Enrolments for the Rimini International Choral Competition (see the Entry Form) must be postmarked by registered mail before the 31 July 2012 at the latest. Enrolments and the other requested documents may be sent by e-mail too.

Enrolments will be registered in order of arrival. Enrolments are subject to the approval of the organizing Committee whose decision will be confirmed to both selected and non-selected groups by e-mail or fax no later than one week after receiving the application.

The groups selected must confirm their application by e-mail or fax as soon as possible, and will then receive a circular giving all further details.

They will need to :

- Pay a deposit of 100 Euros towards the registration fees as described in detail at the bottom of the Rules.

- Send not later than the 31 July 2012 the Repertoire Form and five copies of each work chosen for the class or the classes entered, included the five further copies of the scores for the class X, “City of Rimini International Choral Prize” Competition (in the event the Choir achieves the final round). Copies of the scores will not be given back.

No enrolments will be considered complete until all these formalities have been met.

1 - Classes

The Rimini International Competition includes five normal Classes (A, B, C, D, E) and a special Class (X).

The same competing Group may participate in all the five normal Classes, if it wish.

A - Equal Voices Choirs (Male or Female)

B - Mixed Voice

C - Children and Young Choirs (Male, Female and Mixed. Singers maximum age is 20 years old. It is accepted that not more than 10% of the singers may have more than 20 years but anyway no more than 24 years. The Organizers reserve the right to check the age and to evaluate single cases)

D - Folk or Gospel/Spiritual Choirs (Male, Female or Mixed)

E - Sacred Music (Mixed, Equal Voices, Young and Children Choirs with entire repertoire of sacred music)

X - "City of Rimini International Choral Prize” Competition (the winners and runners-up from each of the classes, A, B and C - if their mark is at least 80,01 points or higher - must be prepared to compete in this class).

2 - Prizes

At the outcome of each competition, the following prizes will be awarded:

The Jury will not assign any ex-aequo prize.

The first prize-winners of classes A, B, C will receive a trophy specially hand-crafted for the Competition. The second prize-winner of classes A, B, C, D, E will receive a solid silver hand-made medal. The third prize-winner of classes A, B, C, D, E will receive a solid bronze hand-made medal.

The winner of the "Grand Prix" (class X) will receive the medal given by the European Parliament. (if it will be given this year too)

Other prizes:

Prize "President of the Italian Republic": a bronze medal given by the President of the Italian Republic to the best Choir Director of the X class.

Prize "Emilia Romagna Region": Diploma and plate to the chamber choir (with a maximum of 12 singers) better classified in class B.

The Committee reserves the right to add other prizes.

Choirs will be judged according the following criteria:

1. INTONATION
2. FIDELITY TO THE SCORE
3. SOUND QUALITY
4. PROGRAMME CHOICE
5. OVERALL ARTISTIC IMPRESSION

The jury may award a maximum of 100 points for each choir, as follows:

95,01-100,00:           Outstanding
85,01-95,00:             Excellent
80,01-85,00:             Very Good
75,01-80,00:             Good
65,01-75,00:             Moderate

According to the mark achieved, Bronze, Silver and Gold Diplomas will be awarded. If the choir does not achieve a Diploma (mark under 65,01) it will receive a certificate of participation. Each member of the Jury will write a report containing reviews and impressions about the performed repertoire of the choirs. The reports, in English and Italian language, will be sent to the choirs by email after the end of the Competition.

3 - Repertoire

CLASSES A (Equal Voices) and B (Mixed Choirs): The programme choice, for Classes A and B, is left to each ensemble, but it must include four works, as follow:

a) One piece by a composer of the Renaissance, Baroque or Classical period. The Jury will evaluate especially fidelity to style.

b) One piece written after 1900.

c) Two pieces chosen freely from any period desired.

The total duration of performed repertoire must be between 11 and 15 minutes of pure singing time (that is, the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). The choir must sing at least 2 pieces "a cappella" (without any instrumental accompaniment).

CLASS C (Young and Children Choirs): The programme choice for Class C, is left to each ensemble, but it must include four works, as follow:

a) One piece written before 1900, sung in any language, performed a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment.

b) Two pieces written after 1900 by composers of the same Country of the choir. At least one of the two pieces must be sung in the original language of the composer and at least one of the two must be performed a cappella.

c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired and in any language, performed a cappella

The total duration of performed repertoire must be between 11 and 15 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage) The choir must sing at least 2 pieces "a cappella" (without any instrumental accompaniment).

CLASS D (Folk, Spiritual, Gospel): The programme choice for Class D, is left to each ensemble, but it must include four works, as follow:

a programme including choral arrangements of folk and traditional songs from the choir's native country OR spirituals and gospels.

An English translation of the lyrics or a summary of each score must be sent. The use of idiophonic or ethno-musicologically or historically justified instruments is allowed. The combination of (stylistically justifiable) choreographic movements together with singing is also permitted and desirable. This may deserve special merits. The total duration of performed repertoire must be between 8 and 12 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage).

CLASS E (Sacred Music): The programme choice, for Class E is left to each ensemble, but it must include four works, as follow:

a) One piece by a composer of the Renaissance, Baroque or Classical period. The Jury will evaluate especially fidelity to style.

b) One piece written after 1900.

c) Two pieces chosen freely from any period desired.

The total duration of performed repertoire must be between 11 and 15 minutes of pure singing time (that is, the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). All the repertoire, having entirely sacred text, must be performed "a cappella", without any instrumental accompaniment.

CLASS X: The winners and runners-up (second place) from classes A, B and C, if their mark is at least 80,01 points or higher, must be prepared to compete in class X and may not use any piece from an earlier class.

The programme choice for Class X, is left to each ensemble, but it must include three works:

a) One piece written before 1900.

b) One piece written after 1900.

c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired.

The total duration of performed repertoire must be between 7 and 10 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage) The choir must sing at least 2 pieces "a cappella" (without any instrumental accompaniment).

No Choir may sing the same repertoire in two or more different classes of competition (A, B, C, D, E). Choir Conductors are kindly requested to abstain from performing their own works in classes A, B, E. Nevertheless Choirs may perform arrangements and elaboration by their Conductors.

Choirs will be penalized by two points for not respecting the time limits set out in the above rules.

Accompaniment may be provided by a piano or other instrument / instruments. Recorded accompaniment is not allowed.

Subsequent to repertoire entry a choir may not change its repertoire nor the order in which it will be sung.

Five copies of each piece of music must be enclosed with the repertoire entry form. Copies of the scores will not be given back.

4 - Adjudicators and Awarding Ceremonies

The competitions will judged by a jury panel of five nationally and internationally known adjudicators. The result will be announced at the end of each category (after the Jury's meeting) but the awarding ceremony concerning the choirs admitted at the X category (Classes A, B, C) will be done after the end of the same X category. The awarding ceremony of the D and E classes will be done after the end of the same classes. Any prizes not collected at any prize-giving ceremony shall be available to the winners for one year after the end of the Competition. Prizes must be collected personally; under no circumstances will prizes be sent. A written adjudication (with artistic and technical impression) will be given to every choir by each member of the Jury.

5 - Sung Service at the Church of St. Agostino in Rimini

The first 10 Choirs selecting this option on the entry form may sing all together a Mass directed by Andrea Angelini at the beautiful Church of St. Agostino on Saturday afternoon 6 October 2012 at 16:30. All the information and the repertoire are available clicking here.

6 - Entry Procedure

When submitting an entry form you must include a recent CD, DVD or mp3 recording of the choir, a short bio of the Choir (max. 1200 characters, spaces included) and a high quality digital picture of the Choir.

The closing date for class entry is 31 July 2012.

The closing date for repertoire entry is 31 July 2012.

All entry forms must be submitted to:

Rimini International Choral Competition

Viale Pascoli 23-g

47900 RIMINI - Italy
Tel: +39 347 2573878

Fax: +39 02 700425984
Email: competition@riminichoral.it

7 - General

• Ninety per cent of all members of a choir, except the conductor, must be amateurs (i.e. people who do not earn their main livelihood as singers).
• In case of changes of the keys printed in the scores the jury must be informed in writing prior to the competition.
• The Musical Director reserves the right to limit the number of entries for each class.
• The Musical Director reserves the right to join two classes or to cancel a class if he feels that there are insufficient entries.
• The Musical Director reserves the right to refuse entry to any choir to any class.
• The Musical Director reserves the right to add to or alter these rules.
• The Jury's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding any aspect of its decision.
• Order of appearance will be drawn by the Musical Director after entries are closed, and will be notified by e-mail or fax to each participating choir not later than 15 September 2012.
• In no circumstances will any person (other than authorised officials) be allowed on the stage or backstage during any class.
• It is contrary to law to perform music if the score has been reproduced illegally. Should a choir do so the Festival accepts no responsibility for any action taken by publishers.
• The Festival Organisers and the Musical Director accept no legal responsibility whatsoever in respect of anything pertaining to a choir’s participation in the Festival.
• Submission of an entry form and participation in the Festival implies acceptance of all the Competition Rules and Regulations.

8 - Broadcasting and Recording Rights

It is a condition of participation that any choir must agree:

-    that any performance it gives during the Festival may be broadcast live and/or recorded for subsequent broadcast on radio and/or television without payment to the choir. All broadcasting rights to any performance at the Festival shall belong to the Festival which will be free to dispose of them as it sees fit.

-    that any performance it gives during the Festival may, without payment, be recorded and the Festival shall be entitled to possession of any such recording and shall further be entitled to reproduce any such recording and to sell, hire, offer or display for sale or hire, distribute or otherwise dispose of any recording or reproduction of recording of any such performance in any manner that it sees fit.

9 - Accommodation

The participating choirs at the Rimini International Choral Competition must book their hotel or hostel through the Organization itself. All the information about prices and options are available at the page www.riminichoral.it/accommodation.htm

Concerts:

According to the timetable, on Thursday evening 4 October, Friday evening 5 October or on Saturday evening 6 October 2012, the Choirs may perform a non-competitive Concert in the same Theatre. The maximum time allowed for each Choir is 10 minutes, pauses between the pieces included. Choirs must perform a free programme different by the repertoire chosen for the Competition. If a Group should take part in more than one Class, it will nevertheless perform only one concert.

Competition Rules:

Please read the rules very carefully as they contain all the details necessary as to the choice of a choir’s programme and the criteria for adjudication. Each choir must be familiar with the rules.

Piano:

If you require a piano for accompaniment during the Competition please make sure that you request the same on the Repertoire form which must be submitted within the 31 July 2012.

Music stands:

Music stands will be provided by the Organisers at the Competition venue.

Other information: 

The organisers regret that the theatre and the church do not have suitable spaces for changing or for depositing personal effects. Choirs are therefore requested to arrive at the theatre already dressed for their performance. Bags and other personal effects may be left in the auditorium or behind the stage.

All participating choirs must be present in the Auditorium or in the Church at the beginning of each class of the Competition: it is strictly forbidden to stay in the foyer of the theatre during the Competition. Choirs will be called by the organisers one at a time and will be permitted to wait in the foyer only during the performance of the Choir immediately preceding them in the programme.

FESTIVAL FEES 

The selected groups, soon after the acceptance of their admission by the Organisation, must pay a deposit of 100 Euros (not refundable) towards the registration fees. Subsequently - not after the 31 of July 2012 - for the first class entered (that is, the class with the largest number of choristers) you will be requested to pay € 20,00 for each member of the choir, including the director and the pianist/musicians (the fee does not include room and board). For other classes chosen (up to a maximum of four) the fee is € 5,00 for each member of the choir, including the director and the pianist/musicians. This includes entry fees for the competitions and the concerts. Please deduct the deposit of 100 Euros already paid from the total fee before paying the balance. If a Choir decides not to participate after sending payment, the Organisation will keep 30% of the amount paid as registration fee (deposit plus balance).  If the cancellation by the choir will come after the 10 September 2012 the Organisation will keep 70% of the amount paid. Cancellation: in the unlikely event of cancellation of a class or of the whole Competition, fees will be refunded in full.

The Artistic Director

Prof. Andrea Angelini

Download the Rules