1. Competition Organiser
The Stellenbosch Varsity Band Challenge ("the Competition") is organised and administered by Venture Recording and Music Academy (VRMA).
2. Eligibility
2.1 Entry is open only to students currently studying at a tertiary institution located in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2.2 Participants must be able to provide valid student identification upon request.
2.3 Bands and solo artists may enter.
2.4 Participants may only enter in one category:
- One band entry; or
- One solo artist entry.
3. Entry Process
3.1 Entry to the competition is free.
3.2 Entries must be submitted via the official VRMA online entry form on the VRMA website.
3.3 Entrants must upload a video audition of no longer than 90 seconds.
3.4 All entries must be received before 23:59 on 31 August 2026.
3.5 Late, incomplete, fraudulent, or inaccurate entries may be disqualified.
4. Selection Process
4.1 VRMA reserves the right to review all submissions.
4.2 Following the audition phase, VRMA will select:
- The Top 20 Bands; and
- The Top 10 Solo Artists.
4.3 Selected contestants will be announced on 13 September 2026.
4.4 The decision regarding selection for the Top 20 and Top 10 is final.
5. Recording Sessions
5.1 Selected contestants will receive one complimentary two-hour recording session at VRMA.
5.2 Recording sessions must be booked through the VRMA website within the allocated booking period.
5.3 Failure to attend a scheduled recording session without prior arrangement may result in forfeiture of participation.
5.4 Contestants are responsible for arriving on time and adequately prepared for recording.
6. Video Submission
6.1 Top 20 and Top 10 contestants are responsible for filming their own music video after audio recording at VRMA, using their own equipment, for upload to the VRMA website voting system.
6.2 Videos must feature the song recorded at VRMA for the competition.
6.3 Videos will be reviewed and uploaded by VRMA to the VRMA website on 31 October 2026.
6.4 Videos containing offensive, discriminatory, defamatory, illegal, or inappropriate material may be removed and the contestant may be disqualified.
7. Voting
7.1 Voting will take place on the official VRMA website.
7.2 Voting opens on 1 November 2026 and closes on 30 November 2026.
7.3 Winners will be determined solely by the highest number of valid votes received during the voting period.
7.4 VRMA reserves the right to investigate and remove fraudulent, automated, purchased, manipulated, or otherwise illegitimate votes.
7.5 Any participant found to be engaging in vote manipulation may be disqualified.
8. Prizes
- R30,000 cash prize
- One professionally mixed and mastered song recording at VRMA
- One professional music video valued at R20,000
- R15,000 cash prize
- One professionally mixed and mastered song recording at VRMA
- One professional music video valued at R20,000
8.1 Prizes are not transferable.
8.2 Prizes may not be exchanged for alternative goods or services.
8.3 Cash prizes will be paid within 30 days of winner verification.
9. Intellectual Property and Media Rights
9.1 Contestants retain ownership of their original musical compositions.
9.2 By entering the competition, contestants grant VRMA a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:
- Publish audition videos;
- Publish recorded songs;
- Publish competition videos; and
- Use participant names, photographs, videos and recordings for promotional and marketing purposes related to the competition and future VRMA marketing.
10. Conduct
10.1 VRMA reserves the right to disqualify any participant who:
- Provides false information;
- Violates these Terms and Conditions;
- Engages in misconduct;
- Damages VRMA property; or
- Harasses staff, contestants, or members of the public.
11. Liability
11.1 VRMA shall not be liable for:
- Technical failures;
- Lost, delayed, incomplete or corrupted entries;
- Internet interruptions; or
- Any injury, loss or damage arising from participation in the competition.
11.2 Participants enter at their own risk.
12. Changes and Cancellation
12.1 VRMA reserves the right to amend, suspend, postpone or cancel the competition at any time should circumstances beyond its reasonable control require it.
12.2 A minimum of five (5) band entries and five (5) solo artist entries must be received for the Competition to proceed.
12.3 Any amendments will be published on the VRMA website.
13. Winner Announcement
13.1 Winners will be announced on 5 December 2026.
13.2 Winners may be required to provide proof of identity and student status before prizes are awarded.
14. Acceptance
By entering the competition, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.