2025 INSTRUMENTAL RULES & CONDITIONS   CHECK FOR CHANGES  

ADJUDICATOR: Cathie Neal, Brisbane

DIGITAL PIANO ADJUDICATOR: Bradley Eustace, Gold Coast

1. DEFINITIONS OF BANDS

• Concert Band 13 to 80 performers: A balanced ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Acoustic string/electric bass, as per score, optional. No piano (except optional accompaniment for Beginners) or keyboard.
• Symphony Orchestra 13 to 80 performers: A full string section plus a proportional number of woodwinds, brass & percussion instruments.
• Bowed String Orchestra 13 to 80 performers: An ensemble of bowed string instruments. No piano (except optional accompaniment for  Beginners) or percussion.
• Stage Band13 to 30 performers: Repertoire must be in Jazz style. An ensemble of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section - substitute instruments may be used if necessary. Rhythm section may include keyboard, guitar (acoustic or electric), bass (acoustic or electric) and percussion (including kit). Vocalist optional.

• Band/Orchestra Classification

1. Primary Band: Level 1.5 & above repertoire.
2. Beginner Band/ Beginner String Orchestra: Level 1 & under repertoire. Piano accompanist optional.
3. A Grade: Level 3 & above repertoire.
4. B Grade: Level 2.5 & under repertoire.
5. Level must be noted on Adjudicator’s copy.

2. DEFINITION OF ENSEMBLES

1. 6 to 12 performers
2. Percussion Ensemble:combination of tuned and untuned percussion instruments only. No piano or keyboard.
3. Mixed Ensemble: combination of any instruments. Percussion & piano, as per score, optional - must be played by a member of the ensemble.
4. Guitar Ensemble: Acoustic guitars only plus optional bass guitar.
5. No backing track or accompaniment.
6. Conductor optional.

3. ENSEMBLES, BANDS, ORCHESTRAS

1. No member of one Ensemble will be permitted to perform with another Group or Ensemble in the same Section unless playing a different instrument.
2. Any Group or Ensemble entered as a School Group or Ensemble shall consist solely of current bonafide students of the class/school named.
3. No music stand banners allowed.
4. Only groups who have already competed in the relevant section may be seated in the auditorium.

       4. DIGITAL PIANO

       A Yamaha Clavinova will be supplied by the Keyboard Shop for the use of all competitors.

       Familiarisation and practice times prior to the Eisteddfod can be arranged with The Keyboard Shop. Usage of various features on the Clavinova is encouraged to enhance the performance.

       A piece cannot be played if also performed in any other Piano section.

       Copies of music scores are not required for any Digital Piano Sections but Chairperson Forms x 2 must be submitted (1 for Adjudicator).

      5. DUO/TRIO/QUARTET/QUINTET

1. A competitor may compete TWICE in a section if playing a different instrument in each.
2. No conductor.

      6. ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT SOLO: Any instrument other than Bowed Strings, Brass, Piano or Woodwind.

 A looper pedal (own amp) is allowed for an electric guitar with a 2 minute time limit to create layers.

       7. OWN CHOICE

      All Instrumental sections are Own Choice.

       8. CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE:

      A serious composition with artistic merit excluding jazz or popular idiom. Music from any century is acceptable.

       9. ACCOMPANIMENT

       Piano accompaniment or Piano only MP3 Backing Track may be used for Solo sections.

       No backing track allowed for Championship.

       J S Bach Any Instrument Solo: Unaccompanied with the exception of piano accompaniment for Sonatas.

    10. STAGE PLAN for Ensembles, Bands & Orchestras

       A completed stage plan (from last pages of Entry Book) must be submitted.

       Percussion will be pre-set, as shown on Stage Plan, & not moved, even if not using, for 18 & Under Bands & Symphony Orchestras.

    11. INSTRUMENTS PROVIDED FOR ENSEMBLES, BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS

     To avoid backstage congestion, and limit set-up time for bands, the following will be available at the Theatre. All Groups are requested not to bring these instruments:

      4 pedal timpani                       1 snare drum and stand          1 orchestral bass drum

      1 pair orchestral crash cymbals                       1 bass drum (small size for primary school Groups)    

      1 suspended cymbal   1 glockenspiel and stand        1 drum kit         1 xylophone   1 marimba

      1 vibraphone

      Stage Band: 1 electric piano /keyboard and 1 rhythm and 1 bass amp

      Guitar Ensemble:  I bass amp (if needed)

      12. PIANO SECTIONS

      An upright piano will be provided for all age Solo Sections.

       A Grand Piano will be provided for the JS Bach Solo and the Instrumental Championship only.

      INSTRUMENTAL AWARDS

      INSTRUMENTAL BURSARY & PIANO BURSARY

      Any Townsville competitor age 15 to 18 who, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, shows the most potential. Must have competed in the relevant Championship.

      AWARDS:

• Most outstanding Instrumental Item
• Most outstanding Band or Orchestra
• Most promising Pianist age 13 to 18
• Most promising Pianist age 12 & u
• Most promising String student age 13 to 18
• Most promising String student age 12 & u
• Most promising Brass student
• Most promising Woodwind student age 12 & u
• Most promising Woodwind student age 13 to 18
• Young Accompanist Encouragement age 25 & u