Below is the criteria that our SERFA Official Showcase Judges will be using to rate artists for Official Showcases. We will not be posting or responding to requests for each artists ratings, no matter the status of the application.

When assessing all applicants each juror will separately score four key aspects using a point system where a score of 1 to 5 equals the following values:

  • Each application is scored out of 20 possible points (5 for each category).

  • Showcase selections start in order from the highest scored applicants down.

  • A score of 15 or less indicates they have scored “average”, or below.

  • An average of the total scores of all 5 jurors will determine final placement, meaning one juror may score an artist below 15 but others may score higher resulting in a showcase.

    Jurors score the following aspects of an application (with a score of 1 to 5 for each):
    1: Poor
    2: Fair
    3: Average
    4: Good
    5: Excellent

  1. QUALITY – What is the musical quality and level of craft in the work presented? ie. There are lots of singer-songwriters... how exceptional is this applicant (music, arrangement, lyrics)?

  2. ORIGINALITY – What is the uniqueness of this applicant regarding their musical style / sound / content and compositions? ie. Where does this stand in comparison to others artistically?

  3. READINESS – Showcasing for presenters warrants a certain level of showcase readiness. Does the applicant have performance & show experience, profile reviews, or accolades, the capacity to accept, route, and support national and international touring invitations?

  4. DIVERSITY – SERFA and it’s parent FAI is committed to reflecting the full diversity of folk music (under-represented or unconventional folk genres, emerging or independent artists, geographic, linguistic or cultural diversity). How well does the applicant help broaden the view and offering of folk music for presenters, industry, and audiences?

Conflict of Interest:

  • A juror who has a conflict of interest in voting for an artist must decline from scoring that applicant.

  • A conflict of interest is deemed to be a direct personal relationship, an active working relationship,

    or the prospect to gain financially or professionally in any manner from the outcome of the

    application.

  • In the event that a juror declares a conflict, the absence of their vote will not have a negative effect on the final score of that applicant as an average score will be assigned.

    Anonymity:

    We maintain strict confidentially over juror participation in the review process and will not publish a list of the jurors.