Categories

1 National Festival of Youth Orchestras Category Name 1A - School Regional Festival Time Limit 10 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 18 years and under Notes For full orchestras comprising players attending a single school. Orchestras of non-standard proportions may enter this category.  Please refer to Special Note C. For String and Chamber Orchestras, please see Category 1D below. Category Name 1B - Music Centre Regional Festival Time Limit 10 mins National Festival Time Limit 20 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes For orchestras comprising players attending a single music centre or private music school. Orchestras of non-standard proprtions may enter this category. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 1C - Open National Festival Time Limit 20 mins Age Limits 21 years and under Notes By recorded entry only. For county, district, school and independent orchestras of standard symphonic proportions. Submitted programmes may include a concerto movement with a soloist of 23 years and under. Category Name 1D - String and Chamber Orchestras (School) Regional Festival Time Limit 10 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 18 years and under Notes For orchestras of appropriate size and constitution comprising players attending a single school. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 1E - String and Chamber Orchestras (Open) Regional Festival Time Limit 10 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 21 years and under Notes For orchestras of appropriate size and constitution. 2 National Choral Festival For choirs and vocal ensembles from all sources (with the exception of church choristers from choir schools) with or without accompaniment (one adult accompanist is allowed). A minimum of two voices per part is allowed and performances involving instrumental accompaniment other than piano are welcomed, although the vocal content should represent the major part of the material. Choirs must present a contrasting programme of not more than five works. Category Name 2A - Junior Regional Festival Time Limit 6 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 13 years and under Category Name 2B - Senior Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 21 years and under 3 National Chamber Music Festival For unconducted ensembles. Groups must have one player to a part but there may be any number or parts within the spirit of chamber music. It is hoped that ensembles offer appropriate repertoire in its original instrumentation, rather than adaptations. Category Name 3A - Junior Regional Festival Time Limit 6 mins National Festival Time Limit 10 mins Age Limits 13 years and under Category Name 3B - Senior Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 19 years and under 4 National Brass Band Festival Category Name 4A - School Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 18 years and under Notes For bands comprising players attending a single school. Allowance will be made for groups not achieving standard instrumentation. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 4B - Music Centre Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes For bands comprising players attending a single music centre. Allowance will be made for groups not achieving standard instrumentation. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 4C - Open Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 21 years and under Notes For county, district, school and independent brass bands of standard or near standard instrumentation. 5 National Wind Band Festival Category Name 5A - School Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 18 years and under Notes For wind bands comprising players attending a single school. Allowance will be made for groups not achieving standard instrumentation. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 5B - Music Centre Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes For wind bands comprising players attending a single music centre. Allowance will be made for groups not achieving standard instrumentation. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 5C - Open Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 15 mins Age Limits 21 years and under Notes For county, district, school and independent wind bands of standard or near standard instrumentation. 6 Rock, Pop and Urban Music Festival Category Name 6 National Festival Time Limit 10 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes Entry by recorded video tape (VHS/DVD only).  Groups wishing to enter this category should submit a video or DVD recording of a recent performance.  For Rock, Pop and Urban music, groups from all sources (with exception of groups who have already signed a record deal).  Oringinal compositions are especially welcome. 7 Ensembles 2008 Category Name 7 Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes For all types and combinations of instrumental and vocal ensembles. Originality and imagination in choice of repertoire and presentation is of great importance in this category. 8 Traditional and International Music Festival Category Name 8 Regional Festival Time Limit 6 mins National Festival Time Limit 10 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes This category is for groups from any source dedicated to the presentation of folk, roots and traditional music from a variety of cultures, western and non-western, including music of the countries and regions of the British Isles. There is no requirement to be 'authentic' - unusual instrumental combinations and up-to-date repertoire may be included, but entries should clearly show their musical origins as being other than from the European classical tradition. 9 Infants and Juniors at the National Festival Category Name 9A Regional Festival Time Limit 6 mins National Festival Time Limit 10 mins Age Limits 8 years and under Notes For infant groups from any source (one adult accompanist is allowed). Multi-media presentations involving singing, speaking, movement and costumes are especially encouraged. N.B. There are no awards in this class at national level. Category Name 9B Regional Festival Time Limit 6 mins National Festival Time Limit 10 mins Age Limits 13 years and under Notes For junior, middle school and lower secondary age groups from any source (one adult accompanist is allowed). The aim of this category is to feature all aspects of music-making, including orchestras, choirs, instrumental ensembles and creative work, as well as multi-media presentations involving dance, movement and costumes. Work devised in the classroom reflecting the National Curriculum is especially welcome. Please note: Maintained primary schools with a Wider Opportunities type programme may like to use our annual programme to showcase a whole class performance created through their programme.  If this is what you intend to do, please tick the box on the entry form. 10 National Jazz Festival Category Name 10A - School Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 18 years and under Notes For big bands and combos attending a single school. Allowance will be made for for shortcomings in the line-up and imaginative solutions to such problems will be welcomed. Big bands may be conducted, but combos should be unconducted. Groups not working from written-out parts are especially encouraged. Please refer to Special Note C. Category Name 10B - Music Centre Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 19 years and under Notes For big bands and combos attending a single music centre. Big bands should have a standard or close to standard line-up and offer at least one improvising solo. Jazz combos are expected to offer mostly their own arrangements or original material. Category Name 10C - Open Regional Festival Time Limit 8 mins National Festival Time Limit 12 mins Age Limits 21 years and under Notes For county, district, school and independent big bands and combos. Big bands should have a standard or close to standard line-up and offer at least one improvising solo. Jazz combos are expected to offer substantially their own arrangements or original material.