The INTERNATIONAL “Golden Nightingale” Choir festival 2008 – Carmarthen Wales (UK)

The Rules for UK Choirs (see below) The Rules for Choirs outside the UK - Click Here

I. General Information

1. The International “Golden Nightingale” Choir Festival 2008 in Carmarthen Wales (UK) is organised by the Organising Committee of “Golden Nightingale” Choir Festival and Melody Music Company.

2. The Competition will take place in Carmarthen near Cardiff (Wales) according to the following itinerary:
Thursday  28.08.2008  
from 12.00 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Arrival of the Choirs to Carmarthen and registration in competition office.
8.00 p.m. Opening concert
Friday  29.08.2008
from 12.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. - Arrival of the Choirs to Carmarthen and registration in competition office.
6.30 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Competition in categories (going from Category E to A)  
In the evening integration party for all choristers and accompanying persons – free admission fee
Saturday 30.08.2008
10.00 a.m. Information for the choirs which are qualified to take part in final concert
6-9 p.m. Final concert, announcement of results, and handing out the prizes
Sunday 31.08.2008   Departure of the Choirs

3. The festival is open for all amateur choirs from around the world.

4. The choirs must consist of at least 20 singers. Each singer may sing only in one choir. All singers must be amateurs. This rule does not apply to conductors.

5. Choirs may participate in the following categories:
A) Mixed choir adults (all choristers over 18 years)
B 1) Male and Female Choirs adults (all choristers over 18 years)                                                    
B 2) Barbershop Choirs
C) Mixed Choirs Youth (all choristers under 26 years)
D) Equal Voices Choirs Youth (all choristers under 26 years)
E) Mixed boys' and men’s choirs (SATB) - (no age limit)

6. The time of the competition performance on stage is 15 minutes. Each choir prepares the repertoire consisting of 4 pieces sung in the order written in application. Minimum 2 pieces must be sung a cappella.
 The pieces must meet following requirements:
Song a) sacred song
Song b) folk song or song inspired by folklore.
Song c) song of composer born in 20th century
Song d) freely chosen song                                                                                                        
The above repertoire  does not apply to category B2 where the choir can sing 4 freely chosen pieces sung in barbershop style

7. The choir may compete in more than one category.

8. The choir may also take part as “non-competitive” choir and sing at additional concerts only.

II. JURY AND JUDGING SYSTEM

1. The performances of the choir will be evaluated by a Jury consisting of 3 experienced musicians. In year 2008 the judges will be from United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
2. Jury evaluates: intonation, voice emission, interpretation, diction and general artistic effect.
3. Each member choir may receive maximum 100 points.
4. The jury awards the prizes according to the points received by each choir
5. The decisions of the Jury are final and shall not be appealed 
6. The jury taking into account the artistic reasons may not award some prizes.

III. PRIZES
1The Festival has a Prize fund of £5,000 and this will be awarded between the best choirs of the festival according to the Jury decision.
Each winning Choir will also receive a Golden Nightingale Statuette.
Each competing Choir will receive a Diploma of Participation in the Festival.
2. The Jury with agreement of the organisers of competition may award some additional prizes

IV. ORGANISING INFORMATION
1. The choirs are responsible for eventual copy rights of scores used during the performance at the competition.
2. Choirs may sing at concerts which accompany the competition.
3. The base for participation in the competition is submission of application form with attachments no later than 30th April 2008.    You can also send your application by e-mail to our e-mail: info@golden-nightingale.co.uk till 30th April 2008 and than send all documents by registered mail to reach our office no later than 15th May 2008. 

The applications should be sent to:

Golden Nightingale Festival Office,                                                                                          
22 Syr David’s Avenue,                                                                                                    
Cardiff, CF5 1GH, Wales, UK

4. Along with the application there must be attached a copy of the registration fee which is 200 POUNDS  for the Choir. The fee should be paid to the account No:
Account Name: Golden Nightingale
Bank: Lloyds TSB
Account Number: 01250843
Sort Code: 30-91-16
SWIFT/BIC LOYDGB21559
IBAN GB14LOYD30911601250843
Please write in title name of your choir. The above mentioned amount we should receive net (you pay all transfer fees). In case the choir does not qualify, the application fee will be returned.
5. If the choir wants to take part in more than one category, the additional application form must be filled. Registration fee to take part in each additional category is 100 Pounds.
6. The decision if the choir is qualified to take part in festival will be given no later than 20th May 2008.
7. The choirs are responsible to cover all travel and accommodation costs during the competition
8. For organisational reasons (concerts, flexible timetable of singing, shortage of rooms in place of the festival, festival costs etc.) choirs are obliged to arrange accommodation through Melody Music which is the main sponsor of the festival. The prices of accommodation are on the second page of application form.