Sonoma State University
Language Festival 2008
German Program
Singing Contest

Individual students or groups of students (up to 3 students) may participate in this part of the contest. Your students select the German song they want to sing, or create their own song!

They may have fun with traditional children’s songs (Kinderlieder), such as “Grün, grün, grün sind alle meine Kleider,” “Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen,” or “Ein Männlein steht im Walde” (see, for example, http://www.gerresheim.net/html/deutsche_kinderlieder.html).

Or they may fall in love with a popular folk song (Volkslied) such as “Kuckuck, Kuckuck, ruft’s aus dem Wald,” “Ach, du lieber Augustin,”  “Kommt ein Vogel geflogen, or” Die Gedanken sind frei” (see, for example http://www.volkslieder-songarchiv.de/volkslieder.php).

They may already have a favorite German pop or rock song they already know. They may also enjoy exploring the Goethe-Institute’s “Step into German”-project and get inspired by contemporary German bands or artists they do not know yet. This site also provides the lyrics in German and English of some of the hits. See (www.stepintogerman.org) for more info.

For those students, who are into ‘retro music,’ German Schlager from the 70s and 80s may be the hit!  A lot of them are pretty funny, too…

Classical songs, such as Schubert’s Kunstlieder or other art songs, may also be of interest to some of your students.

Again, all kinds of singing (classical, fun popular music, folk, art, etc.) are encouraged, as long as it is in German! 

Important: Lipsyncing is not permitted! Students may have the script of the song with them, but should try their best to sing without reading off the script. A capella performance is strongly encouraged. You may bring a guitar or keyboard, but we will not be able to provide any instruments. If you need equipment, please bring your own.

Most importantly: Have fun!!

Evaluation Criteria:

Our judges, Dr. Kate Foley-Beining and Marcell Johnson (SSU German student), will evaluate the performance based on

1.    pronunciation and articulation of the words

2.    style (interpretation of the song), and

3.    overall quality of performance.