1) Contestants must be of correct age to enter the venue. You must be a minimum age of 18 years by contest preliminary and final dates. You will need a valid ID at all venues.

2) This contest is limited to solo vocal entertainers. No duets or groups.

3) Contestants’ performances will be scored by a panel of judges. All judges’ decisions are final.

4) Before the contestants compete, they must accept and sign the terms of competition waiver which will be available at the registration table of each preliminary event.

5) Contestants must be present to advance to the final round. This means contestants need to wait until winners are announced at the end of each preliminary performance.

6) Advancing contestants are encouraged to bring as many friends, family, and fans to subsequent rounds of Encore Superstar.

7) Encore Superstar events will be considered family friendly shows. The use of profanity, while not forbidden, is strongly discouraged.

8) Leaving the stage area during a performances is not prohibited but contestants should be aware it does make it difficult for the judges, cameras and audience to follow.

9) We don’t mind song duplications. But if we see a duplication, we will give you the option to change before the show. You do not need to change.

10) Only a limited number of participants will be allowed to participate, be sure to get there early to sign up. This is a first come, first serve sign up event. Registration begins at 8pm and competitions start promptly at 9pm. Roughly 30-40 contestants will be eligible to sing per preliminary event. The number of singers will likely vary from competition to competition.

11) Three finalists will be chosen at each preliminary venue. These twelve finalists will compete at the final venue.

12) Professional singers, DJs, KJs, Telegraph and Perfect Entertainment employees and family members are not eligible to compete.

13) Participants who have not already been chosen to advance to the final round may compete at more than one venue.

14) The Telegraph has reserves the right to change these guidelines.

15) Final competitors should note that there will be no monitors at the final competition. Finalists are urged to memorize their lines.

16) Contestants should come prepared with two memorized songs for the final competition. There will be two rounds: one, which all twelve will sing and another, which the top three will sing. A winner will be chosen from the top three.

Contestants will be judged on the following:

Entertainment value (overall performance)
-How absorbing and entertaining was the performance
-Audience reaction and applause

Intonation and pitch control
-Awareness of the intended key and mode
-How accurately does the singer harmonize the music
-Use of vibrato (often overused)
-Strength and range of voice

Expression
-The use of phrasing (starting and stopping nicely)
-Articulation (understandable words)
-Dynamics (loud and soft ranges)
-Tonal color variation (smoothly here, gravely there)

Tempo and rhythm
-How well does the performer stay in tempo
-Duration of the notes (holding notes too long or not long enough)
-Awareness of the rhythmic style of the piece
-Staccato and legato sung correctly

Stage presence
-Facial expression and body gestures
-Command of the audience through eye contact, etc.
-Appearance of confidence and relaxation on stage.