General Rules & Regulations

All Rules & Regulations Apply to Every Level of the Competition from the Preliminary Contest through the Finals.

1. It is strongly recommended that an act run no more than three (3) minutes. Under no circumstances may an act run more than four (4) minutes. ANY ACT RUNNING OVER 4 Minutes WILL BE DISQUALIFIED ... NO EXCEPTIONS! The act is timed from the first vocal utterance in any vocal category; the first musical sound in any instrumental category; the first body movement in any dance category; the first movement, gesture, utterance or musical sound in any variety category.
    
2. Baton twirlers or similar acts using batons, machetes, knives, etc., will not be accepted. No fire, smoke or smoke-effect will be allowed on stage at any time.
    
3. In the Vocal categories, instrumental accompaniment by the person in the act or others is allowed, but is not judged. It must assume the pure character of accompaniment. The test shall be whether the performance would stand alone.
   
   Note: Recorded backup may be used, subject to the restrictions in rules 4, 5 & 6. A recording (except C.D's) must contain only the piece of music required for the performance, and must be cued properly. We cannot be responsible for any tape which is not picked up following your performance. Please label each tape with your name for identification.
    
4. No voice or voices, vocal utterance or synthesized vocal utterance may be used for accompaniment by contestants entered in the Vocal categories. This includes recorded live voices and voices that are produced and recorded synthetically (i.e. synthesizers or digitally sampled).
    
   ANY BACKGROUND VOCALS = DISQUALIFICATION. 
    
5. In the Instrumental categories, live or taped accompaniment is allowed, but must assume the pure character of accompaniment. The test shall be whether the performance would stand alone. The use of any instrument(s) for accompaniment of the same type as instrument(s) being judged is not allowed. If the playing of an electronic keyboard is to be judged, no preprogrammed music is allowed; the contestant must create all sound live on stage.
    
6. In the Dance categories, accompanists are permitted on stage but must not assume visual importance in the performance. There must be no taps or tap effect ( e.g. "rimshots") on a taped recording used by a dancer or dancers.
    
7. In the Vocal and/or Instrumental Group category, any combination of vocal and/or instrumental performance will be accepted, including bands with or without vocals.
    
8. Solo performers who wish to be judged on any combination of singing and playing, plus all performers who wish to be judged on any combination of singing & choreography, singing & drama, etc., as well as all comedy or novelty acts, magic acts, ventriloquism acts, etc., must enter in the Variety category. While a combination of categories is allowed, the individual rules will apply, and contestants must give sufficient prominence to each element of the performance for the judges to properly evaluate the individual talents.
    
9. Contestants must be available on all dates shown for Youth Talent Search and Junior Talent Search competitions. No exceptions.
    
10. Organizers reserve the right of final decision on any matters pertaining to the Youth or Junior Talent Search not covered by the rules.