MANAGEMENT

1. 1. The Festival shall be known as the Newmarket Lions Music Festival.
   2. The Newmarket Lions Club, through its Board, shall appoint a “Music Festival Board” which is hereinafter called the “Board”.
   3. All matters not dealt with in these rules i referred to the Board whose decisions on such matters shall be final.
   4. Complaints or protests will not be considered unless made in writing to the Festival Board. Under no circumstances are such protests to be made to the adjudicator.

ELIGIBILITY

1. 1. Amateurs are eligible to compete in all classes as long as age or grade level specifications are met. “Amateurs” for the purpose of this Festival is defined as any person whose major livelihood is not obtained from paid performance.
   2. Classes designated as OPEN classes are open to both Professionals and amateurs.
   3. In all chorus, band and orchestra classes, each person must have been a bona fide member for three (3) months prior to the closing date of entry.
   4. A choir must have a minimum of eighteen members, except school choirs.
   5. Conductors, except in school chorus classes, may be either amateur or professional and one conductor may conduct any number of entries in one class.
   6. In classes in which the age limit is specified, competitors must be the prescribed age or less on December 31st of the preceding year. Exact day, month and year of birth must be entered the application form before processing can take place.
   7. The Board reserves the right to reject an entry. The rationale for this decision would accompany the returned entry.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. All classes are open to the residents of the Regional Municipality of York and the Town of Bradford/West Gwillimbury.
2. Where schools are involved, the address of the school shall be used to establish residence for purposes of this Festival. Likewise, students of all private music teachers resident in York Region shall be eligible regardless of the student’s residence.
3. Non-competitive classes have no residency requirements and are open to all residents of Ontario.

SUSPENSION OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. Residency requirements are suspended for the following instruments: Harp, Brass, Woodwinds and Strings.
2. No student of an Adjudicator may enter competitive classes in the Festival.

APPPLICATION PROCEDURE

APPLICATION FORM AND DEADLINE

1. EACH class entered is considered ONE performance and requires ONE “performance” section to be completed on an online entry form. Only ONE piece may be performed for each class, unless stated otherwise.
2. For entries in duets, trios, etc. only one member of the duo/group is required to complete a registration form.
3. Information required on the entry form includes: FULL Title, Composer, Opus\ No.\ Movement, etc., as stated in conservatory syllabi.
4. All entries are completed and paid online.
5. The deadline for the submission of entries is the last business day of January of the Festival year.
6. Incomplete or unpaid entries will not be scheduled.

REPERTOIRE

1. A participant may not use a piece in more than one class.
2. Repertoire, which does not coincide with stated categories, will result in disqualification from awards and prizes. They will be considered for adjudication only.
3. Pieces chosen from a conservatory syllabus must be listed in the latest edition of the stated syllabus.

SYLLABUS CROSSOVER YEAR

1. In years where a revised conservatory syllabus has been released, the point at which the old syllabus will no longer be acceptable to the Festival will coincide with the crossover period set out by the Conservatory.
2. PLAYING IN DIFFERENT LEVELS. In solo classes, a competitor may not enter in more than two consecutive grades. The lowest grade entered must be at the competitor’s current level of study. For example, a grade 3 student may enter grade 3 or grade 4 classes only.
3. LEVEL SELECTION FOR PIANO DUETS AND TRIOS. For piano duet and trio classes, a group may not enter more than once in the same level. The level entered must be the highest level within the group. For example, a group consists of a Junior level participant (Level 3) and an Intermediate level participant (Level 4), the group must enter the Intermediate level class.

LANGUAGE FOR VOCAL CLASSES

1. Choral numbers must be sung in english unless otherwise stated.
2. Foreign Language classes must be a foreign language to the competitor. For example, a competitor whose first or second language is Italian would not be eligible to sing in Italian as a foreign language piece in this Festival. Foreign language should be the original language of the composition.

TRANSPOSITIONS FOR VOCAL CLASSES

Pieces must be performed in the prescribed key. Transpositions are not allowed unless specified under the class or section. In all choral and junior vocal solo classes, transpositions will be allowed one tone or semitone up or down.

MEMORIZATION REQUIREMENTS

1. All selections must be memorized, except in sections relating to Church Choirs, Adult Choral Groups and Brass & Woodwind instruments or unless stipulated at the beginning of the class or section.
2. Memorization is not required for duet, trio, ensemble and any other class where two or more competitors are performing the same piece together.
3. All pieces must be memorized for solo classes (unless indicated otherwise).

PERFORMING WITHOUT MEMORIZATION

If a competitor performs a piece not from memory in a competitive solo class, they will receive adjudication only and be ineligible for awards (this includes competitors who begin the piece from memory but then need to refer to the music to complete it).

REPEATS

Repeats are not required, except for DA CAPO and DAL SEGNO.

ROYALTY FEES

Royalty fees are the responsibility of the competitor.

SCHEDULES

Class schedules are emailed to the competitors and the teachers email addresses by the 1st of March at the latest each festival year. Make sure to allow emails from newmarketlcmusicfestival@gmail.com to go to your INBOX.

CLASS SCHEDULING CONFLICTS

In the event of a class scheduling conflict, please notify the Board immediately via email to newmarketlcmusicfestival@gmail.com.

CORRECTION OF ERRORS

Upon receipt of the class schedule, make sure you verify the spelling of the competitor’s name, the class indicated and the title and composer of your piece. You will have one week to request that corrections be made. After this period, no corrections will be considered.

RESCHEDULING

There is a $15 Administrative fee for any competitor who cannot attend their scheduled class and wishes to perform at another time. Competitors that do not compete with the rest of the class will be ineligible for awards for that class and will receive adjudication only. All requests must be made in writing to the Festival at newmarketlcmusicrfestival@gmail.com.

WITHDRAWALS

Competitors wishing to withdraw their entry should do so in writing as early as possible. Failure to participate in all classes entered and programmed, could influence the Adjudicator’s decision about scholarship awards.

REFUND OF REGISTRATION FEE

Refund of fees will not be issued for absences and/or withdrawal from the competition.

GROUP MEMBER SUBSTITUTIONS

A performer substitution may be made for duets and trios in the event of illness or injury. The substituting competitor must meet all eligibility criteria for the class. If a substitute competes in his/her own entry in the same class plus the substitution entry, ONLY the original group entered shall be eligible for awards. The group having the substitute competitor shall receive adjudication but be ineligible for awards. Please notify the Board of the substitution by emailing newmarketlcmusicfestival@gmail.com.

MUSIC PUBLICATION AND COPYRIGHTS

1. An original printing (not photocopied) of the music MUST BE given to the Registration Desk volunteer upon arrival for competition. Please ensure that each competitor receives his/her own music at the conclusion of the class. We suggest that each book or music sheet have the competitor’s name in pencil written in the front inside page
2. Under the provisions of the Copyright Act, the photocopying of music is prohibited and competitors are reminded that ILLEGAL COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The contestant will be disqualified if an acceptable copy is not provided to the Registration Desk for use by the Adjudicator. Only accompanists may use photocopied music, providing the adjudicator has first received an original copy.
3. PURCHASED DIGITAL MUSIC. If a competitor supplies printed music that was purchased and downloaded, they MUST provide a receipt for this music.
4. MUSIC IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. If a competitor supplies an edition of music in the public domain that was downloaded for free (from websites such as imslp.org) they MUST provide proof of legal, free download.
5. BAND CLASSES. A full score is required in all band classes for use by the Adjudicator.
6. DUETS, TRIOS, QUARTET CLASSES. A copy of the music is required in all classes for use by the Adjudicator.
7. Non-compliance in any part of this section may result in disqualification.

FESTIVAL CHECKLIST AND PROCEDURES

PRIOR TO COMPETITION DAY

1. Make sure you have music that complies with the rules stated in the Music Publication and Copyrights section above.
2. To facilitate the return of the music, make sure that the competitor’s name and class is clearly marked on the music submitted for the adjudicator’s use.
3. Where measure numbers are not already printed, the competitor must number the first measure of each staff.

FESTIVAL DAY

CHECK-IN

1. Arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to your scheduled class.
2. Approach the registration desk and sign-in. In order to facilitate registrations, open your music books to the page you are playing prior to approaching the desk.
3. Ensure that the competitor’s name and class is clearly marked on the music submitted for the adjudicator’s use.
4. Should you arrive early, you may ask to watch the ongoing class. HOWEVER, do not enter the room if you hear music playing. As a courtesy to all participants, please do not leave the room while music is playing.
5. Volunteer Marshals control admission to the performance area. Non-compliance may lead to the removal of a competitor or visitor from the facility.

COMPETITION

1. A festival volunteer will assist in seating the competitors in performance order.
2. The Adjudicator will signal the competitor when to start the performance.
3. An Adjudicator may request to hear only a section of the test piece.
4. The adjudicator has the right of disqualification for any competitor who is not ready to begin when called by the Marshal.
5. All competitors must provide their own accompanist if one is required. The use of CDs or other forms of recorded music is not permitted.
6. Competitors may be stopped by the Adjudicator or designated Marshal when specified time limits are exceeded. Example: The time limit for most senior string entries is 20 minutes.
7. UNACCOMPANIED TEST PIECE. A chord may be given on the piano at the start of each unaccompanied test piece.
8. TUNING OF STRING INSTRUMENTS. String competitors may have their instruments tuned by a teacher or other person.
9. The Committee will provide a piano for all sessions where appropriate.
10. Where there is sufficient registration for a specific class, that class may be split into two or more groups. Each group is adjudicated as a separate class where an overall winner must be decided for trophies, etc.. The adjudicator’s decision is final.
11. The Adjudicator may request one or more entrants in a class to play their piece or a portion of it again.

POST-COMPETITION

1. Make sure you pick up your book and personal belongings before you leave the festival site. We are unable to guarantee that these will not be lost.
2. Items picked up after the competition will be kept for one month for pick-up. After that period, items will be disposed or donated to a charitable organization.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE ADJUDICATOR

1. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY COMPETITOR, PARENT, TEACHER OR ACCOMPANIST INITIATE ANY CONVERSATION WITH AN ADJUDICATOR. This may result in disqualification.
2. Necessary questions from the competitor must be directed to the Registration Desk volunteer.
3. Questions not dealt with in these rules shall be referred to the Board whose decision on such matters shall be final. All written requests for clarification should emailed to newmarketlcmusicfestival@gmail.com. Where there may be a reason to treat the matter urgently, a written request may be hand delivered to the Registration Desk.

CERTIFICATES, AWARDS AND TROPHIES

NON-COMPETITIVE CLASSES.

1. Non-competitive classes are classes which are for adjudication only. NO marks will be given.
2. Non-competitive participants are not eligible for awards or scholarships. These classes are marked as “NC”.
3. A competitor may enter a combination of competitive and non-competitive classes in different List classes.

COMPETITIVE CLASSES.

1. Each competitor will receive a written adjudication with marks. Marks are NOT announced.
2. Only one Gold seal certificate (for the highest achievement over 80%) is awarded unless there is a tie score. The next highest achievement by a participant in the same class between 75% and 100% will be awarded a Silver seal certificate, and the next highest achievement by a participant in the same class between 70% and 100% will receive a Bronze seal certificate.
3. If these standards are not achieved, the award will be withheld regardless of the number of entrants in the class. All competitors not receiving an award will receive a participation ribbon or certificate.
4. Trophies and shields are the property of the Newmarket Lions Music Festival. They will be awarded by the Committee from the adjudicator recommendations. It is the responsibility of the recipient to return the trophy to the Festival by the beginning of Festival the following year. Please telephone the Festival at 905-252-3203 to make arrangements to return the trophy to the Festival.
5. Competitors may be recommended to compete in the Ontario Provincial Music Festival. Entry fees to the provincial festival are the responsibility of the recommended competitor.

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

The Festival would welcome scholarship donations from companies, music teachers, parents and other interested parties. Tax receipts are issued for all donations $10.00 and greater.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

CRITERIA FOR THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:

Outstanding Senior Vocalist Outstanding Intermediate Vocalist Outstanding Junior Vocalist Outstanding Senior Strings Scholarship Outstanding Intermediate Strings Scholarship Outstanding Junior String Player

1. Competitors do NOT need to enter specific classes to qualify for these awards.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

The above named awards may only be given to students who are residents of Regional Municipality of York and the Town of Bradford/West Gwillimbury or students whose teachers have a studio in the Regional Municipality of York and the Town of Bradford/West Gwillimbury.

CRITERIA FOR DEDICATED SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

Leon Nash Scholarship, Colin Rose Memorial Scholarship, Dale Jackson Memorial Jazz Intermediate Scholarship,  Dale Jackson Memorial Jazz Senior Scholarship, Newmarket Lioness Club Piano Scholarship, Newmarket Lions Club Senior Vocal Scholarship Karen Barker Memorial Scholarship

Competitors enter specific classes to compete for these awards.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS.

1. The above named awards may only be given to students who are residents of Regional Municipality of York and the Town of Bradford/West Gwillimbury or students whose teachers have a studio in the Regional Municipality of York and the Town of Bradford/West Gwillimbury.
2. Scholarships will be awarded to full time students unless otherwise specified by the donor/sponsor.
3. The Adjudicator will award Scholarships in compliance with the donor requirements. Scholarships need not be awarded to first place competitors in a class.
4. Where possible, a complete list of awards will be included in the following year’s programme.
5. Scholarships are awarded for future tuition purposes. Cheques will be issued to the recipient.
6. Scholarships and bursaries are awarded at the Festival of Stars Gala.

PROPERTY AND PREMISES

The Board requests that all persons take proper precautions and, if using another person’s property or premises, that due care be exercised at all times. The festival will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND RECORDING

1. You may only take a photograph or recording of your participant.
2. No photography or videotaping of the adjudicator and adjudication is allowed. Compliance of these rules is strictly enforced.
3. Full video recording for Piano Concerto and Percussion classes will be made in order to satisfy provincial competition requirements for recorded entries. If you do not wish to be recorded, please inform the front desk upon arrival.