REFLECTIONS
 
The Reflections Program, established in 1969, is a National PTA cultural arts competition.
The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.  Each year the program has a different theme.
2002-2003 National PTA Reflections Program

THE OFFICIAL RULES ARE PROVIDED FURTHER DOWN ON THIS PAGE, BELOW THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION & GENERAL PARTICIPATION RULES.

Each local unit establishes its own deadlines to meet the requirements of the program.  However, to be considered in the state and national judging, entries must be received by Culver City Council PTA Reflection Chairman by Dec. 14, 2003  (for Culver City entries).
(CA State PTA rules http://www.capta.org/State_PTA/member_serv/reflections.html )

General RULES LITERATURE MUSIC
VISUAL ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY APPLICATION

Application
Copy (cut & paste) into your word processing program.  Print out several copies to share with students and teachers.

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
National PTA 2003 - 2004 Reflections Program
This form must be filled out in its entirety for all National PTA Reflections entrants. Type or print legibly.
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GRADE _____ AGE _____

GRADE DIVISION (check one)

___ Primary: Preschool–Grade 2         ___Middle/ Junior: Grades 6–8 
___ Intermediate: Grades 3–5              ___Senior: Grades 9–12

ARTS AREA (check one)

___Literature                                          ___Photography
___Musical Composition                     ___Visual Arts

Title of Work (if any) __________________________________________________________________________________
Visual Arts and Photography: dimensions of work in inches_____________________________________________________ 
Media (crayons, oil on canvas, etc.)________________________________________________________________________

Optional Artist Statement/Musical Composition required statements______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

What inspired you to do this work? _________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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STUDENT INFORMATION
First Name______________________________Last Name________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________ State__________________________ZIP Code___________________________
Phone (______)__________________________School Name______________________________________________________

LOCAL PTA UNIT/COUNCIL/DISTRICT INFORMATION (to be completed by the PTA Unit/Council/District Chairs)
PTA/PTSA Unit Chair____________________________________________Phone (________)___________________________
PTA/PTSA Unit Name____________________________________________________________Check One [ ] PTA [ ] PTSA
PTA/PTSA Unit Address___________________________________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________ State_________________________ZIP Code________________________
Local Unit Eight Digit National PTA ID Number 0 0 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

PTA Council Name________________________________________________________________________________________
PTA Council Chair______________________________________________ Phone (________)___________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________ State_________________________ZIP Code________________________

PTA District #_______________
PTA District Chair______________________________________________ Phone (________)___________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________   State___________________   ZIP Code______________________

National PTA includes the state, district, council, or local PTA/PTSA organization or unit. I grant the National PTA permission to use my works for commercial or noncommercial use, including but not limited to note cards, greeting cards, publications promoting Reflections and online. The National PTA may continue to use my work as long as it has access to a copy or to a slide. If I participate in the National PTA Reflections Program, I will allow the work to become part of the National PTA Reflections Program Traveling Exhibit. National PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged works. Entries may not be returned. I understand that I must participate in the Reflections Program through a PTA/PTSA in good standing. I affirm that this is my own original work. I understand that the submission of my entry into the Reflections Program constitutes the above conditions.

___________________________                                               ____________________________
Signature of Student Signature                                                        Signature of  Parent/Legal Guardian
                                                                                  (necessary if child is under 18 years)

National PTA Reflections Program
GENERAL STUDENT PARTICIPATION RULES
All students must adhere to the following general rules in addition to the rules specific to their arts area.

2003-2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
LITERATURE RULES  

Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Literature Rules.

2003-2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
MUSICAL COMPOSITION RULES
Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Musical Composition Rules.

DESCRIPTION
Students may submit original musical compositions with or without lyrics which must be the work of one student and may not exceed five minutes. A cappella (voice with no instruments) or instrumental compositions are acceptable.

LENGTH
May not exceed five minutes.

PERFORMANCE
Students are not required to perform their compositions.

PRESENTATION
All age divisions must submit an audio cassette or CD recording of the composition. Students must submit notation as required by their age divisions.

Recommendations for Quality Recordings
    1. Record only on a name brand, new cassette of C-60 length or less (not C-90 or 120).
    2. Use only high bias or chrome formula tape and be sure your cassette deck is set for that.  Don't use metal formula tape.  Don't record at too loud a level (in the "red" on the meter).
    3. Definitely record with Dolby B Noise Reductions!
    4. Before recording, make the room you record in as quiet as possible.  Close the windows and turn off all noise-making devices in the room, such as air conditioner, fans, telephones, etc.
    5. Make a short test and listen to it.  Then rewind and start over.  Let the tape run 30 seconds, then state your name and the title of the piece.  Wait about 10 or 15 seconds, then start the music.  Don't start right on the plastic head-leader!
    6. Let at least 30 seconds of silence go by after the piece ends before stopping the machine, to avoid the end being ruined with machine pops, clicks, or other noises.
    7. Remove safety tabs from the cassette.  Remove the safety record-tabs on the thin end of the cassette when totally done taping to eliminate the possibility of the composition being recorded over accidentally.


Required
Audiocassettes or CDs must be submitted in a plastic or cardboard container, and both the audiocassette or CD and the container should be identified with the student's name, grade division, address, PTA, the entry's title, and playing time.   The audiocassette should be packaged with the manuscript (if required) in a large envelope.

Please secure THE OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM to the outside of the envelope.

Use of Composition Software
MIDI sequencer software is acceptable.
Synthesized performances are acceptable.
Algorithmic composition software, such as Band in a Box, is not accepted.
Real time = all performances must be played in real time without any speed altering techniques used.

Student compositions may be submitted by hand or computer on paper appropriate for instrumentation and voicing. Spiral notebooks are not accepted.

Notation Requirements:

PRIMARY & INTERMEDIATE

 No notation is required. Iconic notation may be submitted.*

 JUNIOR/MIDDLE & SENIOR
Traditional notation is required. Adults may not assist.

 *Iconic notation is "made-up" notation; a written or drawn
analog to the sounds in the composition.

Artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme are criteria for judging.  The musical thought isa supported by the quality or accuracy of the notation and performance but they are not considered judging criteria.

Score Size
Entries should be no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches, except band and orchestra compositions may be 11 inches by 16 inches.  Do not mount or bind the scores.

REQUIRED
Musical Composition Question
On the Official Entry Form, please answer the following:
• Who, if other than you, performed your composition?
• Was it traditional instrumentation or was a synthesizer used?
•  If you used MIDI, please indicate what software and hardware you used to compose your work.
• If you included lyrics, how do they work with your composition?

OPTIONAL
What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?

2003-2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
PHOTOGRAPHY RULES 
Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Photography Rules.

DESCRIPTION
Any of the following processes are acceptable. Processes not listed are also acceptable, but the original photograph must be taken by the student.

SIZE
A single print or collage may not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches including a mat.

PRINTS
A singular photographic print taken by one student with an instamatic, automatic or panoramic camera. Photographs can be black and white or color. Photographs may be developed professionally. Prints from slides and transparencies are accepted. Actual slides and transparencies are not acceptable entries. Any type of photographic paper or film used in the process is acceptable.

RETOUCHED PRINTS: A print taken by the student that has been painted, drawn on, or stained, dyed, or marked on by a student.

COLLAGE: An assemblage of photographs taken by the student. A collage of photographs not taken by the student should be submitted as a Visual Arts entry. A collage should be assembled with strong glue, or paste. Spray adhesive should not be used.

PHOTOGRAM: An image generated by placing objects directly between the photographic paper and the light of an enlarger. The paper is exposed and silhouetted images of the objects appear on the paper (in their negative form).

Montage: The combination of splicing of multiple negatives to print one singular image.

Sandwich: The sandwiching or layering of one negative on top of another, or many negatives, to print one singular image.

Multiple exposure: A singular print form a negative that has been exposed more than once. A photo is taken but the film is not advanced, and then a second or series of additional images are taken.

Computer Generated Art: If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds clip art or another graphic that is not the student's photograph, and prints on regular paper, it is a visual arts piece.  If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds other of his/her photos, and prints on special paper, the it is a photography entry.  If a student uses interpretive software on a photo taken by the student, it is a photography entry.

PRESENTATION
All prints must be mounted on a cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material. Frames of any type are unacceptable. Shrink-wrapping is optional but highly recommended. Multiple- page or three-dimensional entries are not allowed.  Place Official Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape (with masking tape) tot he back of the photograph.

OPTIONAL
Photography Question
On the Official Entry Form, explain what process, tools, and techniques you used.

What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?

 

2003-2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
VISUAL ARTS RULES
Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Visual Arts Rules.

Any of the following processes are acceptable for creating visual works of art. Works of art must be flat, and may not exceed more than a 3/8 inch thickness. Artwork may not exceed 24 inches by 30 inches including a mat.

DESCRIPTION
Prints: All graphic processes including linoleum cuts, serigraphs, wood cuts, computer-generated art, or vegetable prints.

Drawings: All types of drawings are acceptable including pencil, charcoal, chalk, ink, crayon, colored pencil, pastels, and any other medium used for drawing or sketching.

Painting: All kinds including tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor. Paintings on canvas must be unstretched when submitted. (Paintings cannot be submitted on any kind of stretcher or stretcher strips.) Paintings on canvas may be submitted on foam board or cardboard. T-shirt paintings will be accepted, but they must be mounted.

Collage: All materials and images that are two- dimensional. Nothing three-dimensional may extend off the surface of the work. Noodles, beans, beads, and boxes are not accepted materials. Small, flat items that have a maximum surface contact with the face of the image are acceptable such as string, fabric, and screening.

Photographic Collage: A collage is constructed of photographic images not taken by the student should be submitted in the Visual Arts area. A collage of photographs taken by the student should be submitted In the Photography area if the artwork is 11"x14" or smaller.
Metal Etching or punch work: Metal etching or punch work is acceptable. Take proper precautions to cover corners of metal.  

Fiber work: Any original fiber work, needlework, or sewn design is acceptable as long as it is securely mounted. No kits are allowed, only original designs. No houses or three-dimensional needlework pieces. Leather tooling is also acceptable.

PRESENTATION
Entries may be submitted on paper, canvas board, cardboard, hot or cold pressboard, or canvas) not to exceed 3/8 inch thickness). Entries on paper or canvas must be mounted on sturdy cardboard mats, but not in wooden frames, metal, plastic, or glass.  Shrink-wrapping is optional but highly recommended. Lamination is not the same as shrink wrapping, and while a laminated work will not be disqualified, it is discouraged because it can permanently damage the surface of the artwork.  Place Official Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape (with masking tape) tot he back of the visual arts piece.

WORKS NOT ACCEPTED FOR VISUAL ARTS AREA
Sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, or other three-dimensional artwork are not eligible for entry. Reproductions and enlargements of other artwork is not considered original works.

OPTIONAL
Visual Arts Question
On the Official Entry form, explain what process, tools and techniques you used.

What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?

                      2003-2004 Reflections Program
           Theme Search for Program Year 2005-2006

The National PTA is looking for a theme for its cultural arts Reflections Program for the 2002-2003 year. A student’s suggestion(s) for theme ideas may be sent to your state office by the individual student or by a local unit PTA/PTSA. The theme may include a wide variety of subjects that will appeal to students in preschool through grade 12. The winning student will receive recognition at the National PTA convention in June.  Use this form or a duplicate to submit theme ideas.

Local PTA

  

PTA President

  

Address

  

City/State/ZIP

  

Daytime Phone

  

National PTA 8 digit ID#

0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _

Student’s Name

  

Grade

  

Address

  

City/State/ZIP

  

Daytime Phone

  

School

  

Theme Idea

  

Parent/Guardian’s Signature

  

Facsimiles and e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Please mail theme search entries to California State PTA on or before November 1, 2003

Send to: California State PTA
               Reflections Program Theme Search
               930 Georgia Street
               Los Angeles, CA 90015-1322