Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing this website, registering for the Golden Melody International Music Competition, or making a donation, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services or submit a registration.

These Terms apply to all visitors, competitors, parents or guardians submitting on behalf of a minor, and donors.

2. Competition Eligibility

Participation in the competition is governed by the eligibility requirements published on our Groups and Requirements pages. It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to verify eligibility before submitting a registration.

• Competitors must fall within the age range specified for their selected group as of the date of the competition
• Competitors must self-identify in the correct division — Amateur or Professional — as defined in our competition guidelines
• Registrations that do not meet eligibility criteria will be disqualified without refund of any fees paid
• The organizing committee reserves the right to request supporting documentation (e.g., proof of age or student status) to verify eligibility

3. Registration & Application

All information submitted during registration must be accurate, complete, and up-to-date. Submitting false or misleading information may result in immediate disqualification.

• Registration is considered complete only after all required materials have been received and, where applicable, any registration fees have been paid in full
• Application fees, where applicable, are non-refundable once submitted, except in the event of competition cancellation by the organizing committee
• Registrations submitted after published deadlines will not be accepted under any circumstances
• The organizing committee reserves the right to accept or decline any registration at its sole discretion

4. Parental & Guardian Consent

For competitors under the age of 18, registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. By submitting a registration on behalf of a minor, the parent or guardian:

• Confirms they have full legal authority to consent on the minor’s behalf
• Agrees to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety
• Consents to the collection and use of the minor’s personal data as described in our Privacy Policy
• Grants permission for the minor’s competition performance to be recorded, photographed, and published by Golden Melody International Music Competition
• Agrees to supervise the minor’s participation and accepts responsibility for their conduct during the competition

5. Competition Rules & Conduct

All competitors are expected to follow the rules published on our Rules page, including all repertoire requirements and scoring criteria.

• Competitors must perform the repertoire declared during registration; unauthorized program changes may result in disqualification
• Performances must be the competitor’s own unaided work; use of unauthorized assistance constitutes grounds for disqualification
• The organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify any competitor for misconduct, misrepresentation, or any violation of competition rules
• The jury’s decisions on scoring, rankings, and awards are final and not subject to appeal
• The organizing committee may stop any performance that significantly exceeds the stated time limit

6. Recording & Media Rights

By participating, competitors — and, for minors, their parent or legal guardian — grant Golden Melody International Music Competition a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to:

• Record, photograph, and livestream competition performances
• Publish recordings, photographs, and competition results on our website, social media channels, and other digital platforms
• Use competition media for promotional, archival, and educational purposes without prior notice

Competitors will not receive financial compensation for any such use. Rights granted here survive withdrawal or disqualification from the competition.

7. Donations

Donations made through our website are processed by Stripe, Inc. and are subject to Stripe’s Terms of Service.

• All donations are voluntary and non-refundable once processed
• Donations are used to fund competition venue costs and scholarships for outstanding competitors; 100% of donated funds support these purposes
• Golden Melody International Music Competition does not guarantee the tax-deductibility of donations; please consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation
• We reserve the right to decline or return any donation at our sole discretion

8. Intellectual Property

All content on this website — including but not limited to text, images, branding, logos, and design — is the property of Golden Melody International Music Competition and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Reproduction, distribution, or use of any content without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Golden Melody International Music Competition and its organizers, volunteers, and partners shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from participation in the competition or use of this website
• Technical failures, errors, or delays in the registration or application process
• Loss of or damage to submitted application materials
• Any injury, loss, or damage sustained during in-person competition events

Participation in the competition is at the competitor’s own risk. We strongly encourage all in-person participants to arrange appropriate travel and personal insurance.

10. Cancellation & Force Majeure

In the event the competition is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control — including but not limited to natural disasters, public health emergencies, venue unavailability, or government restrictions — Golden Melody International Music Competition will make reasonable efforts to notify all registered competitors promptly and, where feasible, offer rescheduling options.

Refund eligibility in such cases will be determined at the organizing committee’s discretion and communicated directly to affected registrants.

11. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any disputes arising from these terms or from participation in the competition shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

12. Updates to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of our website or submission of a competition registration after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, please reach out:

Golden Melody International Music Competition
goldenmelodyimc@gmail.com