The competition has the copyright of Furtados School of Music (hereinafter referred to as "FSM"), having its office at 49, Ferns Villa, 52 Union Park, Next to Quantum Park Society, Khar (West) Mumbai 400052.

Each entry must be entered in accordance with these terms and conditions. By entering the competition, each entrant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions. FSM may, in its discretion, refuse to award any prize to any entrant who fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions. All relevant instructions on FSM's website form part of these terms and conditions.

Entry to the competition is by registration(s) only. An entrant must be a school student. Employees of FSM, any person associated with the competition, and any organization or individual associated with the provision of the prize(s) are not eligible to enter.

Categories: The competition will have three categories: Music, Dance, Speech & Drama. For solos, we have subcategories:

• Music:
  • Classes 5th to 7th (based on the number of entries received)
  • Class 8th and 10th (based on the number of entries received)
• Dance and Speech & Drama:
  • Classes 4th to 5th (based on the number of entries received)
  • Class 6th to 10th (based on the number of entries received)

For FSM Partnered Schools it would be a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 599/- for band & group dance & group speech and drama and/or Rs. 299/- for solo entry must be paid by the school/students.

For Non - FSM Partnered Schools it would be a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 1199/- for band & group dance & group speech and drama and/or Rs. 599/- for solo entry must be paid by the school/students.

The bands can either consist of the same family of instruments or include a mix of different instrumental groups.

The competition nominations open by acknowledging the invitation and registering. The registration period closes at 11:59 p.m. on August 16th, 2025. You must upload your audition video on or before August 16th, 2025. Any entry received after the last date of registration will be deemed invalid. FSM is not responsible for any late acceptance, lost, delayed, or misdirected entries.

Participants registering under FSM Partnered Schools must upload a valid school ID card as part of the registration and validation process. This ID will also be verified during the online and regional rounds if the participant qualifies. In case of any discrepancy or invalid identification, FSM reserves the right to disqualify the participant at any stage of the competition.

Eligibility rules for the competition:

• Schools should contact us via email at banditfestival@fsm.net.in, or call 18002099399/86576 02191. Participants must complete the registration process in order to be considered for the competition. This includes payment of the registration fee and submitting an audition video via a Google link that will be sent to their registered email address by the Band-It team. If participants do not receive the email, they are advised to check their spam folder or contact the Band-It team for assistance.
• The first round of auditions will consist of video submissions. The one-minute performance that must be uploaded to the provided drive link which will be evaluated by a central panel of judges and selected for the regional final.
• The participants who make it to round 2 should be able to travel to Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Belgaum and Kolkata (or any other nearby location based on entries received) for the regional finale.
• When selected, the participant should be available to perform for the regional final round held at a venue decided by FSM.
• The performance shouldn't be longer than 3 minutes in duration at the regional finale. The participant will be disqualified if they extend the allocated time.
• Participants must be in grades 5-10 for music and grades 4-10 for Dance and Speech & Drama.
• The band should not exceed more than 7 members and should have a minimum of 3 members. The group Dance should have a minimum of 3 members and should not exceed 15 members. For speech and drama groups the minimum number should be minimum 3 members and maximum 7 members.
• Participants should perform live in the regional final and grand final (if qualified for either of the levels). Only bands will move on to the grand finale. Solo categories will have their finals at the regional finale level.
• Students should carry their school identity cards.
• A drum kit, 2 guitar amps, 3 microphones, 2 keyboards, and the public address system for the host will be provided on the day of the regional finale. No personal amplifiers will be allowed on stage at the audition and finale.
• Solo singing and solo instrumental participants can sing with or without a backing track, minus vocals.

Each school can have more than one entry.

A student can participate in not more than two categories, and both times the student's role has to be different. For example, in the case of bands, the same student cannot be the vocalist in both bands, the role needs to be different. In the case of solo categories (solo singing and solo instrumental categories), one cannot register twice in the same category.

Your performance may be recorded, edited, or adapted at any time by FSM in order to:

• Meet the requirements of broadcasting;
• Promote the Band-It Festival;
• For promotional purposes; and/or
• On other media platforms.

All performance footage from the auditions, regional finals, and grand finale will be the property of FSM.

The final eight entrants' performances will be judged by FSM's panel of judges. The most original and creative bands will move on to the Grand Finale and will be among the ones to win the major prizes. The decision of the judges at the auditions, regional finale, and grand finale would be final.

The final 08 bands will be required to travel to Mumbai for the mentoring session(s) and the grand finale. They will be informed about the dates well in advance.

The prizes are as follows:

• A trophy, medals, and certificates.
• Vouchers from Furtados Music India Ltd. for the winning participants.

No component of the prize can be transferred or redeemed for cash. In the event that any of the prizes become unavailable, FSM reserves the right to provide a similar product.

FSM is not liable for transport expenses, food expenses, or any other charges of any group/solo participant that may hinder the execution of responsibilities on the part of FSM.

Your school wholly agrees that:

• All details provided with your entry are true and accurate;
• You have all necessary rights and licenses (if any) required to participate in this event;
• The exercise of rights granted to FSM in these Terms and Conditions will not infringe the rights of any third parties.

The decisions of FSM and its panel of judges are final and will be binding on each person who enters the competition, and no correspondence will be entered into.

If there is any event that prevents or hinders FSM's conduct of the competition or FSM's ability to deliver the prize/s to the prize winner/s of the competition, FSM may, in its discretion, cancel the competition and recommence it at another time under the same conditions or select another winner.

FSM is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, for any of the equipment associated with or utilized in this competition, or for any technical error that may occur in the course of the administration of this competition. FSM assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation, theft, destruction, unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries.

To the full extent permitted by the law, FSM will not be liable for any injury, damages, expenses, or loss whatsoever (whether direct or consequential) to persons or property as a result of any person entering into the competition or accepting or using any prize, including without limitation non-receipt of any prize or damage to any prize in transit. FSM advises that the school shall appoint a person who would be the single point of contact for FSM and shall be responsible for the safety of students on behalf of the school.