Rules and Regulations for contestants

The object of the Quinte Rotary Music Festival is to provide the opportunity for amateur and student performers to participate in musical activities with their peers, and to enhance their musical training and development. The purpose of adjudication is to provide comment on the performance to encourage further development of the participants' musical abilities. Interpretation of the rules will be taken with these objects as the basis of discussion. It is the responsibility of the competitor to study and comply with the rules.

MANAGEMENT

1. The competitions shall be under the management of the Quinte Rotary Music Festival Committee (hereinafter called "the Committee").

2. All matters shall be referred to the Committee, whose decision shall be final and binding to all concerned.

DEFINITIONS

3. AMATEUR shall be defined as follows: "Any person whose principal means of livelihood is not obtained from the profession of music, even if he or she from time to time accepts remuneration for musical services rendered."

In non-competitive and adult professional/master classes, adjudication is for music talent improvement, either professional or amateur, and is available to those otherwise precluded by the definition AMATEUR. Participants in these classes are not eligible for awards/prizes, and will receive adjudication comments only. No mark will be awarded and no seal for standing will be awarded.

4. In the WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION, RECORDER and HANDBELL classes, BEGINNER means Level 1, JUNIOR means Level 2, INTERMEDIATE means Level 3, and SENIOR means Level 4 or higher.

In the VOICE classes, BEGINNER means up to Level 2, JUNIOR means Levels 3-5, INTERMEDIATE means Levels 6-8, and SENIOR means Level 9. Advanced means Level 10 and Associate level. Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Canadian National Conservatory of Music (CNCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) standard.

In the STRINGS and PIANO classes, BEGINNER means up to Level 2, JUNIOR means Level 3 through 5, INTERMEDIATE means Level 6 & 7, SENIOR means Level 8 & 9, and ADVANCED means Level 10 and Associate level, Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Canadian National Conservatory of Music (CNCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) standard.

*Competitors' level of study in MUSIC (not school grade) must be submitted in the registration form.

Teachers are encouraged to select music that will provide a positive educational challenge. Where warranted, classes may be split by age of registrants, if numbers are high for a specific class.

ELIGIBILITY

5. All competitions shall be open to amateurs only, unless otherwise stated. When age limits are specified, competitors must be of the prescribed age on December 31, 2024.

6. All competitions, unless otherwise stated in class headings, shall be open to any competitor without regard to residence or domicile. Note, however, that out-of-province residents are not eligible for provincial competitions.

7. Solo competitors may enter as many classes as they wish and are permitted to enter one age group / one level higher and/or any open competition (where students may enter more than one level/grade higher than present level of study). Soloists may NOT enter any classes below the stated grade level in musical studies on the registration form, and only one grade level may be submitted each year.

8. In all graded classes, any student who has passed a Grade examination prior to January 1st of the festival year must compete in the next grade level.

9. A competitor may not appear in the same class twice as a participant in duets or ensembles, except in non – competitive classes. (This does not apply to accompanists, as they are not considered competitors.)

10. Competitors in Choral Groups, Orchestras, Bands and Ensembles must be bona fide members of their respective organizations on January 1st of the current year and, where applicable, must be enrolled as students in the school represented.

11. Conductors may be either professional or amateur. Conductors may conduct any number of organizations in the same class or otherwise, but must not sing or play with their group.

12. Previous winners of the Rose Bowl, Silver Tray, Silver Pitcher and Silver Strings trophies are eligible to compete each year.

TEST PIECES, EDITIONS & TIME LIMITS

13. A competitor may not perform the same test piece in more than one class, nor enter the same piece in consecutive years.

14. Test pieces must be performed in the original key, except in choral and vocal classes, where transpositions will be allowed.

15. Where a specified edition is indicated in the syllabus, competitors may not use any other edition.

16. Competitors or ensembles needing music stands must provide their own.

17. Time limits will be strictly observed. Adjudicators may stop performers who exceed the limit.

18. Except for stage bands, repeats may be omitted but Da Capo must be observed.

19. If a specified festival competition piece becomes unavailable from a publisher, the class will be notified by e-mail regarding an alternative.

20. Competitors may not use an "Own Choice" selection which is specified/named in another class.

21. Any substitution for any class must be requested for approval of the committee at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the Festival. No requests for changes in classes or music titles will be accepted after Friday, March 7, 2025. Any changes made without committee notification and approval during the week of the festival will result in disqualification in that class (no mark or seal will be given)

22. Competitors must supply their own accompanist. A list of accompanists who are willing to play for participants are provided on the web site. Participants are responsible for negotiating and paying the fee for accompanists with the person doing the accompanying. We strongly suggest that all performers have accompanists arranged by February 28 of the festival year at the latest.

*Recorded accompaniment (a CD or MP3) may be used, as long as there is no vocal, choral or solo instrumental track on the accompaniment, and the recording is legally acceptable according to our copyright rule (See Rule # 26). All recorded accompaniment will be played on the equipment provided by the Festival, for Voice, Instrumental, and Choirs.

MEMORY, LANGUAGE & MUSIC

It should be noted that except in Grades 6 - 10 Brass and Woodwinds, all competitors selected to represent our Festival at the Provincial Finals will be required to perform their selections at the Finals from memory, as required in the Provincial Syllabus.

23. In all solo classes, test pieces must be played or sung from memory. All competitors will receive an adjudication and mark; however, there will be an automatic 5-mark deduction for those using music. Exceptions are solo Brass and Woodwind classes where memory is not required for Grades 6-10 classes.

24. In instrumental duet and ensemble classes, competition pieces may be played using the music.

25. All voice and choral classes are to be performed by memory.

26. Competitors must provide for the Adjudicator, an original copy of the music, or alternatively, a copy that has been legally allowed for performance purposes, along with appropriate authorization clearly shown on the music. Failure to submit an original, or a legal copy of the music to be performed, will result in disqualification. Music must be submitted to the secretary immediately before the class and retrieved at the end of the class. Sheet music should be in a binder, a duo-tang folder, or stapled, not loose. For lengthy selections it is helpful to have the bars numbered for easy reference in the adjudication.

Photocopying without appropriate permission, or downloading music from the Internet without permission to use legally, is strictly prohibited in the Quinte Rotary Music Festival.

Music should be identified clearly with the owner's name. In Handbell classes, original copies must be supplied for all ringers.
*Proof of permission to use recorded accompaniment, must be provided, in writing, at the time of performing.

27. For Bands, Ensembles, and Orchestras, a condensed or full score must be provided to the adjudicator, and original copies must be supplied for all performers.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

28. Disqualification may result from exceeding specified time limits, submitting photocopied (without documented permission) music to the Adjudicator, inappropriate choice of music, unauthorized changes in class or music selections, or failure to adhere to the Rules outlined. Also, any parent, student, or teacher approaching any adjudicator during the week of the festival may result in participants being disqualified from competing or performing in classes.

GROUPS

29. A Class Choir shall be defined as a choir consisting of not less than 80% of pupils from any one class in a school.

30. Group competitors (all other than solo) must elect which age grouping to enter and they shall not be eligible to compete in any other age group in that section.

31. Where more than one grade is taught in one classroom the classroom choir must enter in the class represented by the majority of students in that classroom.

32. The minimum number of voices required to compete in choral classes is thirteen.

REGISTRATION FEES & DEADLINE

33. Registration with payment must be completed online by Saturday, February 15, 2025, through the Festival website, www.quinterotarymusicfestival.com. Following the submission of the online registration, applicants will be directed via email to review the online program available at www.quinterotarymusicfestival.com as to the time and place of their competition. A full programming schedule will be available online. If a conflict of scheduling occurs, it should be reported to the Committee immediately by e-mail. Scheduling issues may be accommodated if the committee is informed at the time of registration, of the specific need.

No changes in scheduling can be made after March 7, 2025, unless there is a cancellation in the schedule, with which it is convenient to make a switch.

34. The approximate length of time of performance must be stated for each entry. Ensembles, including duets and trios, require only one entry form. All participants' names should be included on the form.

35. Entry fees cannot be refunded except under circumstances wherein the entry is rejected by the Committee. Competitors desiring to withdraw their entry will facilitate program procedure by notifying the Festival Committee of their decision as early as possible. Co-operation in this request will contribute to the success of the Festival. Entries withdrawn cannot be reinstated, except in special circumstances, and with committee approval.

FEES

36. The entry fee for solo/duet/trio/quartet categories is $20.00, except that participants entering more than 4 classes per registration form (to a maximum of 8 classes per form), pay a maximum of $80.00 per form.

The entry fee for groups composed of five (5) or more individuals is $30.00 per group, except that groups entering more than 3 classes per participant, per registration form, pay a maximum of $90.00 per registration form (to a maximum of 8 classes).

The entry fee for a Master class is $30.00.
*Competitors must inform the committee about the instrument they will be playing at the time of registration.

PROGRAM PROCEDURE

37. The Committee reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withdraw any class from competition, or to add classes approved by the Committee to accommodate entries. The Committee reserves the right to subdivide any class into two or more competitions under circumstances where the number
or character of entries would justify division.

38. Competitors shall be designated by the announcer by name and class number, and will be seated together, in a "performers only" row in the venue. Parents and teachers are requested not to confer with participants once they are called forward and seated. Competitors must perform in the order indicated; however, the order may be altered at the discretion of the Committee or the Adjudicator. Each eligible competitor shall be awarded a mark and a seal for the performance, except those performing in non-competitive classes.

39. The Committee reserves the right to substitute or appoint additional Adjudicators. The Adjudicator will signify when he/she is ready for the performance to begin. The Adjudicator shall have the discretionary power to stop any performance at any time.

40. At the discretion of the Committee, two or more competitors who are tied for highest marks in their class may be selected by the Adjudicator to compete in a final competition to determine the winner.

41. The Committee endeavors to have the Festival schedule run on time. Competitors should arrive 10 minutes before the class time. A class will not be delayed to accommodate latecomers.

42. A chord may be given on the piano at the commencement of unaccompanied music.

43. In Beginner and Junior Classes of String, Brass, and Woodwind classes, competitors may receive help in tuning from a teacher or another person. The Adjudicator will not assist in the tuning of instruments.

ADMISSION OF COMPETITORS AND PUBLIC

44. The general admission of competitors and public to the hall or halls in which competitions are being held will be governed by circumstances and regulations made by the Festival Committee at the time of the Festival.

45. Competitors and members of the audience must mute all cell phones and pagers, and must not move about or indulge in conversation during the progress of any performance. Those moving about the hall at other times must do so quietly.

46. Absolutely no audio or video recording equipment is allowed during the competitions. Photographs may be taken only at the close of a session and with the Adjudicator's approval. Competitors MAY BE ALLOWED to warm up or rehearse prior to their performance if there is a suitable location in the building.

MARKS, CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS

47. The Adjudicator's marks and decisions are final.

Competitors, teachers/guardians, parents, accompanists, and the general public are prohibited from approaching or being in any contact with the adjudicator to discuss any performance, until after the Festival competitions are completed. Non – compliance with this rule may result in disqualification of the participant from the competitions.

48. Certificates will be awarded in accordance with the following standing:

Gold Certificate: 85-100%
Silver Certificate: 80 - 84%
Red Certificate: below 80%

*All participants who fall within the respective grade ranges described above will receive a gold, or silver, or red seal…marks within each range may vary, and will be used by the adjudicators and Festival Committee for awards dependent on marks. The top three marks may be announced during the competitions, at the adjudicators' discretion.

Certificates will be presented to winners immediately following oral adjudication of each class. All entries receiving required marks in each category will receive the appropriate coloured seal for that mark range. Each competitor will receive the Adjudicator's written report at the end of the class.

49. Certificates will be awarded to all competitors. In the case of group competitors, one certificate will be awarded to the group; group is defined as more than four members. The certificate will display the standard of excellence attained.

50. Awards are made by the Committee both to acknowledge superior musicianship and to encourage further development of the participants' musical abilities. Awards will be made, as funds are available, at the discretion of the Committee and announced at the close of the Festival. In all cases, trophies, plaques and prizes are awarded after careful consideration by the Adjudicators. All awards are reviewed by the Committee, and their judgment is final.

51. Any matters to be contested shall be submitted in writing or by e-mail to the Chair of the committee, John Chisholm, within the week of the Festival Competitions. (johnc@directrealty.com) 613 969 8698