A. Registration |
| 1) | All Festival participants must register by the Registration Deadline, which will be announced in the fall of each year preceding the Festival. |
| 2) | Registrations must be complete and accompanied by the full entry fee. Incomplete registrations and/or registrations not accompanied by an entry fee will not be accepted. |
| 3) | The Registrar will accept late registrations for up to seven (7) days after the Registration Deadline. Late registrations shall be assessed a surcharge of $5 per class or such other amount as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. |
| 4) | The Registrar may, at their discretion, accept late registrations which are submitted more than seven (7) days after the Registration Deadline has passed. |
| 5) | There shall be no refunds issued after a registration has been submitted. |
| 6) | The Registrar shall have final decision-making authority over all matters related to registrations. |
B. Classes |
| 1) | Unless otherwise specified by age or RCM classification, classes are divided based on the following designations:
| Piano & Voice | Schools, Choirs, Bands |
|---|
| 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 |
| Adult | Out of School or University |
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| 2) | An ensemble shall contain between five and fifteen participants. |
| 3) | A classroom singing group must contain all children from a single school class. |
| 4) | A school choir shall contain a selected group of children from two or more classes, but does not contain all of the students from a single class or multiple classes. |
| 5) | A school chorus shall contain all children from two or more classes. |
| 6) | If a school choir or school chorus contains children from multiple grades, the conductor shall ensure that at least 80% of the children are at or below the grade level at which they are competing. |
| 7) | If a duet, trio, quartet, or ensemble consists of participants of different ages or levels, they must compete at the highest level represented. |
| 8) | Participants in the competitive Multiple Ages category should have an age spread of no less than four (4) years. |
| 9) | Solo participants in the test piece classes may choose to enter one level above their age group selection. |
| 10) | A participant's age for the purpose of entering classes in the Festival shall be determined as of January 1st of the Festival year. |
| 11) | Participants in non-competitive classes are permitted to enter competitive classes in the same category, but will be given adjudication only. No marks will be assigned and participants will not be eligible for any awards in that category. |
C. Music |
| 1) | Participants are responsible to obtain their own sheet music for all classes except test pieces and provide as necessary. |
| 2) | Test pieces will be provided to the adjudicator by the Festival. |
| 3) | Participants are expected to be familiar with and adhere to Canada's copyright laws. Do not copy or reproduce in any way any part or portion of music without authorization from the copyright owner. |
| 4) | Participants must provide at least two (2) originals of their music - one for the adjudicator and one for the accompanist. If not performing from memory, the participant must also have an original copy for their own use. |
| 5) | Downloaded music (such as those purchased from SheetMusicPlus or similar websites) must be accompanied by a receipt. |
| 6) | Each participant is responsible to pass in their music and any other required information to the music desk at least fifteen minutes prior to the commencement of the class. Failure to do so may result in the participant being denied the opportunity to participate in the class. |
D. Performances |
| 1) | Participants must perform the edition of the test piece specified in the syllabus. |
| 2) | All pieces must be performed in the key stated with the following exceptions:
(a) Choruses, Choirs, and Classroom Singing Groups may raise or lower the key of test pieces one full tone.
(b) School Instrumental Groups may raise or lower the key of test pieces one full tone.
(c) Choruses, Choirs, and Classroom Singing Groups may transpose "Own Choice" selections to a suitable key. |
| 3) | Solo participants in voice and piano classes, excepting oratorio, are encouraged to memorize their music. |
| 4) | Instrumental and vocal soloists (except Jazz/Blues) may be accompanied by no more than one instrument. All other classes (including Jazz/Blues soloists) may use such accompaniment as needed or desired. |
| 5) | Participants are responsible for providing their own accompanist(s). |
| 6) | Conductors are not permitted to participate with their groups during a performance. |
| 7) | Amplification is permitted only in the Stage Band and Jazz/Blues classes. |
| 8) | Participants should be at the venue and in the designated waiting area at least fifteen minutes prior to the commencement of their class. If the participant is unable to be in the designated waiting area at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the class, the Venue Coordinator must be informed. |
| 9) | In the event that a participant has a conflict between two or more scheduled classes, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate the participant, but no class will be delayed or rescheduled to accommodate a conflict. |
| 10) | Participants who are unable to perform in their class are expected to notify the Festival as soon as possible. |
| 11) | Participants are to demonstrate respect and courtesy for other participants, Festival volunteers, adjudicators, and spectators. Repeated or egregious acts of disrespectful or inappropriate behaviour may result in awards being withheld or such other penalties as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. |
| 12) | All participants, parents, teachers, and spectators are expected to remain seated during performances and to refrain from any activity that will distract either the performer or the adjudicator, including flash photography. |
| 13) | Sight singing/reading classes will be held in private. |
E. Adjudication and Awards |
| 1) | The adjudicator's decision is final. |
| 2) | Participants, parents, or teachers should refrain from communicating or socializing with adjudicators. |
| 3) | Any comments related to the adjudication may be directed, in writing, to the Board of Directors. |
| 4) | Awards/trophies will be presented according to the Awards Criteria as established by the Board of Directors. |
| 5) | An award or trophy may be withheld in the event of a mark below 85. |
| 6) | Participants in the Final Concert are chosen by the Awards Committee. |
| 7) | Recommendations for the Provincial Music Festival will be made by the adjudicators, based on the applicable provincial guidelines. |
