GENERAL ENTRY CONDITIONS for COMPETITION

1. Entry conditions

   All Classes are open to competitors from any area, unless otherwise stated.

   The competitions are intended for amateurs except where marked “Amateur or Professional”.  A person is regarded as “Professional” if their main income is derived from performing or teaching within the Section concerned. Conductors and accompanists may, of course, be professional musicians.

   No competitor may enter a class to be judged by an adjudicator from whom he or she has received private tuition in the twelve months prior to the Festival.

   Competitors may not perform the same piece in more than one class.

   Prompting from the audience is not allowed under any circumstances.

   No ‘simplified’ versions of the work of classical composers will be accepted. 

2. Own Choices

   Competitors failing to give details of titles, composers, authors and publishers etc. on the entry system, or offering a different piece on the day, will be adjudicated, but not marked.

   Competitors are reminded of the importance of providing a copy of their piece/s (including primo and secondo for Duets) for the adjudicator. The copies should be brought to the Festival and handed in at the time of the performance (with the exception of own composition pieces, which should be submitted in advance, according to the instructions in the Syllabus). Failure to do so may result in a loss of marks (there are limited photocopying facilities at the Festival itself).

   The standard of piece chosen will be taken into consideration.

   Teachers are requested to discourage Competitors from submitting entries containing material liable to cause offence to the audience and consideration must be given to the church venue.

   Piano & Strings

   Unless otherwise stated, 1 or 2 pieces may be played in own choice classes (other than Recitals); performers must keep to the overall performance time for the class.

3. Copyright

   Music

   The Music Publishers Association has issued a revised code of practice on copying copyright works: “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 immediately after the event.  The accompanist should always be given a printed copy.”

   Speech & Drama

   The Festival has entered into an agreement with the Copyright Licensing Agency whereby entrants do not have to seek copyright permission for any poetry, prose or solo dramatic items performed, to a limit of 10 minutes.  Performers and teachers will be delighted to know that this Agreement ensures that authors will be directly reimbursed as a consequence of their work being performed at this Festival. Solo dramatic items must be announced clearly 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.

   Group Dramatic Activity & Musical Theatre Classes - For those wanting to enter these classes, please note that they are outside of our PRS conditions (I.e. these classes you are encouraged to wear costumes, have characterisation and movement) therefore you will need to contact the organisation who holds the rights to that musical/show and seek permission. If you don’t want to seek the rights, we have the Songs from the Shows classes in the Singing section for those not wearing costumes, movement etc. More information on the PRS can be found here.

   When seeking permission, most of the time it is granted. You obviously need to find out who has the rights to ask though.

   Obviously, using Google will assist you in the process. Whilst we claim no responsibility for external sites, you can look at the BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) and search here. There is also a website about Musical Theatre that has some good information including a page listing who holds the rights to many of the shows.

   Once you have found out who has the rights, you will need to contact them, explain what you are doing at the festival and ask for permission.

   Please note, the Festival does not accept liability for the infringement of copyright. The Festival contributes to a blanket copyright agreement but this only covers all items that fall within the PRS. Therefore, the Festival takes no responsibility for any item that is copyrighted in the Musical Theatre class as this falls outside of the blanket PRS agreement. I.e., If the trustees of the copyright pursue an illegal use of a piece performed at the Festival, it is the sole responsibility of the entrant to pay any fines that are imposed. 
   

4. Accompaniments & accompanist arrangements

   Recorded accompaniments are not permissable, unless otherwise stated. Refer to Performers Information section for suggested accompanists.

5. Costumes

   Are not permitted in any classes, unless otherwise stated.

6. Time Limits

   Must be strictly observed to avoid losing marks; competitors are reminded that spoken introductions count towards their use of the time limit.

7. Marking guidelines & awards

   At the end of each class, trophies, prizes and medals will be awarded and Certificates and Evaluation Sheets distributed, in line with Federation marking guidelines

   90+ (or outstanding) – An exceptional performance, both technically and artistically

   87-89 (or distinction) – An excellent performance technically and artistically

   84-86 (or commended) – A convincing performance technically and artistically

   81-83 (or merit) – A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability

   78-80 (or moderate) – A performance showing development of technique and/or communication

   75-77 (or Fair) – A performance limited in its communication

   **Please note that trophies, prizes and medals will only be awarded if the winner achieves a mark of 84 or above.

   By entering this Festival, you agree to take full responsibility for any trophy awarded to you, it’s safe return by the date requested and any damage/loss which may occur whilst in your possession.

Any performer wishing to know more about the British & International Federation of Festivals and its recommended guidelines please refer to www.federationoffestivals.org.uk

8. ENTRY FEES    (Please note: We regret that we are not in a position to refund Entry Fees)

All entry fees are stated against each class in the syllabus.

Solos: Please see individual class information: £6-£8

Recitals/original compositions, duets/trios/quartets and the Edna Head Award: £10.00 

Groups of 5 - 9 competitors (inclusive): £15.00 

Groups of 10 or more competitors: £20.00

Where “age” is pertinent to determining the appropriate class/fee, this is the age of the competitor(s) as at 31st AUGUST immediately preceding the Festival (any exceptions to this general rule will be stated against individual classes).

Teacher & Pupil classes:  the pupil should pay a solo fee; no fee is payable by the Teacher

Parents/guardians/carers/teachers of entrants under 18 and/or vulnerable adults of any age must make themselves aware of the Festival’s Child Protection Policy and our approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone.

9. Privacy Policy/GDPR

Southend Musical Festival complies with the principles embodied in the Data Protection Act which is the UK’s implementation of General Data Protection Regulation. Submitting an entry form constitutes acceptance of this practice.  Refer to Privacy Policy. Any queries in this respect should be directed in the first instance to the Honorary General Secretary. 

10. Scheduling of Classes

The Festival makes efforts to schedule classes outside of school hours for those of secondary school age. We would like to stress however, that visits to the Festival are widely acknowledged to be valuable educational experiences and would encourage those in a position to grant leave of absence from school, to regard them as such. The Festival’s links with the local Music Hub, together with its designation as a Learning Destination under the auspices of the new Children’s University scheme, provide further and substantial evidence of the educational nature attributed to the Festival.

Daily Sessions: 09:45 – 12:45, 14:30 – 17:30, 18:30 – 21:30 (unless otherwise stated in the programme)

All competitors receive an attendance email, telling them when to arrive for their class. Approximate start times are also printed in the Programme. The Festival reserves the right to start classes up to 10 minutes earlier than published, as long as all competitors are present and in agreement.

The Festival may, at its discretion, decide to amalgamate classes.

11. Festival policy on the use of cameras & video/audio recording equipment during performance

Please note we do not allow cameras, video recorders or audio recorders in the performance hall, as it is impossible for the Festival to guarantee adherence to both the Child Protection Policy & Copyright License regulations both of which we would be ultimately liable for, in terms of any breach. In addition, use of cameras and/or recording equipment can be disruptive and off-putting for the competitors, to the detriment of their performance – a significant amount of hard work will have gone into their preparation for this performance, and it is only fair to them that we do everything to ensure that we provide the best possible platform for them on the day.

 12. Admission

There is an admission fee for watching the festival - the information for this can be found under audience information.

TEACHERS – PLEASE ENSURE THAT PARENTS ARE AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE BEFORE SUBMITTING THE ENTRY