Festival Rules

  1. The Festival Rules should be read in conjunction with any Rules for each Section.
  2. Please observe entry dates for each Section. Late entries may not be accepted.
  3. Single or multiple entries should be made online on the website godalmingperformingartsfestival.com. Teachers submitting multiple entries must have informed all parents of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy for Godalming Festival.
  4. Paper entry forms are available from section secretaries. A separate form must be completed for each Section entered and returned to the relevant Section Secretary. Cheques payable to Godalming Performing Arts Festival and entries to each Section must be sent to the appropriate Section Secretary by closing date. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.
  5. Eligibility – The competitions are restricted to amateurs, except the Open Classes. An amateur is somebody who does not derive the main part of their income from the discipline in which he proposes to enter the Festival. Non-amateurs may, however, act as accompanist or conductor.
  6. No competitor may perform on the same instrument twice in any Class.
  7. Own Choice – Competitors may not offer the same piece in more than one Class. A copy of Own Choice Music must be handed to the Adjudicator/ Steward before any performance. Failure to do so may result in disqualification or a loss of marks.
  8. Time Limits given are generous and pieces chosen should be well within them. Use of shorter pieces will not be penalised. If the time limit is exceeded, the Adjudicator may stop the performance. No penalty will be imposed if the Adjudicator deems that a performance has reached a judgement position. However, the Adjudicator may decide that a performance should have marks deducted if the time limit is exceeded.
  9. Where a Section is scheduled for a number of days, competitors may be asked to take part on any of those days. Special requests may be considered, but with no guarantee that they can be accommodated.
  10. Photocopying of Own Choice Music for Adjudicators – “The Music Publishers’ Association Code of Practice on photocopying copyright works makes a concession for copying own choice pieces for the use of the adjudicator at a festival, provided that the entrant has already purchased his/her own copy. An original must be in the room at the time of performance and any copy made must be retained and destroyed by the Administrator of the festival immediately after the event. Single copies of items may not be photocopied without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Photocopies for the adjudicator must be totally legible, or they may be refused. Competitors are advised that this permission applies only to copyright holders who are members of The Music Publishers Association (listed at the back of the Code of Practice leaflet, obtainable from the Association at 103 Kingsway, London WC2B 6QX http://www.mpaonline.org.uk) It is the competitors’ own responsibility to ensure that they seek permission to copy direct from any copyright holder whose name does not appear on the MPA list.” – British and International Federation of Festivals
  11. Certificates are awarded as follows – 75-77 A performance limited in its communication 78-80 A performance showing development of technique and/or communication 81-83 A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability 84-86 A convincing performance technically and artistically 87-89 An excellent performance technically and artistically 90+ An exceptional performance both technically and artistically.
  12. Trophies will not be awarded for a mark less than 84. Some trophies will be presented by the Adjudicator after the appropriate Class, others at the Festival Concert.
  13. Trophies are held for 11 months only and remain the property of Godalming Performing Arts Festival. They may be engraved where applicable at the competitor’s expense. Any such additions must be in keeping with existing engraving. Care should be taken of trophies, and they must be returned in a clean condition to the appropriate Section Secretary not later than 1 February of the following year. Any damage is the responsibility of the holder. Any loss or damage should be reported to the appropriate Section Secretary without delay and, where applicable to the police and the owner’s insurer.
  14. Adjudicators may withhold any award and may stop any performance at their discretion. Their decision in all cases shall be final. It is forbidden to communicate with the Adjudicator in any way, and anybody attempting to do so may be requested to leave.
  15. It is the responsibility of competitors to arrange their own accompanists, where appropriate.
  16. No mechanical means of reproduction may be used during the competition. or Festival concert. This includes all photography, sound and video recording. Performances at or during Festival concerts are copyright of the Godalming Performing Arts Festival. Offenders may incur exclusion from future Festivals.
  17. The Festival organisers shall not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property unless it is specifically placed in the care of an official.
  18. Abusive behaviour, verbal or physical, towards Festival staff will not be tolerated. Anyone behaving in such a manner will be asked to leave and no refund will be given.
  19. Competitors must follow any Covid-19 rules applicable at the competition venue. This includes any additional rules specified by the Committee.
  20. The Goodridge Trophy will be awarded to the competitor over 14 years of age who gains the highest average mark in two or more different musical Sections or on different instruments. The Jubilee Trophy will be awarded, at the Committee’s discretion, for a special achievement in any section of the Festival.