Paul Watson Memorial Festival Rules
Entry is deemed to be an acceptance of these rules. Please ensure you have read the Festival’s Child Protection Policy and our new approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone contained in the Syllabus.
By completing the entry form and signing the summary form all teachers of entrants under 18 (or vulnerable adults of any age) confirm that they have obtained the necessary consents for the entrants to take part in the Festival.
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1 Age to be taken as at 1st September. In Duets and Groups the age of the oldest competitor determines the age group. Proof of age may be required.
2 The committee reserves the right to restrict entries and to split or combine classes if necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Festival
3 Entrants may perform not more than once in their own age group for each Solo section and for each technique in Duet & Trio sections, but may perform three times in their own age group for each technique in a Group or Troupe section. A minimum of five dancers constitutes a small Group or Troupe or 10 dancers in a Large Group.
4 Entrants must dance in the correct programme order, report to the stage officials ten minutes before they are due to dance and be ready in the wings before their number is announced. Absentees risk disqualification. Infringements/queries should be brought to the attention of the Festival Secretary.
5 The Adjudicators decision is final, no discussion or correspondence concerning any decision may ensue. The Adjudicator may not award a place when in his or her opinion the standard is not sufficiently high or when individuals infringe the rules.
6 Communication with the Adjudicator concerning any matters relating to the competition by entrants, teachers or other interested parties prior to or during the competition is prohibited and may lead to disqualification.
7 The stage and wings are out of bounds to all except authorised persons and competitors about to perform. Authorised persons include one assistant from each school who may accompany children under 8 years, and other age groups for the purpose of props etc
.8 The Festival does not accept liability for the infringement of copyright, recording or performance rights arising out of any entrant’s accompaniment or performance. It contributes to a group licence to cover payment of fees for the use of recorded music at its events. Teachers and choreographers using CD’s created from commercial recordings are advised that they are themselves responsible for seeking permission to record from the recording companies concerned.
9 Music must be provided via the schools principals via a Google Drive folder link or similar. Please bring a back up CD marked with the performers name & class number. There must be only one track per disc. All discs must be in a protective cover.
10 Pre-recorded music in Song and Dance sections must not include singing or chanting. Pre-recorded music used in Tap sections must not include any recorded tap or similar sound effect. The quality of the recordings will be taken in to account.
11 Pointe work is not allowed for competitors under 13 years in solo sections.
12 Fixed taps (single sound) only may be used for tap dancing.
13 Time limits must not be exceeded.
14 The girls changing room will be out of bounds to all men including male dance teachers. If a father/male guardian has to accompany his daughter he must ask a Festival Official for alternative dressing accommodation. Equally females will not be allowed to enter the boys changing room. Boys under 8 years of age will be allowed in the girls changing room. Any other gender related issues should be brought to the attention of the organiser prior to the commencement of the Festival so suitable arrangements can be made.
15 Teachers will be responsible for distributing a copy of our Child Protection Policy to all parents/guardians of children taking part in the Festival. This policy is clearly avaiable via the PWMF website.
16 All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must be supervised at all times.
17 Unreasonable/unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification and future entries may be refused.
18 It is the Teachers responsibility to make sure that any equipment or stage props used by their school during the Festival have been safety checked and are appropriate for the dance being performed.
19 The use of all audio or visual recording equipment including mobile phones at any time during the Festival is strictly forbidden.
20 All electrical equipment brought into the building i.e. CD players, I Pads, phones etc must be PAT tested if plugged into the main
electrical supply otherwise they must be battery operated.
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