Announcement

 Rules of the X International Festival-Competition of
Chamber Ensembles for Young Performers
WE PLAY MUSIC WITH FRIENDS
 
 
Announcement of the Competition-Festival
Festival-Competition is organized by “We Play Music With Friends” Foundation and Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School, Latvia. The Festival-Competition will be held on 31st of May – 2nd of June, 2012 in Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School: Kronvalda bulv. 8, Riga, Latvia.
 
The purpose of the Competition-Festival
  • to support the interest of students and teachers about collective playing in chamber ensembles;
  • to promote the professional growth and personality’s development of young musicians;
  • to stimulate the composers to create original music for children’s chamberensembles;
  • to promote international cultural exchange and to offer help in gaining experienceabout the youngest methods of musical education;
  • to obtain and to generalize information about chamber music traditions in Latviaand other countries.
 
Rules of the Competition
  1. The Competition is open for young instrumentalists of all specialties and nationalities (ensemble should be composed of different instruments, the number of participants - from two to six).The event can not participate the uniformly instrument ensembles, where they players are more than four.
  2. It is one round Competition.
  3. Ensembles are competing in three sections:
    I-duos with piano (except percussions, strummed instruments and accordion);
    II-mixed trios and other ensembles (3-6) with piano and classical instruments;
    III-mixed untraditional ensembles (2-6), with and without piano.
  4. Competitors will be divided into the following categories:
    Category Juniors - the average age of ensemble members, not more than 9 years;
     Category A - the average age of ensemble members, not more than 12 years;
     Category B - the average age of ensemble members, not more than 15 years;
     Category C - ensemble, the average age of no more than 18 years;
     Category D - ensemble, the average age of no more than 21 years.
     Category Juniors are not broken in the sections
  5. The I-prize winners of this Competition should not take part once more in the same age category, but should take part in the next age category.
  6. The teachers should not take part in the ensemble.
  7. Electronic instruments should not be used.
  8. Do not change the staff of the ensemble.
  9. In the competition you must play program, which you announced in the Application (the order may change).
 
Agenda of the Festival - Competition and the Seminar
  • Chamber ensembles must perform three pieces of different period and style, original music and/or arrangements;
  1. One of the pieces must be a large form: sonata (whole or part/s), trio;
    for category Juniors  this is desirable, but not obligatory;
  2. Free choice piece;
  3. Obligatory piece (contemporary Latvian composer's work). This will be sent to your email address at your request.
One of the pieces must be a piece of 17th - 19th century western composer. If it is arrangement, must indicate the author.
  • The performance could last no more than:
    Category Juniors ~ 3-5 minutes
    Category A ~ 5-9 minutes
    Category B ~9-12 minutes
    Category C ~12-15 minutes
    Category D ~ 15-20 minutes
  • The program must be performed by sheet. 
  • There will be concerts of the Festival. The ensembles must perform 1-2 free choose music pieces, original music and/or arrangements.
  • The participants of the competition may also take part in the concerts of the Festival (without special payment); they must present other program.
  • The ensembles participating in the festival's concerts without age limit. Especially welcome family chamber ensembles.
  • A pedagogical-methodical seminar will be held for the teachers within the framework of the Festival – Competition. Subject of the seminar is current issues of education in the field of chamber music. There will be meeting with Jury. The language of the workshop is Latvian; the organizer will provide English and Russian translation.
 
Prizes and Awards
  1. The performances of competitors are judged by an International Jury appointed by the organizer.
  2. Ensemble's performance is assessed 25-point system (ensemble sense, consistency of performance of music style, technical level, intonation, artistry and scenic culture). The Jury decisions are irrevocable and definite.
  3. The jury has the right not to award certain places. The jury has also the right to combine the sections if the number of ensembles in any other section is less than three.
  4. All participants of Festival – Competition and their teachers will receive a note of thanks and a gift.
  5. The laureates, award winners and their teachers will be awarded with diplomas and prizes.
  6. There will be prizes for
  • the best performance of a baroque/classical piece;
  • the best performance of a romantic piece;
  • the best performance of a temporary piece;
  • the best performance of a obligatory piece by Latvian composer;
  • the most artistic ensemble;
  • the prize for the best arrangement.
The jury has the right to give out special prizes.