Rules

GENERAL

  1. All enquiries must be made in writing to the Competitions Secretary c/o 50 Fyfield Close, Wantage OX12 8HN (please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope) or by email to compsec@wantagemusicfestival.org.uk
  2. The decision of the Committee in all questions or disputes is final.
  3. The prescribed editions of music and the key, where specified, must be used by all entrants. No pieces, other than those set, may be used except where specifically stated.
  4. In all cases where (a) and (b) pieces are set, entrants must prepare both pieces.
  5. The use of audio recorders, video recorders and cameras (including phones) in the Hall is not permitted except by arrangement with the Competitions Secretary prior to the festival. Photography outside the Hall is only allowed with the permission of the Committee.
  6. The Committee reserves the right to appoint replacement/additional adjudicators and/or accompanists, and to alter, modify or cancel any arrangement detailed in the syllabus.
  7. Please note that personal information such as names, contact details and age where relevant will be held in our computer records for the sole purposes of organising the Festival and communicating information about the Festival and its associated events. For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website or from the Competitions Secretary (see rule 1).

ENTRIES

  1. Entries must be received by the date given on the entry form. Entrants are strongly advised to send entry forms in good time as numbers in classes may need to be limited. In this event, entries will be accepted in date order of receipt of the official entry form or online entry.
  2. The Committee is under no obligation to accept late entries.
  3. Age must be reckoned as on the first day of the festival.
  4. Cheques should be made payable to: Wantage Music Festival Association.
  5. No entry fee may be paid in stamps.
  6. Fees for entries that have been accepted will not be refunded except under circumstances stated elsewhere in this syllabus.
  7. Fees for classes, are shown in the schedule of classes. Other fees:
    Festival Audience admission to all classes: £5.00
    Festival Finale: £10.00
    FREE admission to School Children, Performers and their accompanist for the relevant session.

OFFICIAL ACCOMPANIST (see also here)

  1. Entrants must supply music details on their entry form for the Official Accompanist. Entrants may bring their own accompanist.
  2. Entrants requiring an Official Accompanist should send clear photocopies of their Own Choice music to the Music Librarian: John Carter, 38 Truelocks Way, Wantage OX12 7EF, clearly stating name, class number and metronome marking. Music must be received by the Librarian no later than 27th May. After this date, music will only be accepted at the discretion of the accompanists.
  3. If an Official Accompanist has been requested for an Own Choice entry but is subsequently not required, entrants should contact the accompanist direct, well in advance of the Festival.
  4. It may be possible to arrange a rehearsal with the accompanist shortly before or during the Festival. Accompanists will charge for rehearsals.

OWN CHOICE MUSIC

  1. Details of Own Choice music should be included on the Festival entry form. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to disqualification.
  2. If Own Choice music is written to have an accompaniment, an accompanist must be used.
  3. Copies of Own Choice music for the use of the Adjudicator must be brought to the Festival. Note that original or authorised copies of the music must be used for the performance; performers who do not supply original or authorised copies of the music for the performance will be disqualified.
  4. Whilst every care will be taken to check entries, the Committee can accept no responsibility for ensuring that Own Choice music is appropriate to the class.
  5. Any entrant who exceeds the time limit in an Own Choice piece may be asked to stop.

COMPETITIONS

  1. Entrants should be present at least five minutes before the time marked on their timing form.
  2. Entrants not responding when called upon to perform may be disqualified.
  3. Adjudications will be given during each class, or group of classes if combined.
  4. The decision of the Adjudicator is final, and no-one may communicate with the Adjudicator during the Festival, other than through the scribe.
  5. One photocopy of an Own Choice work may be made for the use of each adjudicator at the Festival provided that the entrant has already purchased sufficient printed copies for the performance of the work and that the photocopy provided for the adjudicator is retained by the Festival and is destroyed immediately afterwards. Each such copy must be marked: ‘Adjudicator copy. Destroy after use.’ Please note that this permission applies only to copyright holders who are members of The Music Publishers Association; it is the entrant’s own responsibility to ensure that they have the right to copy any work which is published by a copyright holder who is not a member of the MPA. Photocopies for the adjudicator must be totally legible, or they may be refused.
  6. No responsibility for loss of music or instruments can be taken by the Committee.
  7. No adult classes will take place before 6.00pm on weekday sessions of the Festival without prior notification.
  8. Entrants are reminded that the use of make-up and costume in any item currently being professionally staged may constitute an infringement of the copyright laws.

SAFEGUARDING

  1. Whilst this Festival seeks to work in partnership with parents, carers, and teachers to ensure a safe environment as far as is reasonably practicable, as stated in the Festival’s Safeguarding Policy, the responsibility for children under 18 rests with their parents, guardians or carers.
  2. An entry submitted on behalf of any child under 18 years old, or vulnerable adult, will not be accepted unless the appropriate declaration on the entry form has been ticked and signed.