WHARFEDALE FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

SPEECH AND DRAMA / THEATRE TIME – Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th May – Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley

MUSIC MAKERS – Thursday, 7th May – Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley

CHOIRS AND MUSIC ENSEMBLE – Cancelled in 2026

PIANO – Tuesday 17th – Thursday 19th November  – Christchurch Sanctuary, The Grove, Ilkley

The age limits set out in the syllabus refer to the age of the entrant during the period 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025 for the May Festival, BUT for the Piano (November) Festival refer to the period 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2026.

• 6 years and under : YEAR 1
• 7 years and under : YEAR 2
• 8 years and under : YEAR 3
• 9 years and under : YEAR 4
• 10 years and under : YEAR 5
• 11 years and under : YEAR 6
• 12 years and under : YEAR 7
• 13 years and under : YEAR 8
• 14 years and under : YEAR 9
• 15 years and under : YEAR 10
• 16 years and under : YEAR 11
• 17 years and under : YEAR 12
• 18 years and under : YEAR 13
• NO AGE LIMIT : is aimed at adults aged 19 years and over though any age may enter this class.

SOLO ENTRIES unless stated otherwise

Under 18 years for applicable festival date £7 per class to a maximum charge of £25

for 4 or more individual entries

18 years and over £12 per class to a maximum charge of £ 40 for 4 or more individual entries.

DUETS £14 per class.

GROUP ENTRIES – as stated against class number

• This Festival is covered by the Copyright Licensing Agency. This means that entrants do not have to seek copyright permission for any poetry, prose or solo dramatic items performed, to a time limit of 10 minutes. (Dramatic items must be announced with title and author at the time of performance to qualify for copyright indemnity, and the performer must not change the words or gender of the character).
• All OWN CHOICE material must be of the quality, weight and length appropriate to the age and the class, the standard of which will be taken into consideration by the adjudicator.
• Legible photocopies of all items performed must be given to the adjudicator.
• These will be retained and destroyed by the adjudicator immediately after the festival.

Please contact the appropriate secretary if you are having difficulty obtaining any set pieces.

• All individual competitors will be given a certificate and a written adjudication with their grade.
• Group entries will receive a single certificate along with their written adjudication and grade.
• First, Second and Third places will be awarded in each class, as is deemed appropriate by the Adjudicator.
• The winner of each class will receive a medal, trophy or prize.
• Any award can be withheld at the Adjudicator’s discretion.
• The decisions of the Adjudicators are final.

SYSTEM OF GRADING PERFORMANCES

In accordance to the revised British and International Federation of Festivals Marking Scheme 2024.

 DEVELOPING (65 – 69)           A performance demonstrating an awareness of technical skills, requiring more consistency & artistry.

 PROGRESSING (70 – 74)          A performance showing development of technique and/or communication and commitment.

MERIT (75 – 79)                      A competent performance, showing some artistic awareness and/or technical ability.

 COMMENDED (80 – 84)          A convincing performance technically & artistically, with increasing stylistic & communication skills.

 HONOURS (85 – 89)                An excellent performance, demonstrating fluent technical and artistic skills with emerging individuality.

 OUTSTANDING (90 – 94)         An impressive performance technically and artistically, displaying spontaneity & clear individuality.

 EXCEPTIONAL (+95 marks)     A superlative performance, displaying exceptional artistic individuality.

• Participants should observe all time limits for performances. If you do not keep to the time limit the Adjudicator will deduct one mark for every 10 seconds over the time limit.
• Entrants are welcome to introduce their chosen piece, but this will form part of the overall performance time.

All musicians are welcome to use the services of their own accompanist if the class allows. We can also recommend an accompanist in the area.

The Wharfdale Festival reserve the right to limit the numbers of entries to each class and to withdraw any classes with less than 3 entries. A full refund of fees paid will be given in these circumstances.

Firstly look at the syllabus for the sections that you would like to enter and decide which classes you are interested in. The syllabus is duplicated in the online entry portal.

All entries are made via the Online Entry system

Queries relating to the system should be made to Julie James (Speech and Drama )

The Steps you will be required to make when using the online system.

1. Register with your email address – this will become your USER ID  
   Previous registrations will still have access under the email address you have used – skip to step 4
2. Receive a confirmation email (check your SPAM folder) and click the confirmation link
3. Enter your details and accept the terms
4. Log in with your new credentials
5. Enter or update the name(s) of the people you wish to enter
6. For small ensembles add the individual names if desired
7. OR you can add ensemble names without the details of the members
8. Then once you have entrants on the system, you can click on the green enter button next to their name
9. Choose a class – scroll through, or use the filters to choose an individual section, or search for a class number
10. For chosen class click on the blue Add to Basket button.
11. You may be asked to confirm age.
12. Details on the piece and accompanist requirements may be required
13. Finally, the entry can be added to the basket. 
14. AT THIS STAGE ALL IS STILL AT DRAFT – you can now log off and return later if you wish
15. You can continue to add this entrant to more classes or choose to work with another entrant.
16. To finally submit into the festival you can “checkout” and pay your fees via Paypal
17. The Paypal payment can be from a regular Debit/Credit Card or a Paypal account.
18. After Checkout, you will receive email confirmation almost immediately.  Please email if not received within a day.
19. Finally, make sure you follow the instructions in the attachments you will receive.

• Bring your copies of music/words for the adjudicator if required
• Make sure your accompanist knows when and where to meet you for your performance
• Dress appropriately for your performance
• Arrive 15 minutes before your class time and register with the Adjudicator’s Steward in your allocated performance room.
• If you are under 18 years of age you must arrive with your supervisor
• Tickets are available at the door for friends and family to watch your performance. There are programmes available to buy for £2 which will have a list of fellow performers and what they will be performing.
• You will be announced for your class at which time you will make your way to the performance area. When comfortable you may introduce your performance and start.
• After you have finished please return to your seat until the end of the class. The adjudicator will take a little time to write some notes on your evaluation sheet before calling for the next performer.
• At the end of the class, the adjudicator will say a few words to the performers and audience and may talk briefly about each performance before concluding by announcing the winner of the class and awarding the prizes. Your certificate may be presented by the adjudicator or will be available for collection at the back of the room. The Platform Steward will confirm this.
• If you have any questions on the day you will see the Festival Stewards who are there to support and encourage you.