Youth Bands Contest Rules and Conditions

1. In these rules the words 'Contest Management' shall refer to the West of England Bandsmen's Festival Committee.

2. In these rules reference to 'Bandsmen' shall include 'Bandswomen'.

3. The contest is open to brass bands only and shall consist of a maximum of 35 players including percussionists. Only brass band instruments shall be permitted.

4. No players shall be over the age of 19 years on the day of the contest (i.e. not 20) except that a band may elect to play either two bass players OR one bass player and one bass trombone player over 19 years of age.

5. Fourteen days prior to the contest date the Band Secretary must provide a list of competing players complete with their date of birth. In the event of a dispute, proof of age must be provided.

6. The Contest Management reserve the right to vary or add to these Rules and Conditions of the contest from time to time, to cancel the contest, to hold it on another day, to limit the number of entries, to close the section at an earlier date than stipulated on the 'Entry Form', or to accept or decline an entry.

7. All complaints, protests, objections or matters arising under these rules or otherwise, shall be submitted to and determined by the Contest Management, whose decision shall be final and shall not be subject to any further appeal or any legal proceedings whatsoever.

8. The Contest Management and Officials cannot be held responsible for damage to, or loss of instruments, music stands, equipment or property of any kind.

9. The interpretation of these Rules and Conditions shall be the prerogative of the Contest Management whose decision shall be final.

10. In order to enter the contest, the band secretary must complete an official 'Entry Form' and return it to the 'Contest Promoter' on or before the stated closing date. All entries shall be subject to approval by the Contest Management.

11. The 'Order of Play' will be drawn at the times stated in the General Instructions.

12. An interval of FOUR (4) minutes shall be allowed between performances. Any band not being ready to play within FOUR (4) minutes of the time for the section to commence, or of the preceding band leaving the platform, may be disqualified.

13. No bandsman shall be allowed to play more than one brass instrument. It is permissible for a brass player to assist on percussion. It is not permissible for a percussionist to assist/play a brass instrument.

14. At the conclusion of the contest the decision of the Adjudicator/s shall be announced. Subject to these rules, the Adjudicators decision shall be FINAL on all maters relating to adjudication.

15.

a) Any protest at the time of a contest made before the results are announced should be presented to the Contest Promoter in writing. The band protesting shall deposit an amount of £25, which shall be returned if the protest is sustained, but not otherwise.

b) Any protest made after the results have been announced should be presented, in writing, to the Contest Promoter within FOURTEEN (14) days, accompanied by a deposit of £25, which shall be returned if the protest is sustained, but not otherwise.

c) No deposit shall be required when an authorised official, steward, or a member of the Protest Committee for the contest presents a protest.

16. If at the expiration of FOURTEEN (14) days the Contest Management is satisfied that no serious breach under these rules has occurred, prize-winning cheques will be processed in the normal manner.

17. Deportment will be judged on the morning march to the contest field.

Traditional uniform must be worn on stage and on the march to and from the contest field.

18. All Trophies are the property of the Festival.

a) Any band winning a Trophy must give an undertaking signed by an official of the band to keep the trophy in good and safe condition and to protect and insure it against loss or damage.

b) It is the bands responsibility to return all trophies in a good and clean condition to the Trophy Officer as directed on the signature form, a copy of which will have been provided to the band.

19. Any member, performer, official or conductor of a contesting band found guilty of a breach of these rules or failing to comply with the conditions set forth in the 'Schedule', 'Entry Form' or 'General Instructions', or who commits any act which, in the opinion of the Contest Management would be calculated to be prejudicial to the proper conduct or reputation of the contest, will be subject to disqualification and/or forfeiture of prizes, and/or suspension from entering the contest held under these rules, for such time as may be decided upon by the Contest Management.

20. Any matters arising at the contest which are not covered by these rules shall be dealt with by the Contest Promoter, in a manner which he/she feels will be in the best interest of all competitors. His/her decision shall be final.

1st January 2006