Rules & Regulations

Who May Perform

The Stratford & East London Music Festival is open to amateurs only, except the Open Classes which are also open to professionals. An amateur is considered as one who does not derive the main part of their income from the subject entered. Students under 19 years of age are considered to be amateurs for the purposes of the competitions.

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION ON AGE LIMITS: Where age limits apply, they refer to the age the competitor will be on 31st August 2025 (the end of the academic year), thereby making the 'xx years and under' categories more relevant to individual entrants than they were previously. For example, children who turn 11 during the 2024-25 academic year may perform in classes for 11 years and under; those turning 17 may perform in classes for 17 years and under, and so on. For group entries, the class is determined by the age of the oldest competitor in the group, unless the class is 'Open'.

Unless otherwise stated, competitors may perform once only in each class, except in duet, trio or ensemble classes where a competitor may perform more than once, provided that a different part is performed. Solo competitors may not enter a class if, for three consecutive years, they have been the winner of that class. Solo competitors may not enter a class if they have received tuition from the adjudicator in the last two years. Conductors may not sing with their choirs.

How To Enter

Entries may be made online at www.playandperform.co.uk/selmf. This link is also accessible via our
website at www.stratfordmusicfestival.org.uk.

All entries must be received by 31st December.

Entry fees cannot be returned except for classes cancelled by the decision of the committee. The trustees are prepared to offer limited assistance with travel costs in the case of hardship for Junior and Infant School Choirs only. Please contact the Festival Secretary.

Data Protection

Under the terms of GDPR, the Stratford & East London Music Festival undertakes not to pass on any information about competitors or members, and to use such information only for the purpose of the Festival.

Before The Event

Information will be sent to competitors at least ten days before the date of the competition. The committee reserves the right to limit, cancel or subdivide any class, or to combine two similar classes, or to transfer classes from one day to another. In exceptional circumstances, there may be a change of adjudicator.

The Performance

Only stewards, performers and their accompanists will be guaranteed access to the performing
area. Copies of 'own choice' pieces must be handed to the adjudicator's steward before their
performance. The festival is bound by copyright law and cannot allow tape, video, mobile phone or
any form of recording equipment to be used during performances. It is in breach of copyright and is
an offence. The individual as well as the festival may be fined. In the large group competitions held
at St Mary's Church, photographs may be taken of the group at the end of each performance,
provided that this complies with parents' wishes and/ or the individual school's policy on this matter.
In all other sections, only officials of the Festival may take photographs. Please refer to the Child
Protection Policy for further information.

Adjudication

The adjudicators' decisions are final. Awards may be withheld if, in the opinion of the adjudicator, sufficient merit is not shown. No entrant, teacher or interested party may discuss any aspect of the festival with an adjudicator before, during or after classes, except at the invitation of the adjudicator. Adjudications and certificates are normally available at the end of each class. Competitors who do not perform at the scheduled time will not receive any marks.

Marking System

First prize winners, who gain 84% or above, are awarded either trophies or medals. In classes where there are ten or more entries, a second place medal is awarded. The British and International Federation of Festivals has agreed the following descriptors for use by adjudicators, and certificates will be awarded as follows:

Exceptional: 95%+ - A superlative performance, displaying exceptional artistic individuality
Outstanding: 90% to 94% - An impressive performance technically and artistically, displayin spontaneity and clear individuality
Honours: 85% to 89% - An excellent performance, demonstrating fluent technical and artistic skill with emerging individuality
Commended: 80% to 84% - A competent performance, showing some artistic awareness and/or technical ability
Merit: 75% to 79% - A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/ or technical ability
Progressing: 70% to 74% - A performance showing development of technique and/ or communication and commitment
Developing: 65% to 69% - A performance demonstrating an awareness of technical skills, requiring more consistency and artistry

Time Limits

Time limits must be observed. If a competitor chooses to introduce their item, this must be included in the overall time limit where set. The performance may be stopped if the time limit is exceeded.

Own Choice Pieces

Full details of the title and composer/ author of 'own choice' items must be shown on the entry form. Any competitor who does not perform their stated choice will receive adjudication but will NOT receive marks or a certificate or be eligible for an award, or any prize. Any competitor who fails to provide a copy of their 'own choice' piece will receive adjudication but will NOT receive marks or a certificate.

Competitors may not perform the same 'own choice' in more than one class - except for Millennium Classes.

For Speech & Drama competitors, it is not necessary to seek copyright permission to perform poetry, prose or solo dramatic items. Competitors entering duologues and group dramatic activity classes must contact publishers for permission to perform and pay the required fee. Competitors must produce evidence of copyright clearance. Items must be announced with title and author at the time of performance. Words or gender of a character must not be changed.

For Music competitors, if the 'own choice' composition is from a large publication and the piece is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of the adjudicator. The copy will be retained and destroyed after the competition. The accompanist should always be given a printed copy of the music. Music which has been downloaded from the internet must be accompanied by the permission statement which accompanies the music.

Accompanist

The availability of an official accompanist is subject to competitors stating on the entry form that they require this service. There is an additional fee and this must be sent with the entry. It is generally possible to have a short run-through in the hour preceding the class. Most music can be handed to the accompanist on the day of the competition. More advanced pieces (eg Lieder, Recital and Grade 5 and above) should be sent to the Entries Secretary, SELMF, 113 Prospect Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 7ND. The accompaniments supplied must be in the correct key. The use of a backing track is acceptable provided that it does not infringe any copyright restrictions.

Trophies

Trophies and/ or medals will normally be presented after the class. Trophies which are awarded for the highest marks in a particular section will be presented during the Young Musician Competition. All cups and trophies remain the property of the Stratford & East London Music Festival. They are held by the winners for eleven months and must be returned before 10 January. Winners must sign for receipt of the cup or trophy. Winners are required to enter into a bond of safe custody of the cup or trophy and to bear the cost if they wish to have their names engraved on it.

Admission To Competitions

Competitors and their accompanists are admitted without charge. Children of school age and competitors' music/ drama teachers are admitted without charge. Friends of the Stratford & East London Music Festival are admitted without charge. Other visitors will be required to pay a small fee for admission.

Queries

If you require further clarification of any of the rules and regulations, please contact the Festival Secretary. If you have a query concerning a particular section of the festival, please contact the convenor whose name and telephone number appears at the beginning of that section.

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