74th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival (2022)

Rules and Regulations

For some classes, there are requirements and details given in the class description of the Syllabus.
Such information is also an integral part of the Rules and Regulations which members /
competitors must also take note of and observe.
Unless otherwise specified, when the class concerned is a Group / Duo class, the term
“competitor” refers to a competing team, not the individual member(s) of a team.

1 All competitors must be students of members of the Hong Kong Schools Music and
Speech Association (the Association) and must enter the Festival through such
members. Members may enter their own students only (please refer to 1.1 for Group
classes and 1.2 for Duo classes). It is the members’ responsibility to inform their
students of every detail about the competitions. The Association will not approach
individual competitors.
2 It is the responsibility of members / competitors to ensure that information given on
the entry forms is valid, complete and meet the requirements of respective classes.
The Association bears no responsibility for checking of the eligibility of the entry.
MISSING
Submission of an entry implies consent from the members / competitors to abide by
these Rules and Regulations and will strictly observe the Rules and Regulations.
3 Competitors are required to video-record their performance. Competitors must
strictly observe the procedures for submission, the submission period and the
specification of video stipulated in this Rules and Regulations in submitting the video.
4 The performer(s) in the video must be the person(s) who entered the competition.
Competitors failing to comply will be disqualified.
5 Any entry that is disqualified at any time because of not meeting the eligibility or
violating the Rules and Regulations will not be informed separately and no entry fees
will be refunded.
6 If competitors are found to have violated the Rules and Regulations at any time, the
violation may result in:
(i) disqualification; or
(ii) only comments being given but no marks / awards being awarded; or
(iii) marks / awards will be affected.
7 If any dispute arises, the Association reserves the right to make the final decision.

1 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Competitors must be Hong Kong students who are aged 23 or under and attending
whole day school / half day school in kindergarten, primary, secondary and special
schools, or studying full-time in universities / post-secondary institutes in Hong Kong.
Students attending universities / post-secondary institutes have to enter the Festival on
their own and they are only eligible to enter Open Classes.
1.1 Group Entry: It covers string orchestra and ensemble classes. This includes
Classes 91 - 94, 236 - 238, 241 - 242, 572, 576 - 577 and 861. For Class 861, the
team must comprise of students from the same university / post-secondary
institute / registered organisation. The rest of the classes are only open to School
Members; unless otherwise specified, a team must comprise of students of the same
School Member.
 1.2 Duo Entry: It covers duet, violin sonata, cello sonata and art song classes. This
includes Classes 25, 26, 156 - 158, 209, 218 - 220, 226, 255 - 256, 305, 325 - 328,
706 and 801. Both competitors must meet the entry requirements and at least one
member of the competing team must be the student of the member that enters them.
1.3 Solo Entry: It covers solo and original composition classes. This includes
Classes 1 - 23, 100 - 151, 206, 208, 210 - 217, 222 - 225, 227 - 232, 252 - 254,
306 - 308, 329 - 336, 410 - 465, 490 - 491, 500 - 559, 588, 625, 700 - 705, 708,
802 - 811, 828, 838, 848, 860, 872 and 890 - 891.
1.4 Open Classes: This includes Classes 801 - 891. People who are musicians by
profession are not qualified to enter respective Open Classes. People who used to
be Cantonese opera actors or Cantonese operatic songs singers by profession are
not qualified to enter any Cantonese operatic song classes. Please refer to
Annex 1 for the full list of eligible universities and post-secondary institutes.
1.4.1 Classes 801 - 803: Competitors must be aged 15 or above.
1.4.2 Classes 890 - 891: Competitors must be University / Post-secondary students.
1.5 Scholarship Classes: This includes Classes 150, 151, 588, 828, 838 and 848.
1.5.1 Competitors of these classes must be full-time students aged 23 or under.
1.5.2 First-prize winners of any of these classes in the past Festivals are not
qualified to enter the same classes again.

2 ENROLMENT
2.1 Entry Forms
2.1.1 Members should logon the On-line Enrolment System (OES) for enrolment.
2.1.2 University / Post-secondary students should enrol through the Association
website. They must submit a scanned copy of their student ID cards during
enrolment.
2.1.3 Competitors should use their names identical to that of their Hong Kong ID
cards / birth certificates for all the entries.
2.2 Substitution or swapping of competitors, change of area codes or class numbers
will not be permitted after the submission of entry forms.
2.3 Competitors should enter classes according to the requirements stipulated in the
current Syllabus e.g. the entry requirements, level of attainment, age, education
level, grade, gender, competition requirements, class requirements, etc.
Competitors failing to do so will be disqualified.
2.4 In all classes where an age requirement is stipulated, the governing date shall be
31 December 2021. Examples:
Aged 23 or under Born on or after 1 January 1998
Aged 19 or under Born on or after 1 January 2002
Aged 16 or under Born on or after 1 January 2005
Aged 14 or under Born on or after 1 January 2007
Aged 13 or under Born on or after 1 January 2008
Aged 10 or under Born on or after 1 January 2011
2.5 Area Code
2.5.1 For solo and duo entries, competitors are allowed to enter in the Region of
their choice.
2.5.2 U denotes Hong Kong Region (including outlying Islands) and Kowloon
Region (including Sai Kung).
2.5.3 E denotes New Territories East Region (including North District, Sha Tin
and Tai Po).
 2.5.4 W denotes New Territories West Region (including Kwai Chung and Tsing
Yi, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long).
2.5.5 N denotes classes which will not be divided into Regions.
2.6 Enrolment Period
2.6.1 Entries will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. on 30 September 2021 to 5:00 p.m.
on 28 October 2021.
2.6.2 Under no circumstances will late entries be accepted.
2.6.3 Depending on the classes entered, competitors may be required to submit
other information / documents. Please refer to the Important Dates to be
Noted in Annex 2 or on the Association website for the deadlines.
2.7 Entry Fees
2.7.1 Please refer to the current Syllabus for the entry fee of each class.
2.7.2 Once the entry form is submitted, no refund will be made even if
competitors:
(i) fail to take part in the competition for any reason;
(ii) apply for withdrawal; or
(iii) violate the Rules and Regulations.
2.8 Members should compile competitors’ entries and submit on the On-line Enrolment
System in batch(es) before the submission deadline. Members should settle the
payment by post or in person with the following attachments by 1 November 2021 at
the latest:
(i) Payment Advice (PA) - downloadable from the On-line Enrolment System; and
(ii) cheque / cashier’s order (ONE cheque / cashier’s order for ONE payment
advice only)
The Association accepts no responsibility for any loss, delay or damage during
postal delivery. The receiving date of the above documents shall be in reference
with the postmark. Payment receipt will be available for members to download
from the Association website from 10:00 a.m. on 26 November 2021 onwards.
2.9 If members have not completed the enrolment procedures, all students in the
concerned batch cannot enter the competitions. Any information or documents
already submitted to the Association will be destroyed without further notice.
2.10 Entry Form Receipts (EFR)
Each entry form submitted will be issued with an Entry Form Receipt. Members
can download the Entry Form Receipts from the Association website from
10:00 a.m. on 4 January 2022 onwards for distribution to respective students.
University / Post-secondary students who have entered on their own will receive the
Entry Form Receipts via email.
2.11 Competition Notifications (CN)
For the identification of competitor’s status, the Association will issue a
Competition Notification for each and every class that the competitor has entered in,
i.e. if a competitor has entered two classes, he / she will be given two Competition
Notifications. Members can download the Competition Notification from the
Association website from 10:00 a.m. on 4 January 2022 onwards for distribution to
respective students. University / Post-secondary students who have entered on
their own will receive the Competition Notification via email.
3 REGULATIONS
3.1 General Rules
3.1.1 The Association reserves the right to amend the Syllabus. Amendments, if
any, will be posted on the Association website. The most recently updated
version posted on the Association website overrides the previous ones.
3.1.2 Depending on the number of entries in each class and the length of time
required for the piece, the Association will allocate competitors of the same
class into a number of groups. Each group is independent of the others and
so are the adjudication and results.
3.1.3 The Association reserves the right to make changes, modifications and
cancellations of any arrangements for the Festival as deem necessary or
expedient.
3.1.4 Competition information is given on the Competition Notifications.
Members / Competitors can also access the details from the Competition
Grouping Arrangement posted on the Association website from
4 January 2022 with:
(i) the membership number and password; or
(ii) the reference number as shown on the Entry Form Receipt.
If a request for change is to be made, please refer to “Procedure for Alteration
Application” in Annex 3. The altered items will be uploaded to the
Competition Grouping Arrangement - Revised Version from 25 January 2022.
3.1.5 The Association will decide on the full arrangement of all competitions.
The order of competitors’ groupings and performance for each competition
will be assigned by ballot draws.
3.1.6 Competitors may tune before they perform, but the tuning time should not
exceed 30 seconds, otherwise their marks will be affected.
3.1.7 Apart from Cantonese operatic song classes, no amplification devices,
electronic musical instruments or synthesizers will be allowed.
Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither
marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.
3.1.8 Any form of prompting, such as cueing and conducting, is not allowed for
all classes during video-recording, otherwise competitors’ marks will be
affected.
3.1.9 All western instrumental classes should adopt A=440. Cantonese operatic
song classes should adopt C# as 1.
3.1.10 Apart from Original Composition class and certain Cantonese operatic song
classes, no recorded accompaniment is allowed. Competitors who violate
this rule will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will
be awarded to them. For details, please refer to competition requirements
of Cantonese operatic song classes.
3.1.11 Neat, tidy and appropriate attire is required during competitions. For the
dress requirement of Cantonese operatic song classes, please refer to the
Chinese version of the Rules and Regulations 3.4.6.
3.2 Number of Entries
3.2.1 Competitors are allowed to enter only once regardless of the area code in the
same class.
3.2.2 Solo classes and Duo classes categorised by grade (advanced, senior,
intermediate and junior / grades one to eight) or age group (age 19 or under,
age 16 or under, age 14 or under, etc.): Competitors may only enter one
grade / age group in a section / category.
3.2.3 Ensembles: A school may enter more than one team in a class. However,
the members of one team must be entirely different from the members of
other teams.
3.2.4 Vocal Solo: For Classes 1 - 21, competitors may choose to enter one class
from the Singing in Foreign Language section as well as one class from the
Singing in Chinese section, but not more than one class under either
language section. Competitors entering Classes 1 - 21 cannot enter Classes
804 - 811 and vice versa.
3.2.5 Children Vocal Solo: Competitors may only enter either Singing in English
(Class 22) or Singing in Chinese (Class 23).
3.2.6 Vocal Ensemble: A member of a team may only enter one class in a section.
[Example:
A member may not enter two teams in Female Voice Vocal Ensemble
(Age 19 or under) (Class 91), but she may enter one team in Female Voice
Vocal Ensemble (Age 19 or under) (Class 91) and one team in Mixed Voice
Vocal Ensemble (Age 19 or under) (Class 93).]
3.2.7 Piano Solo Classes 100 - 130, 147 - 151 and 838: Competitors may only
choose ONE class to enter.
3.2.8 String: Competitors entering Class 828 are not allowed to enter Classes 206,
208, 209, 210 - 217, 222 - 232.
3.2.9 Violin: Competitors entering Class 206 or 208 are not allowed to enter
Classes 210 - 217.
3.2.10 Cello: Competitors entering Class 225 are not allowed to enter Classes
227 - 229.
3.2.11 String Ensemble and Piano Ensemble Classes 236 - 238: Competitors may
only choose one class to enter. A member of a team may perform for only
one class among the three classes. Competing teams who violate this rule
will only be given comments. No awards will be given to them.
3.2.12 String Orchestra categorised by grade: A school may only enter one team to
a class. A member of a team may perform for only one class.
Competing teams who violate this rule will only be given comments. No
awards will be given to them.
[Example:
A school may not enter two teams in a senior string orchestra class
(Class 241) but it may enter one team in a senior string orchestra class and
one team in an intermediate string orchestra class (Class 241 and Class
242). However, the members of one team must be entirely different from
the members of the other team.]
3.2.13 Wind, Brass and Percussion: Competitors entering Class 848 are not allowed
to enter Classes 410 - 465, 490, 491.
3.2.14 Chinese Instrumental Solo Award: Competitors entering Class 588 are not
allowed to enter Classes 500 - 559.
3.2.15 Cantonese Operatic Song Classes 700 - 706, 890 and 891: Competitors may
only choose ONE class to enter.
3.2.16 Competitors failing to follow the rules on the number of entries stated in 3.2
will only be permitted to compete in ONE of the competitions concerned.
The competition to be retained is randomly drawn electronically.
Competitors will be disqualified in the non-retained competitions.
 3.2.17 Competitors are allowed to perform only once in the same class.
Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither
marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.
3.3 Competition Materials
The rules regarding the competition materials and the consequence of violation of
the rules are as follows:
Rule Consequence of Violation
(i) It is the responsibility of the members to Competitors will only be
ensure that if the competitors and / or given comments. Neither
accompanists use music scores during the marks nor certificates will be
performance, the scores must be original / awarded to them.
authorised for use. The competitors /
accompanists must show the cover of the
original score / a copy of the music score(s)
(of which authorisation for use has been
obtained) to the camera for at least 2
seconds. If there is no cover, please show
the first page of the competition piece.
(ii) Competitors must perform according to the Competitors’ marks will be
competition requirements given in the affected.
Syllabus
*for specific rules, please refer to 3.3.1 and
3.3.2
(iii) Competitors must perform according to the Competitors will only be
set piece / Own Choice piece submitted given comments. Neither
marks nor certificates will be
awarded to them.
(iv) Competitors must perform from memory if Competitors will only be
it is a competition requirement of the class given comments. Neither
marks nor certificates will be
awarded to them.
(v) Competitors must perform the whole piece Competitors will only be
in its entirety according to the competition given comments. Neither
requirements marks nor certificates will be
awarded to them.
(vi) If a class requires competitors to perform Competitors’ marks will be
both a set piece and an Own Choice piece, affected.
competitors must perform the set piece first
(vii) Competitors / accompanists may use Competitors will only be
electronic devices during performance, but given comments. Neither
only limited to the following uses - marks nor certificates will be
(a) For score-reading awarded to them.
(b) For page turning
(c) For tuning
(d) Cantonese operatic song classes
3.3.1 Set Pieces
The set pieces are given in the Syllabus. The name and the publisher of the
publication are also provided in the Syllabus. Competitors may use any
standard edition if no particular edition is specified. Members / competitors
are strongly advised to acquire the music scores as early as possible. They
may visit the Association to cross-check the versions they have against the
versions set for competitions. (Please visit the Association website for details.
Music scores will not be allowed to be photocopied or loaned out.)
The rules regarding the set pieces and the consequence of violation of the rules are
as follows:
Rule Consequence of Violation
(i) If a competitor / accompanist needs to use Competitors will only be
music score(s) during the performance, he / given comments. Neither
she must show the cover of the original marks nor certificates will be
score / a copy of the music score(s) (of awarded to them.
which authorisation for use has been
obtained) to the camera for at least 2
seconds. If there is no cover, please show
the first page of the competition piece. If
competitors and accompanists perform from
memory, please do not show the score.
(ii) Documents to be submitted to the Competitors will only be
Association on or before 2 December 2021 given comments. Neither
(5:00 p.m.) through email, in person or by a marks nor certificates will be
delegated person are as follows: awarded to them.
(a) For competitors using published electronic
scores at the competition:
(1) a duly signed “Copyright Declaration”
to prove that authorisation for use of the
music scores has been obtained
(b) For competitors using unpublished scores
at the competition:
(1) a duly signed “Copyright Declaration”
to prove that authorisation for use of the
music scores has been obtained
(c) For competitors using scores under
public domain at the competition:
(1) a duly signed “Copyright Declaration”
to prove that no authorisation for use of
the music scores is required as it is in the
public domain
For School Member enrolment, “Copyright
Declaration” must bear the signature of the school
principal and the school chop; for Non-School
Member enrolment, “Copyright Declaration”
must bear the signature of the Associate Member /
Temporary Membership for Music Tutor.
(“Copyright Declaration” can be downloaded
from the Association website.)
 (iii) Competitors should perform the set pieces Competitors will only be
according to the arrangements or key in the given comments. Neither
specified edition given in the Syllabus but marks nor certificates will be
that does not apply to the instructions on awarded to them.
bowing, fingering, phrasing, position and
pedaling
(iv) If accompaniment is printed on the score or Competitors will only be
stated as a requirement in the competition given comments. Neither
requirements, competitors should perform marks nor certificates will be
with and provide their own accompanists awarded to them.

3.3.2 Own Choice Pieces

3.3.2.1 Members / Competitors are required to submit the Own Choice Form
(OC Form) to the Association through email, in person or by a
delegated person on or before 2 December 2021 (5:00 p.m.). The
Association will send a confirmation of receipt for each OC Form
within 7 working days. Only the one submitted first will be accepted
for the competition. Competitors failing to do so will be
disqualified.
3.3.2.2 Due to the Video-submission Mode, members / competitors should
also submit a copy of the scores to the Association through email, in
person or by a delegated person on or before 2 December 2021
(5:00 p.m.) for the adjudicators’ reference. All copies submitted will
be destroyed after the Festival. Only the one submitted first will be
accepted for the competition. Competitors failing to do so will only
be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded
to them.
3.3.2.3 For Singing in Foreign Language classes, if the Own Choice piece is
not sung in English, competitors must provide an English translation
of the lyrics for the adjudicators.
The rules regarding the Own Choice pieces and the consequence of violation of the
rules are as follows:
Rule Consequence of Violation
(i) Before the competitors perform, he / she Competitors will only be
must show the cover of the original score / a given comments. Neither
copy of the Own Choice piece (of which marks nor certificates will be
authorization for use has been obtained) to awarded to them.
the camera for at least 2 seconds. If there
is no cover, please show the first page of the
competition piece.
(ii) Members / Competitors should also submit Competitors will only be
a copy of the scores to the Association on or given comments. Neither
before 2 December 2021 (5:00 p.m.), and: marks nor certificates will be
(a) For competitors using published awarded to them.
electronic scores:
(1) Submit a duly signed “Copyright
Declaration” to prove that
authorisation for use of the music
scores has been obtained
(b) For competitors using unpublished scores:
(1) Submit a duly signed “Copyright
Declaration” to prove that
authorisation for use of the music
scores has been obtained
(c) For competitors using scores under
public domain:
(1) Submit a duly signed “Copyright
Declaration” to prove that no
authorisation for use of the music
scores is required as it is in the
public domain
For School Member enrolment, “Copyright
Declaration” must bear the signature of the
school principal and the school chop; for
Non-School Member enrolment, “Copyright
Declaration” must bear the signature of the
Associate Member / Temporary Membership
for Music Tutor.
(“Copyright Declaration” can be downloaded
from the Association website.)
(iii) If there are omissions or alternative Competitors’ marks will be
instrumentation, competitors should also affected.
submit a photocopy of the full score with
the changes clearly marked
 (iv) If competitors / teachers have made any Competitors will only be
musical alterations to a piece, they must given comments. Neither
submit “Copyright Declaration” to the marks nor certificates will be
Association on or before 2 December 2021 awarded to them.
(5:00 p.m.) for record, proving that:
(1) They have cleared the copyright with
the composer / arranger / publisher; or
(2) They have failed to reach the composer /
arranger / publisher for copyright
clearance. All the responsibilities
would be borne by the school or
Associate Member / Temporary
Membership for Music Tutor.
For School Member enrolment, “Copyright
Declaration” must bear the signature of the
school principal and the school chop; for
Non-School Member enrolment, “Copyright
Declaration” must bear the signature of the
Associate Member / Temporary Membership
for Music Tutor.
(“Copyright Declaration” can be downloaded
from the Association website.)
(v) It is the responsibility of the members / Competitors will only be
competitors to ensure that they do not repeat given comments. Neither
their Own Choice piece of one class in marks nor certificates will be
another class. They should also ensure awarded to them.
that their Own Choice piece is not a set
piece of the same section / instrument in the
current Festival. (The current list of the set
pieces is posted on the Association website.)
(vi) Own Choice pieces selected should fulfillCompetitors will only be
the competition requirements of respective
given comments. Neither
class marks nor certificates will be
awarded to them.
(vii) Competitors should perform according to Competitors’ marks will be
the specific time limit affected.

3.4 Rules for Different Classes

3.4.1 Group Classes
3.4.1.1 Where a team has to perform two pieces, performing members of
both pieces must be in the camera together at the time the
performance begins, the total number of members must not exceed
the specified limit of the class concerned. Competitors failing to
do so will only be given comments. Neither awards nor
certificates will be given to them.
 3.4.2 Vocal Ensemble Classes
3.4.2.1 Competitors of these classes must perform from memory and sing
in the language specified in the class requirement during the
competition. Competitors failing to do so will only be given
comments. Neither awards nor certificates will be given to them.
The number of performers of each team (including singers but
excluding the piano accompanist and the page-turner) is restricted
as follows:
Class No. No. of performers
91 - 94 3-12
3.4.3 Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet Classes
All competitors must perform from memory and sing in the language
specified in the class requirement. They must find their own piano
accompanists. The singers may not self-accompany their own performance.
Soprano, Alto and Female Voice Duet classes must not be entered by male
singers. Tenor and Bass Classes must not be entered by female singers.
Competitors who violate these rules will be disqualified.
3.4.4 Instrumental Solo Classes
All competitors of the instrumental solo classes must perform from memory.
Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither
marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.
3.4.5 Chinese Instrumental Classes
Solo Classes competitors (Classes 500 - 559) must perform without
accompaniment. For Erhu Ensemble (Class 576) and RTHK Radio 4
Chinese Instruments Scholarship (Class 588), only double bass, cello and
western percussion instruments can be used in accompaniment, other
western instruments or Chinese wind instruments are not permitted.
3.4.6 Cantonese Operatic Song Classes
Please refer to the Chinese version of the Rules and Regulations.
3.5 Prize-winners’ Concerts
Prize-winners who are recommended by adjudicators may be invited to perform at
the Concerts. The Association has the right to set the programmes of the
Prize-winners’ Concerts to be held in any venues at any time / in any mode. The
Rules and Regulations of the current Hong Kong Schools Music Festival should
also apply to the Concerts.

4 SPECIFICATIONS OF VIDEO RECORDING

4.1 Competitors shall follow the order listed below when recording the video:
(i) Announce their names, class code and group number as shown on the
Competition Notification. The announcement has to be made in English
except for Singing in Chinese classes, Chinese instrumental classes and
Cantonese operatic song classes. For Piano Solo - Chinese Composers classes,
the announcement has to be made in Chinese.
(ii) If music scores are used or in Classes with Own Choice piece(s), show the
cover of the original score / a copy of the music score(s) (of which
authorisation for use has been obtained) to the camera for at least 2 seconds.
If there is no cover, please show the first page of the competition piece.
(iii) Perform the competition pieces according to the performing order stipulated in
the competition requirements.
 4.2 If competitor(s) perform the same piece repeatedly in a video, only the first
performance will be adjudicated.
4.3 Competitors will be disqualified if they fail to comply with the following:
4.3.1 The video must be a single, continuous shot video footage. Competitors
must not stop or pause the camera during shooting. If there is more than
one piece / song for the same class, they must be recorded in the same
video.
4.3.2 Re-tuning of instruments or break during the performance shall be included
as part of the continuous recording.
4.3.3 No mixing, editing or post-production are permitted.
4.3.4 Special visual effects shall not be added in the video clips, including such as
filters, transitions, colour adjustments, light adjustments or subtitles etc.
4.3.5 The video must be recorded live and no dubbing is permitted.
4.4 Earbuds / in-ear headphones as sound receivers are not allowed. Competitors who
violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will
be awarded to them.
4.5 Competitors’ marks will be affected if they do not observe the following:
4.5.1 The audio and video have to synchronise and the sound quality is clear and
smooth.
4.5.2 The resolution of the video is 720p (1280x720) or above.
4.5.3 The shooting has to be done indoor with a simple background and sufficient
lighting, avoid having any bright lights from behind, and virtual or projected
background. The recording environment has to be quiet.
4.5.4 The entire video must clearly show the competitor’s face, entire musical
instrument (except piano) and posture. For piano classes, the camera must
have a clear view of the competitor’s face (side view is also acceptable),
both hands, whole keyboard and pedals. For vocal classes, full body shot
in frontal angle is required.
4.5.5 When shooting, the camera has to be stable without any camera movement
(including zoom in / out).
4.5.6 Where accompanist(s) is part of the performance, they have to be in view
(except for Cantonese operatic song classes).
4.5.7 Only competitor, accompanist and page-turner shall be visible on screen.
4.6 The Association encourages competitors to shoot at home or other safe
environment. Competitors have to take the responsibility of assessing their own
health risk and follow the health advice from the Government at that time.

5 PROCEDURES FOR SUBMISSION

5.1 Video Submission
5.1.1 Competitors have to fill out the related information, upload the video and
submit through the designated on-line “Video Submission Form” (Form).
This Form will be available on the Association website
(https://www.hksmsa.org.hk/) from 10:00 a.m. on 14 February 2022. It is
not acceptable if the submission is via other video platforms or means of
submission.
5.1.2 The video submitted must be in one of the following formats: MP4, WMV,
MOV or MPG. The file size must not exceed 2GB.
 5.1.3 Each submission of the Form can only be used to submit related information
and the video for ONE entry. If one competitor is entered for more than
one class, separate Forms have to be submitted.
5.1.4 Those who have successfully submitted the Form will receive an email
acknowledging the submission. This email does not mean the Association
confirms that the submission meets the entry requirements. The email will
include a copy of the submitted information.
5.1.5 Members / competitors must make sure all of the following are correct:
(i) The Reference Number and the Validation Code filled in the Form must
match that on the Competition Notification. Otherwise, the
Association reserves the right of not processing the submission record.
(ii) The video submitted must match with the competitor and class entered
(for example, when one competitor is submitting videos for more than
one entry, or when one member is submitting videos for different
competitors etc.) The Association reserves the right of not
adjudicating the concerned videos if the records do not match.
(iii) All the information in the acknowledgement email is correct. If any
discrepancy is found, please re-submit the Form within the submission
period.
5.1.6 If the Form is re-submitted, the Association will take the information from
the last successful submission (See 5.1.5(i)) as final.
5.1.7 If the video cannot be played during the adjudication period, regardless of
reasons, the competitors will not receive any comments, marks or certificates.
The Association will not inform the individuals if such cases arise.
5.2 Competitors’ List Submission
5.2.1 For Group Classes, competing teams have to submit a Competitors’ List
from 14 February 2022 (10:00 a.m.) to 25 February 2022 (5:00 p.m.).
Competing teams who violate this rule will only be given comments. No
awards will be given to them.
5.3 Submission Period
5.3.1 The period of submission of the Form is from 14 February 2022 (10:00 a.m.)
to 25 February 2022 (5:00 p.m.).
5.3.2 Please reserve time for filling out the related information and uploading the
video to avoid heavy uploading traffic. The submission time is based on
that of the Association server. Any late submission, regardless of reasons,
will not be accepted.

6 CHANGES TO SPECIFIC CLASSES

Please refer to “New Arrangements of Specific Classes of the 74th Hong Kong Schools
Music Festival (2022)”.

7 JUDGING CRITERIA
Adjudication will be based on the overall performance of the competitors, including:
Technical Proficiency
Fidelity to Score
Understanding of Style
Musical Communication
The decision of the adjudicators on all artistic matters shall be final.
8 AWARDS AND MARKS
8.1 Placing will be awarded to the winners of each competing class / group (for classes
22, 23, 708, Group Classes and all special school classes, please refer to 8.3).
However, in the cases when the best performance in the class / group is not up to
the standard to obtain 80 marks, no placing, trophy or prize will be awarded.
8.2 A pennant will be presented to the first-place winner of each class / group. Each
Duo will be awarded two pennants.
8.3 Apart from Singing in Chinese classes, Chinese instrumental classes and Cantonese
operatic song classes, the certificates are in English. Certificates of three levels
will be awarded to competitors for their achievement:
Certificates Marks obtained
Gold Award 90 or above
Silver Award 80 - 89
Bronze Award 70 - 79
For classes 22, 23, 708, all Group Classes and all special school classes, marks and
placing will not be awarded. The competitors will be awarded a Gold, Silver,
Bronze Award certificate, or without a certificate.
8.4 Members can download their students’ results from the member’s area of the
Association website from 24 May 2022 onwards. Members must bring along their
valid original membership cards to collect the mark sheets, pennants (if any) and
certificates for their students at the Association in June 2022, prior booking has to
be made on the Association website. University / Post-secondary students who
have entered the Festival on their own must bring their students ID cards to the
Association to collect their mark sheets, pennants (if any) and certificates. Late
collection after the aforesaid period or request for re-issuance of certificates and
pennants, if accepted, will be subject to a handling fee.
8.5 All unclaimed mark sheets will be destroyed before the commencement of the next
Music Festival.
8.6 Other trophies / awards / prizes should be collected within the specified period
stated in the Prize Collection Notification. Late collection, if accepted, will be
subject to a handling fee.
8.7 If a trophy / award / prize is damaged or lost after collection, no replacement can be
made.

9 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
9.1 For the smooth running of the Festival, the Association reserves the right to modify
this set of Rules and Regulations anytime. In this case, the Association is without
any liability for compensation.
9.2 Cancellation
9.2.1 Force Majeure - In the event of any strike, lock out, enemy action, hostilities,
riot, civil commotion, malicious mischief epidemic, acts of government,
governmental orders or any other circumstance (whether or not of a similar
nature to the foregoing) over which the Association has no control which
causes the cessation of or substantial interference with the performance of the
Festival competition(s) as originally scheduled or reasonably re-scheduled,
only part of the competition fees after deducting all expenses which the
auditors of the Association certified to have been reasonably incurred for the
preparation of the Festival competition(s) will be refundable proportionally.
10 OTHER ISSUES
10.1 The decision of the Executive Committee of the Association on all matters arising
from administrative issues and competitions, including the interpretation of the
Rules and Regulations, shall be final.
10.2 Complaints and Suggestions
10.2.1 All complaints must be made in writing by the member that entered the
competitor(s) to the Festival. The original letter must be submitted to the
Complaint Handling Committee of the Association. The letter must reach
the Association by post no later than 6 July 2022. An acknowledgement of
receipt will be sent to the member concerned within 7 working days after
receiving the mail.
If the member is a School Member, the submission must:
(i) bear the signature of the school principal;
(ii) bear the school chop; and
(iii) include the membership number and correspondence address of the
school.
If the member is an Associate Member / Temporary Membership for Music
Tutor, the submission must:
(i) bear the signature of the member; and
(ii) include the membership number and correspondence address of the
member.
If students attending universities / post-secondary institutes would like to
give comments, the submission must include:
(i) the reference number; and
(ii) correspondence address.
10.2.2 If a submission fulfills the above requirements, the case will then be
forwarded to the Complaint Handling Committee for discussion after the
Festival. The Committee will issue a written reply on the result to the
member concerned on or before 31 August 2022. The decision made by
the Complaint Handling Committee is final.

Any available recordings or video demonstrations circulated in the public do not

represent the judging criteria of the Music Festival. Competitors should follow the
scores, the competition requirements stated in this Rules and Regulations and the
Syllabus when entering competitions.

Only members of the Association can enrol in any of the activities held by the
Association. All related services (such as enrolment, collection of competition materials
available at the Association, checking competition materials at the Association, etc.) will
only be provided to members / persons who can present a valid and original membership
card. For membership details, please visit the Association website.
 Annex 1
List of Universities and Post-secondary Institutes
Eligible to Enter the Music Festival

(In alphabetical order)

1. Caritas Bianchi College of Careers
2. Caritas Institute of Community Education
3. Caritas Institute of Higher Education
4. Centennial College
5. Chu Hai College of Higher Education
6. City University of Hong Kong
7. City University of Hong Kong - School of Continuing and Professional Education
8. Gratia Christian College
9. HKCT Institute of Higher Education
10. HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College
11. Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
12. Hong Kong Art School (a division of Hong Kong Arts Centre)
13. Hong Kong Baptist University
14. Hong Kong Baptist University - Academy of Film
15. Hong Kong Baptist University - College of International Education
16. Hong Kong Baptist University - School of Continuing Education
17. Hong Kong College of Technology
18. Hong Kong Institute of Technology
19. Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education
20. Hong Kong Shue Yan University
21. Lingnan University
22. Lingnan University - Lingnan Institute of Further Education
23. The Chinese University of Hong Kong
24. The Chinese University of Hong Kong - School of Continuing and Professional Studies
25. The Education University of Hong Kong
26. The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
27. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
28. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Hong Kong Community College
29. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - School of Professional Education and Executive Development
30. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
31. The Open University of Hong Kong
32. The Open University of Hong Kong - Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education
33. The University of Hong Kong
34. The University of Hong Kong - HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education
35. The University of Hong Kong - HKU SPACE Community College
36. Tung Wah College
37. UOW College Hong Kong
38. Vocational Training Council - Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education / Hong Kong Design Institute
39. Vocational Training Council - School for Higher and Professional Education
40. Vocational Training Council - Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
41. Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
42. YMCA College of Careers

Source:
Website of Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government
 Annex 2
Important Dates to be Noted

Events Dates

Festival Syllabus released on the Association website 25 August 2021

Festival Syllabus (printed copy) available for members to

from 23 September 2021
collect at the Association

Shooting Guidelines released on the Association website 30 September 2021

30 September (10:00 a.m.) to

Enrolment Period
28 October 2021 (5:00 p.m.)
Deadline of submission of cheque payment for entries
1 November 2021
submitted
Deadline of submission of Own Choice Form, scores of
Own Choice pieces, "Copyright Declaration" and Original 2 December 2021 (5:00 p.m.)
Composition
Entry Form Receipts and Competition Notification
available for members to download from the Association
website
Competition Grouping Arrangement to be released on the
from 4 January 2022
Association website
Competitors’ List available for members to download
from the Association website (Form applicable to Group
Classes only)
11 January (10:00 a.m.) to
Application for Alteration
17 January 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
Competition Grouping Arrangement - Revised Version to
25 January 2022
be released on the Association website
14 February (10:00 a.m.) to
Video and Competitors’ List Submission Period
25 February 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
Report of Competition Results available for members to
24 May 2022
download from the Association website
Collection of Mark sheets, Pennants and Certificates (Prior
booking by members has to be made on the Association June 2022
website)

Every new posting on the Association website is set at 10:00 a.m. of the date.
 Annex 3
Procedure for Alteration Application
The procedure stated below is to inform members / competitors on how to apply for alteration,
how to complete the alteration application form, and items they can apply for alteration.
Members / Competitors should study the guidelines carefully before filling in the Alteration
Application Form.

1 Items to be altered are restricted to:

1.1 Own Choice Class-related items
An application can be accepted in the case where:
a) Own Choice Form not submitted before the deadline;
b) Own Choice Scores not submitted before the deadline;
c) Change of Own Choice piece submitted;
d) Change of order in performing Own Choice pieces; or
e) Submission of additional information of Own Choice piece (e.g. movement(s), etc).
1.2 Late Submission for “Copyright Declaration” (if applicable)
1.3 Change of Competitors’ Personal Information on the Entry Form
Members / Competitors can apply for change of personal data or responsible
member filled in the Entry Form. Request for alteration of competition district,
class or competitor(s) will not be entertained.
1.4 Change of Class
A change of class can be accepted only in the case where:
a) A male competitor has entered a female class or vice versa; or
b) A competitor has entered a class not of his / her age group or education level.
2 Application Procedure
2.1 Members / Competitors have to submit one Alteration Application Form per item
of an entry needed to be altered.
2.2 The Association handles Alteration Application from 11 January to 17 January
2022 (5:00 p.m.) (Office hours on 15 January 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;
16 January 2022: Closed). Late submission of Alteration Application Forms will
not be processed (Such restriction does not apply to change of personal data on the
entry form stated in 1.3).
2.3 Members / Competitors have to submit the Alteration Application Form(s) in person
or by a delegated person so that he / she will be informed immediately whether or
not the application is accepted, and correspondingly be given a confirmation slip and
an updated Competition Notification should the application be successful.
Applications via phone call, email, fax or post, etc., will not be accepted.
2.4 Please bring along the following documents when submitting the application.
Applications will not be processed if any of the following documents is missing:
a) Entry Form Receipt (EFR) / Competition Notification (CN);
b) Proof of the competitor(s)’ identity: A photocopy of Hong Kong ID Card /
travel document (for wrong age group) or student handbook (for wrong
education level), etc.; and
c) Other supporting documents (Please refer to Alteration Application Form).
2.5 Fees
2.5.1 Members / Competitors shall pay a handling fee of $100 for each application.
2.5.1.1 For alteration items in 1.1 (a) to (d) above, they have to pay an
additional surcharge equal to the amount of the entry fee of the class.
2.5.1.2 For change of class, they have to pay an additional surcharge equal to
the amount of the entry fee of the new class.
Please refer to the Alteration Application Form for details.
2.5.2 Payment must be made in cash.
2.5.3 A confirmed alteration cannot be cancelled. Nevertheless, members / competitors
may make another application for alteration and pay the respective fees.
2.5.4 Under no circumstances would the handling fee and surcharge be refunded.