The 10 categories in which the samba schools are judged at Rio in carnival
The Samba Parade at the Rio carnival is a unique experience which is a fierce battle between the various Samba schools in Rio. There are 10 categories which are considered by the judges before deciding on the best one
1-Percussion Band
Percussion instruments keep the rhythm on in the entire parade and thus it is considered very intricately by the judges that the groups do not miss a beat even after the breaks. Continuity and regularity of the beat and the perfect rhythm is what decides the group’s versatility.
2-Samba Song
The Samba Schools perform to a selected theme and it is vital that their lyrics and music are blended together to help them score on both the sub-categories.
3-Harmony
For the perfect visual, acoustical and musical harmony the school’s have to make sure that their rhythm, music and dancing blend perfectly with the dance and the choreography of the members. This ensures high marks.
4-Participants spirit and flow
The participants in the samba school should give a performance which is in flow at the same time being creative and spontaneous as also expressing the vigor, agility and passion of participants. Gaps between wings or paraders invite penalty marks.
5-Overall impact of the performance
No technicalities are considered in this division and only the overall impact is considered. Being the most subjective category it is highly controversial.
6- The selected theme of the band
Each Samba School performs to a central theme which is portrayed through the various parts in the parade. The idea and its development should be transparent to the judges through the various floats and wings. Use of foreign references in the themes is optional and any form of advertising calls for penalty points.
7- Visual impression of theme
The various props and floats used in the parade should depict the artist’s quality and originality in terms of colors, movements and the visual effects. The visual impression through the various things should be in sync with the theme as also the destaques costumes.
8- Costumes impact
Costumes in all categories like Dancers, Wings, Whirling Ladies and Percussionists are judged in this category for their uniqueness, creativity, the right color schemes and also the overall impact. Diversity is as important as the suitability to the central idea.
9- Introduction of the Samba School in the Parade
In this Vanguard Commission category the Samba School’s opening Wing is judged for the costumes and the chorography in their introduction.
10- Coordination of the Flag Bearer and the Escort
The judges consider the elegance, agility and grace combined with the variety and the flexibility of the dance movements of the Flag Carrier lady and her escort-the First Dancing Master. The flag’s symbolic protection is also considered alongside coordination.
Rio carnival is greatest show on carnival scene and the amazing dances and the excellent floats of the participating samba schools make it memorable.
