Competition Rules & Regulations

The rules and regulations apply to all contestants of APHF 2010 Harmonica Competitions. By participating in APHF2010 Competitions and/or by submitting an entry, all contestants agree to the rules and regulations listed below.

Terminology:

Contestant refers to any individual participating in the competition
Category refers to the seven harmonica competition categories
Class refers to the age restrictions for each competition category.

Section A: Eligibility to enter the Competition

In order to be eligible to enter the competition, each contestant is required to purchase their individual Festival Pass first before registering for the competition.

Section B: Age Restrictions / Eligibility for Each Class

Competition_Age_Groups

Section C: Competition Categories and Class

Competition Category	Class
Competition Category	Junior	Youth	Senior	Open
(1) Traditional Tremolo Harmonica Solo	*	*	*	*
(2) Creative Tremolo Harmonica Solo				*
(3) Chromatic Harmonica Solo	*	*	*	*
(4) 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica Solo				*
(5) Harmonica Trio	*	*		*
(6) Harmonica Ensemble	*	*		*
(7) Harmonica Orchestra	*	*	*	*

Please note:

The following Tremelo Harmonica is classified as Traditional Tremelo Harmonica:

Tremelo Harmonica tuned in Major Scale
Tremelo Harmonica tuned in Harmonic Minor Scale
Tremelo Harmonica tuned in Natural Minor Scale

The use of Tremelo Harmonica in other forms besides those listed above would be categorised as Creative Tremelo Harmonica.

Creative Tremolo Contestants are required to submit their Harmonica Music Chart indicating the amendment which they have made to the Harmonica.

There are 2 additional category added for Junior Harmonica Trio and Junior Harmonica Ensemble Category. The competition fee will be the same as the Youth Harmonica Trio. However, if the number of groups from the Junior Harmonica Trio and Junior Harmonica Ensemble category who signs up for the competition is less than 15, the Junior group will be assigned to the Youth competition group category.

Section D: Number of categories allowed per contestant

Each contestant is allowed to participate in more than one competition category but not more than once in the same competition category with the same type of harmonica. This means that for Categories 5 to 7, if you are participating in two entries in, say, Harmonica Trio, the type of harmonica you are using should not be the same for both entries.

Section E: Number of contestants per entry

Section F: Accompaniments

Section G: Time Limit

For preliminary round competition in all the competition categories, the playing time for each entry is limited to 3 minutes.
For final round competitions in all the competition categories, the playing time for each entry is limited to 8 minutes.

A word of advice - Judges can usually tell how good you are from just the first few notes you play. There are no extra marks for quantity and it is easier to keep a short piece interesting. It may also help to choose a piece with scope for you to show some variety in your playing.

Section H: Scheme of competition

All competition categories, with the exception of Category 7 (Harmonica Orchestra), will be cancelled if the number of entries is less than five for each age class.

There will be no preliminary round if the number of entries in a competition category and class is less than ten, i.e. contestants in each entry will proceed directly to the finals.

The number of entries in the final round of each category and age class is at the discretion of the organisers. They are determined based on the number of entries in each preliminary round, and are not fixed across all categories and age class.

To facilitate the judging task, contestants in each entry may submit 5 sets of music notes to the judge panel on the day of their competition. Contestants are responsible for the copyright issue of the music.

Section I: Judging Standard

Judging criteria and their weightage are as follow:

Musicianship 40%

Technique 40%

Difficulty 10%

Stage Manner 10%

Competitions will be judged by at least 5 judges. The final score of an entry is the average of the remaining scores given by the judges after removing the highest and lowest score.
Example:



If two entries have the same average score after removing the highest and lowest score, the winning entry will be the one with the higher average score of the 5 scores. In the example below, Entries 1 and 2 have the same average score after removing the highest and lower score. In this case, the final score shall be determined by taking the average of the 5 scores, and Entry 1 is the winner.

Contestants who disagree with the competition results should raise it in writing within one hour from the announcement of results to the competition chair. Decision from the judge panel leader shall be final after thorough investigation and discussion.

Section J: Prizes

The top three entries of each category shall be awarded a trophy and certificate.

Section K: Facilities provided in Competition Venues

The organiser will provide amplification up to a maximum of 8 microphones. No external amplification, except attached built-in microphone for bass and chord, is allowed.

Sufficient musical stand and chairs will be provided.

One upright piano will be provided for accompaniment purpose.

Section L: Others

There will be no refund for withdrawing from the competition.

Any changes in particulars (including music) of registration form must be made known to the organizer by e-mail before 31st May 2010.

The organizer reserves the right to amend, withdraw or revise these rules and regulations including the prizes at any time without notice and in such event, the organizer shall not bear any liability whatsoever. Persons who do not comply with these rules and regulations may be disqualified at the organizer’s absolute discretion.

In the event of any dispute concerning the operation of any element of APHF or the rules and regulations, the decision of the Organizer is final.

Musicianship	40%
Technique	40%
Difficulty	10%
Stage Manner	10%

Competition Rules & Regulations

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