22nd Prague Christmas Festival

will be held in the term December 12 – 14. 2024

Festival competition of Advent and Christmas music

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

let us invite you to 22nd festival! Our Golden City looks especially romantic and particularly friendly during the time of Advent and Christmas. Maintaining our rich advent tradition is very popular in Prague.
All amateur ensembles can take part in this competition.
we prepared special programme for this year –  Open Air concert performances by registered ensembles will be held in the Old Town Square, enhancing the seasonal magic of Prague Christmas Fair. The organizer will enable further performances in Prague for all registered ensembles.
The festival is taking place under the auspices of the City of Prague and of the Union of Czech Choirs.

CATEGORIES:

I. CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(up to 16 years, 20 singers and more, score S + A)

II. YOUTH CHOIRS
(up to 27 years, 16 singers and more)

III. ADULT CHOIRS
(16 singers and more)

IV. VOCAL GROUPS
(6 -15 singers, no microphone)

V. MUSICA SACRA

VI. FOLK AND CHRISTMAS SONGS

VII. GOSPEL, SPIRITUALS

VIII. FOLKLORE ENSEMBLES

IX. INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

Competition performance is not obligatory. Your ensemble is welcome to perform without actual participation in the competition too.

Attention, please! Piano is available only during the competition. Please, all supplementary instruments you´ll need you have to bring with.

COMPETITION PROGRAMME
Duration of the competition programme is maximum 12 min.
15 minutes for the category II., III., VIII. and IX.
Please do not exceed this time limit.

At least 1/3 of your programme must be Advent or Christmas music from your region or country.

FESTIVAL JURY
The Jury will consist of at least three international recognized professional artists. The decision of the Jury is final. Ensembles will be awarded marks from 1 to 100 (gold, silver and bronze zone).
The Jury will also award further special prizes.
Every choir will receive a Certificate of Participation and the winners of all categories will receive quality trophies. The absolute Festival winner is obliged to perform at the final ceremony.

CRITERIONS
for cat. I. – VI. on which the marking will be based are:
1) Technical merit: difficulty, perfection, intonation, articulation, rhythm, phrasing
2) Artistic interpretation: sound of ensemble, stylistic fidelity, interpretation, dynamics and suggestivity.
3) Programme choice and dramaturgy

SCORES
It is necessary to submit at least one score of compositions you will sing (play) to the Jury before your performance.

FESTIVAL BADGE
(incl. programme book) authorizes entry to all competition events, to the closing festival programme and to all festival concerts, except “Prague by Night” boat trip . Price: € 6.00 (Festival badge is already included in our accommodation and stay package – see application).

COMPETITION FEE
is € 150.00 per category, each next one competition category makes 120 EUR.

This fee must be received by the current account of the Festival secretariat by October 15, 2024.

EXPENSES
Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of participants. The office of the accommodation organizer is at your entire disposal to make and assist with all your travel arrangements.

ACCOMMODATION
There are 3 price-categories which will be offered and confirmed on a „first come, first served” basis. (please, see the application form)

BOARDING
Participants can pre-order meals at the restaurant by the competition place (extra price € 16.00), hotel restaurants (€ 19.00 per meal) and “Good-bye Party” with buffet dinner (€ 25.00 per person).

APPLICATIONS must be made in writing and received by October 15, 2024 to the Festival Secretariat,
together with the following (also by e-mail):
– a short history of the ensemble (max. 10 lines)
– a good photograph of the ensemble
– competition and concert programme incl. durata (with full original names and titles)