Teachers: Please make these known to all entrants

1

No professional performer may compete. A professional is someone who derives his/her livelihood from the branch of performance, defined by the class title, in which she/he seeks to enter the Festival. In any ensemble, all members must adhere to that principle. This rule does not apply to conductors.

2

Age limits, where stipulated, apply to January 1st, 2024 and Year groups to the current school year of the competitor.

The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 Section 37(3)(b)

Schools entering pupils must agree to use absence code V when entering and to provide details of the children participating and supervising adults to North Northamptonshire  Council, as part of our Body of Persons Approval (BOPA), by March 15th on the Group Participant Information form that will be sent to you.

Private teachers and parents/carers should be aware that your pupil/child will need a performance licence, if they are not entered by their school, should their class be scheduled in school hours. Application forms for a performance licence will be sent to the parents/carers of these competitors.

2022 Standard Performance Licence Application

3

Online entry will close on Sunday January 21st. The Festival is under an obligation to the Performing Rights Society to provide accurate details of all works performed. Therefore, it is vital that details of Own Choice items – title, composer/author and publisher are given when entering.

4

Late entries may be accepted if they can be fitted in after initial timetabling, and will be charged a double entry fee.

5

No change to the original entry, either performer or own choice piece, is allowed without the prior permission of the organisers.

6

A competitor may enter more than once in a Duet or Duologue Class provided that he/she performs a different piece and a different part or instrument.

7

A piece must not be offered more than once by the same competitor for adjudication during the Festival or in consecutive years.

8

Performers are encouraged to make use of the full time allocation for Own Choice classes, but their performance, including introductions, must not exceed the time limits stated. Performers running over the allotted time will be adjudicated but not awarded a mark. Marks will be awarded in accordance with the scale recommended by the British & International Federation of Festivals.

9

Trophies and medallions will only be awarded to class winners when a mark of 84 or over is gained. Winners are responsible for the safe-keeping of trophies which must be signed for and returned to the Trophy Secretary on or before March 3rd. Trophies should not be engraved.

10

Adjudicator’s Copy. Copies of all Own Choice items, including those for Grade Classes, must be brought to the Festival for the use of the adjudicator. Copies must be clearly marked with the competitor’s name, class number and with the page number of the chosen piece.

11

Competitors requiring the Official Accompanist must state this when entering. Failure to comply means an accompanist will not be timetabled. All music for the Official Accompanist must be clearly labelled with the name of the competitor and class. Music must be sent to the Music Secretary to arrive by February 16th 2024 so that the Official Accompanists may prepare for the Festival.

Notes on Music for Official Accompanists

  • All copies for the Official Accompanists must be clear and legible. They should not be stapled or sellotaped together.
  • Transposing music downloaded from the internet is permitted, but it is often inaccurate and should be carefully checked for errors.
  • Transposing should only be done if absolutely necessary.

12

Unauthorised photocopying is illegal. To comply with the code of Fair Practice, any photocopies brought for the use of the Adjudicator will be retained by the Committee and destroyed.

13

CD backing tracks are only allowed where specified in the syllabus.

14

Photographing, videoing or recording by any means of Festival performances is not allowed.

15

The Committee reserves the right to accept or refuse any entry and its decision on any point is final.

MARKS

Marks will be awarded in accordance with the scale recommended by the BIFF:

75 – 77 FAIR
A performance limited in its communication

78 – 80 MODERATE
A performance showing development of technique and/or communication

81 – 83 MERIT
A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation &/or technical ability

84 – 86 COMMENDED
A convincing performance technically and artistically

87 – 89 DISTINCTION
An excellent performance technically and artistically

90 + OUTSTANDING
An exceptional performance both technically and artistically