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Competition Rules

A) Eligibility & Entries

  • Who may enter:

    • Learners currently enrolled in Grades 8–12 at South African public or independent schools

 

  • Divisions:

    • Contemporary Band

    • Original Music

    • Jazz Ensemble

    • Choir & A Cappella.
       

      • Schools may enter multiple divisions if the schedule allows
         

 

  • Single-school representation:

    • Performers ordinarily represent one school only (combined or “multi-school” acts need written approval). Similar restrictions are common in school competitions to keep representation clear
       

  • Entry caps & waitlist:

    • Each division has a capacity; once full, entries move to a waitlist in timestamp order

 

  • Substitutions:

    • Permitted up to the final admin deadline; after that, like-for-like substitutions only (e.g., drummer for drummer) at Stage Management’s discretion

 

  • Withdrawals:

    • Follow the dates/fees policy in the Competitor Handbook (admin cut-off; no-show policy)

B) Repertoire & Licensing
 

  • Repertoire freedom:

    • Covers and originals are welcome
       

  • Set lists required:

    • Schools must submit accurate set lists (titles/composers/arrangers) for royalty reporting
       

  • Public-performance licensing:

    • The event holds a SAMRO licence covering public performance; set-list reporting is compulsory under SAMRO’s music-user framework. Originals remain the creators’ property
      ​​

  • Arrangements:

    • If you perform a custom arrangement of a copyrighted work, ensure you have rights to perform it (publisher permission where applicable)
       

  • Appropriateness:

    • Lyrics and themes must be suitable for a school audience

C) Set Lengths & Timekeeping

  • To keep the event fair and flowing, time limits are enforced (this mirrors common festival practice)
     

  • Contemporary Band: 8–12 minutes

  • Original Music: 8–12 minutes

  • Jazz Ensemble: 8–10 minutes

  • Choir & A Cappella: 5–7 minutes
    ​

  • Penalties:

    • 0:15–1:00 over/under = small deduction

    • 1:00–2:00 = larger deduction

    • >2:00 = disqualification risk at the Chief Judge’s discretion
      (published rubric applies)

D) Backing Tracks, Clicks & Electronics

  • Backing Tracks:
    Backing tracks are allowed for Choir and, where stylistically appropriate, Band/Original but no lead vocals are permitted on the track)
     

  • File delivery:

    • Submit tracks in WAV/AIFF in advance

    • MP3 files are discouraged
       

  • Clicks/guides:

    • Must be isolated to a monitor/IEM feed

    • No click in the front-of-house mix
       

  • Electronics:

    • Keyboards, samplers, pads and laptops are allowed if they fit within the published input limits

E) Instrumentation, Inputs & Stage Plots

  • House festival backline is supplied:

    • drum kit

    • bass/guitar amps where practical

    • Vocal mics/stands

    • DIs

    • Wedges/IEM support
       

  • Bring your essentials:

    • Instruments

    • Pedals/DI/Keys

    • Sticks

    • Spares

    • IEMs
       

  • Stage plot & input list:

    • Due by the published deadline

    • Unusual inputs must be pre-approved
       

  • Changeovers:

    • Strictly stage-managed to keep the show on time

    • Late readiness can reduce playing time (time rules in Section C apply).

    • Timed changeovers are standard in adjudicated festivals

F) Student Tech Crews (Optional) & Production Scoring

  • Optional student crews:

    • Schools may bring a student sound/lighting team to program scenes and mix under supervision
       

  • Production points:

    • Only acts using their own supervised student crew are eligible for production points (e.g., FOH balance, cueing, lighting looks, transitions).

    • Acts using the house crew are not scored on production.
       

  • Fair-use limits:

    • Student crews must operate within the event’s patch plan and changeover window

G) Judging & Scoring

  • ​​Adjudication criteria mirror widely used school-festival frameworks (musicality + category-specific elements). 
     

  • Common criteria across divisions:

    • Musicality & Ensemble:

      • Tuning/intonation

      • Rhythm

      • Balance

      • Blend

      • Tightness
         

    • Arrangement & Interpretation:

      • Structure

      • Dynamics

      • Originality

      • Insight
         

    • Performance & Communication:

      • Stagecraft

      • Audience impact

      • Confidence
        ​

  • Category-specific:

    • Jazz:

      • time feel/swing

      • Improvisation quality

      • Style authenticity
         

    • Choir:

      • Blend

      • Diction

      • Phrasing

      • Vowel unity
        ​

    • Original Music:

      • Songwriting craft (lyrics/melody/harmony)

      • Coherence
         

  • Scoring & feedback:

    • Each act receives numerical scores + written comments from multiple adjudicators. 
       

  • Ties are broken by:

    • (1) category-specific subtotal, then

    • (2) overall musicality subtotal, then

    • (3) Chief Judge’s call
       

  • Adjudicator interaction (e.g., quick clinic/feedback) may occur as time permits

H) Content, Conduct & Stage Etiquette

  • Language & themes:

    • Family-appropriate

    • No profanity, discrimination or hate speech (applies to lyrics, visuals and gestures)
       

  • Stage etiquette:

    • Be ready at marshal call

    • Keep cables tidy

    • Follow stage-manager cues

    • Acknowledge judges/audience briefly to maintain schedule
       

  • Props/Costumes:

    • Allowed if quick to set/strike and safe

    • No confetti, liquids, powders or substances that risk equipment damage

I) Awards & Special Recognitions

  • Division awards:

    • Winner and podium placements in each division
       

  • Cross-cut awards:

    • E.g.:

      • Best Vocalist

      • Best Instrumentalist

      • Best Original Song

      • Audience-Choice
         

  • Production award:

    • Recognises the highest production score achieved by a student-run act (see Section F)
       

  • Adjudicators’ commendations:

    • At judges’ discretion for standout moments (arrangement, improvisation, interpretation).

J) Results, Appeals & Recording

  • Results posting:

    • Finalists/placings are posted on the our official socials and online channels after verification
       

  • Appeals:

    • Only the teacher-in-charge may lodge a written appeal within 30 minutes of result posting

    • Appeals address procedure/scoring arithmetic, not artistic opinion
       

  • Recording/broadcast:

    • The organiser may record/stream performances

    • Schools/learners grant non-exclusive permission for event coverage. (This sits alongside SAMRO set-list reporting in Section B.)

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