1. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in collaboration with all the provincial education departments will again organise, manage and monitor the 2016 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE).
2. The 2016 competition has been redesigned to be more inclusive and makes provision for school choirs in the following categories:

Primary Schools
Infants (Grades R-2)
Foundation phase (Grades 3-4)
Intermediate (Grades 5-7)
Farm schools

Secondary schools
Secondary A
Schools that have consistently performed well during the last four years in the five approved categories (i.e. mixed choirs - African, Afrikaans, western and male and female choirs).
Secondary B
Schools participating for the first time and those schools that have participated in the programme but have not reached national levels.
Open Category For both the above categories to select whatever they find suitable.

Please refer to the "2016 Participation Rules" for the prescribed music and criteria for participation. The principal and conductor MUST read and familiarise themselves with these rules. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will strictly monitor schools participating in SASCE at all levels. Schools not adhering to the rules will immediately be disqualified and not permitted to participate in SASCE for the next five years.
3. Foundation phase choirs will only participate in the district eisteddfod. They will not participate in the provincial and national chapters of the competition.
4. Music pieces have been prescribed for all sections. The participation rules and 2016 music scores can be downloaded from the DBE website at: http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za/Default.aspx?alias=www.thutong.doe.gov.za/schoolenrichment You may also contact your district office for assistance with the music or participation rules.
5. To enter the competition, schools must complete the attached registration form and return it to the official responsible for school enrichment at their district office by 18 March 2016. Schools are requested to limit the choir size to a maximum of 45 learners. This assists in easing logistical arrangements.
6. Conductors and principals of schools that register will be invited to district workshops to familiarise themselves with the prescribed music and participation rules.
7. District and provincial elimination rounds will be held between April and May 2016, respectively.
8. Schools will only be allowed to proceed to the next stage if their performance has been scored on level 3 (60%) and above by the adjudicators.
9. Principals and school management teams must ensure that choir rehearsals do not interfere with the school’s academic programme and contact time. With this in mind it is imperative that conductors do not ask learners to attend choir practice during teaching time.
10. Schools participating in all SASCE events must make their own travelling and accommodation arrangements. The WCED will subsidise travelling and accommodation as follows:

  • Schools travelling more than 200 km (return) will be subsidised to a maximum amount of R3 000.00 per school for district rounds and provincial rounds.
  • School travelling more than 700 km (return) will be subsidised to a maximum of R5 000.00 per school for district and provincial rounds.
  • Accommodation for attending the provincial rounds will be subsidised at R100.00 per learner per night.

These subsidies will be paid on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the district and must be submitted to Head Office at least 3 weeks before the event.
11. The national finals will be held in Johannesburg between 28 and 30 June 2016. The WCED will procure transport and accommodation for a maximum of 45 learners per school for this event. No deviations will be entertained.
12. Please bring the contents of this minute to the attention to the conductors, educators, parents and learners.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2016:02:25

2016 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod - Registration Form  (size: 35 KB)
Contact details of district officials  (size: 23 KB)