Rules and Regulations (Festival 2021)

  • 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, 2020.

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 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 provide a more polished performance.  Brass and Woodwinds are exempt from memorization at all levels. 

9.   All competitors 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 Festival Association does not require memorization for  any levels in brass or woodwinds.

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.  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.

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

14. For the 2021 Virtual Festival, the entrant will not have to submit an original score for the Adjudicator if the piece is in the current repertoire and etudes books of the RCM or CC.  If the piece is not in the current RCM or CC books, the score should be scanned and sent as an email attachment when the entrant submits their registration form. 

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

16. All music selections are “own choice” but must conform to the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or

      Conservatory Canada (CC) Syllabi.

17. Entrants must perform two selections at the same level and at the level in which the competitor is currently studying.

18. 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.

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

ENTRIES AND ENTRY FORMS

20.  All entries must be submitted electronically.  All entries must be filled in, INCLUDING PERFORMING MINUTES, accompanied by the entry fee and received on or before the entry closing date.  For Festival 2021, the closing date is Friday, January 08, 2021. 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.  Correspondence will be directed to the person responsible for submitting the entry form.   LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

21.  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 in the entry form. 

22. To enter, log in to the Kiwanis Music Festival of London Inc. at the “Enter On-Line” button on the Festival website.

23. You will need to establish a Google Account to upload the video of your performance.  If you do not have a
      Google account go to http://support.google.com/accounts/answers/27441?hl=en to create a Google account.

24. You will publish your performance on your Google Account. It will be checked by the Kiwanis Music Festival of London administrator to ensure that everything is complete. The Festival administrator will download your performance and submit it for adjudication.

25.  Your performance may be recommended to be part of a possible celebration of the 2021 Festival.   This celebration would be publicly available. If your performance is selected, you will be notified in advance of its public posting.

PROGRAM PROCEDURES

26.  We will allow unaccompanied entries in 2021.  Entrants may submit an entry with a pre-recorded or a “backing track” accompaniment if the source is acknowledged.  A live accompanist may also be used only if social distancing rules are observed.  The accompanist must be named on the entry form. If the entrant wishes to be considered for recommendation to the Ontario Provincial Music Festival, they must use either a backing track or live accompaniment. 

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

28.  "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.

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

 

AWARDS AND TROPHIES

30. In 2021 we will not be awarding trophies.  We will not be awarding monetary awards for classes with recorded submissions.  If a class is live streamed, the trophy and award may be given. 

31. There will be no awards made for ensembles nor will we be awarding school Gold Prizes. 

32. For 2021 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 by email to recognize their achievement in the festival.

34. All school entries, solo and small ensembles, will be non-competitive in 2021.

35. 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

36.  Each competitor will receive the adjudicator's written report by email.
37.  Certificates will be presented to winners by email.  Certificates will be withheld if the above mark standards have not been met.

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 placements alone.  There must be a place for the subjective in the arts.

38.  Decisions made by the adjudicator are final.
39.  ANY COMPLAINT OR PROTEST MUST BE MADE IN WRITING, DURING THE FESTIVAL, TO "THE BOARD".
40.  Failure to comply with the rules and regulations shall disqualify the competitor.
41.  At the discretion of “The Board", any competitor may be invited to perform at a concert without remuneration or payment for incidental expenses.

NOTICES

Syllabus and Program
PAPER COPIES OF THE SYLLABUS AND PROGRAM WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED FOR THE 2021 FESTIVAL

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 S10 or more.

 

TIPS FOR CREATING A GOOD VIDEO RECORDING

  • Be aware of your surroundings.  If you are recording with a backing track rather than a live accompanist, try to select a room that has well-balanced acoustics.  You want to refrain from spaces that may be too resonant or echoey, where the clarity of your diction/articulation may get lost or may become unclear.

  • Try to eliminate as much background noise as possible.  Air conditioners, furnaces, dishwashers, ringing telephones etc. will interfere with your recording or interrupt your performance.

  • Make sure the performance space is well lit from the front.

  • If possible, use a tripod or stand for your recording device on a table or against a stand to help stabilize the image being recorded.
    A hand-held device may not be steady enough to provide a clear video.

  • Test the view of the camera.  Ensure that your whole body is in the frame.  Keep the camera close enough that the adjudicator can see your facial expressions and hands while playing your instrument.

  • If you are using a recorded “backing track” rather than a live pianist for accompaniment, make sure that the sound level of the track is balanced to the level of your voice or instrument.

  • Appropriate social distancing must be demonstrated in the recording if you are using a live accompaniment.

  • Do a “test run” through several phrases and then listen to your performance to ensure that you are in the video frame and that the sound is not being distorted in any way.

  • Perform your pieces straight through without stopping.  No mixing, voice amplification, sound enhancement, audio dubbing or splicing of multiple “takes” together is permitted.

  • Before starting to record your performance, you will have to prepare a Title Page for your recording.  On a piece of paper, print your full name, the class number and name of the class you are entering, the name and composer of your first piece, the name and composer of your second piece,  Put this paper on a flat surface and place your original score of both pieces next to the paper  The photo of these documents will be your Title Page.  Photocopies of the scores are not permitted in this video.

  • Your video performance experience is to approximate a live performance.  Therefore, proceed as follows:

    • Start your recording with your Title Page.

    • Without stopping the recording, play your entire first piece.

    • Without stopping the recording, have a 30 second pause in playing and then play your entire second piece.

    • When you have finished playing your second piece stop the recording.

  • You must save your video file using the following format: Last Name_ FirstName_ ClassNumber

 

Website: www.kiwanismusicfestivallondon.com