Q:Tip- How artists are chosen for NACA

Ever wonder how artists & lecturers are chosen for a NACA showcase? Here's the scoop:

A committee is made up of 5 student volunteers and 4 staff. The Chair of the committee does not vote, but acts more as a facilitator. A few members may have past showcase experience but most don't. The students on the committee can go to the conferences but there is no requirement to do so.

It is a 3-5 days process, with breaks, facilitated but the committee Chair. The committee completes the process in an unidentified hotel location. The identity of the committee is never revealed.

The committee watches submission videos and listens to submitted audio material. Some submissions are digital, through music websites like sonic bids. Other submissions are hard copy material. Regional showcase committees typically view 400-500 submissions in the 3-5 day process.* The first submission to be viewed is determined by random alphabetical selection.  Showcases are determined by rounds as follows:

Round 1: 90 seconds of video viewed (3 minute for lecture).  The main focus for this round is determining if there is substantail talent. At least 50% of the committee must be in favor to move it to round 2.
Round 2: Next 30 seconds of video viewed:  In this round, they compare acts to similar acts the committee has already heard or seen.
Round 3: Next 30 seconds of video viewed.  The focus of this round is to make selections that will help fill a void in the genre of diversity for the already selected acts.
Final Round: Compares acts to create a well-balanced distribution and evalutate all given facts thoroughly.

*National Convention selection committee differs in that they split the committee for Round 1, as submissions are greatly increased on the National Convention level.