Students performing calls of the Thick Billed Raven, the Adélie Penguin and the Common Loon took the top three prizes Thursday night when Piedmont’s Bird Calling Show returned to the Alan Harvey Theater for its 54th annual contest following a three-year hiatus.
Created in 1963 by Leonard Waxdeck, a biology teacher at Piedmont High School, the show grew into an annual event that over the decades has attracted local and national attention as winners have appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “The Arsenio Hall Show” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” Recently, a former Piedmont High student and participant demonstrated her skills on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”
Though the contest has changed somewhat over the years — it faced cancellation in 1996 as interest waned before its first resurrection in 1997 — its spirit and traditions have been carried on by the many who share in a spirit of innovation.
Students spent weeks and months perfecting their bird calls and were judged based on three criteria:
Authenticity of call — the judges acted as the show’s experts to certify each bird call’s authenticity.
Poise and delivery — stage presence and smoothness of delivery were considered. The beauty and singularity of the bird call were essential.
Content of introduction — contestants had to write their own “sketches.” Each sketch should have included pertinent, well-composed information about their bird. Humor could have been a plus or minus, depending on how appropriate it was.
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