ENTRY DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1
Sign-A-Song Online Application
Purpose:
To offer the opportunity for members of all ages to hone their sign language and showmanship skills in a contest format.
Description:
NEW: States and Regions are responsible for hosting their own sign-a-song competitions for which contestants perform a song using sign language. First Place Winners in each category for both state and regional contests will qualify to compete in the National Contest via video submission.
Categories:
- Novice – is beginning to learn sign, has had no more than three sign language classes, and has entered the sign-a-song contest no more than two times.
- Hobbyist – signs on an occasional basis and strictly for fun. One who has entered the sign-a-song contest more than two times.
- Group – Two or more people signing the song.
Rules:
- NEW: The contestants entering the National Grange Contest may include first place winners in both State AND Regional Contests.
- NEW: State and Regional Contests can be conducted in person at an event. However, to enter the 2025 National Grange Contest, contestants will submit their sign-a-song performances by video.
- Contestants must provide song lyrics when they enter their contest online.
- Contestants will be judged on:
- Communication skills: Utilization of skills, sign language ability and clarity.
- Expression: body expression, displays emotion, mouthing words
- Overall Presentation: Dressed appropriately, Confident, Timing, Uniform
- Props and Costumes are permitted.
- Contestants must sign their own name and song title before beginning, which must be shown on the video submission.
- The contestant must inform the audience and judge what type of sign language they will be using (Pidgin, ASL, ESL, etc.)
- Anyone who is a professional instructor or receives money for signing may not enter and will be deemed ineligible for the contest, but are encouraged to participate on state and regional levels for demonstration purposes or mentoring.
Entry:
- NEW: For 2025, all contestants must record themselves or their group performing their sign-a-song and will submit the video through an online application process. Contestants can include both state and regional winners.
- NEW: Videos must be audible and must show the contestant’s upper body without zooming in so that hand gestures can be seen.
Winners:
1st – 3rd place winners will receive a cash prize.