General Rules & Regulations

  1. Springboard is a festival for AMATEUR PERFORMERS. For this purpose, an amateur is defined as a person 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 participate as accompanists or conductors or where specifically permitted.
  2. All entries must be made by the specified deadline via online booking and require online payment.
  3. Refunds. You have the right to cancel your online entry and request a refund within 14 working days of completing your booking (up until the entry deadline).
  4. 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 email the Festival Administrator.
  5. Age Limits. Speech & Drama, Musical Theatre and Classical Singing classes are organised according to school year. For instrumental sections the age of the performer is taken as on 31 December in the year preceding the Festival.
  6. 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 performed in two different classes (even if the classes are in different sections of the Festival).
  7. Adjudicators may stop any performance at their discretion. Their decision in all cases shall be final.
  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.
  9. At least 75 marks must be obtained to win a medal, cash award or cup.
  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 the performer being penalised.
  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 purpose (e.g. an audition). There will be an official Festival Photographer present at some classes.
  14. Complaints policy and procedures. Anyone wishing to lodge a complaint should email 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. For further information, please see our Complaints Policy and Procedures document at the foot of our website.
  15. Cups and trophies shall remain the property of Springboard. They should be returned, clean and in good condition, to the Festival Administrator (or some other person, 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 assistance 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.