GENERAL rules

Prior to entry, we kindly request that you carefully review the rules provided below, as well as the special rules outlined in the syllabus of each section. It is essential that both participants and their parents take careful note of these rules and regulations. Strict adherence to these rules is imperative to ensure the seamless execution of the Eisteddfod. Non-compliance with these rules may result in disqualification.

Participation in Pretoria Eisteddfod is at own risk. Please be advised that neither the SASMT nor the Eisteddfod organisers assume responsibility for any potential losses, damages, or injuries incurred during the assessment process or any associated events.

For all correspondence, please direct your enquiries to:
The Eisteddfod Office at admin@pretoriaeisteddfod.co.za

  1. All schools, organisations and individuals who wish to enter for the Pretoria Eisteddfod must affiliate annually.
  2. Affiliation is done electronically .  After successful affiliation an invoice will be created. Please use this invoice number or the name of the affiliate as reference when making a payment. 
  1. All entries to be submitted online. Please follow the “Registration Guidelines”.
  2. Before you submit any entry, please check the performance dates of the specific section and ensure that you will be available to participate on the scheduled dates. Requests to change the performance date or time due to extra-mural activities will not be granted. The only exception will be made in situations where the request is for unexpected medical reasons.
  3. Please state the name and contact details of the teacher/participant on the entry form (not the affiliate). This information is needed if the organizer needs to communicate with the teacher or participant personally.
  4. All the solo items of a candidate can be entered on the same form. Please use the Solo Entry Form. For Ensembles and Groups, use the applicable forms. Please don’t submit an entry form twice. If you have to change an item and the entry is still unpaid, simply edit the existing form and re-generate the invoice.
  5. Please note the closing date for submissions. No late entries will be accepted. Unpaid entries will not be included in the program.
  6. Certificates are printed according to the information supplied on the entry form. Please ensure that the spelling of the candidate’s name and surname is correct. Certificates that need to be re-printed will attract a printing fee of R30.00 per certificate. Proof of payment and the corrected information must be sent to the office together with the request to re-print.
  7. Information regarding the item must be supplied in the space directly below the item, e.g. name of the composition, composer, etc. Please note: The duration supplied should be accurate, not an estimate. The organizer has the right to ask the participant to end the performance when the performance exceeds the given time. The participant, however, will not be penalized.
  8. Any other information regarding the candidate, for the attention of the organizer, must be entered in the space provided on the entry form, e.g. “Candidate will not be available to participate on a Saturday”, etc.
  9. The age of the candidate as on 1 January is determinative.
  10. No transfer of entries between candidates is allowed.
  11. Candidates are not allowed to change an item once the program has been finalized. Should an item be changed after the certificate has been printed, it will be considered as a new entry and the applicable entry fee will be payable.
  12. Only students from a specific school/studio may enter under the affiliation of that establishment.
  13. Candidates from studios must be entered by their studio OR the school – not both.
  14. Candidates may enter only one item per category, e.g. KJ 10 Classical 6/0, unless the requirements in the syllabus make provision for more than one entry per category. This does not apply to the Fine Arts section.
  15. A candidate may not present the same work in more than one category of the same section.
  16. No candidate may present the same work for two consecutive years.
  17. Prescribed works (where applicable) may not be presented as “own choice”.
  18. All the names of participants in an Ensemble must be stated on the ensemble entry form (use the “add another candidate” facility).
  19. For group entries please use the Group Entry Form and state the name of the group clearly. If participants in a group wish to receive individual certificates (at additional cost), the names must be supplied on the entry form. Ensure to check the spelling of the participant and click on “Add to entry form” for each member of the group.
  1. Please refer to the dates of a specific section before you submit your entries. No changes are allowed after the program has been finalized. Special requests should be directed to the organizer of the relevant section well in advance.
  2. All participation is live except for Fine Arts, which remains online for practical reasons.
  3. Participant slips will be made available on the teacher’s profile at least 10 days prior to the start of the section. It is the responsibility of the affiliated person/teacher to enquire at the office should the slips not be available on the website. If a participant slip does not appear on the list, please ensure that the entry fee has been paid.
  4. Please check the information on the participant slips and contact the office as soon as possible in case of any spelling errors or other mistakes.
  5. A candidate will only be considered for an award if he/she participated during the scheduled time on the program, or at least on the same day. This exception will only be allowed in special circumstances.
  6. A candidate (and accompanist) must be available at least 15 minutes before the time of participation. Candidates that arrive late may forfeit their right to perform.
  7. Information regarding the composition to be performed, should be supplied on the participant slip. Please refer to the specific syllabus.
  8. Withdrawals must be reported to the organizer at least 48 hours before the scheduled time.
  9. Any participant in the Eisteddfod can be invited to perform at a Prize Winners concert.
  1. The adjudicator’s decision is final and no discussion or correspondence will be allowed.
  2. Candidates/family members/teachers are not allowed to communicate with the adjudicator in any way before, during or directly after adjudication.
  3. Problems must be discussed with the organiser before the start of a session. No problems will be discussed at the table during a session. 
  4. Certificates are only handed out after the adjudicator has delivered the commentary.
  5. Symbols are awarded as follows:

90% to 100%  –   A++
85% to 89%    –   A+
80% to 84%    –   A
75% to 79%    –   B+
70% to 74%    –   B
60% to 69%    –   C

The A++ symbol is a very special award. It is only awarded in exceptional cases to a participant whose performance is technically well-rounded, convincingly integrated and the degree of difficulty is in accordance with the development stage and age of the candidate. It is also important that all he requirements of the syllabus be met in such a case.

6. The following criteria apply to an item winner award:

  • An item is e.g. KJ 10 Classical u/6.
  • There must be at least 2 entries for the item and the participant must receive an A+ or A++ symbol.
  • If there is only one participant in an item, the adjudicator has the option to make an award when the performance of the candidate is of exceptional high standard.
  • There will only be one item winner award per item.. If there are two or more participants with the same mark, the adjudicator takes the final decision.
  •  A category winner is mostly also a trophy winner.
  • The minimum requirement for any award is an A+ symbol.

Choice of dress for performers is optional during adjudication. For the Prize Winners concert, dress is smart and neat.

  1. The adjudicator’s decision is this regard is final. 
  2. No award not specified in the syllabus will be awarded.
  3. An adjudicator may withhold an award if the level of performance is not according to the requirements.
  4. All awards will be presented at a prize-winner’s ceremony.
  1. Entry fees are specified at each section. EFT payments are preferred. Please use the invoice number as reference when making a payment. Schools/studios who prefer to make one combined payment, are requested to use the name of the affiliated person as reference. 
  2. See here for banking details.
  3. Please note the closing dates for entries and payments. No late entries will be accepted after the closing date.       
  4. Entry fees are not refundable.
  1. Most trophies are floating trophies and must be returned by 28 February of the following year.
  2. A trophy lost whilst in possession of a winner must be replaced at his/her own expense.
  3. The winner is responsible for the engraving of the trophy.

Notwithstanding any of the abovementioned rules, the Eisteddfod Committee reserves the right to amend any rule if so dictated by any situation that might arise. These amendments will be circulated by email to all affected parties.