Competition Rules

ADJUDICATION WILL BE FOR A COMPETITOR’S FULL PERFORMANCE, i.e. FROM LEAVING HIS/HER SEAT TO SITTING DOWN AGAIN AND INCLUDING SMARTNESS OF APPEARANCE.

1. Competitors are reminded that it is against the law to reproduce copyright music by photocopy or other means (including video cameras and tape recorders). When an “own choice” work is selected from a publication containing several different works and which is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of an adjudicator at a competition or festival provided that the competitor or participant has already purchased his/her own copy and that the copy made is retained and destroyed by the Administrator of the Competition or Festival immediately after the event. This permission specifically does not apply to set works.

2. The prescribed edition of music and key, where specified, must be used by all competitors. For their “Own Choice”, competitors must not choose (a) a test piece specified in the Syllabus for another Class; (b) the same test piece for more than one Class; (c) a test piece with which they have won a class at any festival within the last 3 years. THE TITLE OF AN “OWN CHOICE” MUST BE STATED ON THE ENTRY FORM AND THIS MAY NOT BE CHANGED AND THE EXACT TIMING (INCLUDING ANY SPOKEN INTRODUCTION) MUST BE STATED. This is essential for scheduling the programme.

3. Competitors must provide copies of music for the Adjudicator and the Accompanist where “Own Choice” is permitted (See Rule 1). In a class where the test piece is “Own Choice” a copy of the music for the Accompanist must be sent to Mrs Dawn Ball, 89 Leighton Avenue, Swindon, to arrive no later than (closing date for entries to be announced).

The Adjudicator’s copy of “Own Choice” must be handed to the Steward on the day of the Class for which it is required. The Adjudicator will take into consideration the artistic merit of the self-chosen tests, i.e. whether the standard of the music, etc., is worthy of the Class in which it is to be performed. All music must be collected at the close of the Class in which it is used and the Committee cannot accept responsibility for music which is not claimed at that time. PLEASE MARK COPIES CLEARLY WITH NAME AND ENTRY NUMBER.

4. No competitor may perform twice in the same Class (except when playing different instruments in instrumental classes) or sing in two choirs competing in the same Class. All competitors in CHORAL CLASSES must be bona fide members of the competing choir.

5. Competitors may only enter at one grade level on the same instrument.

6. With the exception of Oratorio, all solo singers are required to sing from memory.

7. Vocal set pieces are to be accompanied by the official pianist.

8. The Committee reserve the right to substitute or appoint other Adjudicators, if necessary. The decision of the Adjudicators shall be final, and any performance may be stopped when his/her judgement is formed
NO COMPETITOR OR OTHER PERSONS, EXCEPT THE APPOINTED OFFICIAL, SHALL BE PERMITTED TO APPROACH THE ADJUDICATOR PRIOR TO OR DURING THE COMPETITIONS. ANY CONTACT WITH THE ADJUDICATOR MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE ADJUDICATOR’S STEWARD.

9. The Adjudicator shall have full power to withhold prizes.

10. Except where otherwise stated, classes are for amateur performers, irrespective of their place of residence. For the purpose of this Festival, an amateur is considered to be one who does not receive more than out of pocket expenses for services rendered in that branch of the art with which the competition is concerned.

11. No person shall be allowed to bring a tape recorder, camera or video recorder into the Festival Hall for the purpose of recording.

12. All classes governed by age are open only to competitors who are definitely of the age specified, except in the case of duets and groups, when the Class to be entered is to be determined by the age of the older/eldest competitors. The age of a competitor is his/her age on the First Day of the Festival. In the case of dispute, birth certificates may be required. In the case of illness or other extenuating circumstances the substitution of one competitor in a Duet or Ensemble Class may be permitted with the approval of the Committee.

13. A gold medal, plaque or trophy will be awarded if the winner of a class achieves 84 marks or over.

14. Certificates for Junior Classes will be awarded in accordance with the following scale:-

If an adult competitor requires a certificate, the Secretary must be notified before the Festival.

15. All Challenge Trophies are the property of the Swindon Music Festival and must be returned, carriage paid, to Rosemary Stanbury, Highleaze, Mill Lane, Swindon before 1st February each year. Guarantees must be given for the safe custody of all trophies and holders are responsible for loss or damage. It is therefore to this end that all trophy winners must give their names and addresses to the Competitors’ Steward before leaving the hall.

16. Winners of medals and trophies will be required to bear the cost of any additional engraving. For new Trophies donated in 1972 and afterwards, the engraving will be confined to a plaque affixed to the plinth of the Trophy (where applicable). The new Trophies must not themselves be engraved.

17. Adjudicator’s mark sheets may be obtained free as soon as possible after the conclusion of each class. Marking sheets which are not claimed within seven days of the close of the Swindon Music Festival (stamped addressed envelopes required) will be destroyed.

18. RECEIPT OF ENTRY: ENTRY FEES WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED. ALL COMPETITORS MUST ENCLOSE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE WITH THEIR ENTRY FORM.

19. Each Entry Form must be signed by, or on behalf of, the competitor and be on the official form. A separate form must be completed for each entry.

20. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.

21. Entrance fees are not normally returnable.

22. Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to Swindon Music Festival and crossed. Competitors must send their entry forms accompanied by the remittances, plus a stamped addressed envelope (maximum size 23cm x 16cm) and “Own Choice” music for the accompanist to:

THE COMPETITORS’ SECRETARY
MRS DAWN BALL
89 LEIGHTON AVENUE,
SWINDON,
SN3 2JG

23. Any protests must be made in writing to the Secretary and will not be considered unless accompanied by a fee of £1.50 which will be returned if the protest is upheld.


CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES

Friday 11th January 2008

NO LATE OR INCOMPLETE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED