Who makes up a Team?
Each team is made up of three students. An adult coach or advisor oversees a team (or teams)
from a particular school. There is no limit on the number of teams a school may sponsor, however
only one team from a school may advance to the State Contest. Teams may designate a fourth
person as an alternate who competes only in the event one of the original members cannot.

What is the test like?
The test involves five separate rounds. Each round is worth 20 points, with possible points totally
100. Two rounds ask students to identify titles and composers by listening to study CD excerpts.
One round contains multiple choice questions relating to the study materials. Another involves both
listening identification and multiple choice questions as applied to the example. One round will
include music that is not on the study CDs but similar to it.

Are the Study Guide and accompanying Study CD's important?
Yes. All of the correct answers as well as the decisions made by the contest judges are based on
these materials. Round five - the "Mystery Round" - uses music 'similar' to samples on the study
CDs.

What are the best ways to prepare for the contest?
Each team member (and the coach) will receive a comprehensive study guide with accompanying
CD recordings. Students should become familiar with all of the information contained in the study
guide and recordings. Team members may choose to become an 'expert' on some portion of the
material. Teams will often divide the materials into thirds for 'expert' study. Coaches and team
members may use the materials and other recordings to create practice tests, study sheets and
listening tests. Regular consistent study is extremely important - cramming last minute doesn't work.

Is the entire musical selection heard during the contest?
No. Most of the time short musical excerpts from the repertoire are played. The 'Lightening Round"
is the most exciting portion of the contest because very short listening excerpts are used.

Can team members discuss each question before answering?
Yes. Members may quietly discuss answers before writing them down on the answer sheets.

Do teams compete directly with one another or 'head to head'?
Each team takes the test in its own area within a large room. Each round is conducted separately
with the correct answers being read after answer sheets have been collected. Teams each receive
their own final scores privately. Final scores are shared anonymously at the end of the contest.

Does the contest use a buzzer?
No. Each team is given a designated amount of time to discuss and answer each question in written
form. The final round of the state competition uses buzzers, but only the top two teams in the state
participate in this round.

How do students progress to the state contest?
The two teams with the highest scores in each region of eight Regional Contests advance to the
State Contest, but, only one team from each school is allowed to advance to the state contest. In
the unlikely event that the two best scores are from the same school, the third-highest-scoring team
being from another school progresses to the state contest.