RULES & REGULATIONS

Latest update: 5 January 2025

Get the PDF version here

The competition consists to TWO(2) options for Preliminary Sessions and TWO(2) options for Finals.
Participants may choose to join one or both of the Preliminary Sessions.
If selected to Finals, finalists may choose one or both of the Finals options. Refer to FINALS section for more info.
For Preliminary Sessions, participants may choose either Online Submission or Live Performance.
For Finals, there is only Live Performance.
All fees listed in this document are for Preliminary Sessions only.
Participant’s age is determined by the year of birth, regardless of month.
Participants are allowed to join multiple categories according to eligibility.
All performances must be presented from memory only.
Judging will be within the time limit. Any subsequent performance beyond time limit will not be judged.
Fee rates are separated into local rates for participants residing in Malaysia, and international rates for participants residing outside of Malaysia.
To avoid miscommunications, all communications will only be handled through the contact person provided in the application form. The organizer may choose to ignore any communications through unregistered contacts.

Time limit includes gap time between two pieces performed, if any.
For Graded categories, acceptable pieces are from ABRSM, Trinity College London, Rockschool, London College of Music; and from syllabus year 2019 onwards.
Backing track is allowed ONLY for Age categories “4 years and below” and “5 - 6 years”. If performing two pieces with backing tracks, both backing tracks must be combined into one single audio file. Please rename the audio file to participant’s full name and category.

Participant may choose to use handheld mic, clip-on mic, or standing mic.
Accompaniment can either be live music or from backing track. Live accompaniment can only be played on piano.
For backing tracks, please rename the audio file to participant’s full name and category.

A basic drumset is provided, which consists of 1 bass drum with pedal, 1 snare drum, 1 hi-tom, 1 mid-tom, 1 floor tom, 1 hi-hat, 1 crash cymbal and 1 ride cymbal.
Participants are allowed to use their own preferred components and adjustments, but take note that the time limit includes any time spent adjusting the drumset. After performance, participants must reset the drumset back to the original setting.
For backing tracks, please rename the audio file to participant’s full name and category.

A basic guitar amp and bass amp is provided. Guitar cables are provided, but participants are encouraged to use their own cables.
For other instruments, participants may choose a clip-on mic or a standing mic, if needed.
Accompaniment can either be live music or from backing track. Live accompaniment can only be played on piano.
For backing tracks, please rename the audio file to participant’s full name and category.

All participants will receive a certificate and comment sheet from Jury.
Achievers of 1st Prize, 2nd Prize, 3rd Prize, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze will receive a trophy.
Additional awards may be presented to selected top achievers or special achievements.
Teachers of 1st Prize, 2nd Prize, 3rd Prize, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze achievers will receive a certificate.

A Jury is not allowed to adjudicate his/her own students. Marks will be awarded only by the remaining Juries. A ‘student’ is defined as having studied under the particular Jury within the previous 12 months. Attending masterclasses/ workshops/ seminars does not apply for this rule.
Decision of Juries are final and is not open to further discussion.
Contacting Juries before or during the competition is not permitted.

Whenever there is Gold or Platinum achievers in a category, the top 3 achievers among the Gold and Platinum will be converted to 1st Prize, 2nd Prize, and 3rd Prize respectively.
The organizer reserves the right to combine or divide any category depending on the numbers of participant in each category.

Finals at Bali, Indonesia, will be a collaboration with the International Music & Performing Arts Festival (IMPAF) 2025, Indonesia. The rules and regulations will follow IMPAF 2025 Indonesia.
Finals at Bali ONLY cater for piano, violin and vocals. All other instruments will have to choose Sydney, Australia.
Finals will include external participants from other collaborations.
Finalists are not required to perform the same piece(s) from Preliminary Session.
Depending on the numbers of Finalists in each category, the organizer may combine or divide any category for Finals.
Scholarship Award at Sydney is ONLY applicable for finalists age 13 and above.
Other details regarding Finals (fees, categories, procedures, rules & regulations, etc.) will be communicated directly to Finalists. All communications will only be handled through the contact details provided in the application form.

RM50 (local) or USD20 (international) penalty will be charged if participant makes changes to any application details after the closing date.
No refund will be made for no-show or pull-outs/ wrongly registered/ double registration after submission of registration forms and payments, regardless of reason.
Delivery cost will be charged if participants choose to deliver certificate and/or trophy. To avoid this, participants can send a representative to collect the items on the Award Ceremony day.
ONE audience is FREE for every participant (multiple entries by same participant is considered one participant). Every other audience is required to purchase a pass.
For participants with live accompanist, the accompanist gets FREE entry.

All fees listed earlier in this document are for Preliminary Sessions only.
If joining multiple categories, please submit separate application forms.
Payment can be made for separate entries or combined multiple entries, by banking in the appropriate fee. Only payment through online banking is accepted. Save/Screenshot the proof of payment and upload proof of payment on the application form.
Details for local/international transfers:

Beneficiary Name: Champs Universal Services

Beneficiary Bank: Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)

Account Number: 557148359489

Bank Address: Floor 8, Menara Maybank, 100, Jalan Tun Perak, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Swift Code: MBBEMYKL

All information in this document is correct on the date of post, stated at the beginning of the document. The organizer reserves the right to make changes if circumstances dictate.
By submitting the application form, the participant, or the parent/guardian of participants under the age of 16, acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted all applicable rules and regulations in this document.