Malta International Choir Festival ® The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority Malta Tourism Authority invite all international and Maltese choirs to participate in Auberge d'Italie, Merchants Street the 23rd edition of the Malta International Choir Festival ® Valletta VLT1170, that will take place in Valletta, Floriana and other locations Malta from 2 to 5 November, 2017. www.maltachoirfest.com www.visitmalta.com/events Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package MALTA INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL ® ‘Where Voices Shine’ 2 – 5 November 2017 organised by the Ministry for Tourism & The Malta Tourism Authority 1 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package Table of Contents Welcome to the Malta International Choir Festival 2017 .................................................................................... 3 Festival Programme .............................................................................................................................................. 4 The Non-Competitive Programme of the Festival ................................................................................................ 5 The Competitive Programme of the Festival ........................................................................................................ 6 SACRED MUSIC .................................................................................................................................................. 9 SECULAR MUSIC .............................................................................................................................................. 10 CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIRS ........................................................................................................................... 12 GRAND PRIX OF MALTA .................................................................................................................................. 13 General terms of participation for choirs ........................................................................................................... 14 Application Form................................................................................................................................................. 16 Additional information on other Festival projects.............................................................................................. 23 Appendix I ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Appendix II .......................................................................................................................................................... 25 2 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package Welcome to the Malta International Choir Festival 2017 ‘Where Voices Shine’ Malta has regularly hosted international choir festivals and competitions since 1988. The islands of Malta and Gozo can boast of a very thriving choral scene and – with over 350 churches serving a population of about 430,000 – the choral tradition is, understandably, built around and mostly focused on sacred music. The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority will be organising the 23rd edition of the Malta International Choir Festival that shall be held from the 2 to the 5 of November 2017. As with the last edition, in 2015, apart from the Festival proper on the dates mentioned, the Organising Committee is aiming at expanding the Festival through a number of satellite projects that do not necessarily take place during these four days. We very much look forward to welcoming you in Malta to share with you and other international choirs the joy and love for singing. Malta International Choir Festival Committee Members Chairman Christopher Muscat Artistic Director Rev. John Galea Festival Administrator Martin Morana Festival Co-ordinator Gabija Jenciute Logistics Noel D'Amato Events Operation Adviser Edward Zammit 3 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package Festival Programme WEDNESDAY November 1 Institute, Floriana) and (St Publius Parish Church) All day: CHOIR REGISTRATION at the Festival`s office, Catholic Institute, SATURDAY November 4 Floriana Morning / early afternoon: CHORAL THURSDAY November 2 SINGING COMPETITIONS (Catholic Institute Theatre and St Publius Parish Church, Floriana) Morning / afternoon: CHOIR REGISTRATION at the Festival’s office, Late morning / early afternoon: Catholic Institute, Floriana SINGING IN THE CITY concerts (by 16.00 hrs Opening Ceremony various choirs at Valletta’s City SINGING & PRAYING FOR PEACE at St Entrance ) John’s Co-Cathedral Leaders of different religious Evening: FESTIVAL CONCERT by denominations unite with the Arsis Handbell Ensemble from harmonious singing of choirs to pray Estonia and Gentlemen’s Singers from together for peace in Malta’s most the Czech Republic (Venue tbc) beautiful place of worship 17.30 hrs: CHORISTERS‘ STREET PARADE in the main streets of Valletta SUNDAY November 5 18.30 hrs: WELCOME RECEPTION for Morning: Choirs sing during SUNDAY all choristers in Valletta MASS in various churches around Malta (optional). FRIDAY November 3 16.00 hrs GRAND PRIX OF MALTA COMPETITION& PRIZE GIVING and Late morning / early afternoon: CLOSING CEREMONY. (Catholic SINGING IN THE CITY concerts Institute, Floriana) (various venues) Evening: FAREWELL RECEPTION Afternoon / evening: CHORAL (Venue tbc) SINGING COMPETITIONS (Catholic The Organiser of the Festival reserves the right to make as many necessary changes as required to ensure the smooth running of the Festival both before and during the actual events. Participating choirs will, however, receive detailed communications with the exact timings, closer to the Festival. 4 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package The Non-Competitive Programme of the Festival 5 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package The Competitive Programme of the Festival The Malta International Choir Competition 2017 Preambles  "Festival" refers to the Malta International Choir Festival held between 2 and 5 November 2017.  "Competition" refers to the Choral Competition held as part of the Malta International Choir Festival 2017."  "Artistic Committee" refers to the Artistic Committee of the Malta International Choir Festival 2017.  "Jury" refers to the panel of distinguished professionals appointed by the Artistic Committee to adjudicate the Competition.  “Organiser” refers to the Organiser of the festival and in charge of overall and logistical matters. Terms and Conditions 1. Non-professional choirs of any nationality may participate in the Festival’s competitive categories. For the ends of this Competition, "non-professional choirs" shall refer to choirs whose singing members - therefore with the exception of the conductor and the accompanist – do not earn their living from professional singing. 2. There are no age restrictions except for Children & Youth Choirs categories. 3. Choirs may opt to take part in up to two (2) categories. Each selected category shall, however, need to be approved at application level by the Artistic Committee on the basis of the application package (please ensure that the choir's biography and sound recording is included). 4. Choristers can sing with only one (1) primary choir. 5. Choir members are allowed to sing in smaller ensemble formations in a different category, but each ensemble should be clearly identifiable with the primary choir. 6 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package 6. The competition programme for each selected category shall be approved by the Artistic Committee at application stage. Choirs competing in different categories are not allowed to sing the same work in two (2) different categories. 7. Accompaniment is limited to organ and electronic piano (with weighted keys) which will be provided by the Organiser where applicable and as indicated in each respective category. Where required, choirs are to provide their own accompanist who may also be a singer within the same choir. 8. The use of other pitched instruments is not allowed except for the Folk Category, in which case the choirs are responsible to provide any non-standard instrument/s as well as the performer/s. 9. Percussion instruments are allowed in a cappella pieces/categories with the prior permission of the Artistic Committee. Once approved, choirs would be responsible to provide both the instrument/s and the performer/s. 10. Amplification (of choirs and of instruments) is not allowed in any of the categories. 11. Time restrictions for every category need to be strictly adhered to and there will be penalties for over-running. Times indicated in the individual categories refer to actual singing time and therefore do not include entrance, exit and applause. 12. Works should be performed as originally written by the composers. In some instances, transpositions to a more convenient key are acceptable but the Artistic Committee should be informed about any such changes at application stage to be able to inform the Jury. 13. Together with the application package, choirs must submit a PDF file by e-mail of every piece performed in the competition including the Grand Prix of Malta (full vocal score) for the use of the international Jury. Vocal scores should be written according to standard western notation and preferably type-set. Titles and composers’ names should be clearly written in Roman alphabet on each score. 14. Published works may only be sung using the original printed scores or authorized copies. The use of unauthorized or handwritten copies is strictly prohibited. 15. Texts of the selected works can be in any language but works set to languages other than Latin or English need to be accompanied by a translation into English and, if applicable, guidelines for pronounciation. 16. The running order of choir performances in the competition is scheduled in such a way as to accommodate any logistical requirements of competing choirs' commitments within the Festival. 7 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package 17. Due to an already heavy festival schedule, choirs are encouraged not to organise individual concerts during the days of the Festival. However, choirs wishing to perform other concerts beside the competition are cordially invited to inform the Artistic Committee at the application stage so that choirs are assigned participation in Singing in the City within the framework of the Festival. 18. The Jury shall consist of five (5) distinguished professionals in the field of choral music. 19. The decisions of the Jury are final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into during or after the conclusion of the Festival. Choir directors may however consult jury members about their performance and ask for comments and feedback. 20. The competition is divided in various categories as outlined hereunder and based on one (1) round. 21. PRIZES a. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of less than 50% will receive a Certificate of Participation in the Malta International Choir Festival. b. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of between 50% and 75% will be receiving an Honorary Diploma of Merit including the overall mark. c. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of over 75% will be receiving an Honorary Diploma of Excellence including the overall mark. d. The winner of each category will be the choir with the highest overall mark with an Honorary Diploma of Excellence. e. The category winner shall receive a Trophy and a Diploma. f. Each category winner shall also gain the right to take part in the Grand Prix of Malta competition held on the Final Night. The Grand Prix of Malta will be divided into three (3) divisions: (i) Sacred, (ii) Secular and (iii) Children & Youths. The winning choir in each division shall receive a monetary prize of one thousand Euro (€1,000). g. If deemed appropriate, the Jury may award a number of Special Mention Diplomas such as best conductor, best stage deportment, best performance of a contemporary piece etc. 8 Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package SACRED MUSIC SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 1 (Sacred 1) with free programme This category is intended for those less experienced choirs who would like to perform a programme of their own choice. The presented programme shall nevertheless offer a variety of styles that demonstrate the choir's abilities at their best. Choirs will be required to perform a freely-chosen and varied programme of not less than three (3) and not more than six (6) works.  Organ or piano accompaniment is allowed but at least two (2) works should be originally written and performed a cappella.  Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes. SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 2 (Sacred 2) with compulsory programme This category is intended for those more experienced choirs who would like to perform a challenging programme ranging over a span of five (5)centuries, thus showing versatility and adaptability to various styles and genres from different eras. Choirs will be required to perform: 1. 1 work written up to 1600 2. 1 work written between 1601 & 1750 3. 1 work written between 1751 & 1900 4. 1 work written after 1901  Organ or piano accompaniment is allowed but at least two (2) works should be originally written and performed a cappella.  Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes. SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 3 (Sacred 3): Monodic Chant This category is intended for choirs interested in the art of Monodic Chant of the choir's own religious denomination. Choirs will be required to sing a freely-chosen programme that should consist of not less than three (3) contrasting works.  Accompaniment is not allowed.  Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes. 9