FESTIVAL RULES

 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

 

 

1.  ELIGIBILITY

Except where otherwise indicated (e.g. that a class is OPEN) only AMATEURS and not professionals may enter the competitions.

A Professional is defined as one who derives, or has derived, the major part of his or her living from performing or teaching the instrument or voice concerned.

Open classes, shown in each section of the syllabus, are open to all candidates whether professional or amateur.

No competitor may take part more than once in the same class, except on a different instrument, or in duet or ensemble classes where a different piece must be played with a different partner.

2.  AGE LIMITS

Where age limits apply they will be strictly adhered to; such age to be reckoned as at SEPTEMBER 1st  preceding the Festival. Proof of age must be provided if requested.

3.  ENTRIES AND ENTRY FEES

Fees are not returnable. The Committee reserves the right to refuse entry.

Individuals, or members of the same family who enter more than 5 solo classes, may claim a 10% reduction of the total entry fee for these classes.

LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NO SWITCHING OF CLASSES OR CHANGES TO THE PUBLISHED TIMETABLE WILL BE PERMITTED

4.  MARKING

Competitors will either be marked or placed in one of five categories as an indication of their achievement.

MARK                   CATEGORY        

90 or higher            Outstanding           

85 – 89                    Very good              

80 – 84                    Good                      

75 – 79                    Satisfactory

Up to 74                  Insecure                 

 

Marks will be awarded in Vocal, Piano and Speech & Drama sections, but only categories will be used in Instrumental classes.

Certificates will be awarded for each of the above categories except Insecure.

 

5.  AWARDS

 

Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator. Split classes will carry separate medal awards but only one overall trophy, where relevant.

 

Cups and Trophies will only be awarded to competitors who have obtained a minimum mark of 85 or a minimum category of Very Good.

 
Medals

1.   In Classes where there are 4 or more entries

A gold coloured medal will normally be awarded to a competitor placed first in these classes, provided that a minimum mark of 85 or a minimum category of Very Good has been obtained. Where the standard of the competitor placed first is only between 80 and 84 marks or in the category of Good, a silver coloured medal will normally be awarded instead.

The competitor placed second in these classes will normally receive a silver coloured medal, providing a minimum mark of 80 or a minimum category of Good has been achieved.

(ii)  In classes where there are 3 or fewer entries

A first place medal will only be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator. This will be gold or silver coloured according to the criteria described above.

A second place medal will not be awarded unless warranted by exceptional circumstances.

 

The Piano Bursary is donated anonymously and will be paid to the winner's teacher for use towards tuition fees.

The same competitor may not win the Bursary in two consecutive years. Where by reason of this ruling the top qualifier is barred from competing in the final bursary class, the next to qualify in the class will compete instead, provided their total marks are 170 or over in the two classes involved.

 

 

 
6.  MUSIC

Editions: The prescribed editions of music and key, where specified, must be used.

Repeats: No repeats (apart from Da Capo) are to be performed unless specified.

Accompaniment: Where a selected piece has been composed and published

with an accompaniment, it must be performed with that accompaniment in order to qualify for adjudication. No recorded accompaniments are permitted.

Own Choice: Title, composer and playing time must be stated on the entry form. Only notated items may be offered unless otherwise specified in Jazz/Improvisation classes. Set pieces in this syllabus may not be offered in Own Choice classes, and no item may be included in more than one class. Any change of piece must be notified to the relevant Section Secretary before the Festival begins. The adjudicator will take into consideration the artistic merit of self-chosen pieces, i.e. whether the standard of music etc. is worthy of the class in which it is to be performed. Where the chosen piece fails to meet the designated criteria for a particular class, the competitor will not be considered for a place amongst the winners and their mark/category may be withheld. In all cases of Own Choice, a copy of the piece selected must be provided for the adjudicator at the time of competing. Please do not send music to the Section Secretary unless requested.

7.  PERFORMING RIGHTS

This Festival has entered into an agreement with the Authors’ Licensing & Collection Society. This means that entrants do not have to seek copyright permission for any poetry, prose or solo dramatic items performed to a time limit of 10 minutes. Performers and teachers should know that this will ensure authors are directly reimbursed as a consequence of their works being performed. Duologues and group dramatic activities are not covered by this agreement and copyright for these items must be sought by performers at the time of entry. Solo dramatic items must be announced with title and author at the time of performance to qualify for copyright indemnity and the performer must not change the words or gender of the character.

8   PHOTOCOPIES

Photocopies will not be accepted except in the following circumstances; when an Own Choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works and which is not available separately, one copy may be made for the use of the adjudicator provided that the performer has already purchased his/her copy. The photocopy will be destroyed immediately after the event. This permission specifically does not apply to set pieces.

 

9.  TIME LIMITS

These, where set, will be strictly adhered to and a bell will be rung on expiry of the allotted time. Competitors who over-run will be stopped and will not be marked. It is not acceptable to offer only part of a movement or piece.

 

10.  TIME OF COMPETITION

Notice of the time of competition will be sent to every competitor at least one week before the Festival. If by then no notice has been received, an immediate enquiry should be sent to the relevant Section Secretary. Alternatively telephone the festival helpline 07706 100856.

 

11.  PRIZEWINNERS’ CONCERT

On the recommendation of the adjudicators, selected Prizewinners will be invited to perform in the Prizewinners' Concert. They will be notified after the completion of the competitions in each Section.

Cups and Trophies will normally be presented from the platform at the Prizewinners' Concert. They cannot be sent through the post or by courier services, if the recipient is unable to collect them at the Concert.

CUPS AND TROPHIES SHOULD BE RETURNED IN PERSON AND IN A PROPERLY CLEANED CONDITION ON OR BEFORE 15th  OCTOBER 2011.

For further information please contact the relevant Section Secretary. 

 

12.  COMPLAINTS

Complaints should be made in writing to the Chairman within seven days of the end of the Festival.

 

13.  CHILD PROTECTION, HEALTH & SAFETY

The Festival aims to provide a safe environment for everyone who attends the event. We therefore ask that caution is exercised whilst on the premises and that children are accompanied by an adult at all times.

Please refer to the Child Protection Policy by clicking on the “Child Protection Button” on the left-hand side of this website.

 

 

 

 

THE USE OF LAPTOPS AND ALL FORMS OF SOUND AND PICTURE RECORDING ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL BECAUSE OF COPYRIGHT AND OTHER LEGAL RESTRICTIONS.

MOBILE PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF WHILST ON THE FESTIVAL PREMISES.