It is required that all teachers and/or parents review the Rules and Regulations prior to registering a competitor and that by doing so will ensure that the competitor(s) they register have abided by the rules of this festival.

GENERAL RULES

1. The competitions shall be under the working management of the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festivals Society. Any question not dealt with in these rules shall be referred to the Committee through the Chairman and the decision of the Society shall be final.

2. All competitions, unless otherwise stated, will be open to amateurs only. The term “amateur” shall mean one whose principal income is not derived from musical services. This condition does not apply to those bona fide students of music who teach for the purpose of applying the money so earned for furtherance of their musical education.

3. The VKM Festival competitions are open to eligible competitors who reside within the Province of British Columbia or elsewhere. Non-Canadian residents are not eligible for Provincial competitions.

4. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry without assigning a reason for so doing.

5. No entry fee will be refunded.

6. In case of financial hardship, limited financial support for entry fees is available by applying to the Executive Director.

COMPLAINTS / PROTESTS

7. Complaints and protests must be made to the Chairman in writing during the Festival, accompanied by a protest fee of $25.00, such fee to be returned in full should the protest be sustained. The Protest Committee shall be the Rules Committee and its decision shall be final. - Protests will not be considered unless accompanied by the fee. - No protests submitted by email or phone will be considered.

RULES & REGULATIONS

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that the competitor has entered the correct class.

CLASSES / REPERTOIRE

Competitors elect which class / level / grade to enter by referring to the syllabi, published by the major examination bodies, including the Royal Conservatory (Toronto), Conservatory Canada, Trinity College, Mount Royal College, etc., which provide graded level guidance for entering local and provincial festivals in Music.

8. Competitors must refer to their instrument’s VKM Festival syllabus regarding the number and type of classes they are allowed to enter.

9. Competitors whose music choice does not fit with the period named in the VKM Festival syllabus will be disqualified from receiving a mark, and will receive a written adjudication only.

10. Any competitor who does not comply with the GRADE LEVEL in which he or she has entered may forfeit his eligibility for a mark. He/she will receive adjudication only.

11. NOTE: Once a grade level has been achieved by examination, the competitor must enter a higher grade level except where the exam was completed in January prior to the current Festival. Then a selection from that grde level may be used.

12. Any repertoire selection listed as TBA (To Be Announced) or the equivalent will be rejected.

13. No competitor may play or sing more than once in any one class.

14. Competitors may not play the same piece of music in two different classes.

15. No pedal extensions are allowed in piano classes.

CONCERT GROUPS

16. In ALL INSTRUMENTAL Concert Groups, the competitor must play two selections of the originally chosen grade level, but the third selection may be of one grade higher, if desired.

17. Repertoire played in the concert group may not be played in any other class.

18. Concertos are to be played only in Concerto Classes in each discipline. Exception: Junior Violin, Woodwind & Brass. See sections on Strings, Woodwind and Brass.

MEMORIZATION / TIMING / REPERTOIRE

19. Competitors should memorize their chosen selections. If they must use their music, they must be prepared to lose marks, if the adjudicator so judges. Exceptions: - Duets / Trios / Chamber Ensembles are permitted to use music AS LONG AS each ensemble member uses the original score/parts. - Sonatas for violin, viola and cello (any level) may be played with original score/parts.

20. Time limits will be strictly adhered to and enforced. The competitor must stop when time limit is reached or disqualification will result. (repeats optional if completed within the time limit)

21. In all classes, once a composition has been used, it may not be used by the same competitor for a period of two consecutive years if that competitor placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.

22. The winner of any class from the previous festival cannot register in that class during the current festival, except in Open classes. (see rule No. 68)

23. A change of selection cannot be made or announced as a change on the stage at performance time. Performer will be disqualified.

24. NO PHOTOCOPIES PERMITTED. There is zero tolerance for photocopies. Bill 60—copyright laws.

- NOTE: Stringent laws with respect to Copyright were passed as law through Bill 60 in 1989. The Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival, therefore, can not accept any photocopied music for the adjudicator, performer or accompanist. Heavy penalties can be incurred.

25. Original copies of music must be provided for the adjudicator, accompanist and performer(s) if applicable. The use of photocopied music for either the adjudicator or accompanist is prohibited. Failure to comply with this rule will result in disqualification. NO PHOTOCOPIES PERMITTED.

26. If a competitor chooses music that is out of print or difficult to acquire, written permission from the publisher must be obtained to have the music copied. Please be aware that publishing firms out of business have generally transferred their copyright to other firms.

WEB - BASED SHEET MUSIC STORES

27. The sheet music files found on the web are protected by copyright laws. The Festival will accept music from credible web based music stores as long as proof of purchase is submitted with the music.

PROGRAMMING

Official Programmes will be on sale at local music stores approximately seven days prior to opening day and at all Festival venues for a cost of $6.00. All particulars with regard to the timing and order of appearance will be printed in the Official Programme.

28. Immediately after registration has closed, the VKM Festival Committee shall arrange the order of the programme.

CORRECTION FEE

29. Corrections needed due to registrants’ error will be subject to a Correction Fee of $15.00. See Registration page on the Festival web site for instructions. www.vkmfestivals.org - NO emailed or phoned-in corrections accepted.

30. Competitors must perform in the classes they have selected and cannot change to another class.

31. Competitors must perform the repertoire that was stated on their entry form.

32. Classes are scheduled as carefully as possible to avoid a competitor having to perform in two places at the same time. It is not always possible to avoid such time conflicts, and the VKM Festival Committee will make every effort to see if an alternate solution can be found. However, we regret that at times it is impossible to avoid such a situation.

33. No competitor will be allowed to perform at a time other than the listed time for the class he or she has been scheduled for.

34. The Committee reserves the right to alter the performance order, if necessary, or to subdivide the class should entries warrant.

35. There will be NO CHANGES made to the programme order, schedule or repertoire selections once the official programme has been printed.

36. A competitor’s entry ticket showing class number, location, date and time of competition will be made available on the Festival website by or before the end of March.

37. The Festival office will not be responsible for lost entry tickets.

38. Entry tickets may be requested by the VKM Festival secretary, when a competitor’s name or performance number is announced.

39. Competitors who intend to withdraw from any class are requested, as a courtesy, to notify the Festival Office in advance.

40. There are NO REFUNDS for withdrawal from the VKM Festival.

COMPETITION PROTOCOL

41. Please mark all bar numbers at the beginning of each line of music for the convenience of the adjudicators.

42. All competitors should arrive prior to the beginning of their scheduled class out of courtesy to the adjudicators and other competitors.

43. Competitors will be designated by name or number only, and shall not commence before a signal is given.

44. A change of selection cannot be made or announced as a change on the stage at performance time. A performer doing so will be disqualified.

45. No teacher or member of the public may speak to an adjudicator on any matter relating to the specific role and duties of that adjudicator in the current Festival in progress. This is because an unauthorized discussion with an adjudicator about a participant and his/her performance, adjudication or placement in a class potentially jeopardizes both the independence, and therefore the credibility, of the adjudicator and the status of the participant. Necessary questions from the competitor must be directed to the adjudicator’s secretary or to the Festival Administrator.

46. The VKM Festival Committee reserves the right to disqualify any competitor who is not ready to compete when called upon by the adjudicator’s secretary, unless an acceptable reason has been submitted to the Festival office prior to the class, or an alternate performance placement is granted at the discretion of the adjudicator.

47. The adjudicator, at his or her discretion, may stop any performance at any time.

48. In solo classes, the first place winner’s mark will be read out by the adjudicator at the completion of each class. If there should be any controversy concerning a competitor, the adjudicator will not announce the winner(s) until the matter has been clarified.

49. Competitors, students and teachers are asked not to apply to the adjudicators for lessons while the VKM Festival is in session.

50. The decision of the adjudicators will be given at the close of each competition and certificates awarded. The names of the winners of the class will be announced.

VENUE PROTOCOL

51. No rehearsals will be allowed in any venue prior to a Festival class.

52. No warm up facilities will be provided.

53. Competitors are requested to be in attendance prior to the scheduled class time.

54. Absolute silence is required during the competition.

55. The public may not enter or leave while the competitor is on the platform.

56. NO VIDEO TAPING OR PHOTOGRAPHY of any kind (including cell phones) is allowed during the performance or adjudication.

57. Competitors will perform in the order stated in the programme. Failure to do so, without a valid excuse, will result in disqualification. (see also Rule No. 46)

58. Competitors are requested not to speak to the adjudicators either before or during the progress of a competitive class.

59. Formal dress is not required, but it would be appreciated if appropriate attire is worn, i.e. no T-shirts or jeans.

CERTIFICATES / MUSIC

60. Immediately following the class, applicable certificates, copies of music and adjudication sheets must be claimed.

61. The Festival assumes no responsibility for music left behind by competitors at Festival sites.

ACCOMPANISTS

62. The Festival Committee does not arrange or supply accompanists. (a list of accompanists is available on this website)

63. The piano is the instrument to be used for all selections requiring accompaniment. (Exception: see rule 65.)

64. Taped accompaniment is not allowed.

65. Guitar accompaniment is allowed in Vocal Folk Song Classes only.

CLASS PLACEMENTS

66. No first place certificate or medallion shall be awarded unless a minimum mark of 85 (out of 100) is attained.

67. For classes that have been subdivided, there may be first, second and third place winners in each section, but the definitive winner of that class will be the highest overall mark.

68. First place winners of previous Solo or Ensemble classes of the previous year’s Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival are not eligible to compete again in the particular class in which they obtained first place, except “OPEN” classes. (see rule No. 22)

69. Contestants in any given year cannot return in the following year to play at a level lower than the previous year, i.e. Open to Senior, Senior to Intermediate.

PROVINCIALS / SCHOLARSHIPS

70. In ordered to be considered for recommendation by the adjudicators to the Provincial Festival, a competitor must have preformed in at least two solo classes in the same discipline at the local Festival and have received a mark of 85 or higher.

- To be considered for nomination to the National Class at the Provincial festival a competitor must have performed in two solo classes AND the New Provincial National Class and received marks of 85 or higher in all classes.

71. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, a competitor must receive a mark of at least 85. However, this does not automatically qualify a competitor for an award.

72. Final scholarship decisions rest with the adjudicators and Scholarship Committee. If they feel the performance does not warrant it, no scholarship will be awarded. This regulation covers all scholarships regardless of their terms of reference.

73. If the adjudicator recommends a competitor to proceed to the Provincial Finals and the competitor is unable to do so because he/she has been chosen to represent another Festival, the Scholarship Committee reserves the right to refuse the awarding of any scholarship.

74. All decisions of the Scholarship Committee regarding the awarding of scholarships are final.

75. Scholarships will not be awarded in classes where there is only one participant.

76. Scholarships are not given during the Festival. They will be presented at the Gala Showcase Concert.