Ist International Baltic Contest for Vocal Ensembles
REGULATIONS

Aims of the competition

Ensure the development of the tradition of vocal ensemblesContribute to the growth of the professional level of vocal ensembles Contribute to the expansion of the repertoires of vocal ensemblesPromote the vocal ensemble movements in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia

Participants

30 vocal ensembles including 15 from Latvia, 10 from Lithuania and 5 from Estonia in the following categories:
•  Male or female vocal ensembles
• Mixed vocal ensembles
• Children’s vocal ensembles (up to 15 years of age)

Number of singers in one ensemble: 3 to 16

Organisers

The Latvian National Centre for Traditional and Performing Arts, in cooperation with the Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre and the Estonian Folk Culture Development and Training  Centre.

Conditions

The following ensembles are entitled to participate in the Ist International Baltic Contest for Vocal Ensembles:

• The best 15 ensembles, according to the decision of the jury, from the final of the Latvian Vocal Ensemble Competition 2006
• The best 10 ensembles, according to the decision of the jury, from the final of the Lithuanian Vocal Ensemble Competition 2005
• 5 ensembles invited by the Estonian Folk Culture Development and Training Centre

The Competition will take place on May 20th, 2006 in the Riga Culture and Folk Art Centre “Mazā Ģilde” (Amatu str. 3/5, Riga, LV 1050, www.gilde.lv/maza).

Applications (appendix no1) must be received by the Latvian National Centre for Traditional and Performing Arts no later than March 20th, 2006.

When filling in the application form, please indicate the authors of the music and text, the title of the composition in the original language and in English, as well as the rest of the requested information. If the songs are in any other language than English or Latin, please supply a short summary of the content of the texts in English for the jury.

Programme

The length of each performance must not exceed 15 minutes, including entry and exit on-stage. Each ensemble must perform one folk song from their homeland in unison a capella.
The number of compositions is not limited.
For the purpose of accompaniment only acoustic instruments can be used. Sound amplifiers and phonograms are prohibited. 

Evaluation and awards

The competition will be evaluated by an international jury designated by the Latvian National Centre for Traditional and Performing Arts. For the results of the evaluation, the artistic quality of the performance and technical execution will be taken into account. The decision of the jury is decisive.

All participants will receive diplomas of categories I, II or III.
The prize fund of the competition is 1400 EUR.
The winner of each category will receive 300 EUR.
The Grand Prix of 500 EUR will be awarded to the ensemble with the largest number of points.

Special awards: 1. Award for the best execution of a folk song, 
                          2. Spectators’ award.

The Jury reserves the right to not allocate certain awards.
The results of the competition will be published.

General provisions

Together with the application form, each ensemble must provide 5 copies of the notes of the compositions they are intending to perform in the competition, a brief history of the ensemble and a recent photograph.
Ensembles will not be able to participate in the competition if the necessary materials have not been sent on time.
All expenses connected with participation in the competition are covered by the ensembles themselves.

Information about the regulations and the programme of the competition can be received from the Latvian National Centre for Traditional and Performing Arts, address: Pils laukums 4, Riga, LV 1365, ph. + 371 7228985 or mobile ph. + 371 8344014.