MIDLANDS FEIS CEOIL

JUNE 2015

SYLLABUS OF
COMPETITIONS

INDEX
Page
3

Rules and Regulations

Pianoforte Competitions
- Solo Competitions
- Duet Competitions
- Special Pianoforte Competitions

String Competitions
- Bowed Strings
- Plucked Strings
- Solo Competitions
- Duet Competitions
- Special String Competitions

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Woodwind & Brass Competitions

- Solo Competitions
- Duet Competitions
- Special Woodwind & Brass Competitions

12

Vocal Competitions
- Solo Competitions
- Duet Competitions
- Special Vocal Competitions

14

Special Awards and Bursaries

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Safeguarding/Privacy Policies

Rules and Regulations

1.

All entries must be made through the Midlands Feis Ceoil official website:
www.midlandsfeisceoil.com

2.

Each entry form submission will only be complete once your payment has
been confirmed.

3.

Entries will close on Friday 8th May 2015 at 5pm. No entries will be accepted
after this time, and any entries made after this time will not not be refunded.

4.

Entry fees will only be refunded if a competition has to be cancelled.

5.

Ages shall be reckoned from 1st June 2015. Proof of age must be produced if
required, and competitors must be under the age stated on 1st June in the year in
which the competition is taking place or as stated in the class.

6.

No candidate may enter a competition in which they were awarded the first prize
in the previous year.

7.

Competitors are not permitted to perform any individual repertoire choice in more
than one competition.

8.

Competitors will be given free admission to the session in which they compete
only.

9.

Only competitors officially submitted for entry in the programme will be allowed
to perform.

10.

Should there be a very large entry for a given class, this may be divided into
smaller sections with each being treated as a separate competition.

11.

Competitors must provide copies of own choice pieces for the adjudicator, and
these copies must be claimed at the end of the session at which they have been
used.

12.

Competitors will follow as far as possible the order set out in the programme.

13.

Only 'amateurs' shall be eligible to compete. Professional performers may not

compete in their professional subject. For the purposes of this rule, those for
whom the presentation of their subject is their sole source of income shall be
considered to be 'professional' performers. Performers who receive an occasional

stipend shall not be regarded as professional performers.

14.

Teachers are requested to adhere to the time limit as set out in the syllabus.
Where asked to play one piece, competitors should choose one short piece or
one movement of a work. (Approx. 5 minutes)

15.

Accompanists will not be provided. Competitors performing works requiring an

accompanist must arrange an accompanist themselves. Should a composition
include an accompaniment, it must be included. Details of local accompanists
can be provided on request to midlandsfeisceoil@gmail.com.

16.

(a) Prizes will be withheld if sufficient merit is not shown.

(b) Awards may be made to single entries when recommended by the
adjudicator.
(c) In all competitions prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the
adjudicator
(d) The adjudicator is empowered to terminate a performance at his/her
discretion.
(e) The adjudicators decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into,
under any circumstances.

PIANOFORTE COMPETITIONS
PIANO SOLO
Performers should present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
All competitions are numbered.
1. Under 8
2. Under 10
3. Under 12
4. Under 14
5. Under 16
6. Under 18
7. Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
SPECIAL PIANO COMPETITIONS
8. Baroque Prize (14 and over)
Presented for the best performance of a piece from the Baroque Era (1600-1750).
Candidates to present one piece, not exceeding 10 minutes.
9. Junior Piano Sonata (Under 16)
Presented for the best performance of a movement of a Classical or Romantic Sonata.
(Movement should not exceed 8 minutes)
10. Senior Piano Sonata (16 and Over)
Presented for the best performance of a movement from a Classical or Romantic Sonata.
(Movement should not exceed 10 minutes)
11. Junior Piano Repertoire (Under 16)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works. Performers
will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 10 minutes)
12. Senior Piano Repertoire (16 and Over)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works.
Performers will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 14 minutes)

PIANO DUETS
Performers should present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
All competitions are numbered.
13. Duets Under 12
14. Duets Under 14
15. Duets Under 16
16. Duets Under 18

STRING COMPETITIONS
BOWED STRINGS
*** Please note that accompanists WILL NOT be provided by Midlands Feis Ceoil.
Competitors performing pieces requiring a piano accompaniment must provide their own
accompanist. Should you require the name of a locally based accompanist please
contact Midlands Feis Ceoil as soon as possible. ***
BOWED STRING SOLO
Performers should present one piece of own choice. All competitions are numbered
17. Violin Under 8
18. Violin Under 10
19. Violin Under 12
20. Violin Under 14
21. Violin Under 16
22. Violin Under 18
23. Violin Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
24. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 8
25. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 10
26. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 12
27. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 14
28. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 16
29. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Under 18
30. Viola, Cello, Double Bass Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)

PLUCKED STRINGS
*** Please note that accompanists WILL NOT be provided by Midlands Feis Ceoil.
Competitors performing pieces requiring a piano accompaniment must provide their own
accompanist. Should you require the name of a locally based accompanist please
contact Midlands Feis Ceoil as soon as possible. ***
PLUCKED STRING SOLO
Performers should present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
All competitions are numbered.
31. Classical Guitar Under 12
32. Classical Guitar Under 14
33. Classical Guitar Under 16
34. Classical Guitar Under 18
35. Classical Guitar Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
36. Classical/Traditional Harp Under 12
37. Classical/Traditional Harp Under 14
38. Classical/Traditional Harp Under 16
39. Classical/Traditional Harp Under 18
40. Classical/Traditional Harp Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
STRING DUET
Performers should present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
All competitions are numbered.
41. String Duet Under 12
42. String Duet Under 14
43. String Duet Under 16
44. String Duet Under 18
SPECIAL STRING COMPETITIONS
45. Bach Prize (14 and over)
Presented for the best performance of a unaccompanied piece by J.S. Bach (1600-1750).
Candidates to present one piece/movement, not exceeding 10 minutes.
46. Junior String Sonata (Under 16)
Presented for the best performance of a movement of a Classical or Romantic Sonata.
(Movement should not exceed 8 minutes)

47. Senior String Sonata (16 and Over)

Presented for the best performance of a movement from a Classical or Romantic Sonata.
(Movement should not exceed 10 minutes)
48. Junior String Repertoire (Under 16)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works. Performers
will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 10 minutes)
49. Senior String Repertoire (16 and Over)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works.
Performers will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 14 minutes)

WIND AND BRASS

*** Please note that accompanists WILL NOT be provided by Midlands Feis Ceoil.
Competitors performing pieces requiring a piano accompaniment must provide their own
accompanist. Should you require the name of a locally based accompanist please
contact Midlands Feis Ceoil as soon as possible. ***
WIND AND BRASS SOLO
Open to all Wind/Brass instruments except recorder and tin whistle. Performers should
present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes) All competitions are
numbered.
50. Wind/Brass Under 12
51. Wind/Brass Under 14
52. Wind/Brass Under 16
53. Wind/Brass Under 18
54. Wind/Brass Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
RECORDER AND TIN WHISTLE
Open to all Recorders and Tin Whistle only. Performers should present one piece of own
choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes) All competitions are numbered.
55. Recorder/Tin Whistle Under 10
56. Recorder/Tin Whistle Under 12
57. Recorder/Tin Whistle Under 14
58. Recorder/Tin Whistle Under 16
59. Recorder/Tin Whistle Under 18
60. Recorder/Tin Whistle Open Solo (Grade 8 level and above)
WIND AND BRASS DUET
Performers should present one piece of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
All competitions are numbered.
61. Wind/Brass Duet Under 12
62. Wind/Brass Duet Under 14
63. Wind/Brass Duet Under 16
64. Wind/Brass Duet Under 18

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SPECIAL WIND AND BRASS COMPETITIONS

65. Junior Wind and Brass Repertoire (Under 16)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works. Performers
will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 10 minutes)
66. Senior Wind and Brass Repertoire (16 and Over)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works.
Performers will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 14 minutes)

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VOCAL COMPETITIONS
*** Please note that accompanists WILL NOT be provided by Midlands Feis Ceoil.
Competitors performing pieces requiring a piano accompaniment must provide their own
accompanist. Should you require the name of a locally based accompanist please
contact Midlands Feis Ceoil as soon as possible. ***
VOCAL SOLO
Performers should present one song of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes) All
competitions are numbered.
67. Vocal Under 10 (Any Genre)
68. Vocal Under 12 (Any Genre)
69. Vocal Under 14 Classical
70. Vocal Under 14 Musical Theatre
71. Vocal Under 16 Classical
72. Vocal Under 16 Musical Theatre
73. Vocal Under 18 Classical
74. Vocal Under 18 Musical Theatre
75. Vocal Open Solo Classical (Grade 8 level and above)
76. Vocal Open Solo Musical Theatre (Grade 8 level and above)
VOCAL DUETS
Performers should present one song of own choice. (Not to exceed 5 minutes)
77. Vocal Duet Under 14
78. Vocal Duet Under 16
79. Vocal Duet Under 18
SPECIAL VOCAL COMPETITIONS
80. Vocal Baroque Aria (16 and Over)
Presented for the best performance of a Baroque Solo Aria. (Performance not to exceed 7
minutes)
81. Lieder Competition (16 and Over)
Presented for the best performance of Lieder. Competitors to perform two contrasting
lieder by any of the following composers: Schubert; Schumann; Brahms; Wolf; Strauss
or Mahler. (Performance not to exceed 6 minutes)

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82. Junior Vocal Repertoire (Under 16)

Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works. Performers
will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 10 minutes)
83. Senior Vocal Repertoire (16 and Over)
Performers should present a programme of at least three contrasting works.
Performers will be judged on both choice of programme and overall performance.
(Performance not to exceed 14 minutes)

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SPECIAL AWARDS
(To be presented at Prizewinners Gala Concert)
Overall Instrumentalist Award and Bursary of 250
To be awarded to the instrumentalist who, according to the adjudicator, has demonstrated
the highest levels of performance and technical ability, and shows the most potential for
the future. (To be chosen from Instrumental competition winners)

Overall Vocalist Award and Bursary of 250

To be awarded to the vocalist who, according to the adjudicator, has demonstrated the
highest levels of performance and technical ability, and shows the most potential for the
future. (To be chosen from Vocal competition winners)

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SAFEGUARDING POLICY
1. PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF ORGANIZATION.
The Midlands Feis Ceoil provides a forum for amateur performance combined with an
educational element from professional musicians. The safety of children and members of
other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection
from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, responded to
swiftly and appropriately and the Festival's Organising Committee and Volunteers have a
responsibility to report concerns.
2. FEIS ENVIRONMENT.
The Midlands Feis Ceoil is normally held in a hotel environment. All children under the age
of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times; no exceptions are permitted;
For children aged 16-18 years, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that
there is adequate supervision in place. Midlands Feis Ceoil assumes no responsibility or
otherwise to your child; such responsibility remains with the parent or guardian at all times.
3. APPLICATION.
This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and members of vulnerable groups
of any age whose needs are identified to the Midlands Feis Ceoil organisers by parents,
guardians, carers and/or teachers prior to their arrival at the Festival. This should be done by
contacting the Midlands Feis Ceoil office via email to midlandsfeisceoil@gmail.com. The
Festival actively seeks to meet these needs wherever possible.
4. FEIS PERSONNEL.
Within this document, the word staff refers to officers and members of the Feis
Committee. The term volunteers refers to additional people who assist the Festival
Committee members. All vacancies for volunteers are filled on the recommendation of
committee members. Records of names, addresses and telephone numbers are held on file.
Instructions as to duties are given to volunteers prior to each Festival. All Staff will be
identified by name badges bearing the Festival logo. Anyone wearing a Badge may be
approached and will report your concerns to the appropriate person. All concerns and
problems will be taken seriously, discussed in a private area provided and documented and
dated.

5. ATTENDANCE AT THE FEIS.

This Policy is passed to all parents, guardians, carers, teachers and schools who then
become partners in implementing this Policy. It is the responsibility of parents, guardians
and carers to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are supervised at all times.
Teachers must distribute the Policy to persons having parental responsibility for each
performer under 18 or Vulnerable Adult. Persons submitting entries for performers are
required to read understand and comply with this Policy and to undertake to pass copies
of it to the parent, guardian or carer of each and every child under 18 or vulnerable adult
whom they have entered. Entries will not be accepted unless the appropriate signed
papers are returned to the Festival or in the case of Online entries through the festival

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website, the appropriate box is ticked.

6. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO RECORDINGS AND PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY.
It is our policy that no recording, other than the photography by our accredited
Photographers, will be permitted within the Performance Areas. Staff and volunteers
have been instructed to discourage any unauthorised Photography or Recording should it
be attempted. The Press are invited to take photographs and it is the responsibility of
parents, guardians and carers to ensure that their child, or child in their care, is not
photographed if they do not wish this to take place and to tell the photographer.
Photographs by Accredited Photographers will be released to the Media and may be used
on the Festival Webpages.
Contact: midlandsfeisceoil@gmail.com

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PRIVACY POLICY
Introduction
Midlands Feis Ceoil is committed to protecting your privacy. This statement discloses
what type of data we may collect and hold, how it is used and with whom the data is
shared. This Privacy Statement is applicable to data collected by Midlands Feis Ceoil.
The Privacy Statement has been established in accordance with the Data Protection Acts
1988 & 2003 along with the Statutory Instrument Number 535 of 2003 European
Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Data Protection and
Privacy) Regulations 2003 ("SI 535/2003")
Purpose of collecting Personal Data
"Personal Data" means any data related to a person that allows that person to be
identified, such as your name, age, telephone number, e-mail and mailing address. It is
necessary for us to collect, maintain and use your Personal Data in order to do the
following:
Fulfil our obligations under any sale and purchase contract and any other
contract between you and Midlands Feis Ceoil.
Facilitate and process your searches and requests for information on our
services.
Periodically provide you with information relating to Midlands Feis Ceoil
activities which may be of interest to you.
Improve our services for you.
We will use your Personal Data only for the purposes outlined above.
How do we collect Personal Data?
When you complete our online entry form, we will collect the details
supplied on the Entry Form. Please note that credit/debit card details are
neither collected nor retained by Midlands Feis Ceoil (see "Disclosure of
Personal Data").
When you fill out a contact us form online, we will keep a record of your
contact details and query.
Disclosure of Personal Data
We will not disclose Personal Data to third parties ("3Ps"), without your consent, except
in the following cases:
Personal Data may be disclosed to sub-contracting 3Ps to enable the performance of
contracts you are party to. Midlands Feis Ceoil uses other companies to perform
functions on its behalf, such as processing credit/debit card payments. Such companies
will have access to personal data needed to perform these functions, but may not use it

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for any other purpose and are required to process the data in accordance with applicable
law.
Personal Data may be disclosed to 3Ps to enable compliance with legal obligations to
which Midlands Feis Ceoil is subject.
Right of Access
You have the right to be given a copy of your Personal Data. If you would like to view
your Personal Data stored in our database, please submit a request via email to
midlandsfeisceoil@gmail.com, including proof of identification, for the attention of the
Data Administrator.
Right of Rectification or Erasure
You have the right to have your personal data corrected, if inaccurate, or erased, if there
is not a legitimate reason for retaining the data. A Request for Rectification or Erasure
should be made by email, signed and accompanied by a copy of a current identification
document (eg passport, driving license).
Links to other sites
Some website pages may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us. We
do not share your Personal Data with those websites. While we try to link only to sites
that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we are not responsible for the
content, security, or privacy practices employed by other sites and expressly disclaims
all liability associated with your use of such other sites and the content found there.
Security of Data
We intend to protect your Personal Data and to maintain its quality. We will use all
reasonable efforts to take all appropriate technical and organisational measures and
precautions to keep Personal Data secure and protected from unauthorised access, use or
alteration and unlawful destruction. These measures will be reviewed regularly.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AUDIO RECORDING; VIDEO AND

PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MOBILE TELEPHONES
Unfortunately due to the complications of copyright and performing rights requirements
and Safeguarding/Child Protection legislation it is not possible to permit the use of this
equipment in the competition halls.
In addition the Executive Committee asks for the co-operation of members of the
audience to turn off mobile phones while in the competition halls.
Mobile phones with a digital camera facility must never be in use in backstage and
dressing-room areas.

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