1. ENTRY FEES – Entry fees for all classes appear at the beginning of each section of the Syllabus. There will be no refund unless the class is cancelled by the Society. Any entries unaccompanied by full fees or not submitted on the official entry form will not be accepted.
2. AMATEUR STATUS OF COMPETITORS – The competitions are for amateurs, and are not open to professional performers. ŌProfessionalÕ means any performer who has achieved this status by qualification or experience and/or whose income and chosen career requires him or her to be recognised (classified) as a professional.
3. RESTRICTED – Means that such a class is open to any person who has not won a first prize at time of entry, in a similar section, at any previous competition/festival in New Zealand. Highland and National Dancing competitors see RULE 10.
4. AGE LIMIT – CompetitorÕs age shall be taken as at 25 June. Highland and National Dancing competitorÕs ages as at the date of competing. Every competitor under the age of 25 years shall state date of birth on their entry form. Any competitor whose age may be questioned shall produce a Birth Certificate or other evidence of age if required to do so. Competitors under the age of 5 years, will not be eligible to compete except in the following sections: Ballet, Tap, Highland & National Dancing and Speech & Drama.
5. LIABILITY – Whilst every care is taken to ensure the safety of competitors and members of the public, the Society takes NO responsibility for any unforeseen event; damage to, or loss of, personal property that may occur. Competitors undertake to compete at their own risk and are urged to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their personal property.
6. OWN SELECTIONS – Competitors must hand in a copy of their own selection items for the Adjudicator, before the commencement of the class. All copies must have the Class number, CompetitorÕs name and number, clearly marked at the top right hand corner. Copies must be collected on completion of the class. A manuscript copy may be used provided it is well written, but competitors are advised that the use of copied music for performance is an infringement of the Copyright Laws. COMPETITIORS MAY NOT PERFORM THE SAME ITEM IN TWO CLASSES IN THIS FESTIVAL IN THE SAME YEAR. See special rule for dancing. No competitor may use any Own Selection title which has won a first prize in any previous festival held by this Society during the past 3 years, except in the dancing sections.
7. ADJUDICATORS – The SAPACS Committee reserves the right to replace any advertised adjudicator due to unforeseen circumstances. The decision of the Adjudicators shall be final in ALL cases. Any Adjudicator may refuse to make an award if an item is not deemed to be of sufficient merit. Communications with the Adjudicator either by competitors, teachers or any other interested parties, either prior to or during the competition are absolutely prohibited. The committee may disqualify a competitor for any breach of this rule.
8. ORDER OF PERFORMANCE – Competitors must perform in the order set down, unless otherwise directed by the Stage Manager. All competitors in each class must be in attendance at the time stated for the class to commence. Competitors drawn to appear at different halls at the same time must advise the respective Stage Managers accordingly. Competitors in Sight-Reading Tests, Impromptu Mime, and Impromptu Dance, are required to present themselves 5 minutes before the starting time of their class. They will then be in a separate room until called by the Stage Manager or Deputy. Competitors leaving the room without being so called will not be allowed to compete.
9. TIME LIMIT – The time limit for all classes is THREE MINUTES unless otherwise stated. Competitors exceeding time limits will be penalised. The Adjudicator has the right to use the bell if the time limit is exceeded.
10. HIGHLAND AND NATIONAL DANCING – Will be conducted under the Rules of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand.
11. ACCOMPANIST – Vocal Section. An official accompanist will be provided. Competitors are responsible for arranging their own rehearsal times. (Refer page 2 for contact details). Payment of accompanist fees – Refer to Vocal Section.
12. STAGE MANAGER – All management of the stage, backstage dressing room areas, is in the hands of the Stage Manager.
13. BACKSTAGE AREA – No person other than competitors, officials and accompanists will be permitted on the side or backstage areas, with the exception of the ŌUnder 10 Dancing ClassesÕ. For these classes, the teacher of the competitor taking part in the class may be backstage. At the conclusion of his or her item, competitors MUST leave the backstage area.
14. ADMITTANCE TO HALLS – There is a door charge for all sessions of the Festival. Competitors are entitled to free-of-charge admittance to any part of the Hall, but only for the particular session in which he or she has appeared, or is to appear.
15. CHAMPIONSHIPS – Most championships in this festival are decided on points awarded for places gained in constituent events. Where this is applicable, please note that TO QUALIFY, A COMPETITOR MUST COMPETE IN ALL CLASSES SPECIFIED.
16. CUPS AND TROPHIES – Cups and trophies that are the property of the Society are held by the winner for the remainder of the competition year only. They must be returned to the Section Convenor by 01 June. The Society is NOT responsible for engraving. Competitors must return trophies undamaged and polished and will be liable for damage incurred while in their possession or in transit. A reputable silver polish only must be used.
17. PROTESTS – Must be lodged in writing to the Secretary within 24 hours of the class results being announced by the Adjudicator, accompanied by a deposit of $5. This may be forfeited if the protest is deemed frivolous or unfounded.
18. PROMPTING – No prompting or assistance of any kind may be given during a performance, except by the Adjudicator.
19. POINTS – For challenge trophies, points awarded shall be: First Place – Five, Second Place – Three, Third Place – One. In the event of a tie on points, award to be decided on aggregate marks. Rule 20 will be actioned. In the event of a tie in placings in a class, points will be awarded as follows: Four points each for First equal, One point to next placed competitor. Two points each for Second equal and no Third. Half a point each for Third equal. In the event of a tie in placings in a class, placings will be awarded as follows: First equal – No Second, but there will be a Third. Second equal – No Third. Third equal – No Very Highly Commended.
20. PRIZES – Generally, for a First Prize there must be at least five entries in a class. However, if the Adjudicator considers the standard of performance is worthy of a prize being awarded, the competitors will be placed accordingly. In the event of a tie for First, the First and Second prize money (where applicable) will be divided equally and no second place shall be awarded. For Junior classes, in the event of only three in a class, a third place medal MAY be awarded. In classes of 15 or more competitors, a fourth place medal MAY be awarded.
21. PRIVACY ACT/RECORDING: Competitors please note that winnerÕs names will be posted on our website, and may be published in local newspapers etc. By submitting your entry, you agree to your name being published should you receive an award. Generally, a competitor may arrange for his or her performance to be recorded by an audience member, but please check rules for each individual section. You are reminded that IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES may you record, on any device, another performer without their permission. Flash photography is not allowed DURING an item. Please use tripods with consideration for the audience and note that the adjudicatorÕs view must not be obscured. The AdjudicatorÕs verbal summary comments MAY NOT BE RECORDED by any means.
22. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE reserves to itself the right of determining the status of all competitors and applying and interpreting all the Rules. The decision of the Committee is final.