Competition Rules

PLEASE NOTE AND READ ALL RULES

Failure to comply with any of the rules may involve disqualification and withholding of prizes and the decision of the committee in all questions of disputes shall be deemed final.

COPYRIGHT

Ringwood Eisteddfod is a member of AESA and covered under the Blanket licence with the four music copyright societies APRA, AMCOS, PPCA and ARIA for competition. The licence covers everything from live performances of copyright musical works, the playing of copyright sound recordings as backing tracks, video recordings of events and the copying of sound recordings by entrants.  

PRINT MUSIC and PHOTOCOPYING

Each school, club or competitor must ensure that all sheet music or literary works presented to be performed adhere to the below rules:

1. Competitor and / or accompanist must use original copies of music or authorised photocopies (where photocopies are used, they must be accompanied by a letter from the publisher or copyright holder).

2. A copy of the music must be provided for the adjudicator and official accompanist. If a photocopy is provided it will be destroyed by the committee after use.

3. All competitors are required to comply with the booklet “Guidelines to Copyright” available from AMCOS. These rules are in accordance with the directions of the Australian Copyright Council, The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society and Copyright Agencies Ltd. and NO variations will be permitted            

CHILD PROTECTION

1. Ringwood Eisteddfod has a child protection policy in place, following the guidelines as laid down by law.

2. These guidelines will require persons to produce a working with children’s card/ police check before entering certain areas of the Theatres. Please see the Director/Convenor for further details.

GENERAL RULES

1. All entries to be made via Stardom. Please note to include repertoire details.  Any changes must be uploaded at least two weeks before section performance.  Competitors will receive, via Stardom, a “Notice of appearance” showing date, time and place of appearance and other necessary details.

2. No entry fee will be refunded except where a section has been cancelled. The Committee reserves the right to cancel a section where the number of entries is less than 5. The committee reserves the right to offer an alternate or amalgamated section in the case of insufficient numbers.

3. Group/ Ensemble items – all entrants’ names and ages must be furnished at the time of entry.

4. Entries received shortly after the official closing date of 4 May 2025 must include a late fee of $20 per competitor and are subject to placement availability in the section.

5. Please note late entries accepted after 4 May 2025 may not be printed in the programme.

6. The committee reserves the right to provide an alternative adjudicator or accompanist, in any section, where the scheduled adjudicator or accompanist is unavailable, for whatever reason. In any such event entry fees will not be refunded.

7. The Adjudicator may divide prizes and award at their discretion Honourable Mentions or high commendations. If a satisfactory standard is not attained, the adjudicator may reduce or withdraw prizes. The adjudicator’s decision shall be final.

8. In all sections subject to an age limit, the age at the close of entries on 4 May 2025 shall be deemed the competitor’s age. Proof of age may be required prior to presentation of any prize.

9. Clear music copies of performance items must be provided for the adjudicator or the competitor may not be able to compete, at the discretion of the adjudicator.

10. The adjudicator’s decision on the result of any section shall be final.

11. All competitors must be engaged in a programme of tuition of their chosen instrument at the time of the competition. The Ringwood Eisteddfod is only open to students of music undertaking a program of study on their instrument in an institution or with a private teacher.

12. Adjudicators will observe proper ethical conduct at all times in dealings with competitors, teachers and others having an interest in the outcome of any section. Communication with an Adjudicator either by competitor, teacher or other interested party during the competition is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The Committee reserves the right to rule on any apparent breach and in such instances the Committee’s decision shall be final.

13. An official accompanist is provided in a number of nominated sections. Please indicate by ticking the box on your Stardom entry. Competitors may use their own accompanist if desired and advise supervisor on check in.

14. Where the official accompanist is required, a clear legal (as to copyright) manuscript must be provided TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT, or the service may be withdrawn at the official accompanist’s discretion. ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT:

If an earlier rehearsal with the official accompanist is required arrangements must be made directly by the competitor and a rehearsal fee will be payable at the time of rehearsal. Accompanists’ details are listed on the front of the Schedule and the website.

15. Competitors in any vocal section may sing a published translation EXCEPT for the Aria competition which must be sung in the original language.

16. All competitors in the Ringwood Aria must sing in at least one other section.

17. For all Aggregate Trophies, points will be as follows: FIRST- 5 points, SECOND – 3 points, THIRD – 1 point.

18. The Ringwood Aria shall not be included in the Aggregate Points system.

19. First prize winners of previous Ringwood Aria competitions are not eligible to enter.

20. The minimum age limit for all senior/ open vocal sections shall be 17 years.

21. Competitors must not present the same piece in more than one section, unless required.

22. Competitors in any section not answering when called upon may forfeit their right to take part in that section. Allowing a defaulter to take part is then at the discretion of the Supervisor.

23. Photos may be taken ONLY at section completion when competitors receive their awards. It is a competition. Photos or video/aural recordings taken by audience members, are strictly prohibited during section performances. Failure to comply could result in eviction from the performance room.

Photographers are alerted to protect and acknowledge the rights to privacy of individuals in all forms including social media. Please see https://www.oaic. gov.au/…/social-media-ict…/social-media.

Individuals have the right to request not to be included in any photography. On some occasions the Ringwood Eisteddfod Incorporated may take photos of participants for publicity and media representation. These images will solely be the copyright property of Ringwood Eisteddfod Incorporated. All participating performers and audience members give full consent to these conditions.

24. The prizes for winners of all open sections will be presented at the Grand Final Concert, Saturday 19 July 2025, where they will perform. Failure to attend means forfeiture of their prize and the opportunity to compete for an overall winner’s prize.

25. Each competitor will receive a Performance Certificate. Certificates and critiques are to be collected at the end of each section. If a competitor is unable to be present to collect the certificate and critique, and would like it mailed, a stamped self-addressed envelope (A4 size) including section and competitor number must be provided and left at the registration desk. Certificates and reports will be held at Maroondah Federation Estate till June 21.

26. Entrants in Contemporary Vocal may use their own accompanist (electronic keyboard provided), or provide backing tracks or music on MP3 to be uploaded to contemporary.voice.r.e@gmail.com by no later than close of entries on May 4th, 2025.

27. Time limits must be strictly adhered to. Any item over the stated limit will be adjudicated for crit only.

28. No student shall compete in any section where their teacher is adjudicating. Competitors are entered in each section as their entries arrive and will not be changed from that position in the programme.

29. The Ringwood Eisteddfod reserves the right to disqualify any competitor from any section if they have breached the above rules.

30. Entrants competing in Grade levels must be studying that particular Grade or equivalent level. They must provide their teachers name in the entry field provided, Disqualification may occur if wrong level pieces are played and if not studying at the stated level.

                “Dress code for competitors should be appropriate for stage competition”