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, 2026 and Year groups to the current school year of the competitor.

3

Online entry will close on Sunday January 25th at 6pm. 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.

By submitting a Festival entry you are also committing to pay class fees.
Refunds will only be given in exceptional circumstances by agreement with the Entry Secretary.

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 given verbal and written feedback 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 85 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.

Music must be sent to the Music Secretary to arrive by February 13th 2026 so that the Official Accompanists may prepare for the Festival.

The piano accompaniment in the original print format (not photocopies) must be sent for the Official Accompanists. This must be clearly labelled with the name of the competitor and class.
In some circumstances a photocopy of a longer work will be accepted provided that the separate sheets are sellotaped together, edge on edge, in page order, and in a pristine condition.

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.