Директор: Victoria Mikhailova International Festival Competition of Vocal, Choirs, and Instrumental Music "Krakow Christmas Art Inspiration" 01.12.2023 - 05.12.2023 Krakow, Poland Choirs, vocal, instrumental ensembles, and solo performers are invited to participate in the competition. For dance, theater, and folk ensembles, please refer to the VII International Festival Competition "Fountain of Inspiration" The International competition "Krakow Christmas Art Inspiration" will take place in the most beautiful city in Poland - Krakow, in a temple Kościół Pijarów Przemienienia Pańskiego, іn the days leading up to Christmas. The main goal of the festival is to provide a unique opportunity to meet with other orchestras and choirs from different countries, play and sing together, and make new friends in the magical atmosphere of pre-Christmas Krakow. Performance in the Church Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Krakow - Kościół Pijarów Przemienienia Pańskiego w Krakowie. Digital piano KURZWEIL Participants: The competition 'Krakow Christmas Art Inspiration' is open to: - Choir groups: mixed choirs, men's choirs, women's choirs, children's choirs, church choirs, academic choirs, folk choirs, etc. - Vocal-choir ensembles - Instrumental groups (wind, chamber, string, folk instruments, etc.) - Vocal-instrumental ensembles - Soloists, small groups Technical requirements: The competition program should consist of spiritual or classical, academic works, folk songs, or their arrangements, and it is also desirable to perform a cappella pieces. In addition, the following pieces may be performed: - A canon - A composition by a composer from your country (authentic or arranged) - A composition by a Western European composer - Works by composers from the Renaissance, Baroque, or Classicism periods - Choral music - Folklore (the program may include a folk ritual) - It is desirable to perform a cappella pieces. ATTENTION! Applications for performing works in the genres of pop, jazz, rock vocals, etc., as well as arrangements of folk songs in the style of pop vocals, are not accepted Performance duration: For groups should not exceed 8 minutes (two pieces per application) For soloists, small groups of up to 5 people, up to 6 minutes (two pieces per application) PLEASE NOTE! You can provide a link to a video of the group's performance on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, or another online resource where it is hosted Age categories: I Group - Junior age group 7 - 10 years II Group - Middle age group 11 - 14 years III Group - Senior age group 15 - 18 years IV Group - Youth group from 19 - 25 years V Group - Adult group from 26 - 60 years VI Group - Senior group from 60 years VII Group - Mixed group Up to 30% of participants of senior age are allowed in the junior category. To participate in the festival, you need to submit an application along with a QUALITY soundtrack by email to the Organizer. In case the performance time in the application is exceeded, the Organizer has the right to stop the performance. Participants have the right to participate in multiple genre categories with a separate application and separate payment for each application Criteria for evaluating: Criteria for evaluating choral and vocal genres: Technical performance: intonation, rhythm, phrasing, pitch, accuracy of performance, pronunciation. Artistic performance: tempo, dynamics, interpretation of the text, emotional expression, expressiveness, stylistic consistency. Program presentation: suitability and selection of repertoire, the appearance of the performers. Criteria for evaluating instrumental genres: Mastery of the instrument. Intonation accuracy and musical tuning. Technical ability for ensemble performance. Control of dynamic sound amplitude. Musicality, artistry, artistic interpretation of the musical work. Program presentation: suitability and selection of repertoire, the appearance of the performers. Participation fee: Participation cost in the competition program: 4 days / 3 nights accommodation with half-board, 20+1 for free. Hostel: 4-6-8 bed rooms - 115 Euro per person (аdditional night: 24 euros with breakfast) 1*-2* Hotel: 3-4 bed rooms - 129 Euro per person (additional night: 30 euros with breakfast) 3* Hotel: 2-3-4 bed rooms - 149 Euro per person (additional night: 35 euros with breakfast) Accommodation is arranged with the leaders prior to the arrival of the participants. Leaders will be accommodated in 2-3 bed rooms. Participation fee includes: Accommodation in the chosen option for 4 days/3 nights. Meals: breakfast and dinner, starting with dinner on the day of arrival and ending with breakfast on the day of departure. City tour of Krakow (for formed groups of 25 people or more. without a bus). Participation in festival performances with commemorative awards for participants. Medical insurance. Special offer for groups of 20 people: 20 participants + 1 leader free of charge. Participation fee does not include: Festival participation fee. Optional excursions, museum tickets. Personal expenses. Transportation services. Upon request, the organization of additional paid services related to transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice versa, from the hotel to the concert hall and vice versa, airport meet and greet by festival staff, and upgrading the proposed hotel to a higher class is possible. For inquiries regarding additional services, please contact and send an official request to the Organizing Committee. Groups (5 or more participants) - 15 euros per participant per 1 application Duets, trios, quartets - 20 euros per participant per 1 application Soloists - 25 euros per participant per 1 application For participation in additional genres: Groups (5 or more participants) - additional 5 euros per participant / +1 additional application Duets, trios, quartets - additional 10 euros per participant / +1 additional application Soloists - additional 10 euros per participant / +1 additional application All competition participants receive commemorative awards: T-shirts, shoppers, backpacks, festival notepads, badges, schedules. The selection of festival merchandise may vary. Awards: Laureates I, II, III prizes - receive individual diplomas, festival medals, and a cup for the group. The winner of the Small Grand Prix receives a cup, festival medals, and a diploma. The winner of the Grand Prix receives the Grand Prix Cup, festival medals, and a Grand Prix diploma. Thank you letters to teachers and leaders for their preparation and participation. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to award certain groups with certificates: for FREE participation in summer festivals organized in Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece in 2024. certificates of gratitude to teachers, leaders for their preparation and participation in the festival-competition. Special awards: "Sympathy Prize", "For the Best A Cappella Performance", and others at the discretion of the competition jury. All participants receive commemorative awards from the organizers: T-shirts, shoppers, backpacks, festival notepads, badges, schedules, individual diplomas, and festival medals. The selection of festival merchandise may vary. Jury: The jury is formed by the Organizers from representatives of the culture and arts of Europe, public organizations, the media, and other prominent personalities from participating countries. The permanent jury consists of 4 members. The composition of the jury may increase depending on the number of participating countries. The Chairman of the jury is elected by the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to have 1 vote in case of a disputed vote by jury members. The jury has the right to: give recommendations to the competition participants highlight individual groups and award them special prizes by agreement with the organizing committee, make decisions to change the Festival Regulations or not to award the Grand Prix due to a lack of sufficient points. The evaluation is carried out on a 10-point scale. The jury's decisions on the distribution of prize places and the Grand Prix are confirmed by protocols indicating the number of points scored by each participant. The jury's decision is final and cannot be appealed. Additional information: If it is necessary to prepare thank-you letters addressed to partners, sponsors, or other individuals, the organizers should be provided with the official details in advance. Participants of the competition arrive accompanied by their parents or guardians, who are responsible for the well-being and health of the children. Leaders, parents, and adult escorts are responsible for safeguarding personal belongings, costumes, and props. They should exercise caution in maintaining property during performances at any venues where the event takes place, as well as at the hotels/bases/sanatoriums where they are staying during the festival-competition. In case of damage caused by participants of a group, the leader, parents, and accompanying adults will be responsible for compensating for the losses incurred by the administration of the venue making the claim. The financial costs of the stay are covered by the participants. Program: December 1, 2023 - Arrival at hotels/hostels in Krakow (according to the selected offer below). Dinner. December 2, 2023 - Breakfast. City tour of Krakow's royal history will be offered, where step by step, you will see a city that was the capital of Poland for over 500 years: Royal Palace, Wawel Hill, Old Town, Cloth Hall, the "heart" of the city - Rynek Square, and much more. (Individual participants and small groups will be formed into groups of 25 people.) Excursion included in the festival fees. December 3, 2023 - Breakfast. Festival day - stage rehearsal, soundcheck, and rehearsals. Contest viewings of performances at Kościół Pijarów Przemienienia Pańskiego in Krakow. In the evening - Festive Closing Ceremony on the stage of Staromiejskie Centrum Kultury Młodzieży. Awarding of participants. Return to the hotel/hostel. Dinner. December 4, 2023 - Breakfast. Check-out according to hotel/hostel rules. Free day in Krakow. Departure. Optional excursions on free days: Bus excursion to the salt mines in Wieliczka (approximately 5 hours) - a fairy-tale journey through a labyrinth of salt corridors and rooms that amaze with their scale (children from 35 euros, adults from 40 euros, to be confirmed). Bus excursion to the resort town of Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains (full day), located in the southern part of Poland, just a few kilometers from the border with Slovakia. Walk along the main street, Krupówki, enjoy delicious regional food, take a funicular ride to Gubałówka Mountain or relax in the "Termy Bukowina" thermal baths - the choice is yours! (Price to be confirmed depending on the program). Visiting the Krakow Water Park "Park Wodny" (starting from 10 euros per ticket). For groups with free time from performances, there is an optional visit to the ENERGYLANDIA AMUSEMENT PARK (50 km from Krakow), the largest and best amusement park in Poland. ONE ticket grants you access to ALL attractions, including the water complex, various shows, and a 7D cinema (ticket starting from 52 euros, including a train ticket to the Park). Confirmation of Participation in the Festival-Competition The acceptance of applications after November 1, 2023, is possible upon request. The bank details for participation fees will be provided by the organizers after receiving your application. The participation fee is paid after the confirmation of participation but no later than November 1, 2023. It is DESIRABLE! Links to videos of the group's performances can be sent as links to YouTube, Facebook, or another internet resource where they are hosted. 1 photo of the participant/group must be attached to the application. The Organizing Committee assists in accommodating participants and their companions (at the expense of the institution or at the participants' own expense) and organizes a cultural program for the contestants. Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment. The next payment of 30% is to be made by November 1, 2023, and will be deducted from the final payment. All bank charges are covered by the sender. The remaining 60% of the payment is to be made by November 15, 2023, or upon arrival with the permission of the organizers.