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1. Overview
1. The procedures for entry and participation in the Competition are subject to the Competition Rules.
2. The Competition is designed to showcase and judge the talent of GTA Competitors who have roughly the same level of experience and maturity. The Competition is open to individuals aged between 17 and 25, as of September 1st 2018, who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada or Aboriginals; who permanently reside within the territorial boundaries of the Greater Toronto Area. Competitors must bring valid proof of age and photo identification (such as a birth certificate and driver’s license or a passport) to the Live Auditions. The contest itself will be comprised of the following three stages:
I. General Elimination Stage: Applicants will be required to upload a video performance of 1:30 minutes maximum for entrance into the contest. These video auditions will then be uploaded to The Winning Voice channel on YouTube and also to our website. Successful candidates at this stage will be be informed and proceed to the next stage of the competition.
II. Live auditions: At this stage, the remaining contestants will be required to perform a song of their choosing without musical accompaniment in front of our judges. Live auditions will be subject to a time limit of 1 minute and 30 seconds and may be extended at the judges’ discretion. Successful contestants will then advance to the final stage of the competition.
III. Final Competition: Five finalists will perform in front of a live audience with musical accompaniment for a chance to win the scholarships offered. Contestants will be judged primarily on their vocal ability, their creativity and their stage presence.
2. Who is eligible?
The competition is open to all individuals ages 17-25 residing within the Greater Toronto Area and includes candidates from all backgrounds, gender orientation, cultures, races and creeds. We are a diverse organization which intends to promote multiculturalism and a spirit of community. There will be a special category available to indigenous youth ages 18-25. A special exception to the geographical restriction for the indigenous community will be made in order to promote their participation in the competition. We recognize that the indigenous community largely live outside the area commonly known as the Greater Toronto Area and we have made this exception with respect to this reality. Employees or Affiliates of the Virmani Foundation, their family members and sponsor relatives will not be allowed to enter the competition to avoid conflicts of interests.
No Competitor will be permitted into the Live audition without submitting to the Producer a validly signed Competitor’s Release Form at the Live Audition.
3. Competition rules and Producer privilege
1. The Producer reserves the right to change the structure of the Competition as required, without limitation, adding or deleting auditions/heats/Competitors to the Competition and/or requesting additional performances from the Competitors and/or changing the anticipated auditioning or recording schedule.
2. It is a condition of entry and participation in the Competition, that Competitors make themselves available to participate in the Competition, agree to and sign all applicable Release Forms and abide by terms and conditions of such Release Forms. They should also abide by the rules, regulations, terms and conditions as devised by the Producer including but not by way of limitation; the Competition Rules. As part of Competitors’ contribution to the Program, the Producer may request Competitors to participate in additional activities relating to the Program including without limitation web-casts, pod-casts, blogs, video diaries, chat rooms and SMS chats. This also applies to various interviews, appearances, promotional, publicity, sponsorship and merchandising activities in any and all media. In addition, the winning contestant will be required to participate and support the contestants of any succeeding competition. This “support” may be in the form of a performance aimed at encouraging future contestants in their efforts.
3. It is a condition of entry and participation in the Competition that the Competitor has not entered into any contract, commercial sponsorship or other arrangements in respect of his/her musical or performing abilities or the products thereof or in respect of his/her name, likeness, image or biography which might be in breach of any of the Release Forms or the Competition Rules. These agreements may prevent the Competitor from participating in the Program or the broadcast, promotion, or sponsorship thereof. This includes any and all professional engagements and arrangements with any other organization not referred to in this paragraph but excludes engagements made to educational institutions to which any of the participants may belong.
4. Competitors must not at any stage of the Competition discuss with or take advice from any or all of the Judges on any matters relating to their participation in the Program including, without limitation tips or advice relating to their performance, appearance or choice of song, except during the live audition, or Final Competition.
5. Competitors may be required to keep any and all information regarding the Competition completely confidential. Competitors are prohibited from conducting any interviews or providing any comment or information to the public and the media without the consent of the Producer, including without limitation, information regarding the outcome of the Live Audition. This also applies to the performances of any Competitor including their own performance and any and all comments of the Judges or Producer.
6. The Producer’s and Judges’ decision (or, where appropriate, the decision of the voting public, as recorded by the voting service provider) is final and the Competitors acknowledge that the interests of the Competition shall override those of any Competitor. Where the integrity of the public voting system is compromised or the public voting system is otherwise not functioning, as determined by the Producer in its sole discretion, the Producer reserves the right to make all final decisions relating to the Competition.
7. The Producer reserves the right to ask the Competitor to perform a specified song or song from a specified genre of its own choice. At all times during the Competition the Producer reserves the right of veto over the choice of song for such reasons such as profanity, racist, derogatory or divisive lyrics, even where Competitors are permitted to select the song they wish to perform.
8. The Producer has the right at any time to require proof of identity and/or eligibility. Failure to provide such proof within a reasonable time could result in disqualification from the Competition. All personal details and information requested by and supplied to the Producer by each Competitor must be truthful, accurate and in no way misleading. The Producer reserves the right to disqualify any Competitor from the Competition or auditioning process in its sole discretion, should the Competitor at any stage supply untruthful, inaccurate or misleading personal details and/or information or should the Competitor be ineligible for the Competition pursuant to the Competition Rules.
9. The Producer will have no liability to a Competitor who is unable to attend or take part in any part of the Competition for whatever reason, as determined by the Producer in its sole discretion.
10. The Producer reserves the right to amend the Competition Rules or terminate the Competition at any time without any liability to any Competitor. The Producer further reserves the right to replace at its discretion any Competitor who for any reason fails or is disqualified from or unable to participate in any aspect of the Program and/or Competition. A contestant’s status in the competition will be determined by the Producer in its sole discretion.
11. The Competitor must at all times behave appropriately when taking part in the Competition and observe the Competition Rules and any other rules or regulations in force at any location of the competition. The Producer reserves the right in its absolute discretion to remove from the Competition, or any contest location, any Competitor who breaks such rules and/or fails to behave appropriately and to disqualify such Competitor.
12. In the event that as a result of the public vote concerning the public prize or award, two (or more) Competitors are tied, the Producer shall be entitled to determine in its absolute discretion which Competitor is eliminated and/or which Competitor wins that competition and for this purpose it shall be entitled to make such arrangements or request such further performances from the Competitors as it in its absolute discretion deems necessary.
13. All Competitors agree that the Producer and its agents can use, and distribute, in any media whatsoever, including without limitation the Internet, now known or hereafter created, worldwide in perpetuity, the Competitor’s audition(s), performances and appearances, the Competitor’s comments and the Competitor’s name, likeness, image or voice without any further consent or compensation of any nature or kind. Further, all individuals who attend at the Live Audition, who do not become Competitors (including family, friends or any other individual accompanying a participant) (“Other Individuals”), agree that the Producer and its agents can use, exploit and distribute in any media whatsoever, including without limitation the Internet, now known or hereafter created, worldwide in perpetuity, the individual’s comments and name, likeness, image or voice without any further consent or compensation of any nature or kind. All Competitors and Other Individuals agree to waive any and all copyright interest, of any nature or kind, they may have in their comments, audition(s), performances and appearances, including without limitation any moral rights in the foregoing.
14. Competitors acknowledge that the Producer, and/or its sponsors, the Judges, the advertising agencies and any person or entity connected with the production, administration or judging of the auditions, the Competition or the Program, and any of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents or representatives, are not responsible for and are in no way liable for any injuries, loss or damages caused by: (i) the administration (including scheduling) of the Competition including any failure of transportation or inability for any reason to appear before the judging panels; (ii) the Competitors or any third party’s participation in the auditioning process, or being selected or disqualified; (iii) as a result of the decisions of the Judges, Producers or public voting; or (iv) any printing, typographical or technological errors in any materials associated with the Competition.
15. In the event of any dispute concerning the operation of any element of the Competition or these Competition Rules, the decision of the Producer will be final.
16. These Competition Rules are additional to and do not supersede any and all Release Forms signed by the Competitor and in the event of any conflict between any Release Form and these Competition Rules, the Release Form will prevail.
4. Definitions
1.”Age of Majority” 18 years in Ontario.
2. “Competition” The skill competition comprised within the Program including without limitation the Regional Auditions and each round leading up to and including the selection of the winner. It is intended that the Winner of the Competition will ultimately be selected by judges based on the Competitor’s “overall package” reflecting a combination of factors, such as talent, skill, vocal range, marketability, charisma and stage presence.
3.”Competitor(s)” Any person who enters the Competition.
4.”Live Audition” The auditions held to determine the final 5 competitors.
5.”Release Form(s)” Any release form supplied from time to time by the Producer which Competitors are required to sign in connection with the Program.
6.”The Final” The 5 Competitors invited to participate in the Final Competition.
7.”The Finalist(s)” The 5 Competitors selected to participate in the Final Competition, which will determine the Winner (the “Final”).
8.”The Winner” The Competitor who wins the Final.
5.Prizes
The Virmani Foundation Scholarships are educational grants awarded to candidates to be applied to their musical education. It should be noted here that these scholarships and any disbursement is to be made to the academic or training institution of their choice and not directly to the candidates themselves.
6. Online applications
Application and signing of documents pertaining to the competition, including release forms and the online application mechanism indicates a contestant’s willingness to abide by the rules of the competition and to compete. Submitted and signed applications will indicate the applicant’s intention to take part and abide by the rules of the contest.
7. Financial Application
The Virmani Foundation wants to make a difference in the lives of young vocal artists. This is part of our effort to work in partnership with our sponsors and individuals who have a passion for supporting the arts. This competition is limited to participants who have special circumstances. Our Financial Aid Committee will evaluate the Financial Aid application on this page. Some examples of special circumstances include: marginalized income, divorce, medical bills, loss of income, or the death of a parent. Selected contestants will be notified of their acceptance into the competition in writing via email.
Please note: home repairs, weddings, private school education, and major purchases will not be considered as special circumstances.
8. Personal Statement
In order for you to be considered to participate in this contest, you must illustrate your family’s circumstances. Please write a personal statement that describes the circumstances under which you are applying. Please also provide documentation that supports the information contained in your personal statement. When writing your statement, please be complete and specific. The more information that you provide, the better your chances of having your application approved. Be assured that all the information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence. Please email scanned copies of all supporting documentation to finaid@virmanifoundation.com Your application will not be considered until both this form and your personal statement have been received.