IMPORTANT REGULATION CHANGES

An original copy of the music MUST be provided on the day (for use by the accompanist if required) or the competitor may be disqualified.

Secondary School, Junior and Adult Choirs MUST provide their own accompanist. Primary School Choirs may use their own accompanist or use the official accompanist

1. ENTRIES

Entries will be accepted up to and including Friday 11th December 2015 on payment of the prescribed entry fee and on the prescribed entry form. Incomplete entries will not be accepted. Late entries will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Committee. Extra entry forms are obtainable from the Entry Secretary and you can also click here to download the Ayrshire Music Festival 2016 Entry Form.
The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry without assigning any reason for such refusal.

2. COMPETITORS

Competitors shall not take part in more than one competing Choir, Ensemble or Dance Team in the same competition. This regulation does not apply to conductors or to competitors playing a different instrument in a second ensemble. No substitutes will be allowed for named competitors
Where a competitor has won an Open Competition, they may re-enter the same competition one more time.
Members of School Staff must not take part in any School Orchestra but may be a Piano Accompanist.
Ensembles, Groups and Orchestras requiring music stands must supply their own.
In all competitions where an age qualification is stated, the governing date shall be 6th March 2016.

3. ACCOMPANISTS

Official Accompanists will play for all competitions and also play at any recall performances, except in the following competitions where competitors may bring their own accompanist who must then also play at any recall performances: 32-38, 75–93, 115-118, 126, 131, 138, 154, 168 and 184. In competitions for the Recital Classes, Percussion Bands, Singing Games, Secondary School Choirs, Junior Choirs, Adult Choirs, Recorder Bands, Group Music Making, Action Songs, String Orchestras and Ensembles, each competitor or group must provide their own accompanist.

4. TEST PIECES

Test pieces which have piano accompaniment must be performed accompanied unless it is otherwise stated in the Syllabus. Test pieces must be performed in the key specified in the Syllabus and in the edition prescribed.

5. OWN CHOICE PIECES

Photocopied music. If you are entering for one of the own-choice classes, you must also submit copies of music along with the official entry form.

(Note that copies are not necessary if you are making a choice from classes where there are Set Books.)

Details of own choice pieces MUST be given on the entry form.

• ONE (Complete and legible) photocopy of EACH own choice piece should be sent with the entry form.
• This copy (for the accompanist) should be clearly marked with the Competitor’s Name and Class Number given in the Syllabus.
• A further copy (which can be a photocopy) for the adjudicator, MUST be provided on the day of the competition.
• Please note, in order to comply with copyright legislation, an ORIGINAL copy of the music MUST be available on the day for use by the accompanist if required, failure to do so may result in the competitor being disqualified.
• Performers must not perform from a photocopy.

All items must be clearly marked with class number and name of competitor, with a separate copy for each performer, even when several competitors have chosen the same item.

6. PROGRAMMES

Notice of competition times and venues will be posted to entrants. It is, however, the responsibility of the individual competitor to ascertain the exact time and date of their competition by consulting the Official Programme, which remains the official means of communication.
Programmes, priced £2, will be available approximately two weeks before the start of the Festival from the Ayr Professional, Sandgate, Ayr (personal callers only).

7. GRADING

The following basis of Grading will be used to assess performance:

OUTSTANDING

An exceptional performance both technically and artistically.

DISTINCTION

An excellent performance both technically and artistically.

COMMENDED

A convincing performance technically and artistically.

MERIT

A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability.

MODERATE

A performance showing development of technique and/or communication.

FAIR

A performance limited in its communication.

8. ADJUDICATOR

In all competitions the decision of the Adjudicator is final.

9. TROPHIES

In trophy classes, trophies will be presented at the end of the competition. The winner will be asked to undertake its safe custody and return it to the Festival not later than 13 January 2017

Medals will be presented to the winning competitors in all competitions.

10. CERTIFICATES

Certificates may be awarded to the first, second and third places only, depending upon there being sufficient numbers entering. Certificates and Awards may be withheld at the discretion of the Adjudicator or the Committee.

11. ADJUDICATION SHEETS

Competitors are asked to collect these at the end of the class or session at which they have performed.

12. INFRINGEMENT

Infringement of any of these regulations may lead to disqualification.
The Committee reserve the right to alter, modify or cancel any of the arrangements for the Festival as it may deem necessary or expedient, and, except as otherwise stated, its decision in all questions arising out of, or relating to the Festival is final.

13. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER

It is the policy of the Ayrshire Music Festival to allow Press Photographers to take photos of winners for publication in the local press. If any parent does not wish their child to be photographed by the press, please inform the Steward on duty at the Session.

14. COMMUNICATIONS

All communications shall be addressed in writing to:

(please include a stamped addressed envelope if a reply is required)

Alternatively you can click here to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Some useful email addresses:

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