USA International Harp Competition 2010 Rules, Procedures and Regulations

Competition Rules and Procedures

1. All works performed at the competition must be performed by memory, except for the required new American work in Stage III.
2. Contestants will draw lots during the Opening Ceremonies on July 7 in order to determine the order in which they will perform. This order of performance will be used throughout all stages of the competition.
3. For Stages I, II, and III, the contestant may choose the sequence of works to be performed.
4. In Stage III, the total performance time of each contestant’s recital should not exceed 45 minutes and may be interrupted if it does.
5. Jurors may not attend any of the active contestants’ practice sessions or any piano or orchestral rehearsal for the final stage.
6. The results of the first three stages will be posted on the door of the Competition Office by the Executive Director.
7. The announcement of all prize winners and distribution of prizes will take place during a special ceremony following the jury deliberations after the final stage on the evening of July 17, 2010.

General Jury Rules and Procedures

The jury will consist of internationally recognized harpists, teachers and musicians. All decisions of the jury are final.

1. All stages of the competition are open to the public and take place on an open stage without a screen.
2. All members of the jury must be present for all stages and deliberations during the competition.
3. Prior to Stage I, jurors will be asked to submit a CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM identifying any contestants whom they have taught in either a private lesson or class setting.
4. Jurors may not vote for or take part in any discussion about a contestant who is currently studying with them or who has studied with them in the past. In the case of masterclasses, jurors must recuse themselves if they believe a student/teacher relationship has been established.
5. Jurors are asked to avoid contact with active contestants during the competition, as the impression could be given that a contestant is receiving special treatment or advice.
6. There is to be no conversation between jurors, including positive or negative comments, in the audition hall during the stages.
7. Jurors are required to avoid talking about active contestants and discussing their performances among themselves at all times and to refrain from influencing other jurors during the competition.
8. Specific times after Stages I and III will be set aside for the jury to meet with contestants who are no longer active. At any other time, any questions from an active contestant to the jury should be directed to the Executive Director, who will then speak to the jury on the contestant's behalf.

Judging System

1. All contestants should be regarded as young artists of concert standard.
2. Contestants' performances are evaluated based on the following criteria:
   • Musicianship
   • Technique
   • Artistic presentation
3. In Stages I, II, and III each juror will award each contestant a single numerical score using the following scale:
   • Excellent 21-25
   • Very Good 16-20
   • Good 11-15
   • Poor 0-10
4. Jurors also write a short interpretation of the point score on the evaluation form.
5. Scoring by the jury will be confidential at all times. Except in extreme cases, there will be no discussion of points of active contestants by the jury.
6. After each stage, jurors will submit their completed evaluation forms to the Jury Assistant. Jurors will abstain from judging any participants who are or have been their students. Jurors should turn in blank evaluation forms for those contestants whom they have taught.
7. Jurors may adjust their scores at any time during any given stage. Points may not be changed once the evaluation forms are collected.
8. The average score of each contestant will be calculated by the Executive Director. Only the Executive Director and the President of the Jury are allowed to see the evaluation forms and point totals of the jurors.
9. For each stage the contestants with the highest average scores will advance.
10. No more than half of the first stage contestants may advance to the second stage.
11. No more than eight contestants may advance to the third stage.
12. The three contestants with the highest average scores in the third stage will advance to the fourth and final stage.
13. Any of the three finalists may be eliminated from the final stage if they have not adequately prepared the required repertoire, which includes memorization. In such a case, the contestant with the next highest score in the third stage would advance to the fourth stage. Piano rehearsal with the conductor on July 15 will be monitored by an artist-member of the Executive Committee to determine if such a situation exists.
14. In the final stage, the winner is determined by a named vote. Balloting begins with the award of the First Prize. Each juror writes the name of his or her candidate for the First Prize on a ballot. Ballots are collected and tabulated by the Jury President and/or the Executive Director. The First Prize goes to the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes. In the event of a tie, the Jury President will cast the deciding vote. Second Prize will be awarded in the same manner.
15. Prizes will be awarded for the first through eighth place. The order of finish for fourth through eighth place will be determined by the average scores from Stage III. Special prizes awarded for the best performance of particular works will be determined by majority vote of the jurors.
16. All prizes will be awarded.
17. No jurors will be allowed to see the evaluation forms of other jurors.

     

    Jury Deliberations Are To Be Regarded As Confidential During And After The Competition.