- Entries cannot be accepted unless made on the Official Entry Forms. These may be photocopied if necessary.
- Entries must reach the appropriate Honorary Secretary (see page 16) by 23rd September accompanied by the Entry Fee and a stamped addressed envelope large enough to return the competitors' cards, which will be sent out not later than two weeks before the Festival. Competitors must enter under their own names in solo and duet classes. Cheques and postal orders to be made payable to "Stockton-on-Tees Music and Drama Festival". Entry fees are non-returnable.
- Entry Forms: Competitors are requested to give all the information required, as entries have to be processed very quickly and valuable time is wasted if this information is not available. The executive reserves the right to refuse any entry.
- When the entry list is closed the executive will decide the order of classes and ballot for the order of competing.
- Competitors not answering when called upon may forfeit their right to compete, subject to a right of appeal to the executive, however, absent competitors will be recalled before closure of the class.
- No person will be allowed to compete twice in the same class. Where there are two test pieces, choirs and teams will not be permitted to make alteration to their individual members. The same individuals must perform all test pieces.
Adjudicators
- As far as possible adjudicators will be specialists in the subjects they judge.
- The adjudicator's decision in all classes will be final.
- Preliminary competitions under additional adjudicators may be held for any class if the executive deem it necessary.
- The adjudicators shall have the power to stop or suspend a performance at any point.
Accompanists & Pianos
- Competitors may bring their own accompanists. The Honorary Secretary must be advised if the official accompanist is required.
The official accompanists are professionals who are entitled to request a fee if a competitor wishes to rehearse privately with them before the festival. The festival pays them only for the hours they are on duty at the festival itself.
- Pianos will be tuned to British Standard pitch. A = 440Hz.
Age
- All ages must be computed to the first day of the
Festival.
AWARDS - The executive reserves the right to cancel any classes for which there are insufficient entries. In which case the entry fee will be refunded.
- Trophies and cash prizes will be withheld if commended standard (84 marks) is not attained.
- Trophies awarded are the property of the executive and may be held for one year. Holders are expected to take due care of them and to maintain them in good condition. Any loss or damage must be reported immediately. Engraving is the responsibility of the holder. It must not be done on the body of the trophy, only on the plates fixed to the plinth.
All trophies must be returned by the 1st October.
Vocal trophies must be returned to the Trophies Secretary:
Mrs. J Carter, 1 Hawthorn Grove, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS15 9EZ
Instrumental trophies must be returned to the Trophies Secretary:-
Mrs. C Ward, 9 Brookwood Way, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9ET
Speech and Drama trophies must be returned to the Trophies Secretary:
Mrs. J Carter, 1 Hawthorn Grove, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS15 9EZ
TEST PIECES AND OWN CHOICES
- English words must be sung in all vocal classes except classes 8,9,11, 13 to 15, 17, 18 & 30.
- Where specified the editions and keys in the syllabus must be used.
- In Instrumental and Vocal Classes time limits in own choice classes will be strictly applied and if exceeded competitors will receive an adjudication of their performance but will not be given a mark. Timing will exclude any introduction used which should not be longer than 2 minutes. In Drama Classes time limits should include the title/introduction.
- Own choice:The title and duration must be stated on the entry form and may only be changed by prior arrangement with the secretary. Under no circumstances may pieces be changed on the day of the festival. Competitors must submit a different own choice for each class entered. Performance time is essential for the timing of the classes.
Speech and Drama:See note on page 8.
Competitors are required to ensure that the material they use is suitable for family audiences.
Official Accompanists:Competitors requiring the official accompanists in own choice classes must send a copy of their own choice for the accompanist no later than 14 DAYS before the first day of the festival. It should be marked on the front with name and class number. The entry form should also indicate whether the official accompanist is required. Your attention is drawn to the notice on photocopying.
Own Accompanist:If the above is not complied with, it will be assumed that the competitor will provide their own accompanist.
Photocopies:Photocopies will be refused if not properly assembled and legible. Please read the notice on photocopying.On no account should photocopies be submitted to the official accompanist.
Vocal, choral, instrumental, piano: A copy of own choice marked on the front with name, class and competitor number must be given to the adjudicator's steward immediately prior to performance. Failure to do this may result in disqualification. All copies and adjudication sheets should be claimed after each class.
GENERAL
- All enquiries, representations or complaints must be made through the Honorary Secretary and in no instance to the adjudicator. Competitors, teachers or parents must not engage the adjudicators in discussion or conversation. Failure to observe this rule may result in disqualification.
- Conductors of junior choirs will not be allowed to sing during the competition. Guest conductors are not allowed. Only choirs, orchestras and groups may be conducted.
- Protests must be made to the Honorary Secretary within 48 hours of the performance and may only be made by competitors or teachers. The conductor or Secretary should sign choir protests. The executive, whose decision will be final, will consider protests.
- The executive's decisions in all questions arising out of, or not provided for in the rules, will be final.
DATA PROTECTION ACT 1984
- Everyone submitting entries and every individual competitor named on an Entry Form becomes a Member of the Stockton-on-Tees Music & Drama Festival on the date on which we receive the entry and remains a member until two calendar months after the closing date for entries to the Festival next following that entered, or until one year after the first day of the Festival entered whichever is the earlier. However we reserve the right to deny membership in respect of refused entries. All members are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting that is on the first Friday in March at 7.30 p.m. details of which will be given in the local press.
The personal data supplied on entry forms will be used only for the purposes of the Festival and in such a way that we preserve our exemption from registration under the Data Protection Act 1984. None of it will be disclosed to any third party except to computer maintenance organisations when this is necessary in order to repair the equipment or computer programme and as permitted by the Act.
In submitting the class entries detailed on the Entry Form and by signing the same it is understood that you and every competitor will be bound by these Rules & Regulations and by those contained within the Syllabus. You and every individual competitor named on the Entry Form apply for membership of the Stockton-on-Tees Music & Drama Festival in accordance with this Regulation, except where specifically indicated hereon, neither you nor any individual named competitor objects to your or their respective personal data being held on the computer in accordance with this Regulation.
- There must be no tape or video recording of any performance or adjudication. All photography is strictly prohibited, including the use of mobile phones.
CHILD PROTECTION
This Festival has adopted a Child Protection Policy. A copy of our policy is available to all teachers, parents and supervisors and is printed in this Syllabus on pages 9 and 10.
THE BRITISH & INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FESTIVALS for Music, Drama & Speech
IMPORTANT NOTICE - PHOTOCOPIES
The Music Publishers Association has issued a revised Code of Practice on copying copyright works, and the following concession is made for copying own choice pieces from volumes only for the adjudicator. Other items must not be photocopied without the permission of the copyright holder in each case.
"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."
Competitors are advised that this permission applies only to copyright holders who are Members of The Music Publishers Association (listed at the back of the Code of Practice leaflet, obtainable from the association at 103 Kingsway, London WC2B 6QX). It is the competitors' own responsibility to ensure that they seek permission to copy direct from any copyright holder whose names do not appear in the MPA list. Single items may not be photocopied without the prior permission of the copyright holder. The permission does not apply to making copies for the Accompanist, who should always be given a printed copy from which to work. Photocopies for the Adjudicator must always be totally legible or they may be refused.
January 1986
TO ALL TEACHERS AND COMPETITORS IN SPEECH AND DRAMA SECTION
The Festival is delighted to announce that the British and International Federation of Festivals has entered into an agreement with the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society. This means that entrants do not have to seek copyright permission for any poetry, prose or solo dramatic items performed, to a time limit of 10 minutes. Solo dramatic items must be announced with title and author at the time of the performance to qualify for copyright indemnity and the performer must not change the words or gender of the character.
Performers and teachers will be pleased to know that their participation in this Festival means that authors will be directly reimbursed as a consequence of their works being performed at this Festival.
DUOLOGUES are not covered by this agreement and copyright for these items should be sought by the performers at the time of entry.