Bendigo Competitions Society Inc.
A.B.N. 39 787 086 224
2025 PIANO COMPETITION
General and Specific Conditions of Entry
ADJUDICATOR
Dr. Tamara Smolyar
Entries Close 23rd April 2025
COPYRIGHT – In accordance with Federal statutes competitors must use the original materials or have permission from the relevant owners of copyright to make and use copies of copyright material at this Eisteddfod. Bendigo Competitions Society Inc. will not be liable for any infringements regarding copyright.
It Is understood that by entering Bendigo Competitions, you have read, understand and agree to abide by all rules and regulations which include COVID restrictions and relevant changes.
Bendigo Competitions Society aims to hold a safe event, and your safety and that of our volunteers is paramount. Bendigo Competitions Society Committee is very excited to be able to hold this event and the Committee will work closely with teachers in ensuring that all children get the chance to perform. The Committee is aware of how enforced isolation may have some effect on group numbers and presentations – teachers please contact the Co-ordinator of your discipline if this becomes a concern.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND OUR COMPETITION, EITHER AS A COMPETITOR OR AN AUDIENCE MEMBER IF YOU ARE UNWELL – THAT IS IF YOU HAVE A COLD OR FLU, OR VIRUS LIKE SYMPTOMS or if you are awaiting results for a COVID test. A lack of understanding will not be an acceptable reason for you to attend or to remain at the competition. YOUR TOTAL CO-OPERATION IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THIS EVENT CAN OCCUR.
COVID regulations will be adhered to in accordance with government ruling at the time of the competition and any restrictions put in place by the Capital Theatre. The use of QR codes may or may not be required and you will be notified at the time of arrival – signage will indicate whether QR coding is necessary. Staff will be at the venue to assist you with signing in and updating you on current COVID-19 rules.
The below mentioned rules around hygiene, mask wearing, venue requirements, may also alter as we move through 2023 – any major changes will be noted on Bendigo Competitions Society Web page and on our Facebook page.
HYGIENE
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building. Please bring your own hand sanitizer to the event to ensure this is readily available to you.
- Masks – At the time of the competition, if masks are mandated, all people attending the theatre will be required to provide their own masks.
- Please ensure you maintain the required social distancing legislated at all times.
- No sharing of water bottles or food.
BENDIGO BANK THEATRE
Seating capacity will be subject to government legislation at the time of the competition.
- Ticket sales will primarily be on line via the Capital Theatre. People wishing to purchase tickets at the theatre would need to clarify when the ticket box will be open.
- Teachers will be issued with a pass which must be worn. Teacher passes need to be requested prior to the commencement of the competition.
- Strictly no filming or photography permitted in the theatre whilst any performer is on the stage as this is a breach of child protection laws. If a breach occurs, this will result in the competitor being disqualified and the competitor and those with him/her being removed from the facility.
- The theatre may be cleared at the end of each session to ensure seating is cleared for the next session and in order that any cleaning requirements can be adhered to.
ADJUDICATION
- Adjudication/Prizes – All competitors will reassemble on stage to hear the adjudicator's remarks and for the awarding of prizes. Competitors will form a socially distanced semi-circle around the stage area. Those awarded places will step forward.
COMMUNAL AREAS
- The foyer cannot be used as a communal area.
- In any areas that may be designated as communal areas, people need to adhere to current social distancing regulations. These areas, if any, will be monitored by COVID Marshalls and people may be asked to move on if there is concern about numbers as legislated density numbers apply.
CANCELLATION
Entries are non-refundable.
Should the Bendigo Competitions Society Inc. Competitions be cancelled due to COVID-19, a refund will be provided to entrants. A $10.00 cancellation fee will be taken from the entry costs to cover costs which the Society is obliged to pay regardless of whether the competition takes place or not.
NECESSARY CHANGES
Bendigo Competitions Society Inc reserves the right to make any changes to rules in alignment with current legislative requirements when and if required. Notification of changes will be posted on the Society Facebook page where possible.
1. RISK:
1.1 All competitors enter and perform at this competition at their own risk.
2. ENTRY:
2.1 Music Competition is open to amateurs.
2.2 Competitors are not entitled to a refund in cases of non-appearance in any section.
2.3 Refund of entry money will not be granted following registration.
2.4 A condition of entry is that an administration fee is required per family - if multiple entries are entered on one entry each family is required to pay the administration fee. The administration fee includes an emailed program to each competitor.
2.5 Age of entry is the age of the competitor as at the 1st January of the year you are entering.
2.6 If a late entry is requested and approved, there will be an additional cost of $20.00.
3. ADJUDICATOR:
3.1. The decision of the Adjudicator is final, and no discussion or correspondence can be entered into.
3.2 No person may communicate with the Adjudicator during the course of the competition.
4. MUSIC:
4.1 It is anticipated that uploading of sheet music into the Stardom System will be available and required prior to the commencement of the competition. Competitors will be notified when they are required to upload the sheet music and provided with instructions once entries are closed. If the upload system is operational, competitors should bring a hard copy of their music in case of technical issues. If the upload system is not available, competitors will be advised of this and will be required to provide a copy of the music for the adjudicator with bars numbered as well as a copy for the competitor if required at the time of booking in.
4.2 In compliance with copyright rules photocopies will not be returned to competitors.
4.3 The Society does not accept any responsibility for music books or scores, USBs, CDs or other devices not collected backstage or from the office immediately after the section finishes.
4.4 For music sections that specify AMEB/ANZCA levels, competitors may only enter the level being studied in the current year. A useful reference is the “AMEB Schedule of Syllabuses".
5. TIME LIMITS:
5.1 Competitors are to limit their items to reasonable lengths and where stated adhere to time limits. REPEATS SHOULD BE AVOIDED within an item if necessary.
5.2 The timing of an event will begin with the commencement of the music and end with the conclusion of the music. It is a condition of entries that time limits are adhered to.
6. AGE GROUPS:
6.1 Competitors may choose to enter older age groups as well as their own age group except when a section stipulates the lower age group. (e.g. 13-17 years.)
7. DUETS:
7.1 Competitors may be part of more than one duet in a section.
7.2 The same duet may only enter once in a particular section.
8. COMMUNICATION:
8.1 Communication with entrants will occur via email.
9. DISQUALIFICATION:
9.1 Any competitor incorrectly appearing in any section will be disqualified from the relevant section.
10. RESTARTS:
10.1 A competitor who stops when performing an item will be allowed to restart the item at the end of the section for a critique only. However, if the restart is caused by a technical fault in equipment or the wrong music has been played, a restart for adjudication will be allowed providing the fault is quickly corrected.
11. REHEARSALS:
11.1 No rehearsal is permitted on the stage during the Eisteddfod.
12. CANCELLATION OR COMBINATION OF SECTIONS
12.1 The Society reserves the right to cancel or combine any sections at its discretion.
13. VIDEOS, CAMERAS, PAGERS, MOBILE PHONES or other RECORDING DEVICES:
13.1 The use of these by any member of the audience is strictly prohibited in the theatre during the competition. Mobile phones and devices must be turned off while in the theatre. Offenders may be asked to leave and the competitor may be disqualified.
14. PRIZE MONEY
14.1 If the adjudicator awards an equal, and prize money is the prize or part of the prize, the prize money will be divided equally between place getters.
15. PROMOTION OF THE EISTEDDFOD:
15.1 The Society reserves the right to record, photograph, broadcast and/or telecast the whole or any part of the competition for the purpose of promotion. By submitting your entry, you have automatically granted permission for digital images or videos to be used for promotional purposes.
16. PROTESTS:
16.1 Any protests are to be made in writing within fifteen minutes of the completion of the section and to be accompanied by a deposit of $50.00. If the protest is upheld the deposit will be refunded. If the protest is not upheld the deposit will be forfeited.
17. DISPUTES:
17.1 The decision of the Society in all questions or disputes arising out of and not provided for by these conditions will be final. All entries are received subject to this proviso and shall not be subject to any appeal of law.
18. SAFETY
18.1 In the event of an emergency that requires an evacuation, patrons are required to follow the directions of authorised personnel.
19. COMPETITOR PASSES
19.1 Competitor passes will be provided to all competitors who wish to attend other sessions in their particular discipline. Competitor passes need to be displayed when entering the auditorium.