Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music & Dance.

• General Regulations Music & Speech
• General Regulations Dance
• Child Protection Policy

General Regulations Music & Speech

1. All entries must be sent to the Secretary of the appropriate section on or before the closing entry date specified in each section, accompanied by the fee and a stamped addressed envelope for the competitor's card.
2. The committee reserves the right to refuse any entry and also to withdraw any class in which there are insufficient entries.
3. The order of competing in all classes will be decided by ballot and performers will be informed of the time of the competition.
4. Music -'Own Choice' items must be stated on the entry form giving Title, Work, Composer and duration, and must not include any piece set in this syllabus. Pieces should not be used in more than one class, and changes will not be permitted after the closing entry date otherwise performers will be disqualified.
   Copies for the Accompanist should be sent to the Music Secretaries with the entry form, and should be clearly labelled with the Class, Title and Name and address of the competitor, by 12 March 2011
   Accompanists reserve the right not to play if music is not sent by the required time
   Copies for the Adjudicator to be brought to the competition.
   
   Speech-'Own Choice' - for copyright purposes, the Work, Title, Author, Time & Publisher should be stated on the entry form, changes will not be permitted after the closing entry date of 1 March 2011 otherwise performers will be disqualified. Copies to be sent to the Speech Secretary by 9 April 2011, otherwise 3 marks will be deducted from the mark awarded.
5. Any protest must be in writing, duly signed, stating the cause and must be delivered to the Secretary on the day of the competition, together with a fee of Ł5 which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
6. Performers should report for the class 20 minutes before the appointed time, and may forfeit the right to compete in the class if they do not do so, subject to an appeal to the Chairman or Secretary of the Committee, who in exceptional circumstances may allow the appeal. The starting times of the classes are approximate, so classes may start before or after the time stated on the ticket.
7. All test pieces in any class must be performed by the named individual. No competitor will be able to perform more than once in the same class, except in groups, duets and trios and then only twice with a different partner/s and performing a different piece. In Instrumental classes competitors may play twice but with a different instrument and piece.
8. The Official accompanist must play for all solo and duet classes, unless otherwise stated.
9. In classes where special conditions are laid down, failure to observe the said conditions will disqualify the entrant.
10. MARKS- 85% or more must be attained to qualify for a trophy except in classes for 12 years and under and Novice when 80% must be attained. Certificates will be awarded to the first three places in classes 18 years and under.

11. Mark Descriptor

    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 (This mark range will usually be 90 - 95 except in the rarest of performances)

12. Where an age limit is mentioned, the age must be reckoned as on the opening date of the relevant section. Performers may be asked to provide a Birth Certificate.
13. Performers are reminded that it is against the law to reproduce copyright music by photocopying or any other means without the permission of the copyright owner.
14. Transposition from the key in which the test piece is written is not allowed. All test pieces must be played or sung as printed.
15. All competitions, unless otherwise stated, shall be open to amateurs only. For the purpose of this Festival the following definitions apply:

    Amateur -- any person whose livelihood is derived from services other than teaching and performing music, speech and drama

    Novice -- any competitor who has never won a first place at any recognised Festival.

    Student Teacher -- any competitor who does not derive his/her sole income from teaching.

16. Trophies will be held for one year and should be returned to the Trophy Secretary at least one month prior to the next annual Festival. The holders of the same will be required to enter into bond for the safe custody and return. Any damage should be repaired by the competitor and engraving on the trophy is at the winner's expense and must be carried out before the above mentioned time.
17. Entry fees include the Adjudicator's remarks which will be available at the end of each class or session. No entry fee is returnable unless absence is due to illness, in which case a small percentage will be retained to cover expenses.
18. The Committee shall have the power to decide all other matters connected with the conduct of the Festival not provided for in these regulations.
19. All communications must be addressed to the relevant Secretary, accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.
20. Communications with the Adjudicator concerning any matter relating to the Festival by competitors, teachers or other interested parties prior to or during the competitions is prohibited.
21. Video recording, flash photography and tape recording during any performance is NOT ALLOWED

GENERAL REGULATIONS DANCE

1. All entries and communications must be sent to the Dance secretary on or before the 15th February 2010, accompanied by the appropriate fee and A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
2. The Festival is open to amateurs only and the following definitions apply:

Amateur: Any person whose livelihood is derived from services other than teaching and performing dancing

Novice: Competitors may only compete as a novice in those sections in which they have not won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place at any recognised competition.

Student. Any Competitor who does not derive his/her sole income from

Teacher teaching.

3. Age of competitor as on 24th April 2010
4. No re-dancing is permitted except in BABIES (6 & under) and NOVICES
5. Classes may be combined if insufficient entries are received for a particular section.
6. No pointe work in Solo classes 12 years & under.
7. Competitors may enter only once in each Solo Class but twice in duets & trios and then only with a different partner performing a different dance.
8. No dancing out of section.
9. Competitors are asked to provide their own music. If re-recorded, permission must be obtained from the record company concerned. The Festival does not accept responsibility for the infringement of current copyright recording or performing rights arising out of any competitor's accompaniment or performance. A CD & cassette player will be provided.
10. Vocal tapes are permitted except in Song and Dance Classes
11. Video recording, flash photography or tape recording during any performance is prohibited.
12. MARKS 85% or more must be attained to qualify for a trophy except in classes for 10 years & under and novice when 80% must be attained. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the first three places. Certificates for 75% and over will be awarded to competitors 10 years and under and novices. Trophies and certificates may be withheld at the discretion of the Adjudicator whose decision is final.

    DESCRIPTORS

    90+ An exceptional performance, both technically and artistically.

    87-89 An excellent performance technically and artistically.

    84-86 A convincing performance technically and artistically.

    81-83 A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability.

    78-80 A performance showing development of technique and/or communication.

    75-77 A performance limited in its communication

13. Trophies to be held for one year and returned to the Trophy Secretary at the time of the Dance Festival, cleaned and ready to be presented. The holders of the same will be required to enter into bond for the safe keeping and return, any damage should be repaired by the competitor. Engraving on the trophy is at the winner's expense and must be carried out before the 24 April 2010.
14. Competitors should report at least 20 minutes before the class is due to start. Those who are absent at the appointed time will forfeit the right to compete in that class, subject to an appeal to the Chairman or Secretary of the committee, who in exceptional circumstances may allow an appeal.
15. Entry fees include the Adjudicator's remarks which will be available at the end of each class. Entry fees are not returnable unless absence is due to illness in which case a small percentage will be retained to cover expenses.
16. Communications with the Adjudicator concerning any matters relating to the Festival by competitors, teachers or other interested parties prior to or during the competition is prohibited.
17. Any protest must be in writing, duly signed, stating the reason, and must be delivered to the secretary on the day of the competition, together with a fee of £5 which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
18. The Executive Committee shall have power to decide all other matters connected with the conduct of the Festival not provided for in these regulations.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Implemented from 24 April 2004 Revised 2010

FULL NAME OF ORGANISATION
Blackburn Festival of Speech Music and Dance

CHAIRMAN Mrs Margaret Wilson
SECRETARY Mrs Stella Collingwood
TREASURER Mr David Bedford

VENUES Central Library and Public Halls ,Blackburn. Darwen Library Theatre.

The objects for which the Festival was established:-

To advance, promote and encourage generally and by means of the Competitive Festival Movement in particular, the study and practice of the arts of Music, Dance and Speech.

To do all such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives

The Blackburn Festival is held in the Public Halls and Central Library, Blackburn and the Darwen Library Theatre. There are Stewards on all doors to provide a safe environment for children attending the Festival. Voluntary Stewards are always available to help as required. and there is always more than one Steward in a room at any one time

It is the policy to inform and involve parents/guardians/carers and teachers in order to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe environment at the festival.

This policy relates to children under 18 years of age and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisation prior to their arrival at the Festival In recognising the needs of children from minority ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the Festival actively seeks to meet the needs notified to the Festival by parents/guardians and teachers.

All personnel connected with the Blackburn Festival are volunteers, whose details are held by the committee. This policy will be sent to all Festival volunteers before the start of the Festival to make them aware of the need to safeguard the children who are performing. Every volunteer helper is provided with a badge stating their position, and any queries can be answered by those volunteers or by a member of the committee. Every problem will be taken seriously and will be documented and dated.

All parents/guardians and teachers should be aware of their responsibilities at the Festival. All children under 18 years should be accompanied by a parent or a designated adult. They should report to the steward on arrival giving their name and class number. Parents or designated adults should be on the premises while their child is at the festival. This policy will be sent out with the competitors ticket. All competitors have free admission, other persons are required to pay a small admission charge which helps to run the Festival. This policy will be sent to group leaders in adequate numbers for each member of the group, which should be sent to parents before the Festival. The group leader will return a form to state that this has been done. Schools will be informed of the policy with the syllabus and also again with the competitors tickets.

Children at the Dance Festival will have appropriate Female, Male and Family changing facilities and the performers will be directed accordingly. The Festival volunteers are not responsible for these or any other public areas.

No photography of any kind is allowed at the Festival during performances in the Theatres. Still personal photographs are allowed in the public areas. Press photography may be permitted of trophy winners, at the discretion of the Festival committee and parents. This is stipulated in the syllabus and on notices around the halls and the entry ticket.

• The Police Act 1997:
• The Children Act 1989:
• The Data Protection Act 1998:
• The Human Rights Act 1998:
• The Protection of Children Act 1999:
• The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000:
• The Children Act 2004:
• The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

The organisers will constantly review their policy, improving and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this contact the British Federation of Festivals who will look to other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and Arts Council of England for guidance.

Any queries contact Festival Secretary — Mrs S Collingwood 01254 662249 24

The Festival is affiliated to the THE BRITISH & INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FESTIVALS for Music, Dance & Speech Patron HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Registered Charity No 222789