​Rules

Failure to comply with the rules of the Rotary Burlington Music Festival will result in disqualification, preventing eligibility for scholarship and/or Provincial recommendation.

Online Registration
Remember to enter the correct class code and description for every selection that you will perform.
Registration opens on August 1 and closes at midnight on September 30.

1. An incorrect registration may result in disqualification at the adjudicator’s discretion.
   The Festival Coordinator may assist with issues or corrections up to but not on the last day of registration (September 30).
   Late entries will not be accepted.
   
   
2. Entry fees will not be refunded in the event that a participant cannot attend their scheduled class(es).
   
   
3. A selection may not be used in more than one class.
   
   
4. Participants may not use a selection that they have performed in a previous Rotary Burlington Music Festival.
   
   
5. Participants are limited to one selection per class, unless otherwise noted.
   
   
6. Participants must enter at their current level/grade of study.
   All selections must be at the same level/grade.
   Even though the RCM allows one selection at a higher level/grade, the RBMF requires that all selections be at the current level/grade.
   
   
7. Participants who performed an August exam in the current Festival year may use their exam selections. June exam selections are not permitted at all levels/grades.
   
   
8. The 2018 syllabus offers both Competitive and Non-Competitive classes in all solo instrument categories.
   Non-Competitive class participants will receive written and verbal adjudications, but no marks, placements or medals.
   Non-Competitive participants are not eligible for scholarships.
   
   
9. All participants planning to enter Provincials should choose selections and level/grade carefully.
   
   Voice: Classical festival participants who wish to be considered for Provincial recommendation must register in at least one graded voice class (category: List A; or List B; or List C; or List D; or Concert Class).
   
   
10. For all duet, trio, quartet and ensemble classes, only one participant will register and pay the class fee.
    Remember to list all partners on your registration form in the appropriate field.
    
    
11. Schedules for participants and teachers, detailing dates and times of competition will be posted on their online registration accounts. Ensure you include your teacher’s festival ID in the registration so that your teacher will receive your online schedule information.
    Note: The Festival will strive to schedule classes labelled adult/mature in the evenings or on weekends; however this is not guaranteed.

 
 
GENERAL

1. Participants must perform at their scheduled times.
   
   
2. All matters not specified in these Rules and Regulations must be referred to the Rotary Burlington Music Festival Board of Directors in writing. Their decision will be final and binding.
   
   
3. All classes are open to amateurs. An amateur is defined as: “any person whose principal means of livelihood is not derived from the profession of music”. No professionals, other than accompanists, are eligible to perform. Click here for full definition of amateur.
   
   
4. In age limit classes, age will be determined as of December 31 of the current year. Proof of age may be requested.
   Birthdates must be entered on the registration form.
   
   
5. The Festival reserves the right to refuse any entry or cancel any class. This is the only case where entry fees will be refunded.
   
   
6. The Festival reserves the right to divide or combine classes.
   
   
7. Absolutely no changes will be made once the programme has been printed.

 
 
ADJUDICATION

1. Adjudicators’ decisions are final.
   
   
2. Participants studying with or immediately related to an adjudicator, who is participating in the Festival, are not eligible to compete.
   
   
3. Participants may be required to certify that the Festival rules have been followed. If an infringement occurs, adjudication will be given, but no mark will be awarded.
   
   
4. Medals may be awarded to participants in first, second and third places in each competitive class.
   
   
5. The adjudicator will discuss the performance of each participant but only the marks of the medal winners may be publicly announced. All participants will receive the adjudicators’ written comments.
   
   
6. Participants, parents and teachers are NOT to approach the adjudicator before or after the class. All questions must be directed to the registrar, secretary or festival coordinator.
   
   
7. Our adjudicators may recommend participants from the Rotary Burlington Music Festival to compete in the Ontario Provincial Music Festival, held annually in June.
   A minimum mark of 85% is required for recommendation.
   Provincially recommended participants need not necessarily be scholarship winners.

 
 
Awards

1. The adjudicators will choose the award recipients. Their decisions are final.
   
   
2. Marks are assigned and medals presented for solos, duets, duos, trios and quartets in competitive classes.
   In larger groups, one medal will be presented to the group; each member will receive a participation ribbon.
   Non-medallists will receive participation ribbons.

 
 
General Scholarships
 
Eligibility
 
Piano, Voice: Classical, Voice: Music Theatre and Strings participants must enter and compete in a minimum of three solo classes in the same discipline; one class being a Canadian Composer class.
 
 
Canadian Composer
 
Canadian selections (no arrangements) should be entered in the Canadian Composer class to fulfill the Canadian component for scholarship.
 
Voice: Classical participants MUST enter the Voice: Classical Competitive Canadian Composer Class.
Voice: Music Theatre participants MUST enter the Voice: Music Theatre Canadian Composer Class.
 
 
Performance

1. RCM represents Royal Conservatory of Music. CC represents Conservatory Canada. CNCM represents Canadian National Conservatory of Music.
   
   
2. The most recent Conservatory Syllabus edition must be used.
   All selections must be performed from memory.
   (Exceptions are noted at the beginning of each class). The use of music will result in adjudication only, with no mark given.
   Exceptions: Studies/Etudes, Duets, Trios, Quartets, Ensembles, Chamber Groups and String Sonatas.
   
   
3. Note: Participants must play all movements in Sonata classes at the Associate and Advanced levels.
   
   
4. Unless otherwise specified, all selections must be played without repeats. Da Capo and Dal Segno signs must be observed.
   
   
5. Selections entered in Canadian Composer classes must be original compositions or commissions by a Canadian composer. Participants may enter their own composition provided a written score is provided for the adjudicator.  The composition must be at the level/grade of the participant.  Arrangements are not permitted.
   
   
6. Instrumental and vocal participants must provide their own accompanist. No taped accompaniment will be accepted, unless otherwise stated.
   
   
7. All participants must supply an original copy of their music for the adjudicator and their accompanist must also use an original copy. Online purchased musical scores are acceptable with proof of purchase or permission identifier.
   
   
8. Practice is not permitted on the festival piano.

 
 
Provincials/Nationals
 
The Provincial rules can be located at: www.omfa.ca
 
Our festival sends participants to compete at the Provincial level based on adjudicators’ recommendations. The adjudicator also recommends one selection to perform.
Participants may represent only one local festival for each instrument per year.
Provincial rules state that the participant must perform the selection recommended by the adjudicator.
 
The RBMF strongly suggests that participants, considering a provincial recommendation, enter in two or more classes in their category. This will ensure the adjudicator can accurately assess the artistic level of the participant.
 
Voice: Classical participants must register in at least one graded class. Note that Musical Theatre, Popular Music and Operetta selections are not eligible as Voice: Classical Provincial selections (even though they are listed in the RCM syllabus).
​
 
COPYRIGHT

• The Rotary Burlington Music Festival respects the rights of all composers, authors, lyricists and publishers to own their creations and to earn a living from their artistic works.
  
  
• The Festival expects all participants, teachers and coaches to respect copyright. All downloaded material that you provide to adjudicators and to accompanists must have proof of purchase or proof of public domain, not photocopied. This applies to all the scores for the adjudicator, the accompanist and for the participant.
  
  
• The participant will be disqualified from receiving any awards, medals or recommendations if they infringe copyright. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to ensure that the score(s) used follow the copyright laws.

 
 
Recording of Festival Performances
 
Recordings of performances in any media are strongly discouraged to (a) protect the privacy of non-family members who may be unwillingly/unwittingly captured in the recording/photo and (b) minimize distractions to the performers (they should be performing for the whole audience, not just a camera). UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS ANYONE TO RECORD THE ADJUDICATOR'S VERBAL ADJUDICATION.
 
 
 
Thank you for your cooperation,
The Rotary Burlington Music Festival Board
 

 
Click for copyright information form