refrain from entering a P7 & Under Choir where pupils have sung the same song as part of a P5 & Under choir. Choirs may be between 25 or 12 in number – the pieces chosen may thus reflect the size of the school’s choir and also it’s range and ability. It is hoped that pupils should thus be happy and confident with the piece(s) chosen. Schools requesting musical assistance for their choir(s) should submit entries not later than Friday 30^th September 2011.

Schools may only enter up to 6 soloists singing the same piece as is sung by their choir.

The Club must be advised at least a fortnight before the Competition what pieces their pupils will sing so that adjudicators can be given advance notification.

CHOIRS

Each Choir is to sing two songs of Burns. Where a song contains more than three verses – only three verses should be sung (unless otherwise specified). Each Choir is to perform TWO contrasting pieces of own choice. Both accompanied. The Songbook and Page No/Song No. should be noted on the entry form. In view of the number of Primary School choirs with shared music teachers entering the Competition, the Club will provide the accompanist on the night of the Competition. Schools may use their own accompanist but the Competition will not be delayed if their accompanist does not arrive with the school choir when required to perform.

THE OPEN CLUB SHIELD This Shield will be awarded, subject to the Adjudicator’s discretion, to the CHOIR (Primary or Secondary) achieving the highest marking.

PRIMARY 5 & Under – THE JOHN STREET SCHOOL MEMORIAL TROPHY:

Own choice - Two contrasting pieces (one fast, one slow) as detailed above. Must be advised on entry form.

PRIMARY 7 & Under – THE ADAM HAY CUP.

Own choice - Two contrasting pieces (one fast, one slow) as detailed above. Must be advised on entry form.

SOLO SINGING.

PRIMARY – THE DICK MEMORIAL TROPHY – GIRLS & BOYS

(Accompanied or Unaccompanied) One song only.

PRIMARY 5 & Under - Same piece as chosen for their choir. Must be advised on entry form.

PRIMARY 6 & 7 - Same piece as chosen for their choir. Must be advised on entry form.

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BOYS UNBROKEN VOICE – THE WILLIAM ANDERSON TROPHY

Test Piece: Green grow the Rashes O Songs of Burns Page 82

PRIMARY MUSIC SECTION

SINGERS & PLAYERS – PRIMARY ONLY.

This section is open to any combination of Singers and Musical Instruments including percussion. The Group should include not less than THREE persons and not more than EIGHT. Competitors should choose their own Song/music. Not more than three verses should be performed.

This section is eligible to be considered for THE SCOTTISH TRANSPORT TROPHY – This trophy will be awarded, subject to the Adjudicators discretion to the Duet or Group (Primary or Secondary) achieving the highest marking in either of these categories. Songbook and Page No./Song No. should be noted on the entry form for “Own Choice Pieces”.

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL – PRIMARY BOYS & GIRLS

Pupils should perform One Burns song – of own Choice either in traditional or own style, e.g. jazz, classical, folk, country western or traditional, on instrument of choice (SORRY NO BAGPIPES).

Piece to be no more than 3 minutes long.

SECONDARY SINGING SECTION

CHOIRS

Each Choir is to sing two songs. Where a song contains more than three verses – only three verses should be sung (unless otherwise specified). Each Choir is to perform TWO pieces – The Songbook and Page No/Song No. should be noted on the entry form for “Own Choice” Test Pieces. The Bridgeton Burns Club will provide an accompanist on Competition night to accompany all competing Choirs. Choirs may use their own accompanist provided that their accompanist arrives with the choir. The Competition will not be held up to await an accompanist.

THE OPEN CLUB SHIELD This Shield will be awarded, subject to the Adjudicator’s discretion, to the CHOIR (Primary or Secondary) achieving the highest marking.

SECONDARY S1 to S6– THE SENIOR CLUB SHIELD.

Minimum 8 Pupils – No maximum. Choir to perform TWO pieces of own choice. First choice to be a Burns

Song, Second choice can be either Burns or any Scottish song, traditional or modern.

Could be one accompanied and one unaccompanied, or both accompanied.

SOLO SINGING.

SECONDARY S1 & S2 GIRLS - THE ELIZABETH S. MAIN TROPHY

Test Piece: (Accompanied) Comin’ thro’ the Rye Verses 1, 3 & 4 Songs of Burns Page 54

This can be sung in any key to suit pupil. Adjudicator to be advised of key.

SECONDARY S3 to S6 GIRLS - THE JOHN STEWART TROPHY

Test Piece: (Accompanied) Thou hast left me ever, Jamie, Verses 1 & 2 New Scottish Song

. Book Page 29

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BOYS UNBROKEN VOICE – THE WILLIAM ANDERSON TROPHY

Test Piece: Green grow the Rashes O! Songs of Burns Page 82

SECONDARY – BOYS BROKEN VOICE - THE WILLIAM ANDERSON TROPHY

Test Piece: (Accompanied) A Highland Lad 3 Verses Songs of Burns Page 74

Page 1 of 2

SECONDARY MUSIC SECTION

DUET SECONDARY S1 to S6 THE SCOTTISH TRANSPORT TROPHY

One piece – Own Choice – Accompanied. This section is eligible to be considered for THE SCOTTISH TRANSPORT TROPHY – This trophy will be awarded, subject to the Adjudicators discretion to the Duet or Group (Primary or Secondary) Achieving the highest marking in either of these categories. Songbook and Page No./Song No. should be noted on the entry form for “Own Choice Pieces”.

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL – SECONDARY BOYS & GIRLS S1 to S6

Pupils should perform One Burns song – of own Choice either in traditional or own style, e.g. jazz, classical, folk, country western or traditional, on instrument of choice (SORRY NO BAGPIPES).

Piece to be no more than 3 minutes long.

PRIMARY ART SECTION

THE BILL WALKER TROPHY

This TROPHY will be awarded to the best Art entry overall, in either Primary or Secondary entries. The adjudicator’s decision to be final.

Note: There will be prizes for lst, 2nd and 3rd in each category.

NO COLLAGE OR DECOUPAGE PERMITTED.

PRIMARY

Primary 1 -2 The Dusty Mill Whole Poem

Primary 3-5 The Belles of Mauchline Whole Poem

Primary 6-7 Holy Willie’s Prayer Based on Verses

2, 15 & 16.

ASSISTED LEARNING SECTION

Open to candidates from Assisted Learning Schools and certain pupils identified by teachers in mainstream schools. This will be a specific category for adjudication and submissions should be identified by teachers as such. The subject matters will be the same as specified above for each age group in mainstream categories but separate prizes will be awarded.

The bottom area of each entry to have a one inch/25mm space left clear for printing the following details:

SCHOOL NAME; COMPETITOR’S NAME; Age of Contestant (in brackets); CLASS NO; TITLE OF ARTWORK; YEAR OF COMPETITION. The information to be printed in medium black permanent marker. Art Paper can be supplied by the Club if requested from office.

ENTRIES TO BE HANDED INTO COMPETITION DESK at ST MUNGO’S ACADEMY,

Crowpoint Road, ON THE EVENING OF THE COMPETITION 2nd DECEMBER 2011.

Results will be communicated to the schools mid January 2012.

Notes to Teachers: The organisers appreciate that much discussion of these poems will be necessary with the

entrants to achieve the best results. The competitors will be judged in class groups.

Individual competitors in each class may submit only one drawing or painting on paper no larger than A2.

ENTRIES to be based on the subjects listed above for each section.

PRIMARY NEWSDESK SECTION

JAMES B MacWILLIAM TROPHY

ENTRANTS for the NEWS DESK COMPETITION are requested to prepare a submission in the form of a NEWS ARTICLE and, in doing so, are asked to imagine that modern styled news media was readily available to the Ayrshire public some 200 years ago.

The Submission should be the entrant's OWN WORK and should be limited to the number of words detailed for each category. Written work should be presented as a newspaper sheet, in any preferred format, PEN, PENCIL or DESK TOP PUBLISHING. Presentation will not readily influence selection. However, language skills, neatness, imagination, content and evidence of research will be taken into account when making awards.

T.V. News Reports should be submitted on DVD. It is possible that the winning DVD if of exceptional quality, may be shown at the Club’s Annual Dinner.

Note to Teachers: Pupils should be encouraged to compose their own Headline. There is no limit on numbers of entries from each category. Teachers who wish to use this as a class exercise are encouraged to do so.

PRIMARY 6 & 7

NEWSDESK ITEM: “Tragic Death of Pet Sheep” from “Death and Dying Words

of Poor Mailie and Elegy”. 220/250 words.

TV NEWS REPORT on same subject as above – on DVD – This may be presented as a group report

(i.e with newscaster in studio and outside reporters with interviews) or as a solo report by the newscaster. No more than 3 minutes in length.

Entries to be handed into the Competition desk at St MUNGO’S ACADEMY, Crownpoint Road on the

evening of the Competition (2nd December 2011).

Results will be communicated to schools mid January 2012.

SECONDARY ART SECTION

THE BILL WALKER TROPHY

This TROPHY will be awarded to the best Art entry overall, in either Primary or Secondary entries. The adjudicator’s decision to be final.

Note: There will be prizes for lst, 2nd and 3rd in each category.

NO COLLAGE OR DECOUPAGE PERMITTED.

SECONDARY

Secondary Forms 1 – 6:

This is a combined category for all Secondary Classes. Pupils have the option of picking one of the two

subjects put forward, i.e.

OPTION 1: “Death of Dr Hornbook” – Verses 6 – 9 : “Portrait of Death”

OPTION 2: “Highland Mary” : “Portrait of Mary”

ASSISTED LEARNING SECTION

The bottom area of each entry to have a one inch/25mm space left clear for printing the following details:

SCHOOL NAME; COMPETITOR’S NAME; Age of Contestant (in brackets); CLASS NO; TITLE OF ARTWORK; YEAR OF COMPETITION. The information to be printed in medium black permanent marker. Note: ART PAPER is available from the Club, free of charge. Apply to Competition office or visiting director.

ENTRIES TO BE HANDED INTO COMPETITION DESK at ST MUNGO’S ACADEMY,

Crownpoint Road, ON THE EVENING OF THE COMPETITION 2nd DECEMBER 2011.

Results will be communicated to the schools mid January 2012.

Notes to Teachers: The organisers appreciate that much discussion of these poems will be necessary with the

entrants to achieve the best results. The competitors will be judged in class groups.

Individual competitors in each class may submit only one drawing or painting on paper no larger than A2.

ENTRIES to be based on the subjects listed above for each section.

SECONDARY NEWSDESK SECTION

JAMES B MacWILLIAM TROPHY

The Submission should be the entrant's OWN WORK and should be limited to the number of words detailed for each category. For Newsdesk Item, written work should be presented as a newspaper sheet, in any preferred format, PEN, PENCIL or DESK TOP PUBLISHING. Presentation will not readily influence selection. However, language skills, neatness, imagination, content and evidence of research will be taken into account when making awards, plus analysis and evaluation in sections for Secondary 3 & 4, and Secondary 5 & 6.

SECONDARY S1 & S2

NEWSDESK ITEM “Chaos in Kirk” from “To a Louse” 360 – 400 words

SECONDARY S3 & S4

CRITICAL ESSAY Much of Burn’s writing is relevant still today. From one of his poems, identify

some of these common themes and show how he develops them. 450 – 500 words

SECONDARY S5 & S6

ESSAY Given the composition of the new Scottish Parliament and from your knowledge of his life

and works (letters and poems) what do you think Burns would wish for Scotland in the next

5 years. 540 – 600 words

SECONDARY 1 – 6

TV NEWS REPORT on same subject as NEWS DESK ITEM above “Chaos in Kirk” – on DVD. This may be presented as a group effort with a studio newscaster and outside broadcast reports/interviews, or as a solo effort by a newscaster.

No more than 3 minutes in length.

Entries to be handed into the Competition desk at St MUNGO’S ACADEMY, Crownpoint Road on the

evening of the Competition (2nd December 2011). Results will be communicated to schools mid January 2012.

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