GENERAL REGULATIONS
(which will be strictly observed)
1. Entry Qualification
Participants should enter the class appropriate to their standard and must only perform music at the correct level for that class.
Introductory: Up to and including ABRSM/TCL grade 1
Intermediate: Covering ABRSM/TCL grades 2 & 3
Advanced: Covering ABRSM/TCL grades 4 & 5
Open: ABRSM/TCL grade 6 and upwards
NB Piano – Open: grade 8 upwards, Pre-Open: covering grades 6 & 7
Non-competitive: For musicians of any standard and age
Where age restriction applies, qualifying date is the first day of the Festival.
2. Entries
a) Entries are to be made online on the Festival’s website: www.ffom.org.uk
Each class is separately listed via a drop-down menu and entrants should complete all details requested and required fields before submitting an entry. A separate online form is required for each entry. Entries close at 23:59 hours on Monday 5th October 2026.
b) In the event of assistance required with an online entry, email: [email protected]
c) Acknowledgement will be automatically generated and immediately received by the entrant.
d) Information giving date, time and place of each class entered will be emailed before the Festival to the address provided on the entry form. This will also give, where possible, an approximate indication of the anticipated end-time of the class.
e) The committee reserves the right to accept or reject any entry without assigning any reasons.
3. Competitive Classes
a) Any choir, group or competitor not present at the beginning of a class may be disqualified, except in circumstances over which there is no control. Participants are strongly advised to check the details which they have been given with the timetable in the published programme, and to query any discrepancy in good time.
b) Every effort must be made to ensure that participants are entered for the class appropriate to their standard. Should it be necessary to enquire about any issue regarding standards or judging, the enquiry should be directed to a member of the Executive, e.g. Chairman, Vice Chairman, Administrator. Neither Adjudicators nor Stewards should be engaged upon such subjects.
c) In any competitive class, no competitor may play the same instrument or sing in more than one ensemble/choir within the class (with the exception of classes 932, 933, 942, 943 – see below*). However, substitution in a choir or an instrumental group is permitted in the case of illness or other sudden unavoidable reason but only where a musical presentation would suffer as a result of a missing player/singer; any such substitution could be found from within another ensemble/group or choir within the same class. Such dispensation is included to avoid any ensemble/group or choir being excluded from competition through no fault of their own.Any such necessary substitution must be drawn to the attention of the Chief Steward, the Administrator or the Chairman.
*In classes 932, 933, 942 and 943, schools may enter more than one orchestra, ensemble or choir. Performers may appear in more than one group as required.
d) Choirs/Vocal Ensembles should not present the same programme/items in more than one competitive class.
e) Young Musician 2027: 21 and underThe Young Musician class will take the form of a final round competition with participants progressing from Open instrumental and Young Singer, 21 and under classes. Winners who are aged 21 or under of the Open or Pre-Open Piano, Open Strings, Guitar, Clarsach/Harp, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Young Singer, 21 and under classes who receive an ‘Platinum’ or ‘Gold’ award, will be invited to take part in the Young Musician class. In addition, a recommendation may be made by an adjudicator to include a second representative to progress to the YM final.
4. Non-Competitive Classes
a) In non-competitive classes, neither categories nor order of merit or prizes will be awarded. If time permits there may be some discussion of general points with participants.
b) For each entry there will be an individual report from the adjudicator, together with a certificate.
c) Primary Music Making (901)Schools may enter as many groups as they wish but a separate entry must be completed for each group. NB Only two groups from any one school will be timetabled in any one session. Separate entries must be completed. Maximum performance time, 8 minutes each group. Maximum number of performers in a group is 66.
d) Secondary Music Making (902)Schools may have as many musical groups/soloists as they wish as part of a presentation which must not exceed 30 minutes – including set-up time. Schools may enter as many 30 minute presentations as they wish but a separate entry must be completed for each presentation of 30 minutes. NB Only one entry from any one school will be timetabled in any one session.
5. Classes with large number of entries
Such classes may be split into smaller sections so that each entrant is given the opportunity to perform all prepared material. Where a trophy is to be awarded in a class which has been thus split, the adjudicator will decide on the best performance over both or all sections.
6. Accompanists/accompaniments
Participants must provide their own accompanists (except: see * below). In competitive classes, accompaniments must be live except Electric six-string/bass guitar Solo and Drum kit Solo where the option exists of using a backing track. Where a group accompaniment is appropriate, the maximum number of players is three. The Festival will aim to eradicate any clashes of participants being scheduled in two classes at the same time (such things happen when a solo and a group event coincide for a participant and the Festival has no knowledge of the membership of any group). However, the Festival cannot give any undertaking to avoid or reschedule clashes where an accompanist has such a problem.
* Official accompanist can be available for Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced instrumental classes. No prior rehearsal. [Requisite accompaniment for all other classes is the responsibility of entrants.]
On occasions, schools, particularly Primary Schools, indicate that they are unable to secure the services of a piano accompanist to assist them in their preparation for the Festival, leading in some cases to the schools having to withdraw entries. Schools finding themselves in such a situation can contact the Festival Administrator who may be able to put them in touch with an accompanist.
7. Own Choice
Participants in classes with “own choice” music are instructed that:
a) (i) for competitive classes, a copy of own choice music must be handed to the Check-in Steward and should be clearly marked with the participant’s name and class number.
(ii) while not essential for non-competitive classes, it is desirable that for these classes this is also done.
b) at the conclusion of the class, participants will be responsible for uplifting their own music from the Adjudicator’s Clerk.
c) maximum performance times stated will be strictly observed in the interest of accurate timing of classes.
8. The copyright regulations must be observed
Copies of own choice works for the Adjudicator
The Music Publishers Association has issued a revised Code of Practice on copying copyright works, and the following concession is made for copying own choice pieces from volumes only for the Adjudicator.
Other items must not be photocopied without the permission of the copyright holder in each case.
“When an Own Choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works which is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of an adjudicator at a competition or festival provided that the competitor or participant has already purchased his/her own copy and that the copy made is retained and destroyed by the Administrator of the Competition or Festival immediately after the event. The permission specifically does not apply to set works.”
9. Adjudicator’s comments sheet
The adjudicator’s comments sheet will normally be available to each participant at the end of the class and can be uplifted from the Adjudicator’s Clerk. The adjudicator’s decision will be final. Categories of achievement will be used as explained on Page 18of the Prospectus.
10. Certificates
Certificates will be awarded to all participants and, for competitive classes, will show the category awarded by the adjudicator.
11. Trophies
Where a trophy is available in a class, it will be awarded for the most meritorious performance in the adjudicator’s opinion. Performances in the ‘Platinum’ and ‘Gold’ categories only will be considered for the award of a trophy.
12. Withdrawals
Any withdrawals should be notified as follows:
By phone: 07780 683451 or by email to [email protected]
13. Miscellaneous
Members of the public are admitted to all classes.
The Festival programme is published in January with details of class times/venues available on the website at that time.
Any question arising which is not covered by these regulations, or the notes against individual classes in the prospectus should be addressed to the Administrator, who will, if necessary, refer it to the Committee. The Committee’s decision will be final.
Festival contact details are shown on the Committee page. Enquiries are neither dealt with at nor should be directed to Fife Council Education and Children’s Services.
Participants should enter the class appropriate to their standard and must only perform music at the correct level for that class.
Introductory: Up to and including ABRSM/TCL grade 1
Intermediate: Covering ABRSM/TCL grades 2 & 3
Advanced: Covering ABRSM/TCL grades 4 & 5
Open: ABRSM/TCL grade 6 and upwards
NB Piano – Open: grade 8 upwards, Pre-Open: covering grades 6 & 7
Non-competitive: For musicians of any standard and age
Where age restriction applies, qualifying date is the first day of the Festival.
2. Entries
a) Entries are to be made online on the Festival’s website: www.ffom.org.uk
Each class is separately listed via a drop-down menu and entrants should complete all details requested and required fields before submitting an entry. A separate online form is required for each entry. Entries close at 23:59 hours on Monday 5th October 2026.
b) In the event of assistance required with an online entry, email: [email protected]
c) Acknowledgement will be automatically generated and immediately received by the entrant.
d) Information giving date, time and place of each class entered will be emailed before the Festival to the address provided on the entry form. This will also give, where possible, an approximate indication of the anticipated end-time of the class.
e) The committee reserves the right to accept or reject any entry without assigning any reasons.
3. Competitive Classes
a) Any choir, group or competitor not present at the beginning of a class may be disqualified, except in circumstances over which there is no control. Participants are strongly advised to check the details which they have been given with the timetable in the published programme, and to query any discrepancy in good time.
b) Every effort must be made to ensure that participants are entered for the class appropriate to their standard. Should it be necessary to enquire about any issue regarding standards or judging, the enquiry should be directed to a member of the Executive, e.g. Chairman, Vice Chairman, Administrator. Neither Adjudicators nor Stewards should be engaged upon such subjects.
c) In any competitive class, no competitor may play the same instrument or sing in more than one ensemble/choir within the class (with the exception of classes 932, 933, 942, 943 – see below*). However, substitution in a choir or an instrumental group is permitted in the case of illness or other sudden unavoidable reason but only where a musical presentation would suffer as a result of a missing player/singer; any such substitution could be found from within another ensemble/group or choir within the same class. Such dispensation is included to avoid any ensemble/group or choir being excluded from competition through no fault of their own.Any such necessary substitution must be drawn to the attention of the Chief Steward, the Administrator or the Chairman.
*In classes 932, 933, 942 and 943, schools may enter more than one orchestra, ensemble or choir. Performers may appear in more than one group as required.
d) Choirs/Vocal Ensembles should not present the same programme/items in more than one competitive class.
e) Young Musician 2027: 21 and underThe Young Musician class will take the form of a final round competition with participants progressing from Open instrumental and Young Singer, 21 and under classes. Winners who are aged 21 or under of the Open or Pre-Open Piano, Open Strings, Guitar, Clarsach/Harp, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Young Singer, 21 and under classes who receive an ‘Platinum’ or ‘Gold’ award, will be invited to take part in the Young Musician class. In addition, a recommendation may be made by an adjudicator to include a second representative to progress to the YM final.
4. Non-Competitive Classes
a) In non-competitive classes, neither categories nor order of merit or prizes will be awarded. If time permits there may be some discussion of general points with participants.
b) For each entry there will be an individual report from the adjudicator, together with a certificate.
c) Primary Music Making (901)Schools may enter as many groups as they wish but a separate entry must be completed for each group. NB Only two groups from any one school will be timetabled in any one session. Separate entries must be completed. Maximum performance time, 8 minutes each group. Maximum number of performers in a group is 66.
d) Secondary Music Making (902)Schools may have as many musical groups/soloists as they wish as part of a presentation which must not exceed 30 minutes – including set-up time. Schools may enter as many 30 minute presentations as they wish but a separate entry must be completed for each presentation of 30 minutes. NB Only one entry from any one school will be timetabled in any one session.
5. Classes with large number of entries
Such classes may be split into smaller sections so that each entrant is given the opportunity to perform all prepared material. Where a trophy is to be awarded in a class which has been thus split, the adjudicator will decide on the best performance over both or all sections.
6. Accompanists/accompaniments
Participants must provide their own accompanists (except: see * below). In competitive classes, accompaniments must be live except Electric six-string/bass guitar Solo and Drum kit Solo where the option exists of using a backing track. Where a group accompaniment is appropriate, the maximum number of players is three. The Festival will aim to eradicate any clashes of participants being scheduled in two classes at the same time (such things happen when a solo and a group event coincide for a participant and the Festival has no knowledge of the membership of any group). However, the Festival cannot give any undertaking to avoid or reschedule clashes where an accompanist has such a problem.
* Official accompanist can be available for Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced instrumental classes. No prior rehearsal. [Requisite accompaniment for all other classes is the responsibility of entrants.]
On occasions, schools, particularly Primary Schools, indicate that they are unable to secure the services of a piano accompanist to assist them in their preparation for the Festival, leading in some cases to the schools having to withdraw entries. Schools finding themselves in such a situation can contact the Festival Administrator who may be able to put them in touch with an accompanist.
7. Own Choice
Participants in classes with “own choice” music are instructed that:
a) (i) for competitive classes, a copy of own choice music must be handed to the Check-in Steward and should be clearly marked with the participant’s name and class number.
(ii) while not essential for non-competitive classes, it is desirable that for these classes this is also done.
b) at the conclusion of the class, participants will be responsible for uplifting their own music from the Adjudicator’s Clerk.
c) maximum performance times stated will be strictly observed in the interest of accurate timing of classes.
8. The copyright regulations must be observed
Copies of own choice works for the Adjudicator
The Music Publishers Association has issued a revised Code of Practice on copying copyright works, and the following concession is made for copying own choice pieces from volumes only for the Adjudicator.
Other items must not be photocopied without the permission of the copyright holder in each case.
“When an Own Choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works which is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of an adjudicator at a competition or festival provided that the competitor or participant has already purchased his/her own copy and that the copy made is retained and destroyed by the Administrator of the Competition or Festival immediately after the event. The permission specifically does not apply to set works.”
9. Adjudicator’s comments sheet
The adjudicator’s comments sheet will normally be available to each participant at the end of the class and can be uplifted from the Adjudicator’s Clerk. The adjudicator’s decision will be final. Categories of achievement will be used as explained on Page 18of the Prospectus.
10. Certificates
Certificates will be awarded to all participants and, for competitive classes, will show the category awarded by the adjudicator.
11. Trophies
Where a trophy is available in a class, it will be awarded for the most meritorious performance in the adjudicator’s opinion. Performances in the ‘Platinum’ and ‘Gold’ categories only will be considered for the award of a trophy.
12. Withdrawals
Any withdrawals should be notified as follows:
By phone: 07780 683451 or by email to [email protected]
13. Miscellaneous
Members of the public are admitted to all classes.
The Festival programme is published in January with details of class times/venues available on the website at that time.
Any question arising which is not covered by these regulations, or the notes against individual classes in the prospectus should be addressed to the Administrator, who will, if necessary, refer it to the Committee. The Committee’s decision will be final.
Festival contact details are shown on the Committee page. Enquiries are neither dealt with at nor should be directed to Fife Council Education and Children’s Services.
Entries are to be made online.
Visit www.ffom.org.uk
Visit www.ffom.org.uk
