General Rules & Regulations

  1. Springboard is a festival for AMATEUR PERFORMERS. For this purpose, an amateur is defined as  one who is in full-time or higher education or one who does not derive their main income from performance or teaching of the subject of the class for which the entry is made. Professionals may only participate as accompanists or conductors or where otherwise specifically stated.
  2. All entries must be made by the specified deadline via online booking and require online payment.
  3. Refunds. Other than refunds under the Distance Selling Regulations (see below) entry fees are not refundable.
  4. Distance Selling Regulations. You have the right to cancel your online entry anytime from when you place it to 7 working days after you have completed your booking i.e. paid for your entry through checkout – and a full refund (including booking charges) will be paid as soon as possible, but at the latest within 30 days of cancellation.
  5. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The online entry system will close promptly at the specified deadline; if you have any enquiries, please phone the Festival Administrator.
  6. Age Limits. The age of the performer is taken as on 31 December in the year preceding the Festival.
  7. An Own Choice piece may be used only once in the Festival (except when used in the Final of the Junior or Senior Piano Championship). The same piece may NOT be played in 2 different classes (even if the classes are in different sections of the Festival).
  8. Marks. The maximum number of marks which may be given for any one performance in a class is 100. Where there are two or more test pieces for any particular class 100 will continue to be the maximum, and if marks are allotted for separate pieces they will be adjusted as necessary.
  9. Adjudicators may stop any performance at their discretion. THEIR DECISION IN ALL CASES SHALL BE FINAL. At least 80 marks must be obtained to win the award of a medal, cup or certificate, and 85 marks for a major award.
  10. The order of performing will be printed in the programme. Performers should be present at the beginning of their class and perform in the listed order. Performers who arrive late for any reason may be able to perform at the end of a class, subject to permission. A different performer cannot be substituted for an existing entrant.
  11. Time limits. Failure to observe the time limits may lead to disqualification.
  12. Communication with the Adjudicator by performers, teachers, parents or guardians or any other interested party, before, during or after the performance is prohibited.
  13. No recording, photography or filming can take place during any Festival Performance by members of the public, except by prior arrangement and for a specific purposes (e.g. an audition). There will be an official Festival Photographer present at some classes.
  14. Complaints procedure. Anyone wishing to lodge a complaint should write to the Festival Administrator as soon as possible with full details. The complaint will be investigated by the Board of Trustees and their decision will be final.
  15. Cups and trophies shall remain the property of Springboard Ltd. They should be returned, clean and in good condition, to the Festival Administrator (or as requested) by 30 January preceding the Festival. Cup holders will be held financially responsible for the safe return of trophies and bases. If you wish to have your name inscribed on your cup, you are responsible for the cost.
  16. Certificates are free if collected by the performers on the day. There will be a charge of £5 for any certificate sent by post.
  17. Copies of own choice pieces must be available for the Adjudicator. See Music Rules for the Code of Practice on photocopies and internet downloads.
  18. Animals, with the exception of guide dogs, cannot be admitted into any performance venue.
  19. The Board of Trustees reserve the right to refuse any entry and shall have the power to make any other regulations or to interpret or qualify any of the other Rules as occasion may arise.
  20. Any breach of the Rules may result in disqualification.