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Rules and Regulations - Novice Section

Rules and Regulations

General

  1. The NOVICE SECTION is open to groups in which all members are of a playing standard no higher than AMEB Grade 4 level (or equivalent). Eligibility is based on the playing standard of the performers, not the repertoire.

  2. Chamber music for the purpose of Strike A Chord is defined as a group consisting of 3-8 players, one player/singer per part, with no conductor or adult accompanist. All groups entering Strike A Chord must comply with this definition.

  3. One online entry form per group must be submitted by someone over the age of 18 on behalf of the group. The entry form must be fully completed by 11.59pm AEST Thursday 30 May 2024.

  4. By entering Strike A Chord, you agree that Musica Viva Australia may use your name, photographs and any video footage including video entries for any purpose. All rights, including copyright in such media shall vest in and be owned by Musica Viva Australia in perpetuity.

Musica Viva Australia has the right to produce and distribute without limit or payment of any fee, audio and/or video recordings of all championship concerts or events in whole or in part.

GROUP PERSONNEL AND MAKE-UP  

  1. Groups with a minimum of three and maximum of eight performers can enter.

  2. All performers must be enrolled in an Australian primary or secondary school program (or home-school equivalent) as at 30 May 2024.

  3. Adults are not permitted to accompany the group on piano or any other instrument. 

INSTRUMENTS AND REPERTOIRE

  1. Any combination of instruments and/or voice may be used, but the group may not include a conductor. Amplification is not permitted except in the case of instruments which by their nature require it or where required by the score. Vocalists are not permitted to use a microphone. 

  2. Repertoire should be broadly classical in style, including classical non-western music, and may include arrangements. No jazz, musical theatre, pop or rock music. Classical works with jazz or folk influence may be permissible at the discretion of the Artistic Director. If you are in any doubt as to the eligibility of a work, please contact Strike A Chord management for confirmation. 

  3. Groups may perform one or more works by the same or different composers (or a single work/movement, or multiple movements) as long as it does not exceed the maximum time limit. Repeats are optional.

  4. The total performance time for each group must not be less than 1 minute or more than 5 minutes. Performance time is from the start of the first note until the end of the last note of the complete performance and includes time between movements. 

  5. If the group’s chosen music is in copyright, the original full score and performance parts must be used for the performance. Groups must have purchased original sheet music and must submit an electronic copy of the full score with their entry, for use by adjudicators. This may be a scanned hard-copy, or a score that has been purchased for download.

If the group’s chosen music is out of copyright it is permissible to perform from, and to scan and electronically submit, a photocopied score or a pre-scanned score downloaded from a free-use website. In this instance the group may be asked to provide written verification that the work is in the public domain.

While Musica Viva Australia has permission to handle the performer’s photocopies during the championship for adjudication purposes only, the organisation does not condone the unlawful copying of Copyright material.

Please contact APRA AMCOS if you’re not sure (http://apraamcos.com.au/). We respect copyright and breach of copyright may lead to disqualification.

VIDEO RECORDINGS

1.  Each group is required to submit 2 separate video recordings – the first is of their performance, and the second is a spoken introduction of the group. 

2. Videos may not be shared publicly by the group until after Novice Section winners are announced on 21 June 2024. 

3. Video 1 – Performance.

a. The video must be recorded in a single take, with no editing. 

b. Videos may be recorded with any device, including smartphones, video or digital cameras, etc. 

Please ensure performers are dressed appropriately (eg school uniform, performance attire, etc), and that all players are clearly visible.  

Groups are encouraged to test recorded sound quality in advance of the performance and make reasonable adjustments where necessary (eg. microphone placement, camera placement) so that the judging panel can hear the group at its best. Video recordings must not be edited or processed to improve sound quality. 

c. The recording device must be set in a static position throughout the performance, with no zooming in/out or moving around during the performance. All performers must be visible at all times. 

e. Performance videos must be uploaded to a secure file-sharing website (preferably Dropbox or Google Drive). It is the group’s responsibility to ensure Musica Viva Australia has permission to view all files. The link for the videos must be included on the online entry form, and remember to link to the entire folder, not the individual videos.

f. Please save your video using the file name [groupname PERFORMANCE]

4. Video 2 – Group Introduction.  

This video will be used for publicity purposes only and will not have any influence on the decision of the judging panel.  

You may be as creative as you wish with this video, including camera placement, editing, lighting, etc, as long as the voice/s are clearly audible throughout. 

Introduction videos should be maximum of 2 minutes, spoken to camera, and may be recorded in any location. We encourage students to practice social distancing in their introduction video, according to current regulations in your area. You may film student responses one at a time.  

We trust you to use your best judgements and put the health and safety of your ensemble first. 

Here’s an example of information to include in your video, but you could just tell us something fun or interesting about your group!

a. First name and instrument of each player in the group. 

b. Name of the group, and where the group is from (town/suburb/city and state, eg. “Bowen, Queensland” or “Albany, Western Australia”).

c. Brief responses to the following questions: 

i. Why did you choose this piece? 

ii. What did you learn from playing it?  

d.  Introduction videos must be uploaded to a secure file-sharing website in the same folder/location as your entry video. The link for the videos must be included on the online entry form, and remember to link to the entire folder, not the individual videos.

e. Please save your video using the file name [groupname INTRODUCTION]

Judging

  1. First, Second and Third Prize winners will be announced on Friday 21 June 2024.

  2. Entries will be assessed in a single, closed judging round. Selected entries, including but not limited to prize winners, may be made available for public viewing on the Strike A Chord website after 21 June 2024.

THE DECISIONS OF THE JUDGING PANEL WILL BE FINAL. NO CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO.  

Any general queries about Strike A Chord or the above rules should be referred to Strike A Chord management at strikeachord@musicaviva.com.au.