Rules of Entry

RULES

1     No professional performer (i.e. anyone who derives the main part of their income from that branch of the art in which they intend to enter the Festival) may compete

2     Age limits apply to 31 August of the year of the Festival

3     The Committee reserves the right to accept or refuse any entry and its decision on any point is final

4     The Committee reserves the right to change the adjudicator or appoint extra adjudicators as it deems appropriate

5     Any comments regarding the running of the Festival should be made in writing and sent to the General Secretary 

NOTES ABOUT AGE LIMITS AND KEY STAGES

School Ages: any competitor who is under 19 on 31st August 2025

For Duets and Ensembles, age limits apply to the oldest entrant

Primary School: any competitor who will still be at Primary School (Key Stages 1 and 2) on 31st August 2025 may enter this class

Secondary School: any competitor who will still be at Secondary School (Key Stages 3 - 5) on 31st August 2025 may enter this class

Key Stage 1:      school years R, 1 and 2    under 8 on 31st August 2025

Key Stage 2:      school years 3 – 6            under 12 on 31st August 2025

Key Stage 3:      school years 7 – 9            under 15 on 31st August 2025

Key Stage 4:      school years 10 – 11        under 17 on 31st August 2025

Key Stage 5:      school years 12 – 13        under 19 on 31st August 2025

PLEASE NOTE The chosen piece should be appropriate for the age group. The Committee reserves the right to refuse material inappropriate to the occasion.

Conditions of Entry

•  Entry can be made online, or you may submit by downloading a paper copy and submitting to the GMF Secretary

•  Late or incomplete entries will NOT be accepted due to the time constraints on the compiling and printing of the Festival Programme 

•  No soloist or group may enter the same piece for more than ONE class

•  No solo competitor may enter more than ONE instrumental or vocal grade class on the same instrument

•  Accurate timing of performances must be specified on the form at the time of entry

•  Competitors requiring an Official Accompanist must state this on their entry form, enclose a copy of the music for the accompanist and pay the relevant fees at the time of entry

•  Choice of piece(s) must meet the requirements for duration, genre and style specified in class descriptions. The Committee reserves the right to refuse material inappropriate to the occasion

• Any substitution made after the closing date may render the performance non-competitive

Accompaniment

• Where possible this must be a live piano accompaniment.  With a few exceptions (listed in the Syllabus) a CD backing track may be used.  Secondary School age entries are expected to be accompanied by a pianist.

• Exceptions will be highlighted in a particular class

During the Festival

• Copies of music scores must be brought to the Festival for the use of the Adjudicator and must be handed in before the start of the session in which the class takes place.  Failure to do so may, at the discretion of the Adjudicator, render the performance non-competitive. This includes performances with a CD backing track or other digital media.

• Copies of pieces must be clearly marked with the competitor's name, class number and competitor number 

• Unauthorised photocopying is illegal. To comply with the Code of Fair Practice, any photocopies for the Adjudicator will be retained by the Committee and destroyed

• Competitors in piano classes may ask to play a scale or arpeggio before the start of their class; this is, however, at the Adjudicator’s discretion and if time permits

• Performers running over their allotted time must be prepared to stop at the Adjudicator’s request 

• Equipment to play CD backing tracks (as stated in the Syllabus under individual classes) will be provided

• The Adjudicator will only award 1st and 2nd place, certificates of merit and trophies where sufficient merit is shown 

• Photographing and recording of Festival sessions on any equipment is strictly forbidden

• The Committee accepts no responsibility for damage to, or loss of instruments, music copies or personal property of any kind during the Festival

Trophy Winners and Concert 

• Trophy Winners are required to receive their trophy at the Presentation of Trophies and should be prepared to perform at the Trophy Winners Concert

• Names of winners may be released to the press and used in Festival publicity

• Due to time constraints we regret that only a selection of trophy winners would be invited to perform at the Trophy Winners Concert, but details of all trophy winners will be recorded in the Grantham Music Festival Book of Honour and on our website