Bowed Strings, Harp and Guitars Classes

Date: 17th - 18th February 2024

Venue: Delrow Community Hall, Hilfield Lane, Watford, WD25 8DJ

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST CREATE A USER ACCOUNT AT LEAST 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE.

Adjudicators: 

To be confirmed

 Entries: ONLINE ONLY (via our website)

All enquiries: Adie Landsman adie@watfordfestival.co.uk

Ayelet Yuchetel ayelet@watfordfestival.co.uk 

The timetable summary will be available online at www.watfordfestival.co.uk from January 2024.

 

-Please read the information below carefully.

-Most Class names/requirements have changed for 2024.

-Please note that pieces can ONLY be performed in ONE class.  

 
All candidates MUST bring a copy of their music for the adjudicator as well as an original book/sheet music.

For all digitally purchased music, you must provide proof of purchase.

*Please note that where age is specified, the age must be reckoned as on 1st February 2024.

Prizes: In all classes, there will be a combination of trophy and/or medals or certificates for prize winners and every competitor will receive a certificate and adjudicator’s comment sheet.   

 

Strings and Guitar Section Prizes: 

The Watford Festival Strings Award-  £25 to the most promising young bowed strings player

The Watford Festival Guitar Award-  £25 to the most promising young guitar player

Susanna Thomas Memorial Scholarship - £50 to the class winner  

 

Bowed Strings & Harp classes

  • D0-D5, D16 – 1-2 pieces or movements
  • D6-D13 – 1 piece from a current syllabus ABRSM / TRINITY / LCME / MTB
  • D14, D15 – 2-3 contrasting pieces or movements
  • D13 – £50 award. D15 – Sallie Bowen Memorial Trophy, Other classes – Certificate/Medal/Trophy
D0

Novice Strings - Pre Grade 1

Beginner or Prep/Initial Exam standard pieces may be performed.  Grade 1 standard pieces cannot be performed in this class.  Adjudicator's decision is final.

Up to 2 pieces OR movements to fit in the total time limit.  Limit of 15 performers per class.

Accompaniment optional. 

Age 16 or under.

 

2 mins

£11.00

 

 

New! ALL BOWED STRINGS AND HARP SOLO

Up to 2 pieces or movements to fit in the total time limit.  Limit of 20 performers per class.

Accompaniment optional.  Pieces can ONLY be performed in 1 class. You may only enter one class in this section.  

   
D1 Bowed strings and harp - Age 8 and under* 3 mins £12.00
D2 Bowed strings and harp - Age 10 and under* 4 mins £13.00
D3 Bowed strings and harp - Age 12 and under* 5 mins £14.00
D4 Bowed strings and harp - Age 14 and under* 6 mins £15.00
D5 Bowed strings and harp - Age 18 and under* 8 mins £18.00
 

*age on 1/2/24

   
       
 

New! Graded solo classes - all bowed strings and harp 

Only 1 piece to be performed which must be from the most recent ABRSM/LCME/Trinity/MTB exam syllabus for the relevant instrument (or previous recent syllabus if still valid/overlap).  You may only perform in ONE graded class on each instrument.  Age 18 and under.  You must be able to prove the validity of your piece from the relevant syllabus.  Any pieces not from the CURRENT syllabus choice as stated above will not be allowed to be performed.

   
D6 Grade 1 - all bowed strings and harp 3 mins £12.00
D7 Grade 2 - all bowed strings and harp 3 mins £12.00
D8 Grade 3 - all bowed strings and harp 4 mins £13.00
D9 Grade 4 - all bowed strings and harp 4 mins £13.00
D10 Grade 5 - all bowed strings and harp 5 mins £14.00
D11 Grade 6 - all bowed strings and harp 6 mins £15.00
D12 Grade 7 - all bowed strings and harp 8 mins £18.00
D13 Grade 8 - all bowed strings and harp - Susanna Thomas Memorial Class 8 mins £18.00
       
 

RECITAL CLASSES (bowed strings and harp) 

ENTRIES FOR THIS CLASS MUST CONTAIN 2-3 contrasting pieces or movementsfrom at least 2 different works to form a balanced programme.  You may only perform pieces that you have NOT performed in another class.  Please enter only 1 class below.  Maximum 10 performers per class.

   
D14 Recital class - Age 14 and under 12 mins £22.00
D15 Sallie Bowen Memorial Recital Class - Age 18 and under* 15 mins £25.00
 

*age on 1/2/24

   
       
 

ENSEMBLE CLASSES 

All strings excl guitars

Must include A MINIMUM of 2 bowed string instruments or harp.  May also include piano.  Maximum 15 performers per group.

Up to 2 pieces to fit in the total time limit.

Limit of 8 groups per class.  Please enter only 1 class.

Age 18 and under.

   
D16 Ensemble class - all strings excl. guitar 6 mins £17.00
 

Guitar classes

  • 1-2 pieces or movements
  • Certificate/Medal/Trophy

 

 

Up to 2 pieces or movements to fit in the total time limit.  Limit of 20 performers per class.

No accompaniment.  Pieces can ONLY be performed in 1 class. You may only enter one class in this section.

 

   
D17 Guitars - Novice - pre grade 1 only **.  (age 16 and under)* 2 mins £11.00
D18 Guitars - Age 8 and under* 3 mins £12.00
D19 Guitars - Age 10 and under* 4 mins £13.00
D20 Guitars - Age 12 and under* 5 mins £14.00
D21 Guitars - Age 14 and under* 8 mins £18.00
D22 Guitars - Age 18 and under* 8 mins £18.00
D23 Guitars Ensembles 2-4 performers age 18 or under*** mins £16.00
 
       
 

* age on 1/2/24

** pieces may not fill grade 1 criteria or be on any Grade 1 syllabus.  Must be initial/prep or beginner pieces.

*** at least 2 instruments must be guitars. 

 

   
 

Notes

1. Competitors are not allowed to present any piece/movement in more than one class.

2. Please keep the piece within the stated time, as if a performance goes over time, a bell may be rung and the performance marked up to that point only.

3. A copy of the music MUST be provided for the adjudicator.  See No.2 of Regulations and General Information.  This rule about original copies and photocopies will be strictly applied.

4. We reserve the right to amalgamate classes with few entries, for both adjudication and trophy purposes.  Candidates in classes that have been combined will be informe in advance of the competition.  This includes combining recorder with other wind/brass classes of similar standards.

5. There will be a limit of 15 entries per class unless stated otherwise.  We have the right to amend this at any time.

6. One original copy of the music must be provided either for the use of the performer or the adjudicator.  You will not be able to receive Adjudicator feedback without a copy of the music.

7. You MUST be able to prove validity of your pieces for the graded classes.  They must be from a CURRENT syllabus or previous syllabus which is still valid for exam performance on your instrument.  Only ABRSM, LCME, MTB and Trinity exam pieces accepted.   

7. You may play up to 2 pieces per class but must stay within the total time limit (unless otherwise indicated).

8. We reserve the right to disqualify any performers who do not follow the rules listed above.

9. Recital classes MUST present 2-3 contracting pieces or movements.  Performers presenting only 1 piece will be able to perform and receive feedback BUT will NOT be able to compete for medals.

10. Where age is specified, the age of the candidate must be reckoned on as 1st February 2024.