That uniquely Piedmont sound of spring returns Friday March 20 at 7 p.m., when contestants in the annual Bird Calling Contest showcase a carefully curated avian cacophony of caws, pips, and squawks on-stage at Alan Harvey Theater.
Come to this fun Piedmont tradition, and enjoy seeing high school students perform bird calls and interpret their selected bird, in the spirit of this year’s theme, “Free As A Bird.”
The stunning poster for this year’s Bird Calling Contest is the winning submission from the Piedmont Bird Calling Poster Competition. This year, the winner was Mo Wang.
Organizers also shared information about this year’s judges:
Jaime Chaves is a Professor in the Biology Department at San Francisco State University. He has been on the faculty there since 2020. His projects are based on international multidisciplinary collaboration involving local students and communities. His specialties are evolution, phylogenetics, phylogeography, ornithology, Galapagos and Darwin’s finches. This is his first time serving as a judge for the Piedmont Bird Calling Contest.
Mercedes Foster has been a member of the English Department since 2004. Though she didn’t attend PHS as a student, she played the part of a quail in Bird Calling skit twenty years ago and is honored to participate as a judge this year. A life-long avian enthusiast, she has cared for parrots, parakeets, foundling doves, finches, parakeets, and, most recently, chickens. She is currently trying (and failing) to befriend the crows that hang out in her front yard.
Michael Poryes is a Piedmont High alum of the class of ’73. As a PHS student, he always looked forward to attended the Bird Calling Contest. He has spent the past 45 or so years working in the entertainment industry in situation comedy. He was a writer and producer on many shows such as “Who’s The Boss,” “The Facts of Life,” “Cybil,” “Veronica’s Closet,” and “Saved By The Bell.” He is most well-known for creating and executive producing the hit shows “Hannah Montana” and “That’s So Raven.” He’s very excited to once again be a judge at Piedmont’s Annual Bird Calling Contest.
And how does it all work? A PHS announcement breaks down judging:
Many people wonder about the criteria for a winning call. Is it the delicate soloist with the enchanting whistle worthy of first-place? Or is the best act the routine that receives the most enthusiastic response from the audience? To assist any armchair judges in the audience, the following criteria are used. Though judges give scores for each of the three criteria, points alone do not determine the winners. There are intangibles that set the winners apart.
Authenticity of Call – The judges will act as experts of the Show to certify the authenticity of the call.
Poise and Delivery – Both stage presence and smoothness of delivery are considered. The beauty and singularity of the birdcall are essential.
Content of Introduction – Contestants must write their own ‘sketches’. It should include pertinent information about their bird. The information should be organized, well-composed, and in good taste. Humor can be a plus or minus, depending on its appropriateness.
For questions, please contact phsbirdcallingcontest@gmail.com.