will be held in the term December 12 – 14. 2024
Festival competition of Advent and Christmas music
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
let us invite you to 22nd
festival! Our Golden City looks especially romantic and particularly friendly
during the time of Advent and Christmas. Maintaining our rich advent tradition
is very popular in Prague.
All amateur ensembles can take part in this competition.
we prepared special programme for this year – Open Air concert performances
by registered ensembles will be held in the Old Town Square, enhancing the
seasonal magic of Prague Christmas Fair. The organizer will enable further
performances in Prague for all registered ensembles.
The festival is taking place under the auspices of the City of Prague and of
the Union of Czech Choirs.
CATEGORIES:
I. CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(up to 16 years, 20 singers and more, score S + A)
II. YOUTH CHOIRS
(up to 27 years, 16 singers and more)
III. ADULT CHOIRS
(16 singers and more)
IV. VOCAL GROUPS
(6 -15 singers, no microphone)
V. MUSICA SACRA
VI. FOLK AND CHRISTMAS SONGS
VII. GOSPEL, SPIRITUALS
VIII. FOLKLORE ENSEMBLES
IX. INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Competition performance is not obligatory. Your ensemble is welcome to perform without actual participation in the competition too.
Attention, please! Piano is available only during the competition. Please, all supplementary instruments you´ll need you have to bring with.
COMPETITION PROGRAMME
Duration of the competition programme is maximum 12 min.
15 minutes for the category II., III., VIII. and IX.
Please do not exceed this time limit.
At least 1/3 of your programme must be Advent or Christmas music from your region or country.
FESTIVAL JURY
The Jury will consist of at least three international recognized professional
artists. The decision of the Jury is final. Ensembles will be awarded marks
from 1 to 100 (gold, silver and bronze zone).
The Jury will also award further special prizes.
Every choir will receive a Certificate of Participation and the winners of all
categories will receive quality trophies. The absolute Festival winner is
obliged to perform at the final ceremony.
CRITERIONS
for cat. I. – VI. on which the marking will be based are:
1) Technical merit: difficulty, perfection, intonation, articulation, rhythm, phrasing
2) Artistic interpretation: sound of ensemble, stylistic fidelity, interpretation, dynamics and suggestivity.
3) Programme choice and dramaturgy
SCORES
It is necessary to submit at least one score of compositions you will sing (play) to the Jury before your performance.
FESTIVAL BADGE
(incl. programme book) authorizes entry to all competition events, to the
closing festival programme and to all festival concerts, except “Prague by
Night” boat trip . Price: € 6.00 (Festival badge is already included in our
accommodation and stay package – see application).
COMPETITION FEE
is € 150.00 per category, each next one competition category makes 120 EUR.
This fee must be received by the current account of the Festival secretariat by October 15, 2024.
EXPENSES
Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of participants. The
office of the accommodation organizer is at your entire disposal to make and
assist with all your travel arrangements.
ACCOMMODATION
There are 3 price-categories which will be offered and confirmed on a „first
come, first served” basis. (please, see the application form)
BOARDING
Participants can pre-order meals at the restaurant by the competition place (extra price € 16.00), hotel restaurants (€ 19.00 per meal) and “Good-bye Party” with buffet dinner (€ 25.00 per person).
APPLICATIONS must be made in writing and received by October 15, 2024 to the Festival Secretariat,
together with the following (also by e-mail):
– a short history of the ensemble (max. 10 lines)
– a good photograph of the ensemble
– competition and concert programme incl. durata (with full original names and titles)
