Regulations and Information

Regulations are necessary for the fair and proper running of the Festival. Failure to observe them may result in loss of marks or even complete disqualification.

Eligibility

01 This Festival is for amateurs and music students and anyone, whatever their standard, is welcome. An amateur is defined as someone who does not derive more than out-of-pocket expenses for teaching and performing.
02 Pupils of an Adjudicator for a six month period prior to the Festival are requested not to compete in any Class judged solely by that Adjudicator.
03 Age must be stated as at 1 April 2010. In the case of duets, ensembles and groups the age of the oldest performer determines the Class.
04 All Classes may be entered non-competitively provided this is noted on the Entry Form.

Entries

05 Completed Entry Forms with the Entry Fee to be forwarded to the relevant Festival Section Secretary. There are special Entry Forms (with specific Entry Fees) for The Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition, The J & A Beare Solo Bach Competition and The Camac Harp Competition. The Speech & Drama section also has its own entry form.
06 The Entry Fee for each Class is shown in the Syllabus by that Class.
07 Cheques should be made payable to “North London Music Festival”.
08 Conditional Entries cannot be accepted.
09 Entry Fees, when received, are not refundable unless the Class is withdrawn.
10 The title, composer/author and performance time for each “Own Choice” piece must be stated on the Entry Form.
11 It would be helpful

Copyright and other legal restrictions

12 It is the performer’s responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the 1956 and 1998 Copyright Acts are adhered to, and he/she is reminded that it is illegal to photocopy works that are copyright without written permission of the copyright holder.
13 When an “Own Choice” piece is selected from a publication containing several different works and is not published separately, a photocopy may be made for the Adjudicator provided that the competitor has already purchased a copy. This copy will be retained by the Festival and destroyed after the event. This permission does not apply to set works, nor for making copies for an accompanist who must be given a printed copy from which to play.
14 Performers and teachers with queries on how to obtain copyright permission for performance items should contact Festivals House on 0870 7744 290.
15 Any person or organisation wishing to record a performance must obtain a Private Function Licence from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society, 41 Streatham High Road SW16 1ER. Permission from every other performer involved must be obtained.
16 Parents, guardians and teachers may photograph their own children as long as this causes no delay or disturbance. Prior permission will be sought from everyone likely to be involved before photographs are taken by the Festival or local press for publicity purposes.
17 The North London Music Festival is not a child care organisation in the full meaning of The Protection of Children Act 1999. Parents, guardians and teachers are reminded that the safety of young people and their belongings are their responsibility during the Festival. Copies of our Child Protection policy are available from the Festival Administrator (see back cover for contact details) and are displayed on our website.

Performance

18 In all “Own Choice” Classes a separate clean copy of the music/text must be provided for the Adjudicator. Failure to do this may result in disqualification. If the prescribed edition of the music/text is unobtainable another standard edition may be used, but not a simplified or transposed version.
19 Time limits must be strictly observed. The Adjudicator is likely to stop anyone who overruns.
20 The same piece must not be performed in more than one Class.
21 The Festival encourages an awareness of presentation and urges those taking part in Classes to dress suitably, announce the item they are to perform and take a bow at the end of their performance.
22 The Section Secretary has the right to alter the order of performers in a Class and amalgamate Classes on the day for the purposes of adjudication if deemed necessary.

Adjudication

23 The Adjudicator’s decision is final.
24 No performer, or parent, or teacher may approach the Adjudicator during a Class.
25 Every performer will receive a written adjudication sheet and Certificate of Attendance after each Class. The Festival cannot undertake to forward these by post if unclaimed.
26 The Adjudicator may decide to withhold an award if the standard is not sufficiently high.
27 Shields, Cups and Trophies are Festival property. Where awarded they must be returned by 30 April of the year following. Winners may have their name engraved on their award at their own expense if so desired.
28 The Festival reserves the right to replace or engage additional Adjudicators if necessary, and to alter, modify or cancel any arrangements detailed in this Syllabus if circumstances change.

Marking System

29 Festival Classes and Competitions are not examinations and participants come for enjoyment and to learn from their peers and the Adjudicators. However, trophies, prizes and medals are awarded and the following categories recommended by the Federation of Festivals are used:

President's Prize And Prizewinners' Concert

30 Outstanding performers in the senior music classes will be recommended by the Adjudicators to compete for the President’s Prize, which takes place on Friday 21 May 2010 from 6.00pm. Candidates will be invited by letter or E-mail as early as possible.
31 Prizewinners may be invited by letter or E-mail to perform in the final Concert on Thursday 20 May 2010 from 6.00pm. Sadly there will not be enough time for all Class Winners to take part in the Concert but, nonetheless, Prizewinners should hold themselves available to perform if asked to do so.

Suggestions and Complaints

32 Any suggestions, comments or complaints about the Festival should be submitted in writing to the Festival Administrator at 64 Powys Lane, London N13 4HS or email enq@northlondonfestival.org.uk