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.
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 items – all entrants’ names and ages must be furnished at the time of entry.
4. Entries received after the official closing date of 5 May 2024 must include a late fee of $20 per competitor. Competitors will receive a “Notice of Appearance” showing date, time and place of appearance and other necessary details.
5. Please note late entries accepted after 5 May 2024 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 NO ENTRY FEES WILL BE REFUNDED.
7. The Adjudicator may divide prizes and award certificates or if a satisfactory standard is not attained, the adjudicator may reduce or withdraw prizes and certificates. The adjudicator’s decision shall be final.
8. In all sections subject to an age limit, the age at the close of entries on 5 May 2024 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. The official accompanist is available for some sections. Competitors may use their own accompanist if desired.
14. Where the official accompanist is engaged, 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: Rehearsal fees are payable to the accompanist on the day of rehearsal. If an earlier rehearsal with the accompanist is required, arrangements must be made for this with the accompanist 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 on 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 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, subject to a right of appeal to the Committee, which may, if it sees fit, allow a defaulter to take part.
23. Photos may be taken only when competitors receive their awards. Photos or video/audio recordings taken by audience members, on any other occasion, are strictly prohibited. Photographers are encouraged to protect and acknowledge the rights to privacy of individuals in 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 13 July 2024, 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 under 12 years of age 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 including section and competitor number must be provided and left at the registration desk.
26. Entrants in Contemporary Vocal may use their own accompanist (electronic keyboard provided), or provide backing music on MP3 to be uploaded to stardom.com.au by no later than close of entries on May 5, 2024.
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.
29. Dress code for competitors should be appropriate for stage competition.
30. The Ringwood Eisteddfod reserves the right to disqualify any competitor from any section if they have breached the above rules.