An individual or group may receive disqualification or the lowering of a final rating as a result of not following the festival rules and regulations as outlined in the CMEA Bay Section Handbook.

These penalties will be assessed by the Head Adjudicator for Large Group Festivals and the involved adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and are not negotiable.

Disqualification from receiving a rating (individuals or groups may perform for "Comments Only")

1. A performance group having students not from the same school.

Required Lowering of each final rating by one grade by each adjudicator

1. An ensemble being conducted in a Solo and Ensemble Festival, except for percussion ensembles
2. More than three on a vocal part in Solo and Ensemble Festivals
3. More than one on an instrumental part in Solo and Ensemble Festivals
4. The use of electronic device, not indicated in the score, at Solo and Ensemble and Large Group Festivals
5. Failure to stop performing when directed to do so by the adjudicator in Solo and Ensemble Festivals and Large Group Festivals
6. Failure to provide a score (or solo part in Solo and Ensemble Festivals) for each adjudicator, properly assembled and with measures and cuts clearly numbered
7. Failure in Large Group Festivals for a choral group to sing from memory
8. Failure of the entire group (as parts are provided and available) to perform and/or personnel augmenting a group in sight-reading (only by the sight-reading adjudicator)
9. Performing choral sight-reading with accompaniment for Large Group Festivals

Other Notes

1. Ratings may not be more than one rating apart (no Superior, Excellent, Good)
2. No plus or minus signs are to be employed in any ratings
3. No final ratings are to be given at designated non-rated festivals or to groups requesting “Comments Only”

Under no circumstances may ratings be changed by anyone once the ratings are publicly posted.