Rules and Conditions of Entry
Eligibility to enter/perform
1. All sections are open to all amateur competitors.
An amateur is defined as “not professional”– i.e. not deriving a significant proportion of his/her total annual income from teaching or performing in that field, or having been so employed in the previous ten years. It is possible that a person deemed to be professional in one section of the Eisteddfod may be considered an amateur in another section, e.g. a flute teacher could not perform in the instrumental sections but could potentially perform in the Speech section if not also a professional in that field.
Because of the importance of Eisteddfod competitions in the artistic development of young performers, students under the age of 17, registered in fulltime academic studies, are deemed to be amateurs.
Special rules apply to performers in the Seniors (50 Plus) sections - where professional teachers in the field who are no longer performing professionally are encouraged to keep up their performing skills by taking part as competitors.
2. Only the person named on the Official Entry Form may perform in the event listed in the programme.
Substitutions “for performance only” may be requested where one member of a duo or small group is unable to perform due to illness or a reason considered legitimate by the Section Coordinator, and if agreed to by the adjudicator.
3. Any competitor who has been taught, coached or advised by an adjudicator in the six months prior to the opening date of the current Eisteddfod shall be ineligible to compete in the section(s) judged by that adjudicator. In the rare case that a scheduled adjudicator is unable to take part (e.g. because of illness) the Eisteddfod should be notified of potential problems with this rule, so that they may attempt to resolve the situation for a particular competitor.
4. No competitors may enter the SAME section more than once IN THE SAME ROLE.
Instrumental/Choral Groups
Bona fide members of two different choirs or orchestras may perform in those competing groups. No more than 20% of any two groups may be the same people.
In the case of Small Ensembles (3-4 performers) no more than 1 person may be common to 2 groups. In Small Ensembles (5-8 performers) the maximum number of overlap is 2 performers.
Instrumental Solo Specific
Special rules apply to Instrumental Section Solos. For example, one competitor playing oboe may also enter the same section playing saxophone: this would be classed as 2 separate entries. A maximum of 2 entries can be made in this way and normally the adjudicator would only consider the better of the two performances for inclusion in the prizewinning list for the section.
Dance Groups Specific
Dance groups: a competitor may appear in two different groups in the same section, but the composition of the group must be different: for example, a trio may not call itself by a different name and perform twice in one section.
In any one event, no School or Dance Academy may enter more than two groups per age or class.
In the case where a school enters 2 groups in the 1 section only 50% of the dancers can perform in the 2nd group.
Winners of a dance scholarship may not enter this Section for 2 years.
Choice of Item and Provision of Music
5. No competitor may perform the same item in more than one section except where indicated.
6. Competitors in Speech, Instrumental and Vocal (except amplified vocals) sections with “own choice” material must provide a complete and legible (unmarked) copy of the material for the adjudicator,
either
handing it to the Registration Desk immediately before the commencement of their section ,
OR
uploading a scanned copy during Preregistration
Material submitted in this way will be returned to competitors at the end of the section if it is an original or an authorised photocopy. APRA requires the Eisteddfod to destroy all unauthorised copies (paper or digital) at the conclusion of the events.
Note: Bands & Ensembles must provide the complete score. Piano reductions are not acceptable.
7. All competitors using the Official Accompanist must send a second, performance-quality copy of their music to the accompanist.
Authorised photocopies and original published copies will be returned to the competitors at the conclusion of the section.
Dance Specific
- All competitors should provide a suitable CD at the registration table.
- Music with vocals may be used for any item except song-and-dance.
- The competitor’s dance music for that event only must be on the CD (The sound technicians will refuse to play any which have multiple tracks).
- The CD must be cued ready to play when handed in to the registration table.
- Please have a back-up copy in case of loss or malfunction of the original disc
Age / Eligibility Sections
8. Age is determined as at June 30th of the current year. Proof of age may be requested.
9. OPEN sections are for any age but are still restricted to amateurs.
Dance Specific
All Full Time Dance Students who do not attend a Dept of Education/Private School MUST enter the Open age Sections (applies also to groups).
First time dance entrants in Ryde Eisteddfod, please bring a copy of birth certificate.
All Dance Groups entered MUST only have competitors who conform to the age of the Group NOTE: We do not accept an 'average age' of the Group as other Eisteddfods may do.
10. Specifications of age restrictions vary across the Eisteddfod categories. It is the responsibility of the person lodging the entry form to ensure that the competitor is in the correct age group and satisfies the restrictions applying to a particular event
Vocal Specific - Scholarship Minimum Age
While these events (110 A,B) have a minimum age requirement it is possible for a younger age competitor to apply to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to take part. Evidence needs to be supplied that the entrant has sufficient musical maturity and that performance in these events would be of special benefit in the entrant's vocal career.
Instrumental Specific
Limited sections (strings only) are open to solo competitors who have not won a first prize as soloist playing the same instrument in any Eisteddfod by the time of the closing date for entries in the current year.
Speech Specific
RESTRICTED sections (set piece verse sections only ) are open to solo competitors who have not won a first prize as soloist in any Eisteddfod by the time of the closing date for entries in the current year.
NOVICE sections are open to solo competitors who have not previously entered ANY speech event in any Eisteddfod by the time of the closing date for entries in the current year. They are eligible to enter other events.
‘School Age’ Classification
In all sections with age restrictions specified as “Secondary School Age ” no competitor may be of an age greater than that generally considered normal for secondary schooling. A small proportion of the players may be of younger age than specified. A similar ruling applies to the age restriction “Primary School Age”.
Restrictions of Availability
11. When lodging an entry, please indicate if a certain time or date is unsuitable for the contestant. Include this information under "Timing Request"(ONLINE) or clearly written on a paper entry. The programmers will make every effort to accommodate the request if at all possible, provided that the request is considered reasonable (i.e. an alternative time requested from the listed Likely Dates published for that year by the Eisteddfod.) Special efforts will be made for entrants in multiple sections if a clash occurs within the Ryde Eisteddfod programming. Refunds are possible in some cases where reasonable timing requests have not been met - but the entrant should contact the eisteddfod within two weeks of the first online publication of the timetable of events.
12. After the programme is printed, there can be no requests for change. Only in exceptional circumstances will this be considered and the request must be in writing (email or paper)
Performance
13. All competitors must perform in their allotted programme order or they forfeit their right to compete, except where prior arrangements have been made with the Section Coordinator of the Ryde Eisteddfod. Latecomers may be permitted to perform.
14. The adjudicator’s decision is always final.
15. No communication is to be made with the adjudicator at any time prior to or during the section. Disqualification may result from an infringement of this rule.
16. Time limits must be observed. Time is calculated from the opening word of a speech item, or the first note of music. Penalties will be applied to those exceeding the time limit. How this is dealt with by adjudicators will vary, but anyone not abiding by the set time limits risks complete disqualification.
Instrumental Specific
Instrumentalists wishing to perform legitimately longer works should read the rules governing the purchase of an ETC (Extra Time Coupon), which is available in SOME events in the Eisteddfod Instrumental sections (indicated by an * in the title)
17. No competitor is allowed to rehearse in the Ryde Eisteddfod’s venues.
18. No teacher or parent will be allowed on stage during a performance except in the capacity of conductor or accompanist. A teacher or parent may assist very young children or disabled competitors in getting themselves ready for a performance and assist at the conclusion of a performance.
19. The use of cameras, video and recording devices is prohibited during any performance at the Ryde Eisteddfod. Breaches of this rule may attract legal penalties for copyright infringement, and result in disqualification. Persons seeking permission to record performances, please see "Photographs & Videos" Information. Photographs of prize presentations may be permitted at end of sections.
Dance Specific
An official (commercial video-taping service) is provided in Dance sections for the performer only, if requested
Designated Videographers
Some convenors may allow a 'designated videographer' role - available to ONE parent or accompanying adult for each competitor in solo performances. They need to register at the desk when the competitor's attendance is noted - and need to observe the restrictions put in place by the convenor. These recorded videos are for private use only - not for publication.
20. No prompting, coaching or assistance of any kind shall be given during a performance except that offered by the adjudicator. Breach of this rule will result in disqualification.
21. Entrants at eisteddfod functions take part at their own risk. The eisteddfod does not accept responsibility for any accident or personal loss or injury, however caused.
Entries
22. All entries must be made Online OR on the official entry form (available online or in the printed syllabus). They must be accompanied by full and correct entry fees (teachers with multiple entries may attach a separate sheet). For teachers making a large number of entries there will be the option of making a "Volume Users Entry" in spreadsheet format, available online from the front menu.
23. Every entrant will receive an email copy of the official entry form being submitted to the Eisteddfod and should keep this copy for their records. This contains a unique order/invoice number which will be referred to for identification. This order number gives entrants access to the timetabling information online 2-3 weeks after the closing date of entries.
24. All entrants making paper entries MUST have registered, hence have an Eisteddfod Username and Password which is included on the Entry Form - or provide a clearly completed MANUAL REGISTRATION form so that they may be registered for the year.
25. All paper entrants without an email address will be given a temporary Eisteddfod email account and will pay a small surcharge on entry to cover the postage and handling of the invoice information being sent to them.
26. ALL ENTRIES ARE RECEIVED ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS AND RULES OF THE RYDE EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE AS STATED ABOVE AND ARE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE ENTRANT’S CONSENT AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES.