Marking Scheme

New marking scheme

From the 2024 Festival, Sutton Music Festival has adopted the new marking scheme recommended by the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech (BIFF).

The aim of the new marking  scheme is to ensure that the performer is at the centre of everything we do. The new scheme promotes BIFF’s core values: Perform; Educate; Inspire, with a greater emphasis on the written and verbal teaching points. The new scheme supports the provision of positive and constructive feedback to all performer to build confidence and self-esteem.  Adoption of the new scheme means we are consistent with other Festivals across the UK.

New Descriptors and Criteria 2024

The new scheme is as follows:

There are different criteria and descriptors for music, and for speech and drama:

Music – Descriptors & Criteria 2024

Document description: 

Descriptors and Criteria for the new marking scheme for use by Music adjudicators and festivals.

Music – Descriptors and Criteria 2024.pdf

Speech and Drama – Descriptors & Criteria 2024

Document description: 

Descriptors and Criteria for the new marking scheme for use by Speech and Drama adjudicators and festivals.

Speech & Drama Descriptors and Criteria 2024.pdf

A further change is that from 2024 medals will only be awarded to entrants who meet the criteria for a medal and are under 16 years old.