Music and backing tracks
What to do with your music depends on which section you are entering. Dance music is uploaded in advance. Everything else you bring with you on the day.
Dance music upload closes . We cannot accept dance music after this date, and we cannot accept it on the day.
Dance
All dance classes using recorded music
Upload your music before the festival using the form below. We no longer accept CDs, memory sticks or phones at the venue, so a track that has not been uploaded cannot be played.
The form needs a free Google account. If you do not have one you can create one at no cost (opens in a new tab) in a couple of minutes.
Upload one file for each dance you are performing. If you are entering several classes, submit the form once for each.
Upload dance music (available once entries open on ).
Music, speech and drama
Any class where the syllabus allows a backing track
There is no upload for these sections. Bring your track with you on a phone, tablet or laptop and hand the device to the steward when you are called.
Download the file onto the device before you travel. Do not rely on streaming it when you arrive. The mobile signal inside the Town Hall is poor and there is no public wifi, so a track held in the cloud may not play.
Check the syllabus entry for your class before assuming a backing track is allowed. Not every class permits one.
Before you travel
- Play the track through once on the device you are bringing, so you know it works and is the right version
- Charge the device
- Turn off alarms, notifications and automatic screen locking
- Know where the file is, so you are not searching for it in the wings
If something goes wrong
Tell a steward as soon as you arrive rather than waiting until you are called. There is usually time to sort out a problem before your class, and almost none once it has started.
For anything about dance music before the festival, email dance@cfpa.org.uk. For music classes, email music@cfpa.org.uk. For speech and drama, email speech-drama@cfpa.org.uk.
Related pages
- How to enter: everything you need to do, in order
- Syllabus: check whether your class allows a backing track
- Rules: rule M6 covers backing tracks