
Performers Entry Rules & Conditions
Age Requirement
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Entry is open to those who reside or attend school in the Sutherland Shire or St George areas and are aged 13 to 18 years. Age is determined as of 30 June 2025. Entrants must be prepared to produce proof of age and address if requested by an Official (e.g. copy of birth certificate, passport etc) or risk disqualification.
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Any protest on the basis of age will be determined on the spot by the Sutherland Music Club (SMC) Session Manager.
Accompanist
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The Official Awards Accompanist is Daniel Guo 0432 725 901. Rehearsals can be arranged privately at the entrant’s expense.
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Accompaniment should be acoustic piano, unless the original piece has obligato instruments. Backing CDs/USBs/other are not permitted for the Finals Concert, but are allowed for the Auditions (please confirm before Audition Day). No vocals are permitted on the backing.
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Entrants may provide their own accompanist for the Awards. Fees for such an accompanist are the entrant’s responsibility.
Adjudication
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The adjudicator/s decision, made in accordance with the General Rules and Conditions, is final.
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Should the selected adjudicator/s be unable to perform their function, SMC reserves the right to appoint substitute adjudicator/s.
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A comment sheet will be provided to each entrant. Entrants are not permitted to approach the adjudicator/s during the Awards.
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SMC reserves the right to withhold any advertised prize where, in the adjudicator/s opinion, an adequate standard has not been reached.
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Entrants must not have been taught by the adjudicator/s during the previous twelve months.
Copyright & Music
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A copy of the music being performed at the Auditions is to be brought with the performer on Audition Day (and prior to the Finals if selected to perform) for the adjudicator.
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Entrants may perform from memory or printed music.
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Sutherland Music Club (SMC) will not be liable for any copyright infringement relating to the submission of photocopies. Entrants should be aware of the rules of copyright.
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Each entrant is responsible for seeing that copyright is not breached. If photocopies are used the entrant is responsible for obtaining permission from the copyright owner.
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SMC does not countenance, sanction or approve of any infringement of the Copyright Act 1968 and has the right to destroy unlicensed photocopies.
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The entrant confirms that if the work is subject to copyright, the performer has obtained any permission required from the copyright owners to perform the work in public.
Auditions
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Adjudicators will be noting the dress and presentation of the performers. This will apply for both Auditions and Finals. If performing cabaret, music theater etc, entrants may dress appropriately for the part.
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Entrants are required to perform one item with a maximum time of 6 minutes.
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A bell will be rung at 6 minutes to indicate that the performance must end.
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The Finalists will be announced at the conclusion of the Auditions.
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Finalists will be invited to perform at the Finals Concert.
Finals Concert
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Only Finalists will perform at the Finals Concert (FC)
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SMC will notify Finalists of rehearsal times.
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Entrants should perform for approx. 7 minutes (with a maximum of 10 minutes).
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If the maximum time of 10 minutes is exceeded, the finalist may be disqualified.
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Works performed at the FC need not be the same as those performed at the Auditions.
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Finalists are required to bring a copy of the music for each item to the FC rehearsal (for preparing the adjudicator’s folder). One or two items may be performed.
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Entrants failing to complete their performance at the initial attempt will be disqualified.
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Notification of award recipients will be made at the conclusion of the FC.
Other Conditions
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Group entries will not be accepted.
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Previous 1st place Performance winners are ineligible to re-enter this Section with the instrument used to achieve 1st place. They are eligible to re-enter on a different instrument (e.g if the entrant had achieved 1st place as a pianist, they may re-enter as a vocalist).
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Entrants must be available and ready to perform when required. If unable to attend, entrants should contact the Youth Music Event Coordinator, Josephine Sa (0450 055 568) and leave a text if unanswered.
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Awards will be presented at the conclusion of the FC.
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The perpetual trophy remains in the custody of SMC.
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SMC reserves the right to cancel the Auditions and the FC in the event of any circumstance necessitating such actions.
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The decision of SMC in all questions or disputes arising out of or not provided for in these conditions, will be final.
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SMC reserves the right to record, film, broadcast, telecast, videotape or photograph any entrant, item or event in the Youth Music Awards without notification, and any such photographs, recording or broadcast may be used at SMC’s discretion for publicity or promotional purposes, but shall not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any participants and no remuneration or compensation whatsoever shall be claimable by any participant so featured.
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The use of tape/CD recorders, videos or cameras is not allowed. Mobile phones, pagers, alarms and personal headsets must be switched off in the Awards venue. Performers may obtain any official photographs taken during the event at their own cost.
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Fees can be paid by Direct Transfer. Entry forms may be completed on-line.
Entry fees are not refundable after Friday 16th May 2025. If the Awards are cancelled all entry fees will be refunded.