General Rules

General Rules and Regulations:

1 Please examine the General Rules and Regulations carefully. All performers should also study the particular requirements of each subject and class for which they wish to enter.

Regulations must be observed.

Infringement of any rule of the Festival will result in disqualification.

2 The Festival is intended mainly for Amateurs, who are defined for this purpose as persons who do not derive their livelihood from the branch of performance, defined by the class title, in which they seek to enter the Festival. In any ensemble, all members must adhere to this principle. Anyone else is deemed Professional and may only enter OPEN classes.

3 Dates given in the Syllabus are provisional. The final timetable and details of class times will be decided once all entries have been received. This will be available online in January.

4 No competitor may compete more than once in any class, unless stated in the Syllabus. Please check individual Sections for variations.

5 No substitution of one name for another in the programme is permitted except in duet or trio classes, or at the discretion of the Section Secretary. Any performer whose name does not appear in the correct class in the programme will not be allowed to perform without a special permit from the Festival Office.

6 Important - Please Note - A competitor's age will be reckoned as on the 31st August of the previous year.

7 No competitor may enter a class reserved for older persons. Occasionally, in the Silver or Gold Medal classes and in duets, duos and duologues, performers may legitimately enter a class although they are younger than the minimum age. Please check individual Sections for variations.

8 Past Prize winners in any Medal Class are not eligible to compete in the same class again. If a Solo Challenge Cup is won three years in succession, they are also entitled to claim a miniature cup. See section rules for any exceptions.

9 We aim to be inclusive and will make every effort to accommodate particular needs of competitors. Please let us know if you require wheelchair access.

10 In the Instrumental and Speech sections no 'own choice' piece may be chosen from test pieces set in the current syllabus. A competitor may not present any 'own choice' piece with which they have won a 1st place in the Hastings Festival in the past three years, except in Dancing classes, when a piece may be danced when it has been awarded a 1st place in previous years.

No competitor may offer the same piece in more than one class, except Medal dancing classes. Please see separate Sections for variations to this rule.

11 'Own Choice' copies of words and music (not applicable to dancing) must be handed in to the steward when requested. Please collect your music after the adjudication.

12 For 'Own Choice' pieces in any discipline, suitability must be considered with regard to age group. 'Adult' or offensive material is not acceptable and Adjudicators will be advised to take this into account when marking. They will also have the authority to stop any performance at their discretion, which would lead to disqualification of the competitor(s).

13 In all classes with a time limit, any extra time taken will be penalised. Details of penalties vary in each Section and are available from the relevant Section Secretary.

14 Important - Please Note - Entries should be made using the online application process. All entries must be made and the correct entry fees paid before the closing date. Anyone experiencing difficulties or who is unable to make entries online should contact the relevant Section Secretary for assistance. Entry fees are not returnable unless the entry is rejected by the Festival. Accompanists and teachers will be provided with a free pass on the day.

15 Late entries may only be accepted after the closing date at the discretion of the Section Secretaries. A penalty fee will be charged (double the original entry fee). The General Secretary reserves the right to accept or reject any entry and cannot guarantee late entries will be included in the Programme.

16 All entrants (or their parents/teachers) must read the conditions of entry carefully together with our Child Protection, Safeguarding and Photography Policies.

17 All withdrawals should be notified to the Festival Office as soon as the information is known to assist with timetabling of classes. Entry fees are not refundable.

18 Punctuality is essential for all classes. All competitors must be prepared to arrive at the beginning of the session so that classes may run smoothly and to time. The General Secretary and Section Secretaries reserve the right to alter times and to combine or cancel classes for operational reasons.

19 Communication with the Adjudicator by any unauthorised person before, during or after any class is not permitted. Enquiries during the competition should be addressed to the Section Secretary present whose decision is final.

20 The Adjudicator will take into account a competitor's dress, their overall demeanour, the manner in which they approach the stage and the way in which they announce their performance (if appropriate) as well as the technical content of the performance. The Adjudicator's decision is final.

21 The Adjudicator shall have full power to withhold any award in any class.

The number of marks required before an award can be made is as follows:

Gold Medal:  90   Cash Awarded at 87

Silver Medal: 85

Bronze Medal: Dancing 83, Other disciplines 85

We are using the new BIFF Marking scheme as follows:

Developing: 65-69

Progressing 70-74

Merit 75-79

Commended 80-84

Honours 85-89

Outstanding 90-94

Exceptional 95-100

For an aggregate trophy it is sufficient for a minimum of 85 to be achieved in only one of the component classes. The Adjudicator's decision is FINAL. In Dancing Classes, marks given in Medal Classes do not count towards Aggregate Awards.

Class Trophies require a winning mark of 85 if they are to be presented, with the exception of Babies Dancing Classes where the trophy will be awarded regardless of the winning mark.

22 Certificates and Adjudicators' notes will be distributed by the Section Secretary as soon as possible after the finish of the class, except in the dancing section where they will be available from the Festival Office or from the Festival Desk in the Lower Foyer. They may be posted by arrangement and on payment of a small fee. All unclaimed certificates and mark sheets will be disposed of one month after the end of the Festival.