Terms and Conditions 2009

1. All applicants must be no younger than 18 years on 31st July 2009 and no older than 30 years on 1st August 2009, and resident in the UK or Eire. Applicants may be required to provide proof of age when attending the semi-finals (Birth Certificate or valid Passport or Drivers License only);
2. The competition is open only to individuals (no duos, groups etc.);
3. Your application will only be considered if the application form is fully completed, signed and dated. If you are under 18 years old at the time of application, the form must also be signed by your parent or legal guardian;
4. Application forms will be available to download from the VoiceNPAC website on the 24th November 2009. The closing date of the competition will be receipt of last post on 1st February 2009;
5. The application fee for entry to the 2009 competition is £10.00 for LCM examinees, and £30.00 for all other applicants. All cheques must be made payable to "VoiceNPAC". Entry fees are not refundable under any circumstances, and any cheque returned by the Competition's bankers will incur an administration fee;
6. In the event an application is received after the competition closing date, applicant's cheque and entry form will be destroyed;
7. VoiceNPAC reserve the right to disqualify any applicant who supplies untruthful, inaccurate or misleading personal details or fails to abide by the terms and conditions of the Competition;
8. Heats: Contestants will be required to perform one song from the world of musical theatre from any style or era without costume. This song must not be more than 3 minutes long, and must be on a backing track via a CD or accompanied by own pianist. Cuts can be made on the backing track or in the performance to ensure the time limit is adhered to. The judge(s) reserve the right to stop the performance at any time. Heats will be held between March 21st and April 25th 2009 inclusive - applicants will be advised of the date and time they must attend at their chosen venue. No alternative arrangements can be made once applicants have been notified. When notification has been sent, this will be taken as confirmation being given. Applicants will be expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before their appointed time;
9. Heats: Application Process. Once the application form has been downloaded and completed, applicants should send the form together with their cheque, made payable to VoiceNPAC, to their nearest LCM examination centre representative (details of which are available via the 'Schedule' page of the VoiceNPAC website). Previous applicants and competitors are permitted to enter the 2009 competition;
10. Following completion of the Heats, 24 contestants will be invited to the Semi-Final to be held at the Courtyard Theatre, Hoxton, London. Applicants/contestants should ensure that VoiceNPAC hold their up-to-date mobile telephone and e-mail details;
11. Once the 24 semi-finalists have been notified (this will be done by telephone), invited Semi-finalists must confirm their acceptance, by replying to the notification telephone number (this number will be provided at the time of notification), no later than 3rd of June 2009. Notification will be made on the 1st June 2009.;
12. Contestants who accept the offer of a place in the Semi-final will receive, via e-mail, further information together with the list of prescribed songs from which they must choose their two Semi-final and two Final songs (one of the songs chosen for the Final must be one of the songs chosen for the Semi-final). No alteration to this choice can be made once submitted to VoiceNPAC. Submission must be made via e-mail no later than 8th June 2009;
13. If necessary the process described by points 11 to 13 (inclusive) above, will be repeated, using the same time periods, until VoiceNPAC has 24 accepting Semi-finalists;
14. Once a competitor has accepted the offer of a place in the Semi-final, they will be required to forward a publicity photograph for the programme;
15. Semi-Final contestants will be required to sing two songs in costume and with full dramatic content, stage movement, and with the use of appropriate dialogue if necessary. Finalists will be required to sing two songs (one of their Semi-final songs, together with one new 'Final' song) in costume and with full dramatic content, stage movement, and with the use of appropriate dialogue if necessary. Semi-Final and Final performers can use the entire stage for their performance, and provide their own props if required, for which they are fully responsible. It is not a requirement of the competition to include dance, although due consideration will be given for appropriate dance or other movement which is in context. Semi-Finalists and Finalists may apply their own interpretation to songs chosen within reasonable bounds. Stage make-up will be expected, contestants must provide their own. Dressing room facilities and radio microphones will be provided for the semi-final and final performances;
16. All 24 Semi-finalists must be available for both the Courtyard Theatre dates;
17. 10 Finalists will be notified of their progression to the Final at the end of the Semi-final competition;
18. Crossover repertory performances are acceptable;
19. Costuming must be as authentic to a 'staged performance' as possible;
20. Transposition: Songs selected may be transposed within reasonable bounds. This may be, for example, one tone lower or one tone higher;
21. All competitors must use the competition pianists;
22. No applicant, teacher or other interested party may enter into discussion with any of the judges before or during the competition unless specifically invited to do so by the judge(s);
23. The judges' decision will be final in all stages of the Competition. No correspondence or discussion will be entered into;
24. All prize monies must be used for education purposes within the Arts, e.g. College/University/Conservatoire/Musical Theatre course fees, dancing/singing/drama lessons etc;
25. VoiceNPAC (or any nominated third party) may use the winner's/participant's name and image and their comments relating to the prize and Competition experience for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes in any media worldwide without notice or without any fee being paid;
26. In the event of any fault, mistake, misunderstanding or dispute concerning the operation of any part of the Competition, the decision of VoiceNPAC shall be final;
27. VoiceNPAC cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any entrant entering the competition or as a result of accepting any prize;
28. VoiceNPAC reserves the right to cancel or amend the Competition or to alter the terms and conditions of the Competition at any time without prior notice, or to amend the applicant closing date. Notification of any changes will be made on the VoiceNPAC website;
29. These Terms and Conditions shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.