How To Enter

Music Entry Notes

    1. Please enter the number of participants in all choirs, choral groups, orchestras and ensembles on the online entry system. Changes to the entry detail can be made up until the closing date but if the participant numbers change after the closing date, then please let the Festival coordinator know.

    2. Our Official Accompanist(s) are professional, experienced pianists, who have supported this Festival for many years. We do not charge our entrants an additional fee for the excellent services they provide accompanying you during the Festival.

    3. If required an Official Accompanist can be provided for the relevant class performances for free, however you may use your own independent accompanist, which you will need to arrange and pay for.

    4. It is your responsibility to liaise with the Official Accompanist to organise and pay for a rehearsal and to provide the relevant sheet music for your class performances. Such arrangements and the Official Accompanist receiving your sheet music is the performer’s responsibility.

    5. If you wish to use your own independent accompanist, please indicate this on the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival ‘Play and Perform’ entry system by ticking the relevant box aligned to the class being entered. This option may not be altered after the entry deadline.

    6. The LMDF cannot make concessions to the Festival’s scheduling to accommodate your own independent accompanist.

    7. The LMDF advises that you use the Official Accompanist if you are making multiple entries where you need an accompanist.

    8. The sheet music you provide to the Official Accompanist must be to performance standard, which means in a readable and playable condition.

    9. The Official Accompanists reserve the right to refuse to play from unsatisfactorily prepared music.

    10. Be sure to name the instrument when entering instrumental Own Choice classes. Changes cannot be made after the closing date.

    11. The use of backing tracks is allowed in a select number of classes, and these classes are indicated in the 2027 LMDF Syllabus and on the LMDF ‘Play & Perform’ online entry system.

    12. If a backing track is permitted and to be used, the means to playing it will be provided and managed by the venue. Each backing track will need to be uploaded to LMDF ‘Play & Perform’ online entry system under the entered class. You will need to name each file as follows: name of performer – name of music. Each file needs to be in one of the following formats: XXXXX

    13. Performers who, in the opinion of the Adjudicators, are of a particularly high standard may be invited to perform at the Festival Concert.

    14. Please direct your queries to Anne Webb (annewebb@acousticnations.com), if you are unable to get the answers from the LMDF website or online entry system.

    The Committee reserves the right to amend schedules to ensure the smooth running of the festival.

Speech & Drama Entry Notes

    1. To keep classes manageable those with large numbers will be divided, and where possible all groups will be timetabled to occur on the same day.

    2. If an Own Choice piece contains ‘adult language’ or unsuitable content for a young audience, please indicate this in your online entry and communicate with Anne Webb by email (annewebb@acousticnations.com). We must advise that this could present difficulties for the Festival to accommodate.

    3. Hand your Own Choice copy to the Adjudicator’s Steward at the LMDF administration desk (in your performance space) at least 15 minutes before the start of the class performances. This will not be returned.

    4. All individual names must be provided for group and duologue entries. The entry requirements for groups and duos allow a wide age range to perform together. In cases of illness, substitutions may be made and must be declared at the time of the performance, in which case adjudications will be given but unfortunately performers cannot win or be placed.

    5. The use of backing tracks is allowed in a select number of classes, and these classes are indicated in the 2027 LMDF Syllabus and on the LMDF ‘Play & Perform’ online entry system.

    6. If a backing track is permitted and to be used, the means to playing it will be provided and managed by the venue. Each backing track will need to be uploaded to LMDF ‘Play & Perform’ online entry system under the entered class. You will need to name each file as follows: name of performer – name of music. Each file needs to be in one of the following formats: XXXXX

    7. Please comply with copyright details in particular respect of duologue and drama groups.

    8. Changes to the entry detail can be made online up until the closing date.

    9. Performers who, in the opinion of the Adjudicators, are of a particularly high standard may be invited to perform at the Festival Finale on Saturday evening.

    10. Please direct your queries to Anne Webb (annewebb@acousticnations.com), if you are unable to get the answers from the LMDF website or online entry system.

    Please ensure that all relevant rules are adhered to.If rules are not adhered to theperformers will risk losing the chance of winning and being placed.

Online Entry System Procedure and User Guidance

The Lincoln Music & Drama Festival has adopted the ‘Play and Perform’ online entry and payment system, which is being used increasingly by small UK music and drama festivals. This online booking system should be reasonably straightforward to use. All entry classes and payment information are included on this online booking system. We hope that you'll find it easy to manage and that you'll find your way around, but if you have any difficulty, please ask.

Please also contact Anne Webb (annewebb@acousticnations.com) for whole school or other large school group entries if necessary.

The 2027 Lincoln Music & Drama Festival's online entry deadline will be confirmed shortly but until then aim for completing your entries before mid-February 2027.

You will be able to make entries to the 2027 LMDF and pay from early October 2026.

Entries and pay here

To book entries and pay:
1. Press the above button or go to playandperform.co.uk/lincoln
2. Click on the blue 'Register here' button first.

    1. Select classes: Browse the festival's syllabus booklet and select the classes you / your school or choir etc wish to enter.

    2. Register/log in: Please register an account on the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival’s Play and Perform booking system.

    3. How to use the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival’s Play and Perform booking system: Please refer to the Play and Perform User Guide.

    4. Entry payments: Please pay for entry to classes via the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival’s Play and Perform booking system.

    5. All entries will be acknowledged by email to the email address used for the online application and will contain your AE online entry number.

    6. Payment through Paypal or BACS system is preferred and using the AExxxxxx online entry number as reference.

    7. The 2026 online entry closing date is 8pm on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Entries must be completed by this closing date.

Festival Entry Rules

    1. Professionals are not eligible to compete in this festival, except where specified. In this festival professionals are defined as those who derive the bulk of their income from payment for work in that branch of the art with which the festival is concerned. This also applies to “Open” classes.

    2. Orchestras, ensembles or bands may include professionals and experienced volunteers, which includes an accompanist, if chosen, who are outside the age group, not exceeding one to every ten amateur players.

    3. All entries need to be paid by the closing to be accepted.

    4. Entrants may only enter the correct National Curriculum (NC) Year class for their age. NC year groups will apply where stated.

    5. Entrants may only enter graded classes for grade that they are currently working towards or have most recently achieved since the last Festival. Those studying for Diploma should enter the Open Class/Classes.

    6. Entrants may not enter more than once on the same instrument in the same Class, unless otherwise stated.

    7. In all Graded Classes, title of the piece, Examination Board, the grade and composer must be supplied with each entry. A copy of the piece must be provided for the use of the Adjudicator at the time of the performance; entrants must use their examination book.

    8. In ‘Own Choice’ classes the name of the piece, and composer/author to be stated on the online class entry, and no change from this choice is allowed after the entry closing date.

    9. In “Own Choice” classes, entrants may not offer the same piece in more than one class. Performers should not play/perform the same piece in two consecutive years.

    10. In all Choral, Vocal Groups, Orchestra / Ensemble and Band classes, please state the number of participants in the online entry.

    11. In all Duet, Trio and Quartet classes a second entry is allowed providing the entrant has different partners and performs different pieces. No pair/group may enter more than one class within one instrumental discipline.

    12. Time limits given in the syllabus must be adhered to. Performers who over-run will risk losing the chance of winning and being placed in their class.

    13. Performances using songs from shows are subject to copyright law. We do not allow any changes to the songs from the shows in accordance with the Performing Rights Society’s Licence arrangements with the British and International Federation of Festivals. (See COPYRIGHT COMPLIANCE page).

    14. In all Speech and Drama classes no costumes are allowed.

    15. Some dramatisation by actions is permitted in the Speech and Drama classes.

    16. A choice of two props per performer such as a hat, gloves, shawl is allowed for the non-poem Speech and Drama classes. Over emphasis on props will be penalised by adjudicators and placing will be affected.

    17. Backing tracks as an accompaniment are not allowed, apart from Musical, Theatre Show or Film, and Rock/Pop Song classes.

    18. Backing tracks must NOT have any instrumental parts or vocals which plays the same line as a performer.

Other Festival Performer Procedure Guidance

The following rules help the smooth running of our Festival. Please read these carefully before entering. If rules are not adhered to, entrants may be allowed to perform, but risk losing the chance of winning and being placed. Teachers should ensure all entrants are made aware of these rules.

    • The AExxxxxxx order reference number is a number generated for your application via the online system. Please take note of this number as you require it to retrieve your application and for any queries you may have about your entry.

    • No refunds available after the closing date.

    • If you want to request the services of an Official Accompanist, select YES to the question – Will the Official Accompanist be required?

    • We strongly advise that you use the Official Accompanist if you are making multiple entries. We cannot adjust for independent accompanists after the scheduling has been done to avoid clashes.

    • The performer’s name, Class number, and AExxxxxxx number, must be written clearly on the front of the music.

    • Official Accompanists reserve the right to refuse to play from unsatisfactory and unmanageable music.

    • If the Official Accompanist services are not required, do not upload copies of music.

    • All performers, whether using independent or Official Accompanist, must provide a copy of the music on the day of the performance for the Adjudicator.

    • Your sheet music (as a PDF) needs to be uploaded directly into the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival ‘Play and Perform’ entry system, under your selected class, when making your entry, or shortly after, but by midnight on 3 March 2026. The sheet music digital copies must be clearly labelled with the competitor's name, class number, AExxxxxxx number and, if applicable, the required speed or key.

    • Your backing track music (.wav or .mp3 file) needs to be uploaded directly into the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival ‘Play and Perform’ entry system, under your selected class, when making your entry, or shortly after, but by midnight on 3 March 2026. The file must be clearly labelled with the competitor's name, class, and AExxxxxxx number.

Festival Procedures and Other Useful Information

    • The Festival reserves the right to limit the entries in any Class where, in their opinion, the maximum number which can be adequately dealt with has been reached. In some instances, large classes will be divided. The order of performance in each Class will be determined by random selection, but the Committee reserves the right to vary that order where necessary, eg when catering for clashes.

    • Classes with a small number of entries will be combined.

    • Adjudicators’ decisions are final. Speaking or writing notes to the Adjudicators is not permitted during the festival. Communications for the Adjudicator must be made through a Festival Official. Concerns/complaints will only be considered if submitted in writing to the Chair. Please see the complaints procedure at the back of the Syllabus.

    • The Adjudicator’s notes on the entrant’s performance are available at the end of the class or session free of charge.

    • The Committee reserves the right to appoint additional Adjudicators and to alter, modify or cancel any of the arrangements detailed in this Syllabus as necessary.

    • Please hand own choice copies or original score or copies of music to the LMDF front desk administrator in the performance space for your class at least 15 minutes before the start of the class.

    • All photocopies should be headed clearly: ‘For Adjudicator only – to be destroyed after use.’

    • Original scores and copies of music downloaded from the internet that do not infringe copyright regulations are to be collected by the performer from the LMDF front desk administrator at the end of the class.

    • Certificates will be presented to performers gaining First, Second and, unless there is a low entry, Third places.

    • Trophies and certificates may be withheld in any Class where, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, a sufficiently high standard of performance is not attained.

    • Trophies awarded at the Festival Concert is at the discretion of the Festival Committee.

    • Winners are held responsible for the safe custody and return of trophies gained in 2027.

    • Trophies can be returned at any time but must be returned by 31 January 2027 for 2026 recipients and 30 January 2028 for 2027 recipients at the latest. The trophies need to be returned cleaned, in their boxes and taken to Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln LN5 8DW during the working week.

    • Trophies must not be posted to avoid any damage or loss.

    • Damaged or lost trophies will incur a charge for replacement or repair.

    • Admission charges apply to audience members at all venues – we keep these charges to a minimum and allow under 16s to enter day and evening sessions free of charge, apart from at the Festival Concert, when there will be a reduced ticket price.

    • Admission charges for each venue will be listed at the entrances to venues during the festival.

2027 Syllabus Download

The 2027 LMDF Syllabus booklet will be available to download here from early September 2027.

2027 Light Verse and Verse Speaking Downloads

The 2027 LMDF Syllabus booklet will be available to download here from early September 2027.