Competition rules

1. Participant information

The ‘BENELUX CLARINET COMPETITION’ is normally open to clarinetists residing in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg. However, the competition of 2014 will be open to entries from all EU countries.
Participants must be of qualifying age : born after 1996 (up to 18 years of age).
Participants born before 1998 may not have been enrolled at a tertiary institution (eg. Conservatories, Lemmens Institute, IMEP or any similar institution with clarinet as a main subject). This includes the ‘Niveau Supérieur’ of the National and Regional conservatories of Luxenburg and France. This rule is applicable to all similar institutions in the respective EU countries, such as the German Musik Hochschule.

2. Competition location

The competition will take place on May 10 and 11 in the Miry hall of the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, 64 Hoogpoort, 9000 Gent.
Participants will be received in the foyer (ground floor).

3. Categories and participation requirements

The competition has three categories in which participants may compete:
- Junior category (born after 1 January 2002)
- Intermediate category (born between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001)
- Senior category (born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1998)
Participants have to prepare ONE composition.
Participants who started with clarinet AFTER the age of 10 may apply to particpate in a different category than his/her age category. A special document is required from the director of the participant’s music academy or music school.
Advanced particpants born before 31 December 1995, who have completed all levels in the music academy, may enroll in a higher category.
Participants are allowed to enter a higher age category, if they so choose, but should note that the difficulty level of the composition presented should also be of appropriate level.

4. Competition Format

The competition consists of one round per category, in a pre-determinded order in front of a professional jury.

5. The Jury

The jury consists of specialists. At least 1 international jury member will be from outside the Benelux.
The organization may choose only one jury member that is not a clarinetist.
The chairperson and the secretary are not required to give marks, and are therefore not required to be clarinet specialists.
The decision of the jury is final.

6. Jury Limitations

Jury members (of all categories) are not permitted to allocate marks and vote for :
A) Current students (who have been a student of the specified juror for at least 1 year)
B) Past students (who have been a student of the specified juror for at least 1 year)
C) Family members

7. Accompanists and page turners

The organizers will provide accompanists if needed. The rehearsal with the accompanist will take place on the day of the competition. The participants will be notified in advanced of the time and location of the rehearsal and their alloted competition time.
The maximum time of rehearsals will be the same for all participants (in all three categories).
Participants are allowed to play with their own accompanist; provided they notify the organization at least 3 weeks before the competition date. However, the organization will not provide financial compensation for any private accompanists.
The organization will not provide page turners (not for private accompanists, nor accompanists provided by the organization).
The teacher of the student may not be present on stage at any time.

8. Allocated performance times

Due to time constraints, judges may ask a participant to stop at any given time during the performance. This interruption will not affect the results or chances of the candidate in any way.
The maximum allocated time is:
- Junior - 6 minutes
- Intermediate - 10 minutes
- Senior - 15 minutes
In the case of a work exceeding the allocated performance time, the jury may request the participant to perform any part of the piece.

9. Competition order

The competition will take place in the following order :
- Junior category (alphabetical order)
- Intermediate category (alphabetical order)
-  Senior category (alphabetical order)
Alphabetical order will be according to the first letter of the official last name of the participant.
The organization will draw lots to determine where in the alphabet the competition will commence.
The order of the competition will be given to all participants before the rehearsal. Participants are required to be present at least one hour before the allocated performance time.
If a participant choses to play with one of the organization appointed accompanists, he/she is required to be present for the rehearsal at least 30 minutes in advance. It is the responsibility of each participant to make sure that he/she is on time for the scheduled rehearsal. Under no circumstances will rehearsals be rescheduled.
If a participant is late for his/her stage performance, he/she will be eliminated from the competition.

10. Entrance fee and application

Inscriptions have to be sent to before April 15. It can also be sent by post to International Music Promotion, Elzenlaan 29, B-8500 KORTRIJK.
The competition entrance fee is 5€ and will be payable on the day of the competition.
The participant is required to send an ORIGINAL copy and 2 photocopied scores of the chosen work (at least 3 weeks in advance) to:
BENELUX CLARINET COMPETITION
Elzenlaan 29, 8500 KORTRIJK.
Registered mail about the competition (inscription and/or sheetmusic) will NOT be accepted.
Failure to adhere to the requirements will nullify your application.
The chosen work may NOT be changed after the application has been submitted. All original scores and copies will be returned to the participant after the competition concludes (on the day of the competition).

11. Public performance

The competition is open to the public. Accompanists and family members of participants are also encouraged to listen to other participants.

12. Results and feedback

The results will be announced after the jury have deliberated. This will take place after each of the three categories. Participants are required to be present at this time to receive diplomas and prizes.
After the winners are announced from each respective category, the judges will be available for feedback.

13. Prizes

The winner of each category will receive a Buffet Crampon clarinet. Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the organization.
The jury reserves the right to withhold a prize.
The first three laureates of each category may use the title of ‘Laureate of the Benelux Clarinet Competition’.
The overall winners of each category of the Benelux Competition will have the opportunity to perform as soloist with a professional chamber orchestra (Brussels Chamber Soloists).

14. Instruments permitted

The Benelux Clarinet Competition is primarily organized for B-flat and A clarinet, but performances on E-flat -, Alto – and Bass clarinet are also encouraged.

15. Recordings

No recordings of any kind will be allowed of the performance without specific prior consent from the organization.
The organization may decide to record any part of the competition, and maintain exclusive rights to all recorded materials.

16. Organizational indemnity

The organization does not take responsibility for any accidents that may occur in and around the conservatory or on the way to the competition/ rehearsal. This is applicable to participants, accompanists, family members and page turners.

17. Copyright

The organization will take responsibility for all copyright expenses, provided that the participant adhere to all rules and regulations.

18. Adherence to rules and regulations

By entering the competition, participants agree to adhere to all the above stipulated rules and regulations.