The City of Debrecen is proud to announce that,
between July 25-29, 2012,
it will host, for the twenty-fifth time, the event called
Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival Attention! THE OFFICIAL DEADLINE IS PROLONGED. We are able to accept further entries in limited number primeraly in the categories of children, youth and equal choirs.
We are waiting for your application!
Béla Bartók 25th International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival
July 25-29, 2012 Debrecen/Hungary
COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Founder and Honorary Life President of the Competition:
| GYÖRGY GULYÁS |
President of the Competition:
BÉLA SOMOGYI
Artistic Board of the Competition:
| MÁRTA ARADI | MIKLÓS CSEMICZKY | ZOLTÁN PAD | KÁLMÁN STRAUSZ | MÁTÉ SZABÓ SIPOS |
Director of the Competition:
JÓZSEF BALOGH
Secretary of the Competition:
KATALIN DARÓCZI
Organizer of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition:
FŐNIX EVENT ORGANIZING NP LLC
Head of the Organizing Committee:
BALÁZS MAKRAY
THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE COMPETITION:
- to present pieces of contemporary choral music,
- to perform them in an intelligible and convincing way,
- to popularize high-level collective singing and vocal folk music,
- to promote the meeting of the composers and choral musicians of different nationalities, and
- to strengthen the relationship between contemporary music and the general public.
I. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Béla Bartók 25th International Choir Competition is open to both amateur and professional choirs
Singers who might be members of several choirs are only allowed to sing in one ensemble in each category at the contest
Choirs may enter the competition in maximum two categories and the folklore section
Choirs may enter the competition in the following categories, with the number of members and the age-limits indicated below
| CATEGORIES | AGE LIMIT | NUMB ER OF MEMBERS |
| CHILDREN’S CHOIRS | max. 15 years of age* (born after July 30, 1997) |
min. 30 max. 50 singers |
| YOUTH CHOIRS (Equal voices and mixed choirs) |
max. 20 years of age* |
min. 25 max. 50 singers |
| EQUAL VOICES (Female and male choirs) | min. 18 years of age (born before July 30, 1994) |
min. 25 max. 40 singers |
| CHAMBER CHOIRS | - | max. 24 singers |
| MIXED CHOIRS | - | min. 30 max. 50 singers |
* max. 10 percent of the number of singers in the choir may be 1 year older at the most.
The Artistic Board reserves the right to cancel any of the categories in case of an insufficient number of entries.
II. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMPETITION
1. Only a cappella works may be presented at the competition. The use of an untuned percussion instrument is allowed only in one piece in each round of the competition as long as it can be considered an integral part of the given piece and its use is indicated in the score submitted. Even in such cases, a preliminary approval from the Artistic Board is also required. (The competition for the Grand Prix is an exception to this rule. See Chapter IV of the Competition Announcement)
2. The competition consists of a semi-final and a final round. In each round, competitors must present one compulsory piece and a selection of optional (free choice) works. In both the semi-final and final rounds, the competing choirs must start their program by performing the compulsory work.
• Compulsory works:
In both the semi-final and the final rounds of each category, there is a set piece by a Hungarian composer.
1. CHILDREN’S CHOIRS
SEMI-FINAL Krisztina Megyeri: Varázslatos évszakok (II. Hallgat az erdő)
FINAL István Vántus: Hangcsoportok
2. YOUTH CHOIRS
2.1. Youth choirs of equal voices
SEMI-FINAL Béla Bartók: Tavasz (Spring)
FINAL Levente Gyöngyösi: Beatus vir
2.2. Youth mixed choirs
SEMI-FINAL György Ligeti: Magány (Solitude)
FINAL Zoltán Kodály: Szép könyörgés
3. EQUAL VOICES
3.1. Female choirs
SEMI-FINAL Árpád Kákonyi: Psalm 151
FINAL Gyula Fekete: Missa brevis (Kyrie, Gloria)
3.2. Male choirs
SEMI-FINAL Sándor Szokolay: Három epigramma (Three epigrams)
FINAL György Orbán: Daemon irrepit callidus
4. CHAMBER CHOIRS
SEMI-FINAL János Decsényi: A költő sírfelirata
FINAL Béla Bartók: Eladó lány (Finding a Husband)
5. MIXED CHOIRS
SEMI-FINAL Péter Tóth: Agnus Dei
FINAL Boldizsár Csíky: Ecloga
• Optional works (free choice)
The composition of the program:
The optional program in both the semi-final and final rounds must contain only contemporary choral works composed after the 26th of September, 1945 (i.e., the date of Bartók’s death).
It is compulsory to perform at least one composition written after 1990 in each round.
If choirs decide to include a piece written after January 1, 2007, in their program, they automatically enter the competition for a special prize that may be awarded for the best performance of a piece written after 2007.
The choirs must also include in their optional program a piece written by a foreign composer (who is not a native of their country of origin).
The optional program should facilitate the demonstration of the artistic qualities of the choirs in a complex and comprehensive way.
Time limits for the performances:
The time allowed for the performance of the program of optional works in both rounds is as follows:
- for Children’s Choirs, Youth Choirs, Equal voices:
minimum 8 minutes, maximum 10 minutes
- for Chamber Choirs and Mixed Choirs
minimum 10 minutes, maximum 12 minutes.
The duration of the compulsory piece(s) shall not be considered in the time limits specified above. (See also Jury Regulations, 2.3)
3. One copy of the scores of the compulsory works shall be sent to choirs from Hungary upon accepting their application. Further copies will need to be obtained by them on their own, in which effort the Organizing Committee will be happy to assist.
As regards choirs from abroad, the Organizing Committee will mail to them copies of the scores of the compulsory works corresponding to the number of members in the individual choirs upon accepting their application and receiving the entry fee. (The cost of this is included in the entry fee.)
We would wish to call your attention to copyright responsibilities. Concerning the copyright and publishing rights of the optional works, all responsibility shall rest with the individual choirs. The organizers shall not take any responsibility for any breach of such rights.
4. Both the compulsory and the optional works must be performed in the original key, with the following exceptions:
- a different key version written by the composer,
- the composer’s instruction to this effect
5. Compositions performed at the choir competition must be sung in the original language or in an official translation.
6. Optional works or movements from the program of the semi-final may not be performed again in the final. If a choir enters two categories, the optional works (movements) of their choice may not be the same for both categories.
7. The order of appearance in the competition will be decided by the Organizing Committee by drawing lots.
8. Conductors of the choirs are kindly requested to abstain from performing their own works.
9. Changes in the submitted and accepted program may be implemented not later than 31st March, 2010. Such changes should be approved by the Artistic Board.
III. PRIZES OF THE COMPETITION
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS, YOUTH CHOIRS
1st prize 1,200 EUR
2nd prize 1,000 EUR
3rd prize 800 EUR
EQUAL VOICES AND CHAMBER CHOIRS
1st prize 1,400 EUR
2nd prize 1,200 EUR
3rd prize 1,000 EUR
MIXED CHOIRS
1st prize 1,600 EUR
2nd prize 1,400 EUR
3rd prize 1,200 EUR
IV. GRAND PRIZE OF THE BÉLA BARTÓK 25th INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION
The Organizing Committee hereby announces a competition for the
GRAND PRIZE
of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition
Grand Prize: 2000 EUR
The conductor of the Grand Prize-winning choir will be awarded 500 EUR and will get invited into the jury of the Béla Bartók 26th International Choir Competition in 2014.
The competition for the Grand Prize is open to choirs winning the first place in their own categories. In case the winner of the given category does not wish to enter the competition or no first prize has been awarded, the choir winning the second place may compete for the Grand Prize. If a choir wins first prizes in several categories, it still may enter the competition for the Grand Prize in only one category. In such a case, it will represent the category in the competition for the Grand Prize in which it has received a higher score of points.
When applying for the competition, choirs have to indicate if they wish to enter the contest for the Grand Prize, provided they meet the necessary requirements. Official entries for the Grand Prize need to be submitted during the course of the competition, following the announcement of the results (the official announcement of a victory in the given category) in the individual categories. The competition for the Grand Prize will be held only if a minimum of three choirs have been entered.
The order of appearance in the competition for the Grand Prize shall be the following:
Children's Choir
Youth Choir
Equal voices
Chamber Choir
Mixed Choir
In the competition for the Grand Prize, only works composed in the 20th and 21st centuries may be performed. The quality and the level of difficulty of the performed pieces must reflect the spirit and traditions of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition. It is especially desirable to choose pieces written by composers from the turn of the millennium.
Choral works with musical accompaniment may also be performed in the program for the Grand Prize but with no more than maximum five instrumental participants.
Only one piece or movement that the choir has performed in the general competition may be repeated here. The conductors of eligible choirs wishing to enter the contest for the Grand Prize must receive an approval of their program from the Artistic Board. Music scores of the program shall be submitted in 11 copies.
The net time limit (“pure singing time”) for the program is minimum 12 and maximum 15 minutes.
The winner of the Grand Prize will be invited to the Competition for “European Grand Prix for Choral Singing” held every year alternately in Arezzo, Debrecen, Maribor, Tolosa, Tours and Varna. This competition is organized for the Grand Prize winners of the six respective choir contests to compete for the European Grand Prix. The Grand Prize winner of the Béla Bartók 24th International Choir Competition will be invited to the competition for the “European Grand Prix for Choral Music” (EGP) 2013.
V. SPECIAL PRIZES
A special prize for the best performance of a contemporary piece may be awarded to one choir for a high-quality and authentic rendering of a piece written after January 1, 2005, as part of their optional program
The jury may also award prizes offered by musical institutions and our sponsors
Besides competition prizes, the jury shall award a diploma to the first prize winner and certificates to the second and third prize winners. All choirs participating in the competition shall receive memorial certificates.
VI. INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
Within the framework of the folklore festival part, evening and early night performances shall be held, to which any choir may submit an entry. Choirs are expected to perform either traditional folk songs in the form of unisono or polyphonic singing, with or without instrumental accompaniment, to demonstrate the living traditions of their respective countries or they may present the modern adaptation of some original tune. Choirs performing in their national costumes would be greatly appreciated by the audience and the organizers alike.
The net time (“pure singing time”) allowed for the presentation is minimum 8 and maximum 10 minutes.
The choirs participating in the folklore festival shall be awarded festival diplomas by the jury.
There will also be folk ensembles of high international prestige performing at the festival, providing contributions to the traditional program of the choirs through presenting the vocal culture of their native lands. We will provide ample opportunities for a number of settlements within the region around Debrecen to host these concerts and participate in the experience of learning about the art of various other peoples.
VII. CONCERTS IN CHURCH BUILDINGS – MUSICA SACRA
All choirs shall perform in church services in churches of different religious denominations in Debrecen and its vicinity on the closing day of the competition, that is, on the 29th July, 2012. Choirs are requested to construct a program of ceremonial music containing at least two short compositions fitting into the liturgy.
VIII. THE APPLICATION PROCESS
1. The applicants should submit:
- 1 copy of application form per category
Appendices (also one set per category):
- 1 piece of a digital photo of 300 dpi about the choir,
- a short text in English and/or in Hungarian about the choir (ca. 15 lines),
- a list of the names of the members of the choir,
- in the case of children’s and youth choirs, dates of birth should be indicated, too,
- the scores of the optional pieces in 5 copies (bound and arranged in the order of performance), with the following data: composer’s name, date of birth, year of composition and the pure singing time of the piece),
- a short description of the contents of the optional pieces (with the exception of those in Latin) in Hungarian and/or English,
- a minimum 15-minute long demo of an a’cappella program of contemporary choral works recorded on CD, DVD, or as mp3, wav, etc., files) as performed by the choir not longer than one year ago.
(The above documents will not be returned to the participants, as they need to be retained for the files as documentary material.)
2. Application deadline for the Choir Competition:: October 31, 2011.
This means that the application forms and all enclosed documents are to be postmarked or delivered not later than the above date.
Written documents of the application material (and, possibly, the photograph and the demo performance) should also be submitted on a CD or via e-mail (either in Microsoft Word or Excel, and the picture in JPG or PNG format).
Incomplete applications and/or applications sent past the deadline shall not be accepted, therefore, great care should be taken in observing the deadline and the conditions of participation.
Address:
Főnix Event Organizing Non-Profit LLC
Béla Bartók International Choir Competition
H-4026 Debrecen
Hunyadi u. 1-3.
HUNGARY
email: bartokcomp@bbcc.hu
balogh@fonixinfo.hu
badacsonyi@fonixinfo.hu
3. Choirs to be invited to the competition shall be selected by the Artistic Board on the basis of the artistic quality of their application material. A decision on the acceptance of the competition programs shall be made by the Board simultaneously. The Organizing Committee shall send Invitations and confirmations of the applications to the participants before January 15, 2010.
IX. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
1. Accommodation, meals, entry fee
Application Format ”A”
The choirs that are officially invited to participate are to pay only an entry fee. According to what is specified as the maximum number of members in a choir within the given category, the performing members of the choir, their conductors as well as two escorts (three escorts for children’s choirs) shall be provided transportation, half-board catering (breakfast and one main meal) and accommodation from the beginning to the end of the competition free of charge by the Organizing Committee. This service begins with dinner on 24th July, 2012, and ends with breakfast on 30th July, 2012. On request, full board can be provided at the expense of the choir.
The “invited” choirs, both from abroad and from Hungary, shall be accommodated in youth hostels, while meals shall be provided for them at the same place. Should any choir wish to stay in a hotel, the difference in price is to be paid by transfer before the competition or on arrival in cash at the Competition Office. For counting the difference see prices in Format “C.” (Please indicate in your application form if you prefer hotel accommodation.)
After receiving a confirmation of acceptance of the application for the competition, choirs invited from abroad are requested to transfer the entry fee within a period of 15 days to the following address:
Name and address of bank:OTP BANK NYRT 4025 Debrecen, Pásti u. 1-6.
IBAN: HU17 1176 3385 2498 3882 0000 0000
BIC or SWIFT: OTPVHUHB
In the comment box, please write the following: “Entry fee for the Béla Bartók Choir Competition” Account holder: FŐNIX Rendezvényszervező Kht. (H-4026 Debrecen, Hunyadi J. u. 1-3.)
In case of any difficulty in transferring the entry fee, choirs are expected to contact the Competition Office. A (photo)copy of the proof of transfer together with the invoicing address should be sent immediately to the Competition Office. In case of withdrawal, entry fees will not be returned. Choirs from Hungary need not pay an entry fee.
Entry fees:
| Children’s choirs | 500 EUR |
| Youth choirs | 500 EUR |
| Equal voices | 500 EUR |
| Chamber choirs | 500 EUR |
| Mixed choirs | 600 EUR |
Application format ”B”
Choirs of sufficient artistic quality wishing to participate in the contest, but not “invited” at the expense of the organizer, shall have to pay an entry fee and a reduced registration fee. (See the entry fee amounts in the above list.)
Registration fees:
| Accommodation in single rooms in a 4* hotel | 68 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in double rooms in a 4* hotel | 49 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in single rooms in a 3* hotel | 48 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in double rooms in a 3* hotel | 34 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in rooms with 3-4 beds in a youth hostel | 20 EUR/person/night |
| Half-board in a hotel |
17 EUR/person/night |
| Half-board in a youth hostel | 15 EUR/person/night |
| Full-board in a hotel | 34 EUR/person/night |
| Full-board in a youth hostel | 21 EUR/person/night |
Application format ”C”
In the case of choirs wishing to participate only in the folklore festival without entering the competition proper, there is no restriction on the number of choir members. These choirs shall pay a full registration fee but are exempt from paying the entry fee.
Registration fees:
| Accommodation in single rooms in a 4* hotel | 75 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in double rooms in a 4* hotel | 55 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in single rooms in a 3* hotel | 54 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in double rooms in a 3* hotel | 38 EUR/person/night |
| Accommodation in rooms with 3-4 beds in a youth hostel | 24 EUR/person/night |
| Half-board in a hotel |
20 EUR/person/night |
| Half-board in a youth hostel | 18 EUR/person/night |
| Full-board in a hotel | 35 EUR/person/night |
| Full-board in a youth hostel | 22 EUR/person/night |
Escorts, family members and other guests coming with the choirs participating in format “A” above the limit will be charged the same registration fee as those under Application format “C.”
The above prices are liable to change. However, if any such change should occur, participants shall be notified not later than March 31, 2012.
2. Miscellaneous other conditions
Travel expenses to and from Debrecen shall be covered by the individual choirs but, upon specific requests, we can assist them in arranging their trip.
Choirs may be requested by the organizers to give additional concerts (such as festival concerts, evening serenades, etc.). Choirs may not charge any fees for these occasions or any other individual performances, including radio and television broadcasts as well as film and sound recordings made during the competition.
Choirs that have qualified from the semi-final but fail to participate in the final due to any fault of their own shall refund all expenses incurred.
01 January 2011, Debrecen
Béla Somogyi
President of the Competition