2025 Alianza Académica Virtual Festival Official Rules

YOU HAVE NOT YET WON A PRIZE. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY CONSIDERATION IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE CONTEST OR BE AWARDED A PRIZE. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING A PRIZE. BY PROVIDING CONSENT TO RECEIVE FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS FROM KHS AMERICA, INC., YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE SUBSCRIBING TO THE FOLLOWING KHS AMERICA EMAIL NEWSLETTERS:
Jupiter USA
Hercules USA
H. Jimenez USA. YOU MAY UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.

Please read these Official Rules before entering the 2025 Alianza Académica Virtual Festival (the “Contest”). By entering this online Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements stated below.

The Alianza Académica Virtual Festival was designed to celebrate and showcase Latin music ensembles across the United States by offering a free, virtual contest. Judges will choose the winning ensembles based on:

• Musical Technique – Pitch Accuracy & Intonation, Rhythm & Tempo, Instrumental/Vocal Technique
• Musicality – Expression & Dynamics, Style & Authenticity
• Ensemble Performance – Balance & Blend, Communication & Coordination
• Presentation – Stage Presence, Visual Presentation/Attire

Prizes will be awarded in accordance with these Official Rules.

THE CONTEST IS OFFERED ONLY TO K-12 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS (“PROGRAMS”) IN THE UNITED STATES AND IS ONLY OPEN TO PROGRAMS LOCATED WITHIN THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER ENSEMBLE PER PROGRAM WILL BE VALID. ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY BY THE PARTICIPATING PROGRAM’S SCHOOL AND ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF THE TIME OF ENTRY IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE CONTEST IS NOT PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.  CONTEST ENTRY IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

The sponsors of the Contest are KHS America, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, whose address is 12020 Volunteer Blvd., Mount Juliet, TN 37122, and Mariachi Extravaganza, whose address is P.O. Box 23250, San Antonio, TX 78223. (“Sponsors”). KHS America is the sole administrator (“Administrator”) of the Contest. Administrator is responsible for collecting and processing entries and the overall administration of the Contest. Entrants should look solely to Administrator with any questions, comments, or problems related to the Contest. The contact for Administrator with respect to questions related to the Contest is Chris Hankes, who can be reached by email at chris.hankes@khsmusic.com during Administrator’s normal business hours. Contacting Chris Hankes does not constitute entry into the Contest and will not improve any entrant’s chances of winning a prize. No correspondence or contact other than that specified in these Official Rules will be accepted as an entry in the Contest. The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, or X.

The Sweepstakes is only offered to K-12 Public and Private School Music Programs (“Programs”) in the United States and is open only to Programs located within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Only one video up to 5 minutes in length per music ensemble per Program will be valid. Entries must be submitted by individuals who are employed directly by the participating Program’s school and are 18 years of age or older as of the time of entry, unless otherwise prohibited by federal, state or local law. Residents of Puerto Rico and / or other U.S. territories and possessions are not eligible to enter or win the Contest. Employees, officers, and directors of Sponsors and Administrator, Sponsors’ and Administrator’s affiliates, and Sponsors’ and Administrator’s advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families of such employees, officers, and directors (including their parents, siblings, children and spouses) and members of the same household of such employees, officers, and directors (whether or not related) are not eligible to enter the Contest.

The Contest begins on March 10, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. Central Time (“CT”) and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on April 15, 2025 (the “Contest Period”). The computer of Administrator’s contact person is the official timekeeping device for the Contest.

An individual can enter the Contest during the Contest Period using the following method(s): Completing the online form titled: “Alianza Académica Virtual Festival Entry Form” located at https://academicalliance.com/virtual-festival. All entries become the property of Administrator and will not be acknowledged or returned. No correspondence or contact other than that specified in these Official Rules will be accepted as an entry in the Contest. Entries that are misdirected, lost, late, incorrect, incomplete, illegible, stolen, mutilated, invalid, received with postage-due or undeliverable for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of hardware, software, browser, or network failure, malfunction, or incompatibility with Sponsors’, Administrator’s or other third-party servers involved in the entry or prize claim processes) will not be eligible. Entries generated by automated means will be void and will not be eligible. Proof of submission of a completed survey by an entrant does not constitute proof of delivery to Administrator of the contest entry form. The Administrator’s decisions with respect to completion and delivery of valid contest entry forms will be final.

The contest consists of three (3) categories to enter: Middle School Mariachi, High School Mariachi, and Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open. One (1) 1st Place, one (1) 2nd Place, and one (1) 3rd Place winner will be selected in each of the three (3) categories.

Prizes by category are as follows:

Middle School Mariachi

• 1st Place – 1 Jupiter JTR1150SQ Trumpet, 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 H. Jimenez LG1 Guitar, 1 H. Jimenez LGTN1M Guitarrón, 1 Hercules DS510BB Trumpet Stand, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stand, 1 Hercules DS590B Guitarrón Stand, 4 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 4 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 4 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 4 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of the prize is $5,800.
• 2nd Place – 1 Jupiter JTR700 Trumpet, 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 H. Jimenez LG1 Guitar, 1 Hercules DS510BB Trumpet Stand, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stand, 3 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 3 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 3 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 3 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. ARV of the prize is $3,700.
• 3rd Place – 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 1 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 1 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 1 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. ARV of the prize is $1,300.

High School Mariachi

• 1st Place – 1 Free Group Registration for up to 16 Students for the 31st Annual Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio, TX. This will take place December 4-6, 2025. 1 XO 1602S Trumpet, 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 H. Jimenez LG12Guitar, 1 H. Jimenez LGTN1M Guitarrón, 1 Hercules DS510BB Trumpet Stand, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stand, 1 Hercules DS590B Guitarrón Stand, 4 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 4 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 4 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 4 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. ARV of the prize is $8,000.
• 2nd Place – 1 Jupiter JTR1150SQ Trumpet, 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 H. Jimenez LG2 Guitar, 1 Hercules DS510BB Trumpet Stand, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stand, 3 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 3 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 3 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 3 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. ARV of the prize is $4,300.
• 3rd Place – 1 H. Jimenez LV2M Vihuela, 1 Hercules GS310B Vihuela Stand, 1 Hercules BS100B Music Stands, 1 Hercules MS531B Microphone Stands, 1 Hercules HA103 Accessory Trays, and 1 Hercules DG307B Tablet & Phone Holders. ARV of the prize is $1,300.

Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open

• 1st Place – 1 Hohner Corona C-II, 1 Nomad NAS-B104 Accordion Stand, 1 H. Jimenez Bajo Quinto (any model), 1 H. Jimenez 4 or 5-string Bass Guitar (any model), 1 Mapex Armory AR628SFU Drum Set, 1 Mapex HP8005 Hardware Pack, 1 Mapex T865SER Throne, and 2 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stands. ARV of the prize is $6,500.
• 2nd Place – 1 Hohner Corona II 3500, 1 Nomad NAS-B104 Accordion Stand, 1 H. Jimenez Standard Series or Colección Palomazo Series Bajo Quinto (see below for qualifying models), 1 H. Jimenez 4 or 5-string Bass Guitar from the following models: LBS4-BK, LBS5-BK, LBS4-VB, LBS5-VB, LBS4-GT, or LBS5GT, 1 Mapex Mars Birch MA529SF Drum Set, 1 Mapex HP6005 Hardware Pack, 1 Mapex T660 Throne, and 2 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stands. ARV of the prize is $4,300
• 3rd Place – 1 Hohner Panther 3100, 1 Nomad NAS-B104 Accordion Stand, 1 H Jimenez Standard Series Bajo Quinto (see below for qualifying models), 1 H. Jimenez 4 or 5-string Bass Guitar from the following models: LBS4-BK, LBS5-BK, LBS4-VB, or LBS5-VB, 2 Hercules GS414BPLUS Guitar Stands. ARV of the prize is $2,400.

H Jimenez Bajo Quinto Qualifying Models By Series:
Standard Series: LBQ1E, LBQ2E, LBQ2NCE, LBQ3E, LBQ4E, LBQ1, LBQ2, LBQ3, LBQ4
Colección Palomazo Series: LBQ4EBT, LBQ1ENM, LBQ4ETB, LBQ4ETR, LBQ1EGT, LBQ1EBF,
Colección de Galaxia Series: LBQ1GXE-MC, LBQ1GXE-AN, LBQ1GXE-MD, LBQ1GXE-CN, LBQ1GXE-AB

The odds of winning a prize depend upon the number of valid entries received by Administrator during the contest period.

Contest submissions must meet the following criteria (“Contest Requirements”)

• Only one submission per ensemble per Program allowed. If a Program has more than one ensemble, they may enter a category more than once if there are no performing student duplicated between ensembles. Programs with more than one ensemble may enter more than one category. In the Mariachi categories, if a school has both middle and high school students performing, they must enter the high school category
• All submissions must be under 5 minutes in length and must be a video in a .mp4 or .mov file
• All submissions must be from a performance in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
• All performing students must be in grade 12 or lower during the 2024-2025 Academic Year to participate
• All directors and students participating in the Contest must submit a signed waiver
• By completing and submitting an entry form, the entrant understands and agrees if their submission is chosen as a winner, that Sponsor, anyone acting on behalf of Sponsor, and Sponsor’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, the entrant’s entry, first and last name, composition, story, and statements about the Contest, for news, publicity, information, trade information, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent from the Entrant. By entering this contest, the Entrant represents and warrants that (i) the Entrant has complied with the Contest Requirements and (ii) their entry has not been computer-generated (AI). If Sponsor determine, in its sole discretion, that these representations and warranties are not accurate, or that Entrant or the Entry do not meet Contest Requirements the Entrant will be disqualified without further notice. If the content of the entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, or the submitted entry has been generated through an AI platform, then the Entrant shall, at their sole expense, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sponsor, their affiliates and their successors and assigns from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which an indemnified party may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such claim.

Programs may enter the Contest in one of three categories: Middle School Mariachi, High School Mariachi, and Conjunto/Regional Mexican/Open.

Before May 1, 2025, submissions will be evaluated by a panel of three (3) judges based on the following criteria (“Criteria”): (i) musical technique, (ii) musicality, (iii) ensemble performance, and (iv) presentation. Using the Criteria, the judges will select one (1) 1st Place winner, one (1) 2nd Place winner, and one (1) 3rd Place winner from each of the three (3) categories that meet the Contest Requirements, subject to verification of the entrant’s eligibility and compliance with the Official Rules.

Administrator will mail or email, in Administrator’s discretion, notice (the “Notice”) to the selected entrants at the email or mailing address provided in the entrants’ Official Contest entry form. If a Notice is returned, deemed undeliverable, or the selected entrant has not responded within 7 days after Administrator sends the Notice, or if the selected entrant is found to be ineligible or fails to comply with these Official Rules, Administrator may decide, in its sole discretion, that the selected entrant has forfeited the prize, and Administrator may select an alternate winner from eligible entrants. Only after Administrator has determined to its sole satisfaction that an entrant has met all eligibility requirements of the Contest (including, without limitation, the execution and timely return of the Notice) will such individual be declared a “winner” of the Contest. Where a verified winner, Administrator may, at its option, deliver the winner’s prize by shipping, at Administrator’s expense, at the mailing address provided by the winner within 240 days after Administrator determines that the entrant has met all eligibility requirements, complied with the Official Rules and won a prize. In case of dispute as to the identity of any entrant, an entry will be declared made by the registered name and mailing address shown in the Contest entry form. Any potential prize winner may be requested to provide Administrator with proof of identity and compliance with the Contest Requirements satisfactory to Administrator proving that such person is the prize winner and has complied with the Contest Requirements.

Except where prohibited by law, acceptance of a prize shall constitute and signify the winner’s consent that Sponsors, Administrator, and their affiliates may use the winner’s name, likeness, image, composition, voice, photographs, biographical information, address (city and state) and written statements made by the winner about the Contest, Sponsors’ or Administrator’s products and Sponsors or Administrator for promotional purposes, in all forms of media, in perpetuity and without monetary payment or additional consideration. Administrator reserves the right to announce the identity of each Contest prize winner and the prize awarded to each such winner on any of Sponsors’ or Administrator’s marketing platforms such as websites, social sites, or email, or on those of their affiliates.

Any difference between the stated value and the actual value of any prize will not be awarded. If a winner cannot accept prize as stated, the prize may be forfeited. The value associated with a prize may be taxable to the winner as income, and, if so, the winner is solely responsible for any taxes, including, but not limited to, all applicable federal, state and local taxes, that become due with respect to the value of the prize. If the combined, gross proceeds from this and all other prizes over the course of the calendar year, equal or exceed $600, the Sponsors or Administrator is required to report the value of a prize to the Internal Revenue Service in the year that the winner receives the prize, Sponsors or Administrator will report to the prize winner and the Internal Revenue Service in the form of a Form 1099-MISC. If Sponsors or Administrator is required to report the value of a prize to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 1099-MISC, the winner must provide applicable information, such as a social security number, in order to receive the prize. Any and all fees, expenses, service charges, gratuities, and other costs related to acceptance and use of a prize not specifically stated herein are solely the responsibility of the individual prize winner. No prize may be substituted, assigned, transferred, or redeemed for cash, except that Administrator reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to offer a prize winner the option of receiving a cash prize substitute. A winner is responsible for any loss of the prize or damage to the prize after it has been delivered. Administrator will not replace any lost or stolen prizes. Unclaimed and unawarded prizes will not be awarded.

All entrant information (including, without limitation, entrants’ e-mail addresses) is subject to the privacy policy of Sponsors and Administrator. Administrator’s privacy policy is located at https://khs-america.com/privacy-policy/. By entering the Contest, an entrant grants Sponsors, Administrator, and their affiliates the right to use the information provided by the entrant in the Contest entry form to contact the entrant by email, telephone, or mail about the contest. If the entrant has granted consent to receive additional information from the Contest Sponsors, Administrator, or affiliates, the entrant may receive emails in the future. The entrant may opt out of any future correspondence at any time.

Sponsors and Administrator are not responsible for errors, omissions, interruptions, deletions, defects, delays in operations or transmissions, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of, or failure of Sponsors or Administrator to receive any entry or prize claim information on account of human or technical problems in any combination thereof. Sponsors and Administrator reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest if, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned (including, without limitation, due to infection by computer virus bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsors and Administrator which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest). The Contest is subject to these Official Rules. By entering: (a) participants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of Administrator, which shall be final and binding in all respects, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules; (b) participants release Sponsors and Administrator, their directors, officers, shareholders, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, vendors and such persons’ directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for any claims, injuries, losses, costs or damages of any kind caused by participation in the Contest or resulting from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prizes; and (c) PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SPONSORS, ADMINISTRATOR, AND OTHER RELEASED ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE NEITHER MADE, NOR ARE IN ANY MANNER RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR, ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE PRIZES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THEIR QUALITY, MECHANICAL CONDITION, OR FITNESS, EXCEPT FOR ANY STANDARD LIMITED WARRANTY OFFERED BY ANY MANUFACTURER OF THE NON-CASH PRIZES. Administrator may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning any prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, multiple entries, deception, or other unfair practices or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other participants or Sponsors’ or Administrator’s agents or representatives.

WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PARTICIPANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE SPONSORS, ADMINISTRATOR, OR THEIR WEBSITES OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS AND ADMINISTRATOR RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PARTICIPANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforce-ability of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Tennessee. All disputes arising out of or connected with this Contest will be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by a state or federal court located in Davidson County, Tennessee and all entrants agree to the personal jurisdiction of and venue in such courts. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the State of Tennessee and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the State of Tennessee. All judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Contest and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages. The Official Rules have not been authorized, issued or approved by any court, official or agency of the United States, any state or other governmental authority or by any lawyer, law firm or insurance or brokerage company.

Additional copies of these Official Rules and a list of prize winners, available after June 1, 2025 may be obtained by mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Alianza Académica Virtual Festival
Attn: Chris Hankes
KHS America, Inc.
12020 Volunteer Blvd.
Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Vermont residents may omit postage. One request per envelope. All mail requests for a winners’ list must be received by Administrator by July 1, 2025.