Rules and conditions of entry 2012

In order to be sure that you enter the correct classes with the correct choice of music please take time to read through the general guidelines and rules of entry.

Although entry forms are carefully checked, we cannot guarantee that errors will be detected. Please note that there are some significant changes.

Rules

•  Entrants may not, under any circumstances, change their programmed piece of music.

•  Concertos may be performed in all classes, with the exception of Recital classes, provided that they can be played within the time limit for that class. Concertos may not be performed in Recital classes.

•  Competitors are permitted to enter a class in advance of their age. For example, as a junior you can enter the Intermediate or Senior classes. However, should you choose to do this, you cannot then enter the junior class. You are not permitted to enter more than one age category on the same instrument.

•  Vocal ensembles should consist of between 2 and 10 members.

•  Adult participation - 1 adult is permitted to participate in the non-competitive junior ensemble classes. Non-competitive piano duets may be played with an adult in the junior classes only. Non-competitive vocal ensembles are permitted to have an adult conductor.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. The competition is open to any young performers who are aged 18 years or under on 31/08/2012.

2. Professional Musicians and early entrants to Conservatoires, Music Colleges, and Universities are NOT permitted to enter.

3. The use of electronic equipment for sound amplification is not allowed; all instruments must be acoustic. A pre-recorded accompaniment is permitted in the Jazz class only.

4. If the official festival accompanists are required, please see section marked Accompanists.

5. The adjudicator must be provided with a complete copy of the music at the beginning of each class. Photocopies are permitted for this purpose but please note that, in order to comply with copyright law, the original must be in evidence at the performance.

6. SGFYM reserves the right to refuse entries.

7. Please keep a copy of the classes you have entered for reference.

8. In all cases the adjudicators' decisions are final.

9. Some performers will be invited to sing or play at the Gala Concert. Performers for this concert are recommended by the adjudicators, NOT SGFYM committee and every effort will be made to include all those recommended. However, due to time constraints, this may not always be possible.

10. SGFYM reserves the right to divide or combine classes to accommodate the number of entries received.

11. A full set of Rules and Regulations for the SGFYM is available by post from the Secretary. It is recommended that you read these rules carefully.

12. The SGFYM respects the Data Protection Act 1984. Except for Festival literature, data will not be disclosed to any third party, other than computer maintenance organisations as permitted by law.

13. Send queries to SGFYM by post, enclosing a S.A.E. or email us secretary@sgfym.org.uk

14. Parents and teachers are reminded that the safety of young people and their belongings are their responsibility during the Festival.

RULES OF ENTRY

WHO MAY ENTER

The Festival is open to any young performers who are aged 18 years 
or under in any Festival year. The age of the entrant on the first day of the Festival will be deemed as his or her age for the purpose of the entry. 

Professional Musicians and early entrants to Conservatoires, music colleges, and Universities are NOT permitted to enter.

Age Groups are divided according to Education Authority School Years, i.e.

Infant - Year 2 and under, 
Junior - Year 6 and under, 
Intermediate - Year 9 and under, 
Senior - 18th Birthday before 31st August in that particular Festival year.

ADULT PARTICIPATION

Adult participation - 1 adult is permitted to participate in the non-competitive junior ensemble classes. Non-competitive piano duets may be played with an adult in the junior classes only. Non-competitive vocal ensembles are permitted to have an adult conductor.

HOW TO ENTER

Entries must be written on the official Entry Form, which must reach the address specified on the information leaflet and website, no later than the closing date which is available from the information leaflet or website. All ensemble members, including non-adult accompanists, must be named on the Entry Form.

Ensembles must not exceed ten (10) members. 
Vocal ensembles should consist of between 3 and 10 members.

A photocopy of the entry form is acceptable. 

Entry fees may be returned at the discretion of the Committee, but only in exceptional circumstances.

BEFORE THE EVENT

The committee reserves the right to limit, cancel or subdivide any class.

The committee reserves the right to close classes before the closing date for entries, if sufficient entries have been received.

The committee reserves the right to refuse any entry without giving a reason.

The title and composer of the piece(s) to be played should be detailed on the entry form.

Entrants may not, under any circumstances, change their programmed piece of music.

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept 'TO BE ANNOUNCED' on your Entry form.
If 'TO BE ANNOUNCED' is on the Entry Form, the committee reserves the right to return the entry.

Where there is only one entrant in a class, the entrant will be informed and given the opportunity to withdraw or if appropriate, to combine with another class.
The committee reserves the right to engage additional adjudicators, or substitute without notice any adjudicator who is unable to appear.

BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE: 'Warm-Up' Area

There are a limited number of rooms for the purpose of 'warming up' prior to performances. Entrants are welcome to use these facilities, if they are available, in the half-hour leading up to their class, for a maximum time of up to 10 minutes. The committee reserves the right to ask an entrant to vacate a room if other entrants are waiting.

Under NO circumstances is any food or drink allowed in any part of the 'warm-up' area. Entrants who do not comply will be refused admission to these rooms.

THE PERFORMANCE

Entrants may play one (1) piece up to the time limit specified for their age group.

Except for specialist classes, entrants should not play repeats but should play da capos. HOWEVER ALL PERFORMANCES MUST COMPLY WITH TIME LIMITS FOR THAT CLASS.

During the Class, friends, family and teachers are welcome to listen.
Whilst it is wholly appropriate for eye contact, or a nod of the head to occur between performer and their accompanist, it is strictly forbidden however, for others present to communicate with the performer(s).
It is not permissible for a parent, music teacher or other individual to conduct, mark time, mime dynamics or use any other form of non-verbal or verbal communication.
In such instances, friends, family or teachers will be asked to leave the auditorium and it may lead to disqualification.
This rule has been put in place to provide equal opportunities for all our competitors and to avoid circumstances where individuals might be disadvantaged by the actions of others.

The Festival is bound by copyright law and cannot allow photography, tape or video recording, ALL OF WHICH ARE ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN DURING PERFORMANCES OR ADJUDICATION.

In order to comply with copyright law, the original music must be in evidence during the performance. If the original is given to the adjudicator it will be returned at the end of the class, if a photocopy is given this will not be returned and will be destroyed by the Festival.

The use of electronic equipment for sound amplification is not allowed except for the Jazz Classes where a pre recorded accompaniment is permitted.

The Festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals and participates in its Group Licence to cover payment of fees for the use of recorded music at its events. Teachers using recordings created from commercial recordings are advised that they must seek permission to re-record from record companies when recording.

The Festival committee cannot accept any responsibility for property left at the venue during the Festival.

ADJUDICATION

The Adjudicators' decisions will be regarded as final.
Awards may be withheld if, in the opinion of the adjudicator, sufficient merit is not shown.
No entrant, teacher or interested party may discuss any aspect of the Festival with an adjudicator before, during or after classes, except at the invitation of the adjudicator.

Adjudications will be available at the end of each class from the adjudicator's desk or the Festival office after the session has ended.
Performers for the Gala Concert are recommended by the Adjudicators, NOT SGFYM Committee and every effort will be made to include all those recommended. However, due to time constraints, this may not always be possible.

MARKING SYSTEM
Adjudicators assessments are based on the performance on the day; potential is not taken into account. The adjudicators use a marking scheme recommended by the committee, in accordance with national standards. Marks are used to indicate the quality of performance and take into account all aspects of performance including difficulty of piece, posture, platform manners, technical ability and artistic merit. Please note. These marks and recommendations are available for committee use only.

TIME LIMITS
Classes are timetabled precisely; this enables the committee to keep costs to a minimum. The time limit for each class is shown on the information sheet and website and must be strictly adhered to. If a performer runs over the time allotted he/she may be stopped. If this happens he/she will not be penalized but judged on what has already been played.

ACCOMPANISTS
An official accompanist will be available for those classes as specified in the Information Sheet and Website. This availability is subject to entrants stating on the entry form that they require this service. Please send the correct fee and a photocopy of the accompaniment. If a photocopy is to be used, the original must be in evidence. Late applications for the accompanist may be accepted at the discretion of the committee and the accompanist with any exceptional circumstances being taken into account.

PLEASE NOTE THE OFFICIAL ACCOMPANIST IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SPECIALIST CLASSES UNLESS BY PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT.

ADJUDICATION SHEETS, CERTIFICATES AND MEDALS

In all classes, adjudication sheets are completed by the Adjudicator and are available from the class secretary at the end of the class.

Entrants in the Junior Non Competitive Concert Classes will receive certificates of performance. 'Special' Medals will be awarded to Infants entrants. i.e. School Year 2 or under. First, second and third place medals may be awarded in all competitive classes at the discretion of the adjudicator. 'Special' medals may also be awarded, at the discretion of the adjudicator,

TROPHIES
A trophy is awarded to the first place medal winner . All trophies and their boxes remain the property of the South Glamorgan Festival for Young Musicians. They must be returned to the address specified on the trophy receipt form (unless otherwise advised by letter) on the date specified by the SGFYM committee. Failure to return the trophy by the required date will result in the winner forfeiting the right to remove any future trophies that he/she is awarded at this Festival.
In the event of a trophy not being returned, the parent/guardian of the holder will be invoiced accordingly. This will include an administration fee.

In the event of a tie for first place, both entrants must sign for the receipt of the trophy and its safekeeping and it should be held for an equal amount of time during the ten months it is kept by the winners. They will be held jointly responsible for its safe return.

All trophy engraving must be arranged by the Festival committee and undertaken by the official engravers, Porters Wholesale Jewellers.

The winners of the 'Best of' category trophies are decided solely by the adjudicators and not by the SGFYM committee.
These trophies will be held for one year and will be presented at the Gala Concert. In the event of the trophy recipient not being present, alternative arrangements for collection will be made

GENERAL
The same piece may not be played, by the same person, more than once during the Festival weekend.

Movements from Concertos may only be played in the Concerto class. They may no longer be performed in the Recital classes.

Entrants may perform only once in each class unless they are playing on different instruments. Please note that each performance will be adjudicated on its own merits; adjudicators will not give extra credit for performing more than once.
In the ensemble classes entrants may perform more than once but it must be with different groups of children.

Competitors are permitted to enter a class in advance of their age. For example, as a junior you can enter the Intermediate or Senior classes. However, should you choose to do this, you cannot then enter the junior class. You are not permitted to enter more than one age category.

Non-competitive classes - These are for Competitors who wish to perform in a more relaxed atmosphere. Anyone may take part in the non-competitive classes but they may not then enter in a competitive class on the same instrument, in the same category.

Adjudicators requiring overnight accommodation are housed independently of the SGFYM.
The decision of the committee in all matters arising out of, or not specifically covered in these rules and regulations is final.
Any protests about the infringement of these rules or action taken following an infringement should be made in writing to the Secretary within one week of the Festival and should be accompanied by an SAE.
Changes to these rules and regulations are at the discretion of the committee. Any suggestions relating to these rules and regulations should be made in writing to the Secretary at least three weeks before the date of the AGM.