STANDING RULES
Board of Director’s Reference, San Fernando West Valley Branch MTAC
Teachers will be allowed no more than two proxies per year total for all recitals, festivals, and competitions combined. (6-11-96)
No program changes will be allowed after the deadline. (5-4-04).
Festival Chairs shall retain their original application forms for reference, to verify that no pieces are substituted after the application deadline. (5-4-04).
Memorial Awards Competition - Senior Division Awards: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $400, 3rd Place $300. Junior Division Awards: 1st Place $350, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $150. A separate stipend of $150 will be granted to student be used towards the accompanist fees. All above will start in 2025. (Amended 4-08-24 from original date 5-6-03).
There will be no ties allowed for Memorial Awards Competition. Three winners from each division shall be chosen. No First Place winners shall compete again in the same category. (Amended 7-22-04 from original date 6-5-01).
A student participating in Memorial Awards Competition shall perform solo pieces only. There shall be no chamber music. (11-4-97).
Contemporary Festival entry fee shall be $35 for each solo performer and $25 for each member of an ensemble. (Amended 8-26-24 from original date 7-22-04).
All pieces must be memorized for all competitions, recitals, festivals.
The Contemporary Festival shall hire three judges only. Avoid hiring the same judge for any subsequent year. (04-28-25).
Judges will be guaranteed a minimum of two hours pay for any event. (3-6-01).
The judge’s fees shall be $75 per hour for all programs, maximum of 3 judges per program. (Amended 04-28-25 from original date 9-3-00).
The masterclass leader’s fee will be raised from $200 to $350. (Amended 04-28-25)
The Treasurer shall keep a tally of donations for various Scholarship Funds. The Board will oversee the disbursement of funds. (Amended 7-22-04 from original date 3-4-03).
The president of the branch will be fully reimbursed for the convention registration fee and for room and food costs. (Amended 04-28-25 from original date 5-6-03).
Handling of Grievances and Ethical Misconduct
SECTION 1. Handling of Grievances.
All Grievances will be submitted in writing to the Board. The Complainer shall not present the complaint in person. If the grievance concerns Branch policy, the Board will discuss the matter, and inform the complainer of its finding. If the grievance involves another member, the Board will decide whether to bring the aggrieved parties together at a future or special Board Meeting. Both parties, the accuser and the accused, will have a chance to represent themselves, face to face. If a resolution cannot be reached, the matter will be turned over to the State for further recommendation.
SECTION 2. Handling of Ethical Misconduct
Ethical misconduct shall be handled in the same manner as Standing Rule 14. Section 1. The Board shall follow State guidelines in the area of discipline.
The Branch Board can send information of the findings to the State Board if deemed necessary. The State Board can then decide if further action is or is not required. Final decisions rest with the State Board. (10-9-04)The contemporary festival rules shall be amended to read, “composers must have been alive in 1950 (except Bartok), in accordance to and agreement with the State certificate of Merit rule. Effective December 1, 2009. (5-20-09).
For checks issued over the amount of $750, there shall be two (2) signatures required. (9-10-13).
Handling of Expense Reports. Expense reports shall contain, if possible, receipts and shall be presented to the Treasurer for reimbursement no later than 30 days after the event. In the case of multiple events, the deadline will be 30 days after the final event. This wording will appear on Expense Report Forms. (4-8-14).
Contributory Branch Members shall be charged full current Branch dues and have access for students to all Branch activities, but not be eligible for awards. (01-12-16).
If a student or teacher does not follow the rules for competitive events, he or she is subject to disqualification at the discretion of the Event Chair. [12-13-16]