CENTRAL ENGLAND ENSEMBLE

CONCERTO COMPETITION

RULES

1. General

(1.1) The first round of the Competition will take place Birmingham Conservatoire on Saturday 6^th September in the presence of an audience. The first round will be with a piano accompanist

(1.2) Acceptance and participation at any stage of the Competition is at the discretion of Central England Ensemble.

(1.3) The decisions of the Adjudicating Panel shall be final and binding (including whether or not to award any prize).

(1.4) Central England Ensemble reserves the right to change either the official accompanist or members of the Adjudicating Panel should it become necessary.

(1.5) Central England Ensemble is not able to offer financial assistance to any Competitor with regard to travelling or accommodation expenses for the first round or the final of the Competition itself or the winners’ performances.

(1.6) Competitors will not receive any notes or comments, either written or verbal, from the Panel. Nor will any comments be made, either via telephone or correspondence, regarding reasons for selection or rejection of applicants at any stage.

(1.7) It is extremely important that Central England Ensemble is able to contact Competitors immediately after the closing date. Competitors must inform Central England Ensemble of any change of address and contact details.

2. Requirements

(2.1) Entries are invited from SOLO performers.

(2.2) The categories are Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Piano and Singers.

(2.3) The Competitor must be of diploma standard, or the minimum standard of Grade 8 distinction in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations.

(2.4) Competitors may be of any age and any nationality. The age of the Competitor is not taken into account at any stage of the Competition – performances are judged solely on musical merit.

3. Entries

(3.1) The entry fee of £30 (GB pounds sterling) (non-returnable) together with the Entry Form and any other relevant details (curriculum vitae, press reviews, references, etc.) must arrive at the address shown NOT LATER THAN 27/06/08. Late entries will not be considered

(3.2) Entries may be submitted at any time up to, and including, the closing date. Entries by fax or E-mail cannot be accepted, as the £30 entry fee must be received by the closing date. References may be sent separately but, must arrive by the closing date. Central England Ensemble will not accept responsibility for any items lost in the post, either from or to the Competitor.

(3.3) In the first round, a maximum of 5 Competitors will be selected by Central England Ensemble’s Music Director and Orchestral Manager as well as expert judges to take part in the final round of the Competition on 12/10/08. All Competitors will be contacted notifying them as to whether or not they have been selected to participate in the final round.

(3.4) The Competitor is requested to send, typed in English on a separate sheet of paper, up-to-date biographical details of their musical career and achievements for publication in the Competition programme , should they be selected for the final round. These may be abbreviated or edited as necessary by Central England Ensemble.

(3.5) It is recommended that photocopies, not originals, of documents and press cuttings should be sent. Please provide English translations of press reviews or any other foreign language material which is submitted.

(3.6) If the Competitor is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the Entry Form. If you are signing on behalf of the Competitor and wish all correspondence from Central England Ensemble to be addressed to you (the parent or guardian), please state clearly in the signature section of the Entry Form – otherwise all correspondence will be addressed to the Competitor.

(3.7) By signing the Entry Form, each Competitor agrees to honour every performance date that forms part of the prizes, should they be a winner.

5. At the Competition

(5.1) In the first round, each Competitor will have 20 minutes in total in which to perform their one movement of their chosen Concerto. The Panel will stop any Competitor whose programme over-runs this time limit. Each performance will be timed from the beginning of the first piece.

(5.2) The choice of music and whether or not to perform from memory is left entirely to the individual Competitor. You must submit your programme to Central England Ensemble for approval by the closing date. You must also have copies of the music for the judges at both the first round and the final.

(5.3) Competitors will have approximately 20 minutes to rehearse before their performance. An upright piano will be available in the rehearsal room.

(5.4) Only one piano will be available on stage for use during the performance so pianists will not be able to perform concertos with accompaniment.

(5.5) The official accompanist is available for a fee of £30, please tick the appropriate box on the Entry Form if required. Do not send this fee until requested. Competitors who are allocated the official accompanist will have only approximately 20 minutes (as mentioned in Rule 5.3) to rehearse immediately prior to their performance. Extra rehearsal time, before the day of the Competition, can be arranged (in Birmingham) with the official accompanist on a private basis, if required.

6. Performance Prizes

(6.1) The winner will perform their chosen concerto in full at a concert with Central England Ensemble in the Summer of 2009. The winner will receive £100 for this performance.

(6.2) The winner will perform an evening recital as part of Wednesbury Music Club’s recital series. This recital will take place between January and April 2009 on a date to be agreed between the winner and Wednesbury Music Club. The winner will receive £100 for this performance and the accompanist (if required) will also receive £100.