RULES OF THE FESTIVAL

1. Eligibility. The Festival is for amateurs. For the purposes of this Festival, the British Federation of Festivals defines the word amateur as;
“any person whose principal means of livelihood is obtained from non-performing or teaching work in the discipline involved; even if he or she, from time to time, acccepts a fee, stipend or honorarium for musical or dramatic services rendered. Every entrant under the age of 18 years of age will be considered amateur.”
This rule does not apply to conductors, accompanists or bona fide members of choirs.

2. All competitors will receive a comment sheet, completed by the adjudicator, together with a category reflecting the standard of performance achieved. All competitors will receive a certificate of participation in the Festival.

3. No person other than an official of the committee may discuss any aspect of the Festival with an adjudicator, except at the invitation of the adjudicator.

4. All applications for entry should be made on the official entry form for the current year. Completed forms accompanied by payment should be returned to:

Stella Calver, 17 Kennel Loke, Gorleston, Norfolk. NR31 6JU

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES : 31 JANUARY 2009

IMPORTANT NOTE ; LATE ENTRIES CANNOT BE ACCEPTED

5. It is regretted that entry fees cannot be refunded except where withdrawal is notified BEFORE the closing date.

6. Entrants in any of the classes for choirs or orchestras must have been bona fide members of the choir or orchestra for a period of two months prior to the first day of the Festival.

7. Competitors will not be allowed to make more than one solo entry in any one class, nor will any ensemble be allowed to make more than one entry in any one class. This requirement will be waived if a different instrument or instrumental combination is offered in each entry.

8. The order of appearance in each class will be determined by ballot. Entrants will be expected to be ready to perform at the appointed time. Notification of specific times when a competitor will not be able to perform should be noted on the entry form. The committee will, where possible, take account of this in preparing the programme. Latecomers will forfeit their right to adjudication, but may be allowed to perform, if time permits.

9. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published programme, the committee reserves the right to make modifications.

10. Pieces may be heard in whole or part, at the discretion of the adjudicator, and repeats will not be considered essential at any time. All performances must be in complete original form, including any standard accompaniment. Entrants are responsible for keeping within the time limits as stated in the syllabus. Any performance in serious breach of these limits may be liable to disqualification or the performance stopped after the appointed time has elapsed and marked accordingly.

11. IMPORTANT NOTE – Set and Own Choice Pieces
In all classes competitors must indicate on the entry form the title, composer/author and duration of the chosen piece(s). Incomplete entries will be returned.
Competitors who perform a piece other than that stated on the Entry Form will be adjudicated but not graded.

12. Adjudicator's copies : In both music and speech classes it is essential that a publisher's copy of any “own choice” piece is present on the premises at the time of performance. Adjudicator's copies must be handed to the adjudicator's clerk at the time of performance. Non-provision of such copy will result in the performance being adjudicated but not marked/graded. Any cuts or omissions should be clearly marked please. In the case of copyright works in Speech subjects, please refer to the paragraph of instructions in the Drama section.

NOTICE ; Competitors are warned not to infringe copyright laws by photocopying or other methods. A photocopy may be used only if express permission has been granted by the publisher, or if its use complies with the current guidelines of the Music Publishers' Association (Association members' publications only). The committee will not hold itself responsible for any infringement of copyright by a performer.

13. Trophies are awarded in a number of classes. A full list, together with qualifying classes, will be found at the back of the syllabus, or in the Awards section. A trophy is awarded, within the qualifying classes, to the individual performance(s) nominated by the adjudicator, unless the adjudicator deems that a sufficiently high standard has not been achieved, in which case the trophy will be witheld. The adjudicator's decision will be final. Trophies will be presented at the Festival Concerts. Engraving of trophies is the responsibility of the winner.

14. A winner accepting a trophy undertakes to keep it safe and undamaged during the period for which he/she is entitled to it, and to return the trophy polished and in good condition to St Andrews Festival Trophies Officer, by 20th February in the following year, or other date as advised by the Trophies Officer.

15 Qualifying ages should be calculated at the first day of the Festival. In the case of school group entries this rule will not be imposed to exclude older children in the same school year. 'Adult' means 18 years plus.

16. Where entry is by grade, no entry is permitted to a grade lower than that for which an examination has been taken at the time of the Festival. By definition, a competitor cannot enter “Junior Open” and “Open” classes in the same Festival. Where a grading requirement is set in the 'Open' classes, the Adjudicator's decision as to the acceptability of the standard of the competitor's chosen piece will in all cases be final.

17. Performances of Song and Dance From The Shows. All performances using music from shows in current production are subject to copyright law. Songs from shows in current production may be sung as a concert item, ie, with no costume or movement without need for copyright permission. Where movement or costume are included in a performance, copyright permission is required and the festival committee accepts these entries on the basis that the appropriate copyright permission has been sought. Performers or teachers with queries on this ruling or how to obtain copyright permission for performance items should contact Festivals House on 0906 302 1302. Please note calls cost maximum of 50p per minute.

18. The Festival provides Official Accompanists for Senior Recital Classes only. Entrants please note that using the Official Accompanist is a requirement of entry. The Festival Accompanists are:

  Terry Cunnane Tel. 01493 667351
  Paul Miller Tel. 01493 600481

Please note that the Festival provides the Official Accompanist free of charge for all Senior Recital Entrants only. Entrants wishing to use the Official Accompanist in other classes must negotiate fees with the Accompanist direct. These costs will not be borne by the Festival.

19. Use of backing tracks and/or Microphone.
POP CLASSES Entrants considering using CD, Mini disc or Tape backing tracks, and/or using microphone (all equipment provided by the Festival) are requested to decide upon their choice of equipment before the class takes place. The soundcheck provided before the class commences will be for setting balance only, not for a full rehearsal!
MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES
Entrants are permitted to use backing track but need to provide their own playback equipment. No soundcheck time is provided by The Festival and the use of microphone not permitted.
Entrants are reminded that a PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) Licence must be obtained before using any music from records, cassettes or CDs to prepare their own backing tapes. This rule does not apply when using bought backing tapes/disks.

20. Entry fees for 2008 are as follows:

  Solo entries             £5.50
  Intermediate Recital Entries             £7.50
  Recital classes             £9.00
  Group entries:     2 performers       £7.50
        3-6 performers       £8.50
        7-10 performers       £9.50
        11+ performers       £10.50

21. Participants may be asked to perform in the Festival Concerts. All performers will receive a Festival Medal.

22. The Competitive Festival Committee cannot accept any liability for injury or loss to person or property.

23. In any matter of dispute the decision of the Gorleston Saint Andrew's Competitive Festival Committee is final.

24. COMPLAINTS: Any complaint should be made in writing, and handed to the steward on duty.
Suggestions may be placed in the suggestion box.

25. In order for the Festival to provide the highest level of child protection both during the Festival classes and at Festival concerts, the parent, guardian or carer must be responsible for making sure their child under 18 or vulnerable adult is at all times accompanied and adequately supervised by him/herself or a teacher or other suitable adult. The Festival's Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the website, or alternatively please contact the Child Protection Officer for a copy.

The Festival Rules are subject to constant consideration by the Committee. We do not mean to be awkward or obstructive in any way – rather we aim to ensure equality and fairness to all participants. If we unintentionally fall short of this in any way, do let us know.