Terms and Conditions for Rocking the Nation Competition
1. Competition Overview
Harwyn Rocking the Nation 2025 (“the Competition”) is organized by Harwyn (“the Organiser”). The Competition is open to independent and Catholic secondary and combined schools in Australia, aiming to inspire creativity and showcase musical talent through a national Battle of the Bands.
2. Eligibility
2.1 Participant Schools: Open to all independent and Catholic secondary and combined schools in Australia.
2.2 Student Participants: Must be enrolled in Years 7 to 12 during the 2025 academic year.
2.3 Band Composition: Each band must:
- Consist of 2 to 6 members.
- Feature only current enrolled students from the same school.
- No staff members, instructors, or other school personnel may perform in any capacity during the band’s video or live performance.
2.4 Entry Limit: Each school may enter only one band into the Competition unless the school has multiple campuses. If a school has multiple campuses they can submit a single video for each campus. However, only one band per school (includes all campuses) will be entitled to entry into the Final.
2.5 Exclusions: Immediate family members of Harwyn employees or individuals involved in organizing or judging the Competition are not eligible to participate.
3. Registration
3.1 Process: Schools must register via the official Competition website https://harwyn.com.au/rockingthenation/
Registration must be completed by a school administrator, not by students.
Schools must be registered in order to enter a band into the competition. They will only receive video submission instructions once registered.
3.2 Timeline:
- Registrations open: November 2024.
- Video submission deadline: Midnight AEST 1st April 2025.
4. Video Submissions and Musical integrity
4.1 Each school is responsible for selecting their own band to enter the competition.
4.2 Video entries must be submitted by the official school representative.
4.3
- Video submissions can be a maximum of 10 minutes which may include one or two songs
- Bands may perform original songs or covers or a mix of both. Cover songs can be close to the original or can include an original interpretation that highlights the band’s unique style while staying true to the rock/pop spirit.
- All instrument families are welcome, including brass, strings, percussion, woodwinds, voice, all types of keyboards, and all guitars (electric, acoustic, and bass).
- Bands must perform live, with each member playing their respective part without pre-recorded assistance. All vocal and instrumental parts must be played or sung live, maintaining the integrity of the competition.
- The use of backing tracks, pre-recorded loops, samples, or any form of audio playback is prohibited, except for real-time instrument effects (e.g., guitar pedals) used during the performance.
- Bands found using prohibited pre-recorded material will be disqualified immediately from the event and forfeit eligibility for entry into the competition and for any awards
- The use of inappropriate or offensive imagery, language, or attire that detracts from the spirit of the event will result in disqualification.
- All band members must be clearly visible in the frame.
- Each song to be one continuous shot with no edits.
- School uniforms are not to be worn in the video submission and no school identifying images to ensure impartiality.
4.4: External Judging of video submissions
- The company has enlisted an independent panel of judges to review all submissions.
- The judges are suitably qualified professionals from the music industry, selected for their expertise and impartiality.
- The judging process will be conducted in a fair, transparent, and unbiased manner.
- The judges will strictly adhere to the rubric as described in paragraph 5, evaluating each performance on criteria such as musical ability, creativity, stage presence, and overall impact.
- All submissions will be anonymised during the initial review process to ensure impartiality.
- The top 8 bands, as chosen by the judges, will be announced on 1 May 2025 and will progress to the Grand Final.
- In the event of a tie, the judges will conduct a re-evaluation of the tied submissions to determine the final selection.
- The judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
- Please note that feedback on performances will not be provided to ensure the focus remains on the selected finalists.
4.5: Harwyn Rocking the Nation Live Grand Final Event
- The live final is scheduled for Sunday 10th August 2025 in Melbourne at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University.
- All finalists will be responsible for their own flights, accommodation and transport to and from the venue. The Organisers will not be responsible for any travel costs.
- Finalists will be required to attend the venue during the day for sound checks. Times to be advised.
- Equipment
- No acoustic piano
- No backline
- No additional lighting
- No personal in ear monitors or radio mics. Bands can bring their own buds
- Organisers will provide
- Instrument storage m- guitar rack and tuning station
- drum kit, 2 guitar amps and 1 bass amp and electric piano
- Guitar effects pedals will be provided.
- Performance Requirements
- Bands must perform live, with each member playing their respective part without pre-recorded assistance. All vocal and instrumental parts must be played or sung live, maintaining the integrity of the competition.
- The use of backing tracks, pre-recorded loops, samples, or any form of audio playback is prohibited, except for real-time instrument effects (e.g., guitar pedals) used during the performance.
- Each band member must perform their own part without the assistance of substitute musicians or digital enhancements, except for approved real-time effects as outlined below.
- Certain non-melodic sound effects (e.g., atmospheric noises, crowd sounds) may be allowed at the discretion of the event organizers. Approval for any such sounds must be obtained in writing at least two weeks before the event.
- Bands found using prohibited pre-recorded material will be disqualified immediately from the event and forfeit eligibility for any awards.
- Non-compliance with these requirements will result in immediate disqualification
- Finalists perform 2 songs live in front of an audience and the judges.
- The winning band will be announced on the night.
- The winning band will win the Music Pod for their school and the $25,000 voucher for themselves.
5. Judging Criteria
5.1 Evaluation Criteria Performances will be evaluated based on:
- Groove: Steadiness of pulse and rhythmic cohesion.
- Chops: Technical proficiency and tone development.
- Team: Band tightness and song accuracy.
- Vibe: Energy, interaction, and audience communication.
5.2 Each Criterion holds equal weight
5.3 Judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
6. Prizes
6.1 Harwyn Music Pod:
- The Harwyn Mega Music Pod is a specialist commercial building designed for music education.
- Size – 3.15m x 3.3m, external footprint.
- The winning school will receive a visit and consultation to decide the best location for the pod.
- The prize includes delivery, footings and installation of the fully finished building.
- The prize excludes landscaping, decking, ramps, steps, onsite electrical and comms services connection.
6.2 $25,000 Voucher for musical instruments:
- Voucher Purpose
- The $25,000 music voucher (“the Voucher”) is intended for the purchase of musical instruments and related equipment to benefit the winning band members.
- Each band member will get an equal share of the voucher.Authorized Retailers
- The Voucher must be redeemed at the Harwyn nominated music retailer.Theretailer will be announced and the voucher can be used at any of their retail outlets or online.
- Usage Restrictions
- The Voucher is non-transferable and cannot be shared or split between non-band members.
- The Voucher must be redeemed as a single purchase or over multiple transactions at the authorized retailer(s) within the validity period.
- Redemption Process
- The Organiser will issue the Voucher directly to the winning band members or their designated representative.
- Dispute Resolution
- Any disputes or issues related to the redemption or use of the Voucher must be resolved directly with the retailer or through the Organizer.
- No Cash Substitutions
- The Voucher is not exchangeable for cash or any other form of credit.
- Lost or Stolen Vouchers
- The Organiser is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged Vouchers.
- Compliance with Laws
- Redemption of the Voucher must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
7. Responsibilities of Participating Schools
7.1 Ensure all participants meet eligibility criteria.
7.2 Obtain parental or guardian consent for all participating students.
7.3 Ensure all submitted content complies with the video submission rules as stated in paragraph 4.3
8. Code of Conduct
8.1 Participants must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully throughout the Competition.
8.2 Discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour will result in immediate disqualification.
8.3 All decisions of HRTN are final with regards to decisions about conflict resolution
9. Intellectual Property
9.1 Schools and participants retain the copyright of their original compositions. However, by entering, participants grant the Organiser a non-exclusive, royalty free license to use submitted materials, including performance videos, for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
9.2 By submitting a video entry or playing at the Grand Final, participants warrant that they own or have permission to use all content (eg music, lyrics, images) included in the performance. Bands are responsible for ensuring all appropriate licenses have been obtained.This should apply only to their original songs.
10. Privacy
10.1 The Organiser will collect and use personal information solely for administering the Competition and will not be shared with third parties without consent.
10.2 Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act (1988) and related regulations regarding the storage and use of personal data.
11. Liability Waiver and Health and Safety
11.1 The Organiser is not responsible for:
- Technical failures or delays affecting entry submissions.
- Travel or accommodation expenses incurred by participants for the Grand Final.
11.2 Participation is at the entrants’ own risk, and the Organiser accepts no liability for personal injury, loss or damage incurred during the competition or associated activities.
11.3 The Organisers will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of participants during the Grand Final Event
11.4 Participants and Schools must adhere to all venue safety protocols, including evacuation procedures and equipment handling guidelines
11.5 The Organiser and all staff working for the Organiser will have WWC
11.6 Schools and participants are responsible for the safety and maintenance of their own instruments and equipment.
12. Amendments and Cancellation
12.1 The Organiser reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
12.2 The Organiser is not liable for any cancellation, postponement or alteration of the competition due to circumstances beyond their control including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, industrial strikes or government restrictions
13. Consent for Media Coverage
13.1 By participating in the competition, participants and schools agree that their images, performances and names may be used in media coverage for promotional purposes.
13.2 Schools must secure written parental or guardian consent for any participants under 18 whose images or performances are to be used in public facing material.
14. Code of Conduct
14.1 All participants must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully during all stages of the competition
14.2 The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any individual or band that violates the code of conduct, including acts of harassment, misconduct or damage to property.
15. Withdrawal
If a finalist withdraws from the competition, the Organiser reserves the right to select an alternate finalist
16. Agreement to Terms
By participating, schools and students agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
The Organiser reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions with changes communicated to participants in advance.
For inquiries, please contact HRTN@harwyn.com.au