OFFICIAL RULES

NO CONTRIBUTION IS NECESSARY - MAKING A CONTRIBUTION WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS CONTEST

1. HOW TO ENTER THE ABOVE CONTEST.

No contribution or purchase is necessary. Membership in Minnesota Public Radio ("SPONSOR" or "MPR") or American Composers Forum ("ACF") is not a requirement to enter this contest.

There are two entry categories for the 2015 Minnesota Varsity contest (the "Contest"). To enter the Contest, follow the instructions for the appropriate category. Incomplete entries or entries submitted by other means will not be considered. Submissions must be postmarked or otherwise received between 9 a.m. CT on September 15, 2014 and 9:00AM CST on December 5, 2014 (the "Submission Period"). SPONSOR has sole responsibility for determining if an entry has been successfully submitted. Any Submission that is not in compliance with these Official Rules may be disqualified, at the sole discretion of the SPONSOR. Void where prohibited by law.

Instrumental and Vocal Category. There are two ways to enter the Instrumental and Vocal Category of the Contest:
a) Visit http://www.classicalmpr.org/varsity and follow the instructions for how to post an audio or video file of a performance. Then, complete the entry form posted on that page. OR
b) Mail a hard copy of the completed entry form along with a CD containing the performance to the Sponsor at the address on the form.

An entry in the Instrumental and Vocal Category (a "Submission") will be deemed to be submitted when SPONSOR receives both the completed entry form and the recorded performance.

Composition Category. There are two ways to enter the Composition Category of the Contest:
a) Visit http://www.classicalmpr.org/varsity and follow the instructions for how to submit your manuscript as a .pdf and optional audio or video file of the work. Then, complete the entry form posted on that page. OR
b) Mail a hard copy of the completed entry form along with a score and optional audio or video of the work to the Sponsor at the address on the form.

An entry in the Composition Category (a "Submission") will be deemed to be submitted when the Sponsor receives both the completed form and the score.

2. ENTRANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to enter the Contest, a participant (the "Entrant") must be able to meet all of the eligibility requirements for their entry category by April 19, 2015. Any Entrant or Entrant Member a) that does not meet all eligibility requirements, or b) that exhibits behavior that is illegal, unethical, inconsistent with good citizenship, or is otherwise inappropriate may be disqualified at any time, at the sole discretion of Sponsor.

Instrumental and Vocal Category. An instrumentalist (Solo and Ensemble) or Vocalist (Solo and Ensemble) must meet the following entry requirements:

1. Entrant must be either an individual artist or an ensemble with no more than eight (8) members. (The individual members of an ensemble are the "Entrant Members"). Specifically:
1. Instrumental ensembles:  no more than eight (8) members including accompanist (See Requirement #5 below regarding accompanist.)
2. Vocal ensembles:  no more than eight (8) members, plus accompanist.

2. Entrant (including all Entrant Members) must be (a) at least in ninth grade OR 14 years of age, and (b) at most in 12th grade OR not more than 18 years of age. For example, a 14-year-old 8th grader, a 13-year-old 9th grader, a 17-year-old college student, and a 19-year-old 12th grader may enter the Contest.
3. Entrant (including all Entrant Members) must be active participants in either a community or school music program.
4. Entrant (including all Entrant Members) must be either a Minnesota resident and have a Minnesota legal residency address, or a resident of or attend school in one of the following counties in other states where Minnesota Public Radio's terrestrial broadcasts can be heard: North Dakota: Walsh, Grand Forks, Traill, Cass, Richland. South Dakota: Roberts, Grant, Deuel, Codington, Brookings, Moody, Minnehaha. Iowa: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek. Wisconsin: Vernon, LaCrosse, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Polk, Burnet, Washburn, Douglas, Bayfield. Michigan: Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Marquette. Idaho: Blaine. If you have questions about the residence requirement, contact minnesotavarsity@mpr.org for an evaluation of your eligibility.
5. Accompanist, if any, may be of any age, subject to the following rules: a) If the accompanist is 18 or younger, then the accompanist will be deemed to be a member of the Entrant for purposes of determining the number of members in the Entrant. All members of the Entrant, including the accompanist, must meet all eligibility requirements (including residency and participation in a music program). The accompanist's performance will be considered in the evaluation of the Entry. b) If the accompanist is over 18, then the accompanist will not be deemed a member of the Entrant and is not required to meet any eligibility requirements. The accompanist's performance will not be considered in the evaluation of the Entry.
6. This Contest is for youth who are not professional musicians. Entrant will not be disqualified if the Entrant or an Entrant Member has accepted a modest stipend, payment, or honorarium for performances (e.g., paid church musician, paid accompanist). However, no Entrant or Entrant Member a) may be represented under a talent contract (e.g., by a talent agent or manager), b) may have a merchandising agreement, c) may have a signed contract with a record label, d) may have any contract that would limit or impair any of SPONSOR's ability to use the Submission, e) may have any contract that would make an Entrant's appearance in the Submission a violation of any third party right(s), and/or f) may have any other contractual relationship (e.g., guild or union memberships) that may prohibit the Entrant or any Entrant Member from participating fully in this Contest, or from allowing SPONSOR to use, on a residual-free and royalty-free basis, the Submission worldwide (subject to all local laws and regulations) in all media in perpetuity.
7. Since April 1, 2014, the Entrant, the Entrant Members, their immediate family, or persons living in the same household are or were not employees of American Public Media Group or its related organizations, including SPONSOR, or of ACF.

Composition Category. A composer must meet the following entry requirements:

1. Entrant must be an individual who is (a) at least in ninth grade OR 14 years of age, and (b) at most in 12th grade OR not more than 18 years of age. (For example, a 14-year-old 8th grader, a 13-year-old 9th grader, a 17-year-old college student, and a 19-year-old 12th grader may enter the Contest.)
2. Entrant must be either a Minnesota resident and have a Minnesota legal residency address, or a resident of or attend school in one of the following counties in other states where Minnesota Public Radio's terrestrial broadcasts can be heard: North Dakota: Walsh, Grand Forks, Traill, Cass, Richland. South Dakota: Roberts, Grant, Deuel, Brookings, Moody, Minnehaha. Iowa: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek. Wisconsin: Vernon, LaCrosse, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Polk, Burnet, Washburn, Douglas, Bayfield. Michigan: Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Marquette. Idaho: Blaine. If you have questions about the residence requirement, contact minnesotavarsity@mpr.org for an evaluation of your eligibility.
3. No Entrant a) may be represented under a talent contract (e.g., by a talent agent or manager), b) may have a merchandising agreement, c) may have a signed contract with a record label or music publishing company, d) may have any contract that would limit or impair Sponsor or ACF's ability to use the Submission, e) may have any contract that would make an Entrant's appearance in the Submission a violation of any third party right(s), and/or f) may have any other contractual relationship (e.g., guild or union memberships) that may prohibit the Entrant or any Entrant Member from participating fully in this Contest, or from allowing Sponsor or ACF to use, on a residual-free and royalty-free basis, the Submission worldwide (subject to all local laws and regulations) in all media in perpetuity in conjunction with the Contest (only). Entrant will not be disqualified if the Entrant has self-published a composition.
4. Since April 1, 2014, the Entrant, their immediate family, or persons living in the same household are or were not employees of the American Public Media Group or its related organizations including SPONSOR, or of ACF.

3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for the Contest, a Submission must meet all of the Submission Requirements for the entry category. Any Submission that does not meet all such Submission Requirements may be disqualified at any time, at the sole discretion of Sponsor. An Entrant may enter a submission in more than one Category, but may only be chosen for the Featured Round in one Category. If an Entrant is selected in more than one Category, then SPONSOR, in its sole discretion, will determine the Category for which the Entrant will move forward in the next round of judging.

Instrumental and Vocal Category:

1. The Submission must be made by an Entrant that meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Submissions must be of one unedited performance by an Entrant.
3. The Submission must be of musical works in the style of classical music or musical theater. SPONSOR reserves the right to determine whether the musical works are within the scope of the required musical style.
4. The entire Submission, including the musical performances, may be up to ten minutes in length. If a submission is longer than ten minutes, then only the first ten minutes will be considered.
5. Submissions may be in audio or video format. If a Submission contains video, then only the audio portions of any video submission will be considered by SPONSOR.
6. Submissions must comply with all Terms of Service for the web site where they are posted (e.g., youtube.com, vimeo.com, myspace.com).
7. Submissions may not contain content that violates any third-party rights or that SPONSOR, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate.

 

Composition Category:

1. The Submission must be made by an Entrant that meets all eligibility requirements.
2. The Submission must be a single work composed for the following combinations of the unamplified piano, clarinet and French horn trio, including trio (piano, clarinet and French horn), duets (piano and clarinet, piano and French horn, or clarinet and French horn), or unaccompanied solo piano, solo clarinet, or solo French horn.
3. The Submission must be fully notated with no improvisation and may include no additional instruments or electronics. The submission must not be written for more than one of each of the instruments (piano, clarinet or French horn).
4. The Submission must be at least three (3) minutes in length, and may be up to seven (7) minutes in length.
5. Submissions must include one (1) legible score, preferably generated by computer software (ex: Finale, Sibelius, etc.). If submitted electronically, scores must be submitted in PDF format; if submitted via mail, scores must be printed unbound on 8.5" x11" white paper.
6. Recordings of Submissions, either audio or video (including MIDI realizations), will be accepted but are not required. Entries will not be judged on the quality of said audio or video submission, rather on the quality of the writing in the manuscript.
7. Submissions may not contain content that (a) is copyrighted by a third-party, (b) violates any third-party rights, or (c) that SPONSOR, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate.

4. SPONSOR'S RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Rules (e.g., add rules or to clarify any or all of the rules) at any time during the Contest. Any such additions or clarifications will be posted with these rules, and Sponsor will have no further obligation to announce or publicize such additions or clarifications. Likewise, Sponsor reserves the right to make exceptions to the Rules in its sole discretion and without further obligation to other Entrants.

5. LICENSE

By entering the Contest, all Entrants grant an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide non-exclusive license to SPONSOR and its related companies to reproduce, distribute, and display the Submission and, in the case of Showcase Artists, the performance at The Fitzgerald Theater as follows: (a) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, including, but not limited to terrestrial broadcasts, web, and any other platform now known or later developed, and (b) in any other noncommercial use in any media now or hereafter known. SPONSOR will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use. Subject to receiving a signed copy of SPONSOR's parent/legal guardian consent form (see below), SPONSOR or its related organizations may use name and likeness of Featured Artists and Showcase Artists for advertising, fundraising, promotional or publicity purposes without further compensation.

6. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

Every eligible entry will be considered. Selection will be made according to the following process, or as otherwise determined by SPONSOR in its sole discretion.

Instrumental and Vocal Category:

1. All eligible Submissions will be made available to the public via terrestrial radio broadcast, web posting, or any other platform(s) selected in the sole discretion of SPONSOR.
2. SPONSOR will select a panel of judges ("First Round Judges") to review all eligible Submissions. The First Round Judges will select a pool of not less than ten (10) and no more than twenty (20). Submissions from Entrants (each, a "Featured Artist"). The decision will be based on a review of all eligible Submissions, and will be made using selection criteria determined in the sole discretion of SPONSOR and the First Round Judges.
3. On or before January 13, 2015, SPONSOR will notify each Featured Artist using the contact information provided with the Submission. If a Featured Artist cannot be reached within 24 hours or is otherwise disqualified, then SPONSOR will go to the first alternate and subsequent alternates.
4. If selected as a Featured Artist (see below), then Entrant (including each Entrant Member, as applicable) must provide a) a signed copy of SPONSOR's parent/legal guardian consent form and b) proof that all Entrant Members are currently participating in either a community or school music program. The Entrant will be disqualified if SPONSOR does not receive all such documents within seven (7) calendar days of notification. Before making any public announcement, SPONSOR will confirm that the proposed Featured Artists continue to meet all Eligibility Requirements.
5. After January 13, 2015, SPONSOR will meet with Featured Artists to prepare new recordings of the Featured Artists' performance. An Entrant (including all Entrant members) selected as a Featured Artist must be able to be present at a recording session at MPR Headquarters in St. Paul, MN on a date to be scheduled between January 24, 2015 and March 9, 2015.
6. The SPONSOR-prepared recordings of the Featured Artists' performances will be posted in an online gallery for public voting through March 29, 2015. Members of the public may vote on the performances, and may cast one vote per email address. Subsequent votes from the same email address will be disqualified.
7. On March 30, 2015, SPONSOR will tabulate all public votes cast for each Featured Artist, and the Featured Artist with the most votes will become one of five "Showcase Artists". The other Showcase Artists will be selected by a panel of judges selected by SPONSOR ("Final Round Judges"). The decision will be based on a review of all eligible Submissions, and will be made using selection criteria determined in the sole discretion of SPONSOR and the Final Round Judges.
8. On or before March 31, 2015, SPONSOR will notify each Showcase Artist. Before making any public announcement, SPONSOR will confirm that the proposed Showcase Artist a) continues to meet all Eligibility Requirements and b) is available to perform at The Fitzgerald Theater on Sunday, April 19, 2015.
9. SPONSOR will announce the names of the Showcase Artists on March 31, 2015.
10. Showcase Artists will perform live at The Fitzgerald Theater on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 5pm.

Composition Category:

1. All eligible Submissions ("Scores") will be made available to the public via web posting or any other platform(s) selected in the discretion of SPONSOR.
2. On behalf of SPONSOR, ACF will select a panel of Judges to review all eligible Submissions. The Judges will select a pool of not less than two (2) and not more than five (5) Submissions from Entrants (each, a "Featured Composer"). The decision will be based on a review of all eligible Submissions, and will be made using selection criteria determined in the sole discretion of SPONSOR, ACF, and the Judges.

1. On or before January 13, 2015, each Featured Composer will be notified using the contact information provided with the Submission. If a Featured Composer cannot be reached within 24 hours or is otherwise disqualified, then SPONSOR will go to the first alternate and subsequent alternates.

4. If selected as a Featured Composer (see below), then the Entrant must provide a) a signed copy of SPONSOR's parent/legal guardian consent form and b) individual parts of Submission for performers. The Entrant will be disqualified if SPONSOR does not receive all such documents within seven (7) calendar days of notification. Before making any public announcement, SPONSOR will confirm that the proposed Featured Composers continue to meet all Eligibility Requirements.
5. On February 7, 2015, ACF and SPONSOR will meet with Featured Composers, Partnering Ensemble (i.e., musicians provided by the SPONSOR), and Composer Mentor (i.e., a professional composer) for a day-long Workshop/Mentorship in Saint Paul, MN to review pieces and to refine parts of the Featured Composers' pieces. Entrants selected as Featured Composers must be able to be present at the February 7, 2015 day-long Workshop.
6. On or before March 15, 2015, ACF and the partnering ensemble, will select two (2) of the Featured Composers to advance to the Showcase ("Showcase Composers"). The selection of Showcase Composers will be made using selection criteria determined in the sole discretion of ACF and the Partnering Ensemble, acting on behalf of SPONSOR.
7. The Showcase Composers will provide ACF with refined individual parts for performers by April 1, 2015.
8. SPONSOR will announce the names of the Showcase Composers on March 31, 2015.
9. The Showcase Composers will attend the Showcase performance at The Fitzgerald Theater on April 19, 2015, and the Showcase Composers' compositions will be performed by the Partnering Ensemble.

7. PARTICIPATION-RELATED EXPENSES

Each Entrant is responsible for any and all other expenses associated with participating in the Contest. For Entrants selected as Showcase Artists, this includes any and all expenses associated with participating in the April 19, 2015 performance at The Fitzgerald Theater, including but not limited to meals, transportation, and/or lodging. For Entrants selected as Featured Composers, this includes any and all expenses associated with participating in the February 7, 2015 Workshop/Mentorship and the April 19, 2015 performance at The Fitzgerald Theater, including but not limited to meals, transportation, and/or lodging. A limited amount of scholarship funding is available for related expenses to Entrants who demonstrate need.

8. PRIZE

Instrumental and Vocal Category: Each of the five Showcase Artists will receive one free recording (on CD) of the SPONSOR-prepared recording of their performance (retail value: approximately $325).

Prize is nontransferable. Prize is awarded as a single prize to the Showcase Artist. Except as noted, the prize does not increase if the Showcase Artist is an ensemble with multiple members. Recording is provided for personal use only, and may not be duplicated or sold without prior permission from the SPONSOR.

Composition Category: Each of the two Showcase Composers will receive the following:

1. One free recording (on CD) of the SPONSOR-prepared recording of the performance of their piece by the Partnering Ensemble at the April 19, 2015 performance at The Fitzgerald Theater (retail value: approximately $325)
2. One complimentary year-long student membership of ACF ($50 value)

Prize is nontransferable. Recording is provided for personal use only, and may not be duplicated or sold without prior permission from the SPONSOR.

Total prize package retail value: approximately $325 for Showcase Artists, $375 for Showcase Composers.

9. GENERAL

The Entrant acknowledges that by entering the Contest, the Entrant agrees a) that no form of cheating will be tolerated, b) that the performance may not be edited prior to submission (Instrumental and Vocal Category only), and c) that the Entrant and the Submission meet all Official Rules. Any persons found cheating or otherwise violating the Official Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of SPONSOR/ACF, will be immediately disqualified from the Contest.

Further, by participating in this Contest, Entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and agree that ACF and SPONSOR and its related organizations, their agents and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind which result from use of the prize, or by participation in the contest. ACF and SPONSOR or its related organizations may use winner's name and likeness for advertising, fundraising, promotional or publicity purposes without further compensation. Taxes and expenses as a result of winning this prize are the responsibility of the winner.

10. CONTEST SPONSOR

Minnesota Public Radio, 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101, 651-290-1500
September 4, 2014