Competition rules

• The competition is intended for amateur choirs

• Each choir can sing in several categories but with different programme

• The scores of the competition programme shall be sent via email in a PDF format and cannot be changed

• Choirs will not have a possibility of an acoustic rehearsal

• The total duration must not exceed 15 minutes. The jury will stop longer competition performances

• In the categories A, B, C, D, E1, E2, H, I, J, K all the pieces shall be performed a cappella

• In the categories F, G1, G2 at minimum 2 pieces must be a capella, the rest with the piano accompaniment
  

• In the categories L, M, N, O, P at least one piece must be a cappella.

• Deadline for sending in the application form for the festival is 1st March 2014

Participation conditions

• The festival will take place from 12th to 15th June 2014, in Bratislava.

• Each choir including the conductor, accompanying persons and bus drivers shall pay its travel expenses, expenses on accommodation and food by themselves.

• The registration fee of a choir: 1 contest category makes 200 EUR, each next one contest category makes 150 EUR.

• For the participation in the festival without participating in the competition 100 EUR.

• The registration fee is not to be paid back in case of the application cancellation

• The organizer reserves the right to distribute individual choirs to present themselved during the Holy Masses on Sunday in Bratislava churches
  

• The organizer reserves the right to use the video and sound recordings from the festival.

• The applications for the festival shall be sent by 1st March 2014.

Accommodation and board 

Each choir including the conductor, accompanying people and bus drivers shall pay its own travel expenses, expenses on accommodation and food. The prices are quoted per person.

The package price includes:

•  3x night and breakfast in a hotel

•  guidance during the whole stay

•  Bratislava sightseeing tour

•  opening concert for participants

•  public concert for participating choirs

•  final ceremony with cultural programme

•  information packet

Package 4 Hotel **** in Bratislava a city centre

3x night/breakfast in twin bed rooms in a **** hotel (additional fee of 101 EUR for a single room)

Package 3 Hotel ***

3x night/breakfast in twin bed rooms in a *** hotel (additional fee of 60 EUR for a single room)

Package 2 Hotel **

3x night/breakfast in a ** hotel - (2 rooms with a shared bathroom, WC, 2-3 beds)

Package 1 Hostel

3x night/breakfast, 4-bed rooms, common bathrooms (additional fee of 35 EUR for a single room)

The organizers reserve the right to arrange accommodation and catering of the participating choirs.

Application

Deadline for sending in applications for the festival is 1st March 2014.

Applications can be sent from 1st September 2013 to 1st March 2014.

After receiving the application form, each accepted participating group will be contacted by email and receive an official confirmation of participation.

The application shall be enclosed with the following:

• Competition programme (name of the compositions, composer's full name, length of the compositions)

• Sound recording of the choir not older than 3 years (a mp3 or a link)

• Choir's and conductor's curricula (cca 10 lines each)

• Choir's and conductor's photos

• Scores of the competition works (to be sent via email in a PDF or similar formats)
  

• A copy of money order or bank transfer confirming payment for the festival fee.

All the materials are to be sent in electronic format!

Diplomas

According to the amount of acquired points, the international jury will award:
Diploma for participation up to 14,99 points
Bronze certificate 15 - 19,99 points
Silver certificate 20 - 24,99 points
Gold certificate 25 - 29,99 points

Festival Programme

In addtion to the competition perfomances choirs can:

1. sing during a Holy Mass

On Sunday morning choirs can separately sing in churches in Bratislava and its surroundings. The choice of the programme shall be adjusted to liturgy. A capella repertoire for the performance during the Holy Mass. A copy of scores of the Holy Mass reperoire shall be sent to organizers by email in advance. The final decision on where and what the choirs will sing shall be made by the festival organizers.

2. give a public performance

On Saturday night all the choirs will sing together at the ceremonious Holy Mass with a bishop’s participation.

On Thursday or Friday choirs will separately present a 15 - 20 minute a cappella programme at concerts in Jesuit Church (sacred music programme) or in Klarisky concert hall (free music programme).
The literature of common songs sung during the Holy Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) will be sent after the enrollment for the festival. Individual sections of the Holy Mass such as Introitus, Offertorium, and Communio will be sung by the particular choirs selected by the festival's artistic director.

3. give an individual concert

The choirs separately can give a concert in churches in Bratislava or in the surrounding areas on Sunday night. The a cappella sacred concert programme with scores shall be sent together with the application.
This programme is optional. Choirs interested in it must let the organizers know by April 15th, 2014.
Concert programme shall take 15 - 20 minutes, 30 minutes on Sunday evening (please, send the name of the compositions, composers' full names, length of the compositions and a copy of scores in advance). The programme has to be sacred and a capella.

Important dates

• April 30th, 2014 - Deadline for the first payment for room and board - 50%

• May 31st, 2014 - Deadline for the final payment for room and board.

Other activities

We also offer special trips:

• Bratislava sight-seeing tour

• Vienna

• Trnava historical centre

• Red Stone Castle

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