Rules & Regulations

General

1. Festival Divisions

A – Instrumental Jazz (combo, ensemble and traditional jazz)
B – Concert Band / Orchestra / Chamber Ensemble
C – Choral (concert choir, chamber choir and jazz choir)
D – Drumming (drumline, world drumming and percussion ensemble)

2. Standards of Performance

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Standards of Performance are recognized by Atlantic Festivals of Music.

A Gold Standard signifies that an Ensemble has achieved excellence in all facets of its performance.

A Silver Standard signifies that an Ensemble is demonstrating an exceedingly high standard of musical performance.

A Bronze Standard signifies an above average quality of performance with latitude for improvement.

A Merit Standard acknowledges an average quality of performance.

Ensembles may elect to perform for Adjudication Only with no standard to be awarded or considered.

3. Rule Enforcement

The Venue Manager for each performance area will enforce all festival rules and regulations. Ensemble Directors disputing the Venue Managers decision may request the consideration of the Festival Director. The Festival Director’s decision, in consultation with the Venue Manager, will be considered final.

4. Conduct

The conduct of a participating ensemble and its individual members is the responsibility of the individual director. It is expected that participants will demonstrate respect at all times for the rights of others and conform to laws and bylaws of the festival site, host city and province. Directors will ensure participants are appropriately chaperoned at all times. Problems and violations brought to the attention of the Festival Director will be dealt with appropriately and may result in Suspension or Dismissal (see below).

5. Scholarships and Awards

Atlantic Festivals of Music will select outstanding performers for scholarships and awards. As well a most outstanding performing group in each category will be chosen. Selection of recipients will be made by the festival adjudicators.

Outstanding Soloist Awards
Plaques will be awarded to students who have achieved an outstanding solo during their performance at the festival. Outstanding Soloist Awards will be announced during the evening concerts and via social media and direct email.

Acadia University Summer Music Institute Concert Band Camp

6. Suspension, Dismissal and Appeal

Atlantic Festivals of Music reserves the right to enact either of the following two sanctions for violations of the rules and regulations and /or code of conduct.

i. Suspension – An Ensemble that has been suspended shall be deemed ineligible to receive any Festival Standards of Performance or awards. Suspension shall result from flagrant time violations, age or affiliation infractions, illegal substitution and tampering with sound or stage equipment.

ii. Dismissal – An Ensemble that has been dismissed will have all rights and privileges of participation in the festival revoked and will forfeit all registration fees. Dismissal will result either from conduct that is perceived to be detrimental to the aims of the festival or interference with another Ensemble’s performance.

Appeals must be made in writing to the Festival Director, who will review the situation, in consultation with the adjudicators and venue manager. All decisions made at this time will be final.

7. Clinics and Workshops

Clinics – Participants are encouraged to attend the instrument specific clinics offered each day. Please view the specific schedule for each festival.

Workshops – Each ensemble will receive a workshop with one of the Adjudicators immediately following the adjudicated performance. The length and nature of the workshop will vary depending on the category, class and performance level of the ensemble.

8. Concerts and Dances

Registered participants are invited and encouraged to attend concerts and dances. Wristbands will be distributed to all attending and must be worn at all evening performances and dances.

9. Announcement of Standards of Performance

Standards of Performance, included with the Director’s Package, can be collected immediately following the adjudicated performance but will not be announced or posted at the Festival.

10. On Site Storage

Ensembles will be allowed to store their instrument cases and coats on site for the time they are scheduled in warm-up, performance and workshop. Groups must arrange for storage of equipment at all other times, either on their bus or at their hotel.

11. Scheduling of Performances

The Festivals will schedule ensembles as follows:

Concert Band/Orchestra/Chamber Ensemble: April 30 – May 2
Instrumental Jazz: April 30 – May 2
Concert/Chamber/Jazz Choir: April 30 – May 2

Times will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis once the registration form and deposit have been received.

Concert Band

B600 – performance of a test piece from B600 as per the Festival Syllabus
B500 – performance of a test piece from B500 as per the Festival Syllabus
B400 – performance of a test piece from B400 as per the Festival Syllabus
B300 – performance of a test piece from B300 as per the Festival Syllabus
B200 – performance of a test piece from B200 as per the Festival Syllabus
B100 – performance of a test piece from B100 as per the Festival Syllabus

A. Ensembles are required to perform three selections at their class level as follows:

one selection from the Festival Syllabus
two selections in a contrasting style – own choice

B. Stage and Performance Time:

Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
Performances and workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
Each Ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.

C. Directors must provide the adjudicators with two (2) Conductor’s Scores for each selection to be played, including the Festival Syllabus choice.

Equipment for Concert Band

A. Warm up room: chairs and stands only

B. Performance area: chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum, suspended cymbal, 4 tympani, bells, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, bass amp, guitar amp, drum kit, gong and chimes. (Due to our loss prevention policy we do not allow equipment to be substituted for that which is provided on stage).

C. Workshop area: chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum and stand, suspended cymbal

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above).

Orchestra/Chamber Ensembles

B101 – College or University
B102 – Community Group
B201 – Maximum age 20 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
B301 – Maximum age 17 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
B401 – Maximum age 16 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 11
B501 – Maximum age 15 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 10
B601 – Maximum age 14 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 9
B701 – Maximum age 13 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 8

A.Ensembles are required to perform a program of contrasting material and styles – own choice.

B. Stage and Performance Time:

Warm-up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
Performances and Workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
Each Ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.

C. Directors must provide the adjudicators with Two (2) Conductors Scores for each selection to be played.

Equipment for Orchestra/Chamber Ensembles

A. Warm up room: chairs and stands only

C. Workshop area: chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum and stand, suspended cymbal

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above)

Instrumental Jazz

A101 – College or University
A102 – Community Group
A201 – Maximum age 20 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
A301 – Maximum age 17 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
A401 – Maximum age 16 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 11
A501 – Maximum age 15 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 10
A601 – Maximum age 14 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 9
A701 – Maximum age 13 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 8

A. All ensembles should present a program of three (3) contrasting selections – own choice. One selection must be a ballad. There is a Jazz Syllabus provided as a resource to assist directors should they choose to use it.

B. Stage and performance time:

Warm-up room will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
Performances and Workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
Each ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.

C. The length and nature of the clinic will vary depending on the category, class and performance time.

D. Ensembles should provide an advisor to the sound technician at the time of performance.

E. The basic Jazz Ensemble set up will be acoustic with microphones available for soloists.

F. Each director must provide the adjudicators with two (2) Conductor’s Score/Lead Sheet for each selection to be played.

Equipment for Instrumental Jazz

A. Warm up room: electric piano, guitar, keyboard and bass amplifier, drum set, chairs and music stands.

B. Performance area: electric piano, guitar, keyboard, and bass amplifier, vibraphone, drum set, music stands and P.A. system.

C. Workshop area: electric piano, guitar, keyboard and bass amplifier, drum set, chairs and music stands

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above. Drummers are permitted to exchange only the snare drum and bass pedal on the drum set, and add but not remove existing cymbals)

Concert Choir/Chamber Choir/Jazz Choir

C101 – College or University
C102 – Community Group
C201 – Maximum age 20 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
C301 – Maximum age 17 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
C401 – Maximum age 16 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 11
C501 – Maximum age 15 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 10
C601 – Maximum age 14 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 9
C701 – Maximum age 13 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 8

A. Groups will perform three (3) to five (5) contrasting selections – own choice.

B. Stage and Performance Time

1. 1. Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
  2. Performance and Workshop will be limited to 40 minutes.
  3. Each group will receive a workshop on observations made during the performance.
  4. Each group must provide Two (2) Conductors Scores of each performance selection.

Equipment for Choir

A. Warm up room: digital piano and music stands.

B. Performance area: Acoustic or digital piano, choral risers, music stands, bass and guitar amp, drum set.

Percussion Ensemble/World Drumming/Drumline

D101 – College or University
D102 – Community Group
D201 – Maximum age 20 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
D301 – Maximum age 17 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 12
D401 – Maximum age 16 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 11
D501 – Maximum age 15 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 10
D601 – Maximum age 14 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 9
D701 – Maximum age 13 years as of Jan. 1, 2025 or registered in grade 8

A. All ensembles should present a program of three (3) contrasting selections – own choice.

B. Stage and performance time:

Warm-up room will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
Performances and Workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
Each ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.
The length and nature of the clinic will vary depending on the category, class and performance time.

C. Ensembles should provide an advisor to the sound technician at the time of performance.

D. The Drumming set up will be acoustic.

E. Each director must provide the adjudicators with one (1) Conductor’s Score/Lead Sheet for each selection to be played.

Equipment for Drumming

A. Warm up room: chairs and music stands only.

B. Performance area: chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum, suspended cymbal, 4 tympani, bells, xylophone, vibraphone, bass amp, guitar amp, drum kit, gong and chimes.

C. Workshop area: chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum and stand, suspended cymbal.

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above.)

Countdown to AFM 2025

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