ALDERSHOT & FARNBOROUGH FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND ART
Please note that the first set of
rules below have been drawn up by the Festival Committee to provide general
guidelines applicable to all
sections of the Festival. However,
some variations are required for the Dance Festival to bring it into line with
the IDTA rules or to provide additional guidelines specific to the Dance
Section. Please ensure that you
read both sets and note the exceptions for the Dance Section.
FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND ART
RULES
1. Open Classes – Any entrant deriving a regular income from teaching or performing the
chosen instrument or dance may only enter those classes marked “open”. Note that the Dance Section does not
have any open events.
2. Age
– An entrant’s “age” is determined by their age, or that of the oldest member,
of the group, at the official closing date of the appropriate section. This rule has a variation for
the Dance Section – see
Dance Section Rule 2 below, which conforms to accepted practice for Dance
Festivals.
3. Child Protection – Entry forms for persons under the age of 18 or
vulnerable adults must be signed by the parent/guardian/carer/teacher who will
be responsible for their supervision at the Festival. Forwarding of the entry form shall constitute acceptance of
that responsibility.
4. Entry Fees – Fees are not returnable and entrants may not perform until their
fees are paid. Cheques and postal
orders must be made payable to “Aldershot and Farnborough Festival”.
5. Late Entries – Will only be accepted at the discretion of the organiser.
6. Entry Forms – Must give the name of own choice pieces to be performed together
with the name of the composer and the edition used. Entrants will be notified of the date and time of their
class not later than one week before the event. For the Dance Section, prior notification of
details of the performance is not required. The
class entered provides sufficient information for programme purposes. It is intended that the Dance Section
Programme will be distributed as soon as possible after the entry closing date.
7. Copied Music – Photocopies may only be used to provide a copy for
the Adjudicator and not as the main source of the music, and must be left with
the organiser to be destroyed.
When using printed copies of music downloaded from the Internet or stored
electronically, the performer must also print off and submit the permission
statement which accompanies the music.
This rule is not applicable to the Dance Section unless a live
accompaniment is provided.
8. Trophies –
The adjudicators may withhold any trophy if in their opinion the standard of
work does not justify the award.
Trophies must be returned unaltered and in good condition by the date
specified for each section.
Engraving is at the entrant’s expense and must be in keeping with
existing engraving.
9. Communication with adjudicators – Is not permitted on any matter relating to the
entry class by entrants, teachers or other interested parties prior to or
during that class.
10. Time Limits – Must not be exceeded. Adjudicators may stop a performance at any time.
11. Recording – Photography, video or audio recording will not be
permitted at any Festival section or concert.
12. Property – the Festival and its officers will not accept
responsibility for any property, personal or otherwise, which may be lost or
damaged at any venue of the Festival.
13. Communications – Requiring a written answer must be accompanied by
a stamped addressed envelope.
DANCE SECTION RULES
1. The Competition is for amateurs and students who do not derive the main part of their income from the teaching or performance of dance.
2. The age of entrants is taken as on 1st January of the year of the
Festival. (This supersedes Rule 2 of the Festival Rules above.) In Duets, Trios, Quartets and
Groups the age of the oldest competitor determines the age group.
3. The Committee may combine Sections or Classes when entries are small, divide when large, and make other regulations or interpret or qualify any rules as occasion may arise.
4. The Competition does not accept liability for the infringement of copyright, recording or performing rights arising out of any entrant's accompaniment or performance. It contributes to a Group Licence to cover payment of fees for the use of recorded music at its events. Teachers and choreographers using tapes or CDs created from commercial recordings are advised that they are responsible for seeking permission to re-record from the recording companies concerned.
5. The Adjudicator's decision is final. No discussion or correspondence concerning any decision may ensue. The Adjudicator may not award a place when in his or her opinion the standard is not sufficiently high, or when individuals infringe rules.
6. Communication with the Adjudicator concerning any matters relating to the Competition by entrants, teachers or other interested parties prior to or during the competition is prohibited and may lead to disqualification.
7. The stage and wings are out of bounds to all except authorised persons and competitors about to perform. Entrants who have danced must leave and only return to the wings three numbers before the end of their class. Authorised persons include one assistant from each school who may accompany children under 8 years, and other ages for the purpose of wardrobe or props.
8. Entrants must dance in the correct programme order, report to the stage officials ten minutes before they are due to dance, and be ready in the wings before their number is announced. Absentees risk disqualification.
9. When accompaniment is recorded it must be on cassette tape or CD. Tapes must have nothing else but a single recording at the beginning of the appropriate side, and must be clearly marked with name and entry number. If a CD is used it must be clearly marked with the name, entry number and track number. Tapes and CDs must be present and handed in before the start of a class
10. Entrants may perform not more than once in their own age group for each Solo Section and for each technique in Duet, Trio or Quartet Section, but may perform twice in their own age group for each technique in a Group Section. Younger entrants may perform out of their own age group not more than once in each technique for more senior Duet, Trio, Quartet or Group Section. A minimum of five dancers constitutes a Group.
11. When requested in advance, the Official will announce the title of the dance and if requested, when a story is obscure, a short synopsis not exceeding 30 words.
12. The quality of recordings and suitability of recorded vocals may be taken into account by the Adjudicator.
13. Pre-recorded music used in Song and Dance Sections must not include any singing or chanting. Pre-recorded music used in Tap Sections must not include any recorded tap or similar sound effect.
14. Point work is not allowed for any entrant under 13 years old. Fixed tap, single sound only [shoes] are to be used for Tap.
15. For Choreography Classes the arrangement must be the unaided work of the entrant. A file on the project is essential.
16. No food, drink or smoking are allowed in the auditorium.
17. Audience entry to the auditorium must not occur during a performance or adjudication, and is at the discretion of the doorkeeper.
18. Audiences should show their appreciation of a performance by clapping; cheering is not encouraged.
19. All forms of visual or audio recording of performances are prohibited. This prohibition also applies to the use of mobile phones for such purposes. Mobile phones must be turned off in the auditorium during performances.