1. Festival Divisions

There are three Festival Divisions which operate concurrently within Atlantic Band Festival and are as follows:

A - Instrumental Jazz (combo, ensemble and traditional jazz)
B - Concert Band / Orchestra / Brass Band
C - Choral ( concert choir, chamber choir and jazz choir)

2. Standards of Performance

Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit Standards of Performance are recognized by Atlantic Band Festival.

A Gold Standard signifies that an Ensemble has achieved excellence in all facets of its performance

A Silver Standard signifies that an Ensemble is demonstrating an exceedingly high standard of musical performance.

A Bronze Standard signifies an above average quality of performance with latitude for improvement.

A Merit Standard acknowledges an average quality of performance.

Ensembles may elect to perform for Adjudication Only with no standard to be awarded or considered.

3. Rule Enforcement

The Venue Manager for each performance area will enforce all festival rules and regulations. Ensemble Directors disputing the Venue Managers decision may request the consideration of the Festival Director. The Festival Director's decision, in consultation with the Venue Manager, will be considered final.

4. Conduct

The conduct of a participating ensemble and its individual members is the responsibility of the individual director. It is expected that participants will demonstrate respect at all times for the rights of others and conform to laws and bylaws of the festival site, host city and province. Directors will ensure participants are appropriately chaperoned at all times. Problems and violations brought to the attention of the Festival Director will be dealt with appropriately and may result in Suspension or Dismissal (see below).

5. Scholarships and Awards

Atlantic Band Festival will select outstanding performers for scholarships and awards. As well a most outstanding performing group in each category will be chosen. Selection of recipients will be made by the festival adjudicators.

Berklee College of Music

Scholarships to Berklee's Five Week Summer Performance Program will be awarded in the following amounts: one $1500, one $1000, and three $500.


Outstanding Soloist Awards

Plaques will be awarded to students who have achieved an outstanding solo during their performance at Atlantic Band Festival. Outstanding Soloist Awards will be announced at the festival dance each evening.

Most Outstanding Soloist Award

The most outstanding soloist will receive a cash award of $100 from Atlantic Band Festival. To be eligible, students must be listed on the Soloist form supplied to the band director.


Most Outstanding Ensemble Award

Concert/Orchestra/Brass, Jazz and Choir. A most outstanding group in each of the three categories will receive a trophy and cash award of $300.00

Band Camp Scholarships

There will be a draw each evening for band camp tuition scholarships. All participating ensembles will be eligible.

University of New Brunswick Summer Music Camp - 1 half-tuition scholarship
Acadia University Summer Music Institute Jazz Camp - 3 scholarships
Acadia University Summer Music Institute Concert Band Camp - 3 scholarships
Summer Rock, Musicstop Ltd. - 2 scholarships

Creative Music Workshop Scholarship

One $300 scholarship toward summer study at the Creative Music Workshop in Halifax sponsored by JazzEast. Intended for inquisitive ears and minds, CMW offers musicians an opportunity to explore creative, improvisational music making with internationally renowned artists. For information regarding the Creative Music Workshop, JazzEast and the TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival Halifax, visit their website at www.jazzeast.com

6. Suspension, Dismissal and Appeal

Atlantic Band Festival reserves the right to enact either of the following two sanctions for violations of the rules and regulations and /or code of conduct.

1. Suspension - An Ensemble that has been suspended shall be deemed ineligible to receive any Festival Standards of Performance or awards. Suspension shall result from flagrant time violations, age or affiliation infractions, illegal substitution and tampering with sound or stage equipment.
2. Dismissal - An Ensemble that has been dismissed will have all rights and privileges of participation in Atlantic Band Festival revoked and will forfeit all registration fees. Dismissal will result either from conduct that is perceived to be detrimental to the aims of Atlantic Band Festival or interference with another Ensemble's performance.

   Appeals must be made in writing to the Festival Director, who will review the situation, in consultation with the adjudicators and venue manager. All decisions made at this time will be final.

7. Clinics and Workshops

Clinics - Participants are encouraged to attend the instrument specific clinics offered each day. Junior clinics are at 11:00 am followed by Senior clinics at 12 pm.

Workshops - Each ensemble will receive a workshop with one of the Adjudicators immediately following the adjudicated performance. The length and nature of the workshop will vary depending on the category, class and performance level of the ensemble.

All registered participants are invited and encouraged to attend the concerts and dances. Some events require advanced ticketing and seating is limited. Tickets are free and are restricted to participants and chaperones only. Tickets will not be reserved until the appropriate forms have been received by Atlantic Band Festival and all fees have been paid. Directors sending in their forms and fees early have the best chance of securing reservations.

9. Announcement of Standards of Performance

Standards of Performance, included with the Director's Package, can be collected immediately following the adjudicated performance but will not be announced or posted at the Festival.

10. On Site Storage

Ensembles will be allowed to store their instrument cases and coats on site for the time they are scheduled in warm-up, performance and workshop. Groups must arrange for storage of equipment at all other times, either on their bus or at their hotel.

11. Scheduling of Performances

The Festival will schedule ensembles as follows:

Concert Band/Orchestra/Brass Band April 30 - May 2
Instrumental Jazz April 30 - May 2
Concert/Chamber/Jazz Choir May 1


Only Concerts Bands may request a specific day and time to perform. Times will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, once the registration form and deposit have been received.

Concert Band

1. Ensembles are required to perform three selections at their class level as follows:
   1. one selection from the Festival Syllabus
   2. one selection in a contrasting style - own choice
   3. one concert march - own choice
   
   
2. Stage and Performance Time:
   1. Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
   2. Performances and workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
   3. Each Ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.
   
   
3. Directors must provide the adjudicators with Two (2) Conductors Scores for each selection to be played including the Festival Syllabus choice.

Equipment for Concert Band

1. Warm up room; chairs and stands only
2. Performance area; chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum, suspended cymbal, 4 tympani, bells, xylophone, bass amp, drum kit, gong and chimes. (due to our loss prevention policy we do not allow equipment to be substituted for that which is provided on stage).
3. Clinic area; chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum and stand, suspended cymbal

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above)

Orchestra/Brass Band/Chamber Ensemble

B101 - no age restrictions
B201 - ensemble members are a maximum age of 20 years as of Jan 1, 2009
B301 - ensemble members are a maximum age of 17 years as of Jan 1, 2009 or registered in Grade 12
B401 - ensemble members are a maximum age of 15 years as of Jan 1, 2009

1. Ensembles are required to perform a program of contrasting material and styles.
2. Stage and Performance Time:
   1. Warm-up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
   2. Performances and Workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
   3. Each Ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.
   
   
3. Directors must provide the adjudicators with Two (2) Conductors Scores for each selection to be played.

1. Warm up room; chairs and stands only
2. Performance area; chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum, suspended cymbal, 4 tympani, bells, xylophone, bass amp, drum kit, gong and chimes. (due to our loss prevention policy we do not allow equipment to be substituted for that which is provided on stage).
3. Clinic area; chairs, music stands, bass drum, snare drum and stand, suspended cymbal

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above)

Instrumental Jazz

1. All ensembles should present a program of three (3) contrasting selections - own choice. One selection must be a ballad.
2. Stage and performance time:
   1. Warm-up room will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
   2. Performances and Workshops are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes each.
   3. Each ensemble will receive a workshop focusing on observations made during the performance.
   
   
3. The length and nature of the clinic will vary depending on the category, class and performance time.
4. Ensembles should provide an advisor to the sound technician at the time of performance.
5. The basic Jazz Ensemble set up will be acoustic with microphones available for soloists.
6. Each director must provide the adjudicators with One (1) Conductors Score / Lead Sheet for each selection to be played.

1. Warm up room; electric piano, guitar, keyboard and bass amplifier, drum set, chairs and music stands.
2. Performance area; electric piano, guitar, keyboard, and bass amplifier, drum set, music stands and P.A. system.
3. Clinic area; electric piano, guitar, keyboard and bass amplifier, drum set, chairs and music stands

(The festival will not provide mallets, sticks, auxiliary percussion or other equipment not listed above. Drummers are permitted to exchange only the snare drum and bass pedal on the drum set, and add but not remove existing cymbals)

1. Groups will perform three (3) to five (5) contrasting selections.
2. Stage and Performance Time
   1. Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to performance.
   2. Performance and Workshop will be limited to 40 minutes.
   3. Each group will receive a workshop on observations made during the performance.
   
   
3. Each group must provide Two (2)Conductors Scores of each performance selection.

1. Warm up room; digital piano and music stands
2. Performance area; Acoustic piano, choral risers, music stands, bass and guitar amp, drum set, sound system with 16 microphones.