Note : The following are applicable from 2025 onwards
THE DESCRIPTORS – SPEECH & DRAMA
65 – 69 or DEVELOPING – A performance demonstrating an awareness of technical skills, requiring more consistency & artistry.
70 – 74 or PROGRESSING – A performance showing development of technique and/or communication and commitment.
75 – 79 or MERIT – A competent performance, showing some artistic awareness and/or technical ability.
80 – 84 or COMMENDED – A convincing performance technically & artistically, with increasing stylistic & communication skills.
85 – 89 or HONOURS – An excellent performance, demonstrating fluent technical and artistic skills with emerging individuality.
90 – 94 or OUTSTANDING – An impressive performance technically and artistically, displaying spontaneity & clear individuality.
95+ or EXCEPTIONAL – A superlative performance, displaying exceptional artistic individuality.
Each band of marks/categories has not only the descriptor note above but also one line of criteria which is descriptive but not prescriptive.
THE CRITERIA – SPEECH & DRAMA
These are the criteria to be used at Federation festivals by Federation Adjudicators when giving marks or categories.
65 – 69 or DEVELOPING – An inconsistent performance with an overall need for accuracy and /or continuity and artistic development.
70 – 74 or PROGRESSING – A generally secure performance in need of artistic development.
75 – 79 or MERIT – A performance of some ability but requiring greater vocal or physical expression.
80 – 84 or COMMENDED – A performance showing a degree of ability in presentation with developing modulation and interpretation
85 – 89 or HONOURS – Assured and expressive, demonstrating a high level of technical security, imagination and stylistic insight and with a real sense of communication and performance.
90 – 94 or OUTSTANDING – A performance of heightened sensibility in interpretation which commands audience involvement, sincere in its intention, content and style of the piece.
95+ or EXCEPTIONAL – An astonishingly impressive performance displaying effortless technical control and superlative individuality in its artistic interpretations