Bratislava Music Agency

VIII. International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music

International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music

5th - 8th December 2013 Info Advent 2013

4th - 7th December 2014 Info Advent 2014

Dear lover of choral music,

We would like to invite you to participate in the VIII. International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music to be held in Bratislava on December 5th – 8th 2013. The Slovak capital, Bratislava, opens its gates and invites choirs to its charming centre decorated for Christmas. We are inviting choirs from all over the world; your songs and performances will contribute to a truly heartwarming atmosphere for Christmas.

The festival will be managed by the Bratislava Music Agency, under the patronage of the City of Bratislava.

Choirs are eligible to join the festival either as non-competitive choirs participating in all the performances of the festival, or as competitive choirs.

Deadline for sending in applications for the festival is October 1st, 2013

» Categories for Competing Choirs:

A1/ Children’s choirs up to 6 years

A2/ Children’s choirs up to 8 years

A3/ Children’s choirs up to 12 years

A4/ Children´s choirs up to 16 years

B/ Youth Choirs (up to 21years)

C/ Adult Choirs (min. 25 singers)

D/Chamber Adult choirs (12 - 24 singers)

E/ Vocal ensembles (4 - 11 singers, no microphone)

F Choirs of Seniors

X/ Non-competing choirs

The time limit on performances is 15 minutes. The program can consist of advent or spiritual music either a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment (a piano will be available).

» Diplomas

An international jury comprising distinguished professionals
will judge the competition on the following criteria:

A/ choise of works and proframme arrangement
B/ technique and interpretation
C/ artistic impression

Maximum of 100 points, the medals will be awarded as follows:

» Prizes:

Each choir will receive a diploma with the certification of the results. Upon proposal of the jury, other prizes of the festival will be awarded; for the best performances from the point of view dramaturgy, voice culture, or conducting. The jury decisions are final, no appeals may be made.

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 package price includes:

• 3x night and breakfast in hotel

• guidance during the whole stay

• Bratislava sightseeing tour

• opening concert for participants

• public concert performance for participating choirs

• final ceremony with cultural programme

• information material

Package 4 Hotel *** in Bratislava 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 two star hotels - 2 rooms with a shared bathroom, WC, 2-3 beds/ (additional fee for a single room)

Package 1 - Hostel

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

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

» Registration Fee

Registration deadline: October 1, 2013.

Registration fee per competition category is EUR 200/choir to be paid before October 1, 2013. In case of cancellation of an application, the fee is not refundable.

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

Application deadline: 1 October 2013

Applications can be sent from 1st January 2013 to 1st October 2013. The application must be filled in electronically - here: Application Form

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:

• Complete application form
• Competition program (name of the composition, composer full name, length of the compositions)
• Sound record of the choir not older than 3 years (a CD or a tape)
• Choir and conductor curricula (10 lines)
• Choir and conductor photo
• 5 copies of score for competition works
• A copy of money order or bank transfer confirming payment for the festival fee.

Application Form

» When registering, the following documentation shall be produced:

• Completed application form
• Typed competition program including compositor’s name, title and duration of the piece.
• A cassette or CD recording of the choir
• A short biography of the choir
• A photo of the choir
• Three copies of the scores of the works to be entered for the festival.

» Important dates

1. October 15th, 2013 - Deadline for the first payment for room and board - 50%
2. November 20th, 2013 - Deadline for the final payment for room and board.

» Bank transfer

Holder of account: Bratislava Music Agency
Záhumenská 3, 84106, Bratislava IV, Slovak rep.
Bank: Slovenská sporitelna, a.s., Bratislava- Suche Myto 6,
Account Nr.: 0631809658/0900
IBAN: SK8309000000000631809658
Swift code: GIBASKBX

» Festival Framework Program

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th, 2013
7 pm Opening concent for the participating choirs

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 2013
Choir concerts and performances in the Christmas market stage
7 pm Advent concert of the participating choirs, Jesuit Church

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th, 2013

9 am - 6 pm Competition in the individual categories

6 pm Gala concert given by the choirs selected by the jury, announcement of results, awarding of prizes and diplomas
7 pm dinner reception for choir leaders

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th, 2013
In the morning: performance of choirs during the Holy Mass in Bratislava
churches

Organizers

Contact: