Newmarket Music Festival and Competition
Competition Rules and Regulations – 2026
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Festival Administration
The Newmarket Music Festival and Competition is committed to providing performers of all ages with an educational, encouraging, and professional performance experience through adjudication and healthy competition.
Official Festival information is available at:
Website: www.nmmusic.ca
Email: contact@nmmusic.ca
The Festival communicates with participants by email only. It is the responsibility of each participant (or parent/guardian) to provide a valid email address, monitor their inbox regularly, and check their junk or spam folders.
Participants are responsible for checking the Festival website regularly for the most up-to-date information, including schedules, announcements, syllabus updates, policy and Competition
Rules and Regulations.
The Festival reserves the right to revise schedules, classes, procedures, and these Competition Rules and Regulations as necessary. Updates posted on the Festival website shall be considered official.
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Registration and Eligibility
Registration
• Registration must be completed through the Festival's official registration system.
• A payment confirmation will be sent by email upon receipt of a completed registration. Please make sure to check your spam and junk folder. If you did not receive any email that means you did not pay successfully.
• A detailed competition schedule will be emailed approximately one to two weeks before the competition.
• If a confirmation email is not received within five days of registration, participants must contact the Festival.
Multiple Entries
• Participants may enter more than one class, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for each class.
• Participants may not enter more than one age division for the same discipline unless specifically permitted in the syllabus.
Age and Level Requirements
Participants are responsible for registering in the correct age division and performance level.
Participants who register in an incorrect age group or level may perform and receive adjudication comments; however, they will not be eligible for placements or awards.
Registration Changes
Participants may make one change to their registration information or class assignment free of charge before the registration deadline.
Requests received after the registration deadline are subject to Festival approval and the following administrative fees:
• Class or information changes are free of charge if requested within three days of receiving the detailed schedule (based on our send-out date).
You are responsible for checking your inbox, including your junk or spam folder, for the detailed schedule and any related communications.
• $10 for a class or information change after the registration deadline. $20 from the first day of competition begins if it can be arranged due to availability
Additional administrative fees may apply to late submissions, corrections, or changes requested after published deadlines.
Acceptance of late requests is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the Festival.
Participants are responsible for meeting all published deadlines. The Festival is not responsible for missed deadlines, incomplete registrations, or delays resulting from a participant's failure to review Festival emails or information posted on the Festival website.
Registration Fees
All registration fees are non-refundable, regardless of the reason for withdrawal or inability to participate.
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Competition Day
Arrival
Participants should arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled class time and register at the Festival Reception Desk.
Equipment
The Festival will provide one grand piano and one music stand.
Participants requiring additional equipment are responsible for providing it.
Music
Participants might be asked to provide the adjudicator with an original published copy of the music before the class begins.
Accompaniment
Participants are responsible for providing their own accompanist, page-turner, and additional music stand, if required.
Recorded accompaniment is permitted provided that:
• participants provide their own playback device;
• the Festival does not provide electrical connections or sound equipment; and
• setup does not delay the competition or exceed the class time limit.
Performing without accompaniment is permitted where appropriate.
Rehearsals
No rehearsal or sound check will be provided before the competition. Please make sure to finish it before the competition.
Performance Requirements
• Only one movement of a Sonata or Sonatina, including RCM List B and other selections, may be performed.
• Repeats should not be observed unless marked D.C. al Fine, Dal Segno, or specifically indicated in the score.
• Participants must observe the published time limits.
• The adjudicator may stop any performance that exceeds the maximum time limit.
Attendance and Conduct
Participants are expected to remain for the duration of their class.
Participants must be present during the adjudication session and announcement of results in order to be eligible for placements and awards.
Participants who leave before the completion of their class may forfeit placements, awards, and written adjudication comments.
Participants arriving after the final performer in their class will not be permitted to compete in that class.
Where scheduling permits, participants may be transferred to another class upon payment of the applicable administrative fee. Such requests are subject to availability and Festival approval. No refunds will be issued.
Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another responsible adult who is at least 18 years of age.
Participants, parents, teachers, and audience members are expected to conduct themselves respectfully at all times.
Disruptive, abusive, or inappropriate behaviour toward Festival staff, volunteers, adjudicators, or other participants will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the Festival without refund.
Photography and Recording
Parents or guardians may record the performance of their own child for personal use only.
Photography or recording of any other participant is prohibited without prior authorization from the Festival.
Adjudication and Awards
The adjudicator's decision is final and is not subject to appeal.
The adjudicator reserves the right to withhold awards, divide awards, declare ties, or adjust the number of awards presented based on the overall standard of performances.
Participants, parents, and teachers shall not approach the adjudicator during or after the competition regarding adjudication decisions.
Questions regarding Festival procedures should be directed to the Festival by email.
Results and Certificates
Adjudication sheets and certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place will be distributed at the conclusion of each class.
Participants receiving a mark of 80 or higher who do not receive a placing will receive an Outstanding Performance Certificate.
Original adjudication sheets and certificates will be distributed only on the day of the competition. Replacement copies cannot be guaranteed.
Trophy Awards and Gala Concert
Participants receiving First Place are eligible to receive a Festival Trophy, provided they have registered for the Award Ceremony.
Gala and trophy administration fee and admission fee may apply.
Selected First Place recipients may be invited to perform at the Festival Gala Concert at the discretion of the Festival, and additional fees might be occurred. Performers will be received another email.
Details regarding the Award Ceremony and Gala Concert will be announced by email.
Festival trophies will be presented only during the Award Ceremony.
No refunds will be issued if a participant is unable to attend the Award Ceremony or Gala Concert.
Disqualification
The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any participant who:
• provides false or misleading registration information;
• enters an ineligible class (the participant will still receive adjudication sheets, but without prize.
• fails to comply with these Competition Rules and Regulations;
• demonstrates unsportsmanlike or disrespectful conduct; or
• violates copyright requirements.
All decisions regarding eligibility and disqualification are final.
Liability
Participants are responsible for their own personal property and safety while attending Festival events.
The Newmarket Music Festival and Competition accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, damage to personal property, personal injury, accidents, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Photo and Media Release
By submitting a registration, participants, or their parent or legal guardian where applicable, grant the Newmarket Music Festival and Competition permission to photograph, film, video record, and otherwise record their participation in Festival activities.
The Festival may use these images and recordings for promotional, educational, archival, print, digital, website, and social media purposes without further notice or compensation.
Waiver
By registering for the Festival, participants agree to release and hold harmless the Newmarket Music Festival and Competition, its directors, officers, volunteers, adjudicators, sponsors, venue partners, and representatives from any claims, actions, damages, losses, or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from participation in the Festival, except where prohibited by law.
Acceptance of the Rules
Submission of a registration constitutes acknowledgement that the participant, and parent or legal guardian where applicable:
• has read and agrees to these Competition Rules and Regulations;
• accepts that registration fees are non-refundable;
• accepts that all adjudication decisions are final;
• is responsible for ensuring that all registration information is accurate;
• is responsible for reviewing Festival emails and the Festival website for updates; and
• accepts that the Festival reserves the right to interpret, amend, or modify these Competition
Rules and Regulations, schedules, classes, and competition procedures as required for the orderly administration of the Festival.
The Newmarket Music Festival and Competition wishes all participants an enjoyable and rewarding Festival experience. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and sharing the joy of music and the performing arts throughout the 2026 Festival.