Rules of Entry

  1. Entrants must be no less than 8 and no more than 18 years old as at 31 December of the audition year and their principal place of residence must be in the municipalities of Eurobodalla, Bega Valley or Shoalhaven.
  2. Entries must include the name and date of birth of the entrant, all other requested information, and payment of the correct entry fee ($30.00 per entry). The entry fee must be paid by Direct Deposit as indicated on the Application Form.
  3. Entries must be submitted via the online application form available on the St Cecilia website by Friday 25 September 2026. Go to application form.
  4. Entrants may make multiple entries by entering on multiple instruments (e.g. two instruments or voice and instrument). A separate entry fee must be paid for each entry.
  5. At the audition, entrants must perform two pieces of music for each entry. The two pieces must be of a contrasting nature.
  6. Scholarships are divided into three age levels. Senior is for entrants who are aged between 16 and 18. Intermediate is for entrants who are aged between 13 and 15. Junior is for entrants who are aged between 8 and 12. All ages are taken as at 31 December of the audition year. Awards will normally be made for first, second, and third in each section.
  7. A maximum performance time of five (5) minutes is permitted for entries in the Junior section, seven (7) minutes for entries in the Intermediate section, and ten (10) minutes for entries in the Senior section.
  8. Entrants must perform live. Video recordings, audio recordings, and other pre-recorded submissions are not eligible for adjudication.
  9. Awards are decided at the sole discretion of the independent adjudicator. The adjudicator’s decisions are final, and no discussion will be entered into.
  10. Entrants requiring an accompanist must make their own arrangements. Where accompaniment is required for a performance piece, it must be provided at the audition. Recorded accompaniment may be used where appropriate, provided the entrant performs live.
  11. Entrants must provide their own technical equipment if required (e.g. amplifiers, drum kits, vocal PA). If this requirement cannot be met, please contact the Committee.
  12. Entrants must ensure that they observe any copyright laws applying to the music performed. This means that any sheet music used by the entrant must be an original copy. The original must be sighted at the time of registration on the day of the auditions. Entrants must hand in a copy of the music or lead sheets for the adjudicator; a photocopy may be used for this purpose. If this rule is broken, the entrant will be disqualified. Photocopies may be used by accompanists.
  13. The Tertiary Scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the St Cecilia Music Scholarship Committee and the Batemans Bay Rotary Committee.
  14. The St Cecilia Music Scholarship Committee reserves the right to:
    • refuse or disqualify any entry based on non-compliance of rules;
    • not hold auditions for a section due to insufficient entries;
    • not offer an award in a category if the standard is deemed to be too low
    • request proof of age; and
    • refuse late entries.
  15. Auditions will be held on Saturday 24 October 2026 at St Peter’s Anglican College. Should entry numbers require, auditions may also be held on Sunday 25 October 2026. Actual audition times will depend on the number of entrants in each section. Entrants must be prepared to attend auditions on the date(s) set. If there are specific reasons why attendance on one of these days is not possible, please advise the Committee at the time of application.
  16. Following the audition, if an entrant is selected as a finalist, they are expected to perform at the St Cecilia Awards Concert on Sunday 15 November 2026 at St Bernard’s Church to be eligible to collect their prize.
  17. Any queries regarding the Rules of Entry should be directed to the Committee via email at info@stcecilia.org.au