1. The Festival proceedings shall be under the management of the Markham Music Festival Committee.
2. All matters not dealt with in these rules shall be referred to the Music Festival Committee, whose decisions on such matters shall be final and binding for all concerned.
3. No age limit will be imposed except where indicated. Age is as of January 1, .
4. All competitions shall be open to amateurs only, unless otherwise stated. An amateur is one whose principal means of livelihood is not obtained from the profession of music.
5. Present or current students of the chosen adjudicators may not enter.
6. Pieces for all graded classes (other than Age Achievement classes) must be chosen from the Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabi - Celebration Series, Perspectives 2008 edition or 2015 edition, or the Conservatory Canada syllabus.
7. Any piece which is not fully stated on the entry form will be disqualified and a refund will be made.
8. Pieces for Age Achievement Classes, Duet Classes, Concerto Classes and Class 50 need not be chosen from the Royal Conservatory or the Conservatory Canada Syllabus.
9. Contestants must perform the piece or pieces as stated on the Entry Form.
10. Test pieces should be played without repeats, with the exception of DaCapo.
11. All Solo and Concerto pieces must be performed from memory in order to qualify for a mark or receive an award. This rule does not apply to duets/duos.
12. Contestants must supply original copy of the music for the use of the Adjudicator. Failure to do so will result in a penalty deduction of 5 marks.
13. No photocopy is allowed.
14. A test piece cannot be used in more than one class.
15. Contestants Graded 1 - 10 may not enter the grade they have already passed, prior to August 31st, 2016.
16. Contestants may not enter the same class in which they won in previous years with the exception of Age Achievement Classes, Duet Classes and Concerto Classes.
17. Contestants for Age Achievement Classes, Duet/Duo Classes and Concerto Classes may not enter more than ONE age level.
18. Contestants who have not been included in examination systems may play only class pieces within a 3 grade level.
19. Contestants may enter only once in each class.
20. Entries must be received fully completed with cheque for entry fees by January 18, 2017. All entry forms received after that date will be disqualified and refunds made. No receipt for fees will be issued. Entry fees are non-refundable.
21. No special scheduling will be considered.
22. Class changes are not permitted.
23. At the adjudicator's discretion, the performance of repertoire may be interrupted when an assessment of the performance has been reached.
24. The decision of the adjudicator must be accepted as final.
25. The contestants must arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled class.
26. No competitor may approach the adjudicator. This may result in disqualification. No teacher or member of the public may speak to the adjudicator. Necessary questions from a competitor must be directed to the officials. Any complaints must be sent to the committee in writing within 48 hours.
27. No rehearsing on location is permitted.
28. Classes may be divided or combined at the discretion of the Festival Committee.
29. Any competitor may be asked to perform at the gala concert and should be prepared to play the piece chosen by the selection committee.
30. Entry fees cannot be refunded, except under circumstances where the entry is rejected by the Festival Committee.
31. The Music Festival Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.
32. Cell phones and all other electronic devices must be turned off during sessions.
33. Audio/video recording and flash photography are prohibited during sessions.
34. A mark of at least 85% must be gained to obtain first place.
35. Trophy and Scholarship winners will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators.