RULES AND REGULATIONS 2024

  • Management
  • Eligibility
  • Test Pieces
  • Entries and Entry Forms
  • Program Procedures
  • Awards and Trophies
  • Awards
  • Complaints and Protests

NOTICES

  • Syllabus and Program
  • Correct Class
  • Donations
  • Tips for Creating a Good Video Performance
  • Website

MANAGEMENT

1. The competitions shall be under the management of The Board of Directors of The Kiwanis Music Festival of London Inc. hereinafter called "The Board".

2. All matters not dealt with in these rules shall be submitted to "The Board" whose decisions on such matters shall be final and binding on all concerned.

ELIGIBILITY

3. All competitions shall be open to non-professionals only. For the purpose of these competitions, a non- professional shall be defined as: "any person whose principal means of livelihood is not obtained from the professional practice or teaching of music, even though he/she may from time to time accept remuneration for musical services rendered."

4. When age limits are specified, competitors must be of the prescribed age on December 31, 2023.

5. University music performance majors must only enter classes at the open level.

6. Competitors may enter as many classes as they wish, providing that level restrictions are strictly observed.

7. Competitors may enter the same class more than once with one or two additional selections at the same level.

TEST PIECES

8.The Board recommends that test pieces in all solo classes be played or sung from memory.  Memorization gives the impression of superior preparation and provides a more polished performance.  Brass, Woodwinds and Sonatas for String Instruments are exempt from memorization at all levels. 

9. All competitors, except Brass, Woodwinds and Sonatas for String Instruments selected to represent our festival at the Provincial Finals will be required to perform from memory as required by the provincial rules.  The Ontario
Music Festivals Association does not require memorization for any levels in Brass, Woodwinds or Sonatas for String Instruments.

 

10. All test pieces in solo classes must be performed in the prescribed key except where stated. In vocal classes where candidates are 20 years and under, the keys may be transposed up or down one tone, provided the adjudicator is advised before the class begins.  However, in classes where any standard editions are used, only the printed key may be used.  Folk songs and Broadway songs may be performed in any key suitable to the candidate's vocal range.

 

11. Vocal numbers may be sung in either the original language or English, if the adjudicator is advised before the start of the class.

 

12. Male and female singers will be scheduled into separate classes, so they are not competing against each other.  The entrants will have to indicate on the entry form in which class they want to compete.     

 

13. Vocal entrants may sing one piece from the RCM/CC Syllabi and one own choice, but that would prohibit the entrant from advancing to the Provincial Music Festival unless the entrant has also prepared a second piece from the RCM/CC Syllabi.

 

14. On the entry form the class number, title, composer, and playing time must be indicated for all OWN CHOICE selections to ensure processing.  Playing times are crucial for scheduling.

15.   Competitors must not exceed the time limit stated in the syllabus. The adjudicator may stop any competitor who exceeds such limit.

 

16.  In ALL classes the competitor must provide a copy of the music (conductor's score where applicable) for the adjudicator's use.  This will be given to the adjudicator's secretary immediately preceding the respective competition and received from the secretary immediately following the competition.  If original music is not provided, the student will receive adjudication only.

 

17. A competitor may not perform the same test piece in more than one class at the same festival.

 

18. All music selections are “own choice” but must conform to the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) Syllabi for solo classes.

 

19. Entrants must perform ALL Selections at the same level and at the level in which the competitor is currently studying.

 

20. Competitors must count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only but must conform to the time restrictions of the class entered.

 

21. Entrants may enter in more than one instrument Section.

ENTRIES AND ENTRY FORMS

22. All entries must be submitted electronically.  Each contestant must submit a separate electronic entry form for each class entered.  Correct spelling of the teacher's name, address, and phone number and accompanist, if any, is also important.  All entries must be filled in, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE DURATION IN MINUTES, accompanied by the entry fee, and received on or before the entry closing date.  For Festival 2024, the closing date is Monday, January 15, 2024.  Forms that are incomplete will be returned to the applicant.  For small ensembles (duets, trios, etc.) only one form is required showing names, instrument, and date of birth of each entrant.  Correspondence will be directed to the person responsible for submitting the entry form.   

LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

 

23. All entry fees will be paid electronically.  Entry fees will not be refunded, except where the Entry is rejected by "The Board".  Competitors desiring to withdraw their entry should contact the Festival Office as early as possible. Entry fees and donations may be made using PayPal or e-transfer.  The links to PayPal and e-transfer are on the entry form.

PROGRAM PROCEDURES

24. A competitor's Admission Form showing the date(s) and time(s) of the entrant's competitions will be sent to every competitor or may be sent in care of your teacher.  This form serves two functions:

  •        It serves as the admission ticket for the competitor and their musician accompanist ONLY.
  •        It notifies the contestant of possible conflicts and provides them the time to notify the Festival office to seek a solution.

 

25. Each competitor must supply his/her own accompanist.

 

26. A competitor may be disqualified if he/she is not ready to compete within 10 minutes of being called.  A class will not be delayed accommodating latecomers, but the adjudicator's secretary may change the order of performance in a class to accommodate those who have been competing at other locations.

 

27. A chord may be given on the piano at the beginning of each piece of unaccompanied music.

 

28. At the discretion of the adjudicator, two or more competitors awarded the highest marks in their class may be selected to compete in a final test.

 

29. "The Board" may split any class with large entry numbers into two or more groups of approximately equal numbers.  Awards and certificates will be issued for each group (splits) as a separate class.  For Special “T” Trophy Classes, including individual split classes, the winning competitor from each with the highest mark, or adjudicator’s recommendation, will compete in the actual trophy class.

 

30. "The Board" reserves the right to appoint additional or substitute adjudicators.

 

AWARDS AND TROPHIES

31. In 2024, we will award Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards for schools.  We will also award $50 for selected Gold Awards earned by a school.  Classes eligible for a Gold Prize $50 award will be listed with “P” in the School Section of the Syllabus. Eligible classes include:

Secondary School
     Bands:  1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612,

                   1613, 1614, 1615, 1616.
     Choirs:  1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1627, 1628, 1692.

     Orchestras:  1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647, 1648, 1649, 1652, 1653.
     Ensembles:  Guitar 1638.

                           Percussion 1661.      

Elementary School
    Bands:  1617, 1618, 1619.
    Choirs:  1632, 1633, 1634, 1635.
    Orchestras:  1654, 1655, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659.

 

32. For 2024, we will award First, Second and Third place certificates as recommended by the adjudicators.

 

33. In non-competitive classes, entrants will receive a Certificate of Performance to recognize their achievement in the festival.

 

 

34. Competitors will be presented Awards in accordance with the following minimum marks:

 

     Criteria for First, Second or Third Place Certificates
          1st place certificate – minimum 80 marks
          2nd place certificate – minimum 77 marks
          3rd place certificate – minimum 75 marks

 

      Criteria for Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit Awards
          Awarding Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit Awards are related to external

          standards, the accomplishment of all groups at their individual level of

         development.  An award does not represent a comparison between the

         groups that are present in one class in the Festival.  

  • ·        Gold Award.  This award recognizes a performance that is well prepared and musical, with some aspects of the performance that elevates it beyond mere technical mastery of the selection.  It should be a memorable event in the artistic life of both the audience and performer, recognizing the developmental level of the group and the repertoire.
  • ·        Silver Award.  This award recognizes a performance that is technically well prepared, with few minor flaws.  It reflects a solid performance that demonstrates mastery of the technique, with a basic understanding of the musical materials contained in the selection, recognizing the developmental level of the group and the repertoire.
  • ·        Bronze Award.  This award recognizes a performance that has a solid technical foundation with few major deficiencies in technique or musicianship, recognizing the developmental level of the group and the repertoire.
  • ·        Award of Merit. This award recognizes a performance that demonstrates a basic level of technical preparation, with a sense of preparation and technical development, recognizing the developmental level of the group and the repertoire.

35. Each competitor will receive the adjudicator's written report.

36. Certificates will be presented to winners.  Certificates will be withheld if the above mark standards have not been met.

 

37. Decisions made by the adjudicator are final.

 

38. ANY COMPLAINT OR PROTEST MUST BE MADE IN WRITING, DURING THE FESTIVAL TO "THE BOARD".

 

39. Failure to comply with the rules and regulations shall disqualify the competitor.

 

40.  At the discretion of “The Board", any competitor may be invited to perform at a concert without remuneration or payment for incidental expenses.

 

 COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS

  •   All teachers, parents and students are forbidden from approaching any adjudicator at any time
     during or following the festival with the intent to debate an outcome or an award. 
  •   Anyone violating this directive will be removed from the class and forbidden from attending any other classes for the duration of the festival. 
  •   All complaints must be submitted in writing to “The Board” which will deal with the complaint. 
  •   All decisions by “The Board” will be final and not open to further debate. 
  •    It must be accepted that the appeal of the festival is found in the “spirit” of the event and not
    necessarily the detailed analysis of all outcomes. 
  •    Award choices by adjudicators can be motivated by potential and a perceived need for encouragement and not necessarily on marks and placement alone.  There must be a place for the subjective in the arts.

NOTICES

Syllabus and Program
PAPER COPIES OF THE SYLLABUS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED FOR THE 2024 FESTIVAL

PAPER COPIES OF THE PROGRAM FOR 2024 WILL BE PUBLISHED AND AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE VENUES FOR THE PERFORMANCES.

Correct Class
ENTERING CORRECT CLASS(ES) IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPETITOR.

Donations
ENTRY FEES COVER ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE COST OF OPERATING THE FESTIVAL.
The remainder must be covered by donations and advertising sales.  Donations to the Kiwanis Music Festival of London are greatly appreciated.  An income tax receipt will be issued for donations of $10 or more.

MUSIC

When ordering music, please allow at least 6-8 weeks for delivery, as music is frequently out of stock and may need to be specially ordered.

It is unlawful to copy any portion of music or text without authorization from the copyright holder. To do so is a violation of the Canadian Copyright Act.  It is unfair to deny the author/composer just recompense for work that may represent years of effort. Photocopying of copyright music for the purpose of performance is illegal. No photocopies, computer- generated copies or copy derived from computer programmes will be allowed in this Festival in any case whatsoever, unless they show legal authorization by the publisher.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CHOIRS, BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS
All competitors should be aware that churches and schools allow the festival to use their space for competitions.
Therefore, leave the rooms as you found them, so that we will be welcomed back.
i     The conductor or delegated member of the teaching staff must be directly

        responsible for their students from the time of arrival to departure.
ii    A room will be assigned to each choir, band. or orchestra.  In some situations,  

      different schools will share a room.  Adult supervision must be present at all

      times when the students are in the assigned room.
iii   A prompt will occur when choirs, bands or orchestras will go to their  

      assigned area in the concert hall.
iv   Students are expected to stay in the concert hall with their group until their

      class has been adjudicated and dismissed.
v    Students may not travel back and forth between practice rooms and the

      concert hall.  Please alert the Hall Manager when bussing schedules interfere

      with times of performances.
vi   BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS:  The host school will automatically provide

      the following heavy percussion equipment - three tympani and one bass

      drum. Beyond that, all participating schools MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN

      EQUIPMENT such as: snare drums, all cymbals, all sticks, small specialty

      Further equipment can be provided UPON EARLIER REQUEST to Shawn

      Chabot at Saunders S.S. (519-452- 2770) such as additional tympani (up to 7),

      chimes, gong, and mallet keyboards.

vii  CHOIR RISERS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.

ADMISSION
A special series of evening competitions will be held, featuring the most advanced Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs, as well as the Young-Ja Park Memorial Piano Competition, and the Rose Bowl Competition for soloists. Tickets for these special competitions will
cost $5.00 cash, for each event, and will be available at the door.  Debit & credit card facility may be available at some larger venues. 

Guests may purchase a single session admission, at a cost of $5.00 cash for daily classes. The $15.00 FESTIVAL V.I.P. PASS is good for admission to all events during the Festival.  The V.I.P. Pass does not include admission to the Stars of the Festival Concert on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.  Admission is $15.00 per person for the Stars Concert.  Children 12 years and under are admitted at no charge.

VIDEOS, FLASH CAMERAS, INTERVIEWS, RECORDING DEVICES
Due to the privacy act:
. photography or recording of any kind, using any type of camera or other   electronic equipment, is not permitted during performances.
. no video or audio recording of adjudicator's remarks.
Signs will be posted in every hall prohibiting the use of all recording devices. 
If charges are laid, the photographer/operator assumes 100% liability.  The Kiwanis Music Festival of London is absolved from any further responsibility.

 

Entry fees cover approximately HALF of the costs of producing this Festival. The remainder must be covered by donations, admission fees, program and advertising sales.  Volunteers handle all the activities. We ask that you join with our volunteers, through these event fees, in making the festival possible for the youth of our city.

Website: www.kiwanismusicfestivallondon.com