Entrants
1. The Festival is open to amateur performers only. An amateur is defined as ‘a person who does not derive the main part of his/her income from that section of the art which he/she proposes to enter’. This rule does not apply to conductors or to teachers playing a duet part in class P1.
2. Entrants must comply with the age limit where applicable, being the age on 1st September for the year of the Festival: this is deemed to be the age for the purpose of entry. Proof, if requested, must be produced. Date of birth must be shown on the online entry relevant page, where required.
Entries
3. The Festival Committee reserves the right to cancel a class and refund the entry fees in respect of that class or to move entries to another appropriate class if it is considered insufficient entries have been received.
4(a). Entries should be made using the link on the Festival website.
4 (b). In all classes, the full title of the piece, the composer’s name and the duration of the piece must be stated on the online entry relevant page.
4(c). The Festival is under a legal obligation to supply to The Performing Right Society details of ALL items performed at the Festival and the co-operation of teachers and competitors in sending information at the correct time would be very much appreciated.
4(d). The same piece of music may not be used by a performer in more than one class.
4(e). Once an entry has been received, no refunds will be made, except until Regulation 3 above.
4(f). An entrant’s place in the Festival is not secured until payment has been received.
Copying Music
5(a). For performers requiring the services of the Festival Accompanist, please send a clear and legible PDF copy of your accompaniment to Heather Duncanson, by email (available on the online entry relevant page) no later than the closing date. Please send only copies of the music where you require the Festival Accompanist to accompany you. It should be clear either on the copies or in the email, to which class and performer each piece belongs. (See also 5(b))
5(b). A (second) copy of the music must be handed to the Adjudicator’s Steward just before performing.
6. The Music Publishers’ Association has issued a Code of Fair Practice on the copying of copyright works and the following concession is made for copying an own choice piece:
‘When an Own Choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works and which is not sold separately, one copy may be made for the use of an adjudicator at a competition or festival, provided that the competitor or participant has already purchased his, or her, own copy and that the copy made is retained and destroyed by the administrator of the competition or festival immediately after the event. This permission specifically does not apply to set works’
‘The accompanist must be provided with publishers’ copies. However, in some cases, it may assist accompanists to practise if a photocopy, suitably presented, is sent which enlarges the original text or avoids frequent page turning. If a photocopy is sent for this reason, then the publisher’s copy must be available on the day of the festival for the use of the accompanist, if required, and to satisfy the laws of copyright performance. Performers should remember that they are liable in law for the provision of publishers’ copies and that the Festival is liable to check that no infringement of copyright law has taken place.’
Accompanist
7. Entrants are encouraged to bring their own accompanist. A Festival Accompanist will be provided if requested on the online entry relevant page. A charge of £7.50 per entry per class is made for this service and payment must be made at the time of entry.
Adjudication
8. An adjudicator may terminate a performance that exceeds the specified time limit.
9. Performances using music from musicals are subject to copyright law. For classes in which this applies, songs may be sung as a concert performances (i.e. with no costume or choreographed movement) without the need for copyright permission. Failure to comply is an infringement of copyright and will result in disqualification.
10. The order of performing in each class will be as shown in the programme. This order can be varied only by arrangement with the Adjudicator’s Steward.
11. Adjudicator’s reports will be available after each class. Certificates will be awarded in accordance with the Adjudicator’s decision.
12. The Festival Committee will consider an objection only if given in writing by email within 24 hours of the class ending, or to the Adjudicator’s Steward immediately at the end of the class to which it refers.
13. First, Second and Third place certificates and medallions may be awarded at the discretion of the Adjudicator. Where a class is sponsored, a trophy will be awarded for First place.
Child and Vulnerable Adults at Risk Protection Policy
14(a). Our Child Protection Policy can be found here and our Vulnerable Adults at Risk Policy here.
14(b). Parents or designated adults are expected to take full responsibility for their children’s safety at all times, particularly when they are in public areas.
14(c). Audio or video recordings and photography during any performance or adjudication is prohibited.
14(d). Anyone wishing to take photographs must first check with the Venue Manager to ensure that prior permission has been given by the responsible adult.
Backing Tracks
15. Whilst the use of a ‘live’ accompanist is preferable, performance to backing tracks is permitted; however, the entrant and/or performer is responsible for providing and setting up the equipment required, and for operating it during the performance.
Miscellaneous
16. The Lichfield Festival of Music reserves the right to close entries before the advertised deadline if capacity is reached. Early entry is advised to avoid disappointment.
17. The decision of the Festival Committee on any matter raised or not covered by these Regulations shall be final.
Last reviewed: March 2025.
Lichfield Festival of Music 