SarahVaughanInternational
JazzVocalCompetitionRules

THE 13th ANNUAL SARAH VAUGHAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ VOCAL COMPETITION OFFICIAL RULES.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE ENTRANT’S CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

ELIGIBILITY: The 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (“Contest”) is operated and hosted by NJPAC (“Operator”) through the NJPAC website (www.njpac.org) or Sarah Vaughan Competition website (www.sarahvaughancompetition.com)  (“Website”). The Contest is open to individual artists who are 18 years of age (on or before November 24, 2024) and who are not presently signed to any major record label, or any record label or publisher under any exclusive agreements and/or other contractual arrangements which prohibit or might prohibit them from participating in any element of this Contest. 

Employees, contractors, directors and officers of New Jersey Performing Art Center Inc., and WBGO (collectively, “Sponsors”), or any of their affiliates, distributors, or web design, advertising and promotion agencies of any of the foregoing companies involved in the administration, development, and execution of this Contest (collectively, “Contest Parties”), and the immediate family members (i.e. spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and spouse or “step” of each) of each and those living in the same households of any of the foregoing companies (i.e. persons, whether related or not, who have lived in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Contest) are not eligible to participate in this Contest. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW OR OTHERWISE. 

TO ENTER: The Contest is open to all that meet requirements.  In order to create a Submission (as defined below), Entrants must follow the online instructions at www.sarahvaughancompetition.com to register. Contest Entrants must give at least three (3) recordings consisting entirely of musical compositions created by the Entrant (collectively, “Submissions” and individually, a “Submission”).  Full entries will be received between April 30, 2024 and September 3, 2024 at 5:00pm (“Contest Period”). The computer of the Operator is the official timekeeping device for this Contest.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. No purchase is necessary to enter the Contest. By entering a Submission in the Contest, Entrants hereby warrant and represent that the Submission conforms to the Contest Submission Requirements set forth herein. Entrants agree and acknowledge that no compensation will be paid to them for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to, entering this Contest or uploading a Submission. All Submissions must be entered at www.sarahvaughancompetiton.com and Submissions must meet the following requirements (“Submission Requirements”), and failure to abide by the Submission Requirements is grounds for disqualification in Operator’s sole discretion: Submissions must not contain material which is (or promoting activities which are) harmful, threatening, abusive, disparaging, harassing, vulgar, obscene, hateful, pornographic, or libelous or which has other inappropriate content, or is otherwise objectionable as determined by Operator in its sole discretion; Submissions shall not defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about any persons, products or companies; Submissions shall not contain materials which are not created entirely by Entrant or which are owned by others (other than specific audio assets or materials provided through the Website for the Contest by the Sponsors and audio to which the Entrant owns a license to use commercially, such as a purchased sample pack); and Submissions shall not be in violation of any law. BY ENTERING A SUBMISSION, ENTRANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUBMISSIONS MAY BE POSTED ON OPERATOR’S WEBSITE, IN OPERATOR’S DISCRETION. Operator reserves the right to, and may or may not, monitor/screen Submissions prior to posting them to the Website. Entrants acknowledge that Operator has no obligation to use or post any Submissions. By uploading a Submission, Entrants warrant and represent that: (a) the Submission is Entrant’s original work; (b) the Submission does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity; (c) Entrant has obtained permission from any person whose name, voice or performance is used in the Submission; and (d) exploitation, use, display or performance of the Submission via any form of media, will not infringe the rights of any third parties. Entrants shall indemnify and hold harmless, Operator and Contest Parties from any claims contrary to or in violation of these warranties and representations. By entering the Contest, each Entrant agrees: (i) that Sponsors shall have no obligation (express or implied) to use any Submissions in any manner and Entrants shall not be entitled to any damages or other relief by reason of Sponsors use or non-use of a Submission; (ii) to be bound by these Contest Official Rules; (iii) that Entrants may be contacted by Sponsors by email regarding the Contest; (iv) to indemnify and hold Sponsors harmless from any and all claims, demands, causes of action and judgments (including attorney’s fees, court costs and expert’s fees) arising out of or relating to any breach by Entrant of the terms and conditions of these Contest Official Rules, including any representations and warranties made herein. By entering the Contest, each Entrant agrees to sign and deliver to Sponsors such documents as Sponsors may reasonably require to effectuate the rights and obligations granted in these Contest Official Rules. 

GRANT OF RIGHTS: Each Entrant shall own the copyright to their Submission. By entering this Contest, each Entrant agrees that Contest Parties have the right to use the Entrant’s Submission and Entrant’s name and likeness in any and all media in and in connection with promotion, publicity, marketing and advertising for and by Contest Parties, and in connection with this Contest or other promotions by Contest Parties as Contest Parties see fit without any further notification or compensation to or of the Entrant. 

SELECTION: Submissions will be posted on the Website throughout the duration of the Contest Period. The selection process will consist of the following: a qualifying round to determine the top 25 entrants (“Qualifying Round”), a judging round to determine the semifinalists (“2nd Judging Round”) and a judging round to determine the finalists (“3rd Judging Round”). The procedure for each round will be as follows: Qualifying Round: The top 25 entrants will be qualified and/or selected for the 2nd Round Judging. The Sponsors, in their sole discretion, will select Twenty-five (25) Entrants (the “Sponsor Entrants”), from all of the Entrants based on the following criteria: Vocal Quality, Musicality, Technique, Ability to Swing, Performance, Individuality, and Artistic Interpretation.  The Top 25 Entrants will each proceed to the 2nd Round Judging. 2nd Round Judging: The Sponsors and their designated appointees will, in their sole discretion, select fifteen (15) semifinalists (the “Semifinalists”) from the Top 25 Entrants based on the following criteria: Vocal Quality, Musicality, Technique, Ability to Swing, Performance, Individuality, and Artistic Interpretation. The Semifinalists will each proceed to the 3rd Round Judging. 3rd Round Judging: The Sponsors and their designated appointees will, in their sole discretion, select five (5) finalists (collectively, the “Finalists” and individually, a “Finalist”) from the Semifinalists based on the following criteria: Vocal Quality, Musicality, Technique, Ability to Swing, Performance, Individuality, and Artistic Interpretation. 

FINALISTS: Each Finalist will be provided the following: (i) any Finalists that resides outside of the United States and its territories will be provided travel and accommodations up to $2,000.00 U.S. Dollars, and the opportunity to compete in the SVIJVC Live Competition; and (ii) any Finalists that resides more than one hundred fifty (150) miles from Newark, New Jersey will be provided travel and accommodations up to $1,000.00 U.S. Dollars, and the opportunity to compete in the SVIJVC Live Competition; and (iii) any Finalists that resides within one hundred fifty (150) miles from Newark, New Jersey will be provided travel and accommodations up to $500.00 U.S. Dollars, and the opportunity to compete in the SVIJVC Live Competition.  Finalists will be required to be present in Newark, NJ, on dates designated by Sponsors, which is scheduled to be the month of November, 2024.  In the event a Finalist cannot travel on dates designated by Sponsor, that Finalist may be disqualified and may or may not be replaced at Operators sole discretion.

The Finalists will be notified between September 27, 2024 and October 9, 2024. Finalists will be posted on the Website on or about October 10, 2024. The Finalists may be selected from all the Entrants. Entrants acknowledge that the Contest Parties shall have no obligations, financial or otherwise, to the Finalists, except for those explicitly set forth in these Contest Official Rules. Entrants give the Operator the right to transmit the Finalists’ personal identifying information to Sponsors or to other Contest Parties for the purposes of facilitating the award of the Contest prizes. Other prizes may be determined at the discretion of the Sponsors and their designated appointees. SVIJVC Live Competition: All five (5) Finalists will compete in a SVIJVC Live Competition on dates designated by Sponsors. Each Finalist will be required to perform a collection of songs.   One (1) grand prize winner (the “Grand Prize Winner”), one (1) second place winner (the “2nd Place Winner”), one (1) third place winner (the “3rd Place Winner”) will be selected by a panel of judges selected by Sponsors and Operator based on the following criteria: Vocal Quality, Musicality, Technique, Ability to Swing, Performance, Individuality, and Artistic Interpretation. In the event of a tie, the tied Finalists will be judged by one additional judge who will serve as the tie-breaker and determine whichever winners have not been chosen. Entrants agree that the Operator has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from this Contest and that all decisions of Operator and the Sponsors are final and binding. ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: Grand Prize consists of Five Thousand United States Dollars ($5,000.00 USD) and a recognition plaque (ARV $100.00 USD); The approximate retail value of the Grand Prize:  Five Thousand, one hundred United States Dollars ($5,100.00 USD).  ONE (1) 2nd PLACE PRIZE: 2nd Place Prize consists of One Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars ($1,500.00 USD) and a recognition plaque (ARV $100.00 USD). The approximate retail value of the 2nd Place Prize: $1,600.00 USD. ONE (1) 3rd PLACE PRIZE: 3rd Place Prize consists of Five Hundred United States Dollars ($500.00 USD) and a recognition plaque (ARV $100.00 USD). The approximate retail value of the 3rd Place Prize: $600.00 USD. TWO (2) FINALISTS PRIZE: Finalists Prizing consists of a recognition plaque (ARV $100.00 USD per plaque). Total approximate retail value of all prizes: $7,500.00 USD. The Grand Prize Winner, 2nd Place Winner, 3rd Place Winner, and two (2) remaining Finalists (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Winning Entries”) will be selected and will be posted on the Website on or about November 25, 2024. The Winning Entries may be selected regardless of any previous rankings of the Finalists. Additional prizing may be added throughout the Contest Period in which case approximate retail values are subject to change. Entrants agree that the Operator has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from this Contest and that all decisions of Operator and the Sponsors are final and binding. 

GENERAL TERMS: Entrants, Finalists and Winning Entries are solely responsible for the reporting and payment of any taxes on any respective prizes. No cash equivalent or substitution of any prize is offered, except at the sole discretion of the Operator. Prizes are non-transferable, and non-refundable. The dollar value of travel and accommodations provided to the Finalists is based on the distance a particular Finalist’s residence is located from Newark, NJ and the dollar value difference of such travel and accommodations will not be provided to any applicable Finalist. Each Finalist will be required to be present in Newark, NJ, on dates designated by Sponsors. In the event a Finalist resides within one hundred fifty (150) miles of Newark, NJ, Sponsors will provide the applicable Finalist with travel and accommodations up to $500.00 U.S. Dollars. The dollar value difference between the prizes provided to the Finalists will not be provided to the applicable Finalist. Each Finalist will be solely responsible for any and all expenses and incidental travel costs not expressly stated in the trip description stated herein, including but not limited to ground transfers between a particular Finalist’s residence and airport of departure. In regards to the Finalists’ hotel accommodations while in Newark, NJ, each Finalist will be solely responsible for any and all in-room charges (e.g., mini- bar, room service, telephone, movies), meals and Finalists will be required to provide a valid major credit card or some other acceptable form of payment, as determined in the hotel’s sole discretion upon hotel check and all in-room charges, telephone calls, meals, beverages, hotel upgrades, amenities, personal incidentals and any other expenses charged to the Finalist’s hotel room will be charged to that major valid credit card or deducted from the deposit provided. Travel is subject to terms and condition set forth in these Contest Official Rules and those set forth by selected travel providers, availability and other material restrictions may apply. Sponsor is not responsible for any fees or additional charges resulting from a Finalist’s change(s) to the travel itinerary or hotel accommodations. In the event a Finalist’s Prize is less than the approximate retail value stated herein, the Finalist will not receive any additional compensation for the dollar value difference. Each Finalist will be solely responsible for obtaining valid government photo identification, Passport, plus any required visa or TSA authorization if applicable prior to travel and the associated costs for these requirements. Sponsor shall not be responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitution or any act or omissions whatsoever by the air carriers, hotels or other transportation companies or any other persons providing any travel services and accommodations to Finalists including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same. Sponsor shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage. Each Finalist will be responsible for obtaining his/her own travel, medical and life insurance and the associated costs. All travel is subject to any and all restrictions instituted by the Department of Defense and/or Department of Homeland Security, as required. Any Finalists will be notified by phone and/or e-mail and each Finalist will be required to complete, sign and return an Affidavit/Declaration of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release as a condition of being declared a Finalist. Each Finalist may also be required to send a copy of her passport, driver’s license, birth certificate or other official legal or government document, as proof of age and residency. If a Finalist cannot be contacted within three (3) calendar days of first notification attempt; or if the prize notification is returned as undeliverable; or if a Finalist is unable to attend the SVIJVC Live Competition; or if a Finalist rejects her prize; or in the event of noncompliance by a Finalist with these Contest Official Rules; or if the Affidavit/Declaration of Eligibility and Publicity/Liability Release is not properly executed, then that Entrant shall be disqualified as a Finalist, and shall forfeit the applicable prize(s); in addition, an alternative Semifinalist may or may not be selected as determined by the Operator and the Sponsors and Contest Parties from all remaining eligible Semifinalist to replace the disqualified Finalists. If a prize, or any portion thereof, cannot be awarded for any reason, such prize will be forfeited. By participating in the Contest, Entrants release Operator, Sponsors and Contest Parties from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to such Entrant’s participation in the Contest, and agree to resolve any dispute individually, without resort to any class action. By accepting a prize in the Contest, the Finalists and each Finalist’s Guest agree that the Operator, Sponsors and Contest Parties shall not be liable for any loss or injury resulting from participation in the Contest, acceptance or use of any prize, or any travel related thereto. Each Finalist grants permission to Operator and Sponsors and those acting under its authority to use her name, photograph, voice and/or likeness, for advertising and/or publicity purposes, as well as the Remix in any and all media now known or hereinafter invented without territorial or time limitations and without compensation. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or terminate the Contest. This Contest is governed by the laws of the state of New Jersey, U.S.A. By entering, Entrants consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state and local courts located in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. for the resolution of any disputes. Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to substitute a comparable prize of like or greater value for any prize, or to pay a Winning Entry a cash equivalent (the value of which shall be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion), for any reason. 

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE: No liability or responsibility is assumed by Operator, Sponsors or Contest Parties resulting from Entrants’ participation in or attempt to participate in the Contest or downloading any information in connection with participating in the Contest. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Operator, Sponsors or Contest Parties for technical problems or technical malfunction which may affect the operation of the Contest, including but not limited to any of the following occurrences: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any e-mail transmissions to be sent to or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted e-mail transmissions; inaccessibility of the Website, in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestions on the Internet or the Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an account used in connection with the Contest. Operator and Sponsors are not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of prizes or these Contest Official Rules, or any inaccurate or incorrect data contained on the Website. Use of the Website is at Entrant’s own risk. Operator and the Contest Parties are not responsible for any personal injury to Entrant or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to Entrant’s or any other person’s computer equipment resulting from participation in the Contest, use of the Website or the download of audio assets or materials or any information from the Website. Operator and Sponsors are not responsible for any attempt by an Entrant or other individual to deliberately damage or undermine the legitimate operation of this Contest, including but not limited to any fraudulent claims, which may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, Operator reserves the right to seek remedies and damages from any such individual, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including criminal prosecution. Operator’s and Sponsors’ failure to enforce any term of these Contest Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Entrants engaging in any of the foregoing activities may be disqualified in Operator’s sole discretion. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the Top 5 check www.sarahvaughanompetition.com  

In event of a city, state or federally mandated do-not gather restriction in Newark, New Jersey in place less than 10 weeks prior to Competition date, NJPAC has the right to cancel or change the arrangements of this Competition with notification to any finalists selected.  Finalists that travel to Newark NJ for the live competition shall agree to follow all Covid19 Safety Protocols.