| 1. | Where there is an age requirement, age will be reckoned as of the first day of January. |
| 2. | Entry fees must accompany entry forms or applications cannot be processed. No refunds once class has been entered. |
| 3. | Individuals are responsible for obtaining their own music. |
| 4. | The Festival will provide adjudicators with copies of test pieces. |
| 5. | Canada has a very stringent copyright law. Please do not mimeograph, photocopy, Xerox or otherwise copy any part or portion of music without authorization from the copyright owner. The Adjudicators will not adjudicate a contestant who provides a reproduction of a piece of copyrighted music. Downloaded music will be accepted only if accompanied by a proof of payment or other written authorization. |
| 6. | Participants in non‐competitive classes are eligible to enter competitive classes in the same category. Non‐competitive participants will be given adjudication only, no marks. Only participants in competitive classes will be eligible for an award. |
| 7. | Following are the school grade/age/RCM grade classifications unless otherwise noted: |
| Where not indicated by RCM classifications, the following age groupings are implied: |
| | Piano & Voice: | Schools, Choirs, Bands (unless otherwise specified): |
| Novice | Age 8 and under | Grade 4 and under |
| Junior | Age 12 and under | Grade 6 and under |
| Intermediate | Age 15 and under | Grade 9 and under |
| Senior | Age 16 and over | Grade 12 and under |
| Open | University/College | University/College |
| Adult | Non‐School/University | Non‐School/University |
| NOTE: Please note that most school band classes will use the Canadian Band Association National Voluntary Curriculum and Standards for Instrumental Music (Band), whereby the selections chosen will determine the level of entry. For School Choirs and other School Band classes, no more than 10% of the participants in the group may exceed the specified level by 2 grades/age. | |
| 8. | An ENSEMBLE is defined as a group of from 5 to 15. |
| 9. | A SCHOOL CHOIR is defined as a selected group from one or several classes. |
| 10. | A SCHOOL CHORUS is defined as all children from several classes. |
| 11. | CLASSROOM SINGING is defined as all children from one class. If a Choir or a Chorus contains children from different grades, then the Choir or Chorus must compete at the level of the highest grade represented in the group. |
| 12. | Participants must perform the specified edition of the test piece in the syllabus. |
| 13. | All selections are to be performed in the key stated in the test piece with the following exceptions:
a) Choruses, Choirs & Classroom Singing Groups may raise or lower the key one full tone.
b) School Instrumental Groups may raise or lower the key one full tone.
c) Choruses, Choirs & Classroom Singing Groups may transpose “Own Choice” music to a suitable key. |
| 14. | All School Choruses, Choirs & Classroom Singing Groups may be accompanied by no more than two instruments, with the exception of Jazz/Blues, Choirs and Choruses. |
| 15. | Amplification is permitted only in Stage Band Classes and in Jazz/Blues (including Jazz Choirs). |
| 16. | All classes will be judged on tone, technique, dynamics, phrasing and interpretation. Choral and Vocal classes will be judged on diction as well. |
| 17. | Performers are expected to present themselves with customary stage deportment. This will be a factor in the adjudicator’s assessment of the performers. |
| 18. | In test pieces, solo participants must perform their age group selection. If desired, participants may also play or sing one class up from their age groups. |
| 19. | Solo participants in voice and piano classes, excepting oratorio, are expected to memorize their music. Adjudicators will deduct two points for the use of music. If not performing from memory, original music is required. |
| 20. | Conductors are not permitted to participate with their groups during a performance. Participants will be disqualified, or marks deducted if the conductor participates with her/his group during performance. |
| 21. | Sight singing/reading classes will be held in private. |
| 22. | Unless otherwise indicated in the Syllabus, “Own Choice” refers to a single selection. |
| 23. | Each participant (or conductor/teacher) is responsible for passing in “Own Choice” music together with the information required on the “Own Choice” Form, to the music desk at least 15 minutes prior to his/her class. Failure to provide this music on time may result in disqualification. |
| 24. | All participants must be present at the correct location 15 minutes before their class time. If this is not possible, then the Venue Co‐ordinator must be informed. |
| 25. | Participants who are not going to perform in their chosen class are to provide the Festival with at least twenty‐four (24) hour notification if at all possible. |
| 26. | Participants are to quietly remain in their seats during each performance. |
| 27. | To enable the concentration of the performance and adjudication, any action or activity that will distract either the performer or adjudicator is prohibited, ie: flash photography. Recording of the adjudication is strictly forbidden. Respecting this rule will reflect positively on the performers, parents, and teachers. |
| 28. | THE ADJUDICATOR'S DECISION SHALL BE FINAL |
| 29. | Participants, teachers and parents of participants must refrain from socializing with adjudicators. Comments regarding the adjudication must be made in writing directly to the Music Festival. |
| 30. | Awards/ trophies presented according to the awards criteria of the Music Festival. |
| 31. | Recommendations made for the Provincial Music Festival are made by the adjudicator(s) involved, using the provincial guidelines with all session performances being considered. The Festival Society will provide $200 towards the expenses of the designated participants in the Provincial Festival. |
| 32. | The Truro Music Festival Society may withhold an award or trophy in the case of a mark below 85. |
| 33. | All award cheques must be cashed within one month of receipt. |
| 34. | Because of increased numbers of classes in recent years, it is not possible for all first place winners to perform in the Festival Concerts. Participants in the Final Concert are chosen by representatives of the Awards Committee with representatives of the Festival Committee as a whole. |
| 35. | Once the program is printed and distributed, changes in scheduling of classes cannot be guaranteed. |
| 36. | University students are required to enter Open classes and/or Senior Concert groups, regardless of age. |
| 37. | All instrumental and vocal soloists are advised that they may be accompanied by one instrument (usually piano). Each soloist is
responsible for getting his/her accompanist. |
| 38. | To assist the adjudicators, entrants may be asked to supply the title and composer of their "Own Choice" selection. |
