Competition Regulation
REGULATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF WIND ORCHESTRAS IN PRAGUE
I. The competition is advertised by the Federation of Wind Orchestras of the Czech Republic. The festival has been taking place under the auspices of CISM.
Date: January 3 – 4, 2014
II.The accredited organiser of the festival is Festival and Organisational Agency or-fea Prague in co-operation with Millennium Agency Prague.
III.The competition is open in following categories:
1/ Concert category of wind orchestras in the following efficiency classes:
a/ harmonies
- middle class
- higher class
- top class
b/ fanfare orchestras
- middle class
- higher class
- top class
c/ brass bands
- middle class
- higher class
- top class
2/ The wind orchestras (harmonies, fanfare orchestras) that correspond to the usual international level are allowed to participate in the competition.
3/ The total performance time limit for middle class orchestras is 40 minutes (stay on the stage), which includes a maximum 15-minute-long rehearsal on the stage in the competition hall without the jury presence and a 25-minute-long competition performance, during which the compulsory composition as well as the other compositions, which adequate the efficiency class (free choice of a programme), will be performed. Within the total time limit the entering and leaving of the orchestra is included.
4/ The total performance time limit for higher class orchestras is 45 minutes (stay on the stage), which includes a maximum 15-minute-long rehearsal on the stage in the competition hall without the jury presence and a 30-minute-long competition performance, during which the compulsory composition as well as the other compositions, which adequate the efficiency class (free choice of a programme), will be performed. Within the total time limit the entering and leaving of the orchestra is included.
5/ The total performance time limit for top class orchestras is 50 minutes (stay on the stage), which includes a maximum 15-minute-long rehearsal on the stage in the competition hall without the jury presence and a 35-minute-long competition performance, during which the compulsory composition as well as the other compositions, which adequate the efficiency class (free choice of a programme), will be performed. Within the total time limit the entering and leaving of the orchestra is included.
6/ A singing repertoire in the competition performance is not allowed.
IV.1/ The orchestras are supposed to participate in the competition with their own amateur players. The eventual check on is reserved for the organiser.
2/ In case that one of the players becomes suddenly ill or cannot participate for other serious reasons the orchestra is allowed to take a help of another amateur player.
V.1/ Application forms are to be sent latest by September 30, 2013.-deadline
2/ The compulsory compositions are prescribed for each category (please see the questionnaire) and the orchestras are supposed to provide the compulsory compositions by themselves.
3/The orchestra is supposed to inform the organisational committee about the programme latest two months before the date of the competition.
4/ The orchestras are supposed to send the compositions of their programme (in 3 original pieces) in a form of scores to the organisational committee latest 1 month before the competition.
VI.1/ The international jury will be formed by the organiser and their work will be led by the chairman of the jury.
2/ The jury will inform about results after the competition. The orchestras will receive a written resolution of each member of the jury in a form of appraisal papers.
3/ Decisions of the jury are final.
4/ If there are fewer than 3 orchestras applied in a category, the prize “Winner of the Category” cannot be awarded.
VII. The order of performances will be decided by drawing lots on the eve of the competition according to an appropriate class.
VIII. On the basis of achieved points the orchestras will be assigned according to the international rules:
a/ gold band with honours 476 – 500 points
b/ gold band 451 – 475 points
c/ silver band 401 – 450 points
d/ bronze band 350 – 400 points
IX. Evaluation of the competition
1/ Concert category
1/1 In conformity with the international rules the compulsory and optional programmes will be separately evaluated.
1/2 The evaluation of the jury:
- harmonizing
- tone and sound quality
- phrase making and articulation
- technical performance
- rhythmical performance/coordination
- dynamics and sound balance
- feeling through the style/interpretation
- tempo
- choice of the repertoire with regards to the orchestras level and classification
- overall artistic impression (teamwork, keeping the time limit, entering and leaving the stage).
X. The awarding ceremony will be held at the end of the festival. During this time all orchestras will play together a traditional march by Frantisek Kmoch "Muziky, Muziky". The scores will be provided by the organiser.
XI. Seats, note stands and a conductor´s stand will be provided by the organiser. Some instruments will also be available to be used by participating orchestras (e.g. kettledrums, the concert drum). The list of instruments will be specified later.