USOMC » Competition » Competition Rules

ENTRY DEADLINE	Postmarked or emailed by October 10th, 2008. $10 late fee for entries postmarked/emailed between October 11th – 20th $25 late fee for entries postmarked between October 21st – 31st Applications postmarked after October 31st, 2008 will NOT be accepted.
COMPETITION DATES & TIMES	February 16th – 20th, 2009 (weeklong competition) 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. DAILY – Monday through Friday
COMPETITION SITE	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints \| Oakland, California
AWARD CONCERT DATE	Saturday, February 23, 2008 Sunday, February 24, 2008
AWARD CONCERT SITE(S)	Mormon Temple Auditorium, Oakland CA and Dean Lesher Theatre, Walnut Creek, CA (location & times are subject to change)
AGREEMENT	When entering the annual United States Open Music Competition, the participant(s) agree to allow USOMC the right to obtain photographs, DVDs and video recordings of the competitions that can be used by the USOMC for any purpose without compensation. The USOMC reserves the right: (1) to combine levels and or events (2) cancel any competition event that does not have adequate entries.
VIDEORECORDING	Please DO NOT bring photography and video recording equipment into the competition halls while competition events are in session. Photography is allowed only before and after events. USOMC provides official videographer for each of the Prize Winners’ Concerts. DVD for one or more Concerts will be available for purchase.
DETERMINATION OF AGE	The cut-off date for age level is December 31, 2008. The USOMC reserves the right to verify the date of birth of any contestant(s). All winners: please be prepared.
ENTRY FORMS	The Personal Data Registration Form must be typed or printed. Applicants of Showcase Solo (Piano & Violin), Violin Concerto, Duet, Duo & Ensemble events: (1) Must provide complete information on their music–including tempo marking, Op.#, K.#, Hob.#, BWV#, Movement #, Key & Composer of each piece. (2) Very important: must include a copy of the first page of each piece of music with application (Duet, Duo & Ensemble entries: include 1st page of all parts). $10 fee will apply for each occurrence of the following: (1) For any incomplete/incorrect information on entries. (2) For any change(s) to program (i.e. change of pieces) between October 11th – 31st. $20 fee will apply for any change(s) post-marked or emailed between Nov. 1st – 29th. NO change(s) will be accepted after November 29th, 2008.
FORM SUBMISSION	Mail entry forms and checks to: USOMC, PMB #418, 6114 La Salle Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94611, U.S.A. OR register online at www.usomc.org (with Visa or MasterCard).
RECIEPT CONFIRMATION	Please include your Email Address. USOMC will send email receipt confirmations within two weeks. Check your email receipt from USOMC carefully. Make sure all personal information is correctly recorded – if not, notify USOMC immediately.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE	Notification of competition schedules, maps, and details will be posted on our website [WWW.USOMC.ORG] by January 15th, 2009. Please check your entry CAREFULLY. Make sure all personal information is correctly recorded – if not, notify USOMC immediately by email. There will be no postal mailings unless specifically requested. (Please help us conserve paper and time by checking online!)
JUDGES DECISIONS	All winners will be announced at the end of each event and the Judges’ comments will be available to all contestants at the conclusion of each event. The Judges’ decisions are final. Talking with or contacting Judges before, during or after the competitions is unethical and inappropriate. The USOMC board reserves the right to disqualify any contestant(s) displaying such conduct.
AWARDS & PRIZES	Presented during the Prize Winners’ Award Concerts on Saturday, February 21, 2009 1st Place: Gold (.999 silver - 22kt gold) Medals & Cash Prizes 2nd Place: Silver (.999 silver) Medals 3rd Place: Bronze Medals 4th Place: Crystal Medallions (24% Lead Crystal)
WINNERS	All First Place Winners must perform at their designated Prize Winners’ Award Concerts on Saturday in order to receive their cash prizes and gold medals. All prizewinners (including 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th place) must attend the concerts in formal attire to receive their awards. No one is allowed to receive a medal for an absentee. If a Winner cannot attend the concert(s), he/she may request in advance for the medal(s) to be sent via postal mail ($25 handling & service fee will apply).
SHOWCASE CONCERT Top Gold Medal Finalists	Date: Sunday, February 22, 2009 – Time: 2:30 PM This concert will be by invitation only. Top finalists will be chosen from the Four Gold Medal Prize Winners’ Concerts on Feb. 21, 2009. All Finalists’ names will be announced at the conclusion of each of the Four Concerts on Saturday. The chosen Finalist(s) must be present at the announcement in order to be recognized, presented with specific instructions & Concert Tickets. If a finalist is not present at the ceremony, his/her place will be given to a runner-up finalist. All Finalists will receive a crystal piano & certificate at the conclusion of the Sunday Concert. A Scholarship of $500 will be awarded to the top finalist(s) at the conclusion of the Sunday Concert.
ORIGINAL MUSIC REQUIREMENT	An original copy (no photocopies) of all music must be provided for the judges during the competition.