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WHAT IS ?...
PAGEANTRY AND TRIMMINGS
Pageantry belongs to the decorated floats or stands with leading figures all telling a story. These floats cannot be taller than 32 ft or wider than 27 ft, nor can they be animal - or engine-driven. Points from 2 to 4 will be given for the idea of the pageant, for the School's ability to create floats that use the theme's potential to the utmost. The moving tableaux are commonly regarded as the high points of the parade. They are a secret that many carnival-masters prefer to keep until they appear in their full glory on the day of the parade. The more splendid the sight, the more ecstatic is the crowd.
The jury, however, are less concerned with the Hollywood-like spectacle than about giving points from 3 to 6 for the invention of these floats, how the carnival masters created original ideas to suit the theme and magnificence of the floats.
The jury does not forget that each float must contain some element of the theme, as there is no point in showing fantastic tableaux if they have nothing to do with the theme at all. However splendid it may be, if it does not have anything to do with the theme, the jury member will certainly not give it top points.
PERCUSSION
The only item to be judged by the jury in the percussion item is how the rhythm progresses, for which they may give points varying from 5 to 10. The jury mambers will pay attention basically to the regularly maintained, sustained beat given by the rhythm, and for the firm accurate marking of the beat, which may be varied using breaks and pauses. The return to the former beat without stumbling shows the vitality and competence of the percussion.
The percussion beat cannot be altered and the sounds issuing from the instruments correspond to those of an orchestra: accuracy and perfect coordination. The percussion is the heart of the School. When itpasses down the Avenue, no one can stand still. Pure emotion. And the more in tune, the louder and better prepared it is, the moreecstatic becomes the crowd and the closer it is to winning top points.
FRONT COMMISSION
The Fron Commission is the School's visiting card and calls for special care. Its role is to welcome and introduce the School tothe public and the Commission does this after its tradition, respectfully and suitably adapted to the theme. Points for the introduction item vary from 3 to 6 and the previously rehearsed choreography accounts for precious points. The Commission is the theme's brief description, announcing the unfolding of the School's theme.
Their dress (points from 2 to 4) have to be in tune with the theme. If it is traditional, then the members wear tuxedos, suits or blazers, doffing their hats to the public. Or they could be original and creative, like an aperitif before the School's main course. Their dress must be well-made and match using suitable materials. The Front Commission is the first human contingent to step onto the Avenue.
ENSEMBLE
This is the general view of the parade. Points from 5 to 10 are awarded. The jury for this item is attentive to all the parts throughout the entire parade. They need to pay attention to the unity of the School - musical, dramatic and visual -, and whether the School seems to be united, joyfullym with the floats well integrated in the theme and the story well told.
The jury members have also to pay close attention to the details that form the whole effect, from costume colors, how they fit into the theme, originality, well-sung samba, percussion in tune and the enthusiastic involvement of the whole School.
THEME
The task of whoever judges the theme is basically to analyse its idea, its artistic creation that will tell a story while the School moves down the parade ground. For this theme the jury member gives points from 2 to 4, paying attention to the originality, creatvity and basically the script, since this is what defines how the theme is built up, how each part mingles together, the harmony of the sections, their sequence and inner logic.
Points from 3 to 6 are awarded to how the theme is accomplished, how the topic is clearly and simply followed. Also in this item points are given for its harmony with the spectacle, how original it is and the elements that improve the quality of the story.
It is important that the theme unfolds easily, fluently and is clearly understood by everyone.
THE THEME'S EVOLUTION
This item's fundamental feature is the enthusiasm of the whole group. The movements of the paraders earn points from 3 to 6 for the progress of the dance, the samba beat following the rhythm imposed by the percussion. The participants must show their enthusiasm, verve, spontaneity and vitality. Points from 2 to 4 are given for the cohesion of the parade, avoiding empty spaces between one section and another unless left on purpose for the sections with steps in tune or the wide movements of the Master-of-Ceremonies and his Standard Bearer. The more together the School is, the more points it wins.
FANCY COSTUMES
The costumes, by definition, have to explain what the theme is all about, reveal the movements and tell the public the story presented by the School. In the various sections, the costumes should reveal the story and fit into the theme. For instance, the School that tells the story of Brazil's discovery cannot be disguised in costumes belonging to Disney or Monica, nor even Xuxa characters. Points from 2 to 4 are awarded for the idea aroun the costumes, how the carnival master and designer have created them around their story - the creativity of the costumes, variety, creation and style of the desings.
Points from 3 to 6 are awarded for the way in which the artistic creation of the costumes is shown in the parade. The costume effects are impact of colors and shapes during the parade and how the materials match the theme. Points are also given for the way in which the costume was designed to enable the dancers to leap and samba without being caught in cumbersome trimmings. The final touches, the care with sewing and matching details are also taken into account.That is why the Carnival masters have to take care that shoes, bikinis, breeches, head-dresses, stockings, and other details all match in color and tone, for if there is the slightest slip-up, it may cost them some valuable points.
HARMONY
This item is divided into two subitems: singing harmony (points from 2 to 5) and samba harmony (from 3 to 5 points). Singing harmony is when there is perfect unison of song, lyrics and melody of the samba bu the whole School. If the School is out of tune when one part sings one and another a different stanza, then there is a substantial loss of points due to the lack of harmony. It is important for the harmony jury to pay attention to the continuous unaltered samba and keeping in tune.
On the other hand, in the samba harmony what prevails is the matching of the samba melody with the rhythm. Harmony is the matching of the rhythm and song, paying attention to the distribution of the School paraders. The masters of harmony are usually the intrepid samba dancers that move up and down all sections, forever alert to the School's being in tune. With whistles and megaphones, they keep this unity that helps to enhance the beauty of the parade. parade's beauty.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND THE STANDARD BEARER
The duty of Master-of-Ceremonies is to pay court and introduce the Standar Bearer, as well as protect and proudly exhibit the School's standard. It is up to the Standard Bearer to carry the standard and show it, unfurling in graceful, respectful gestures. The jury members will give points from 3 to 6 for this presentation and 2 to 4 for the costumes. The Master-of- Ceremonies and Standard Bearer do not samba but carry the flag gracefully and lightly, marking time, swirling around with wide, elegant gestures. The Standard Bearer wins points for her lightness, charm and proud, noble bearing.
The couple's costumes are some of the most carefully made in the School with everything matching, and care is specially taken in their sewing. The couple lose points if, by chance, a hat or part of their costume falls off during the Parade.
SAMBA-THEME
The lyrics (points from 2 to 4) and melody (from 3 to 6) are the two items involved in this requirement. The lyrics are the literary interpretation of the theme. They may be both descriptive and interpretative. The lyrics must be in close harmony with the progress of the School during the parade. They help to understand the theme, so have to be clearly objective, poetic and showing good taste. The richer they are in adjectives and more suited to the Portuguese language - obviously with poetic license - the more points the lyrics may win.
The melody is good when it rouses the School's paraders to joyful enthusiasm, singing their song and the percussion keeping its rhythm without losing the samba unison. It is important for the melody to be original, not reminding of past Carnival tunes and does not resort to the easy solution of using a beat that thrills the crowds but has no originality.