Skip to main content

Category: Bands

This category includes the large variety of bands, including Symphonic Bands, Concert Bands and Big Bands.

The compulsory piece in this category may be performed in its original version or as an arrangement adapted to the ensemble's instrumentation. Arrangements need to be presented to the Artistic Office of the Festival pro to the application of the band.

Bands may choose to take part in the SCL Competition or in the SCL Celebration.

 

SCL Competition

In the Competition bands take part in the following program:

- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance before the jury in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- If chosen by the jury: concert in the evening Gala Winners’ Concert in the Konzerthaus
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall

Within a maximum time period of 20 to 25 minutes the participants are required to present the following pieces to the jury:
  • the compulsory piece (see below);
  • one piece by a composer of the ensemble's home country;
  • additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen.

The pieces not freely chosen are to be presented at the beginning of the program.

+ see the Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
The SCL Jury evaluates the ensembles upon a transparent catalogue of criteria.  The following criteria are observed and rated:

- Technical criteria = intonation, rhythm, dynamics, ensemble playing. (A maximum of 14 points can be reached)
- Musical-artistic criteria = phrasing, expressivity, spontaneity (Max 14 points)
- Overall artistic impression (Max 6 points)
- Program selection (Max 6 points)

Depending on the rating of the Jury the ensemble and its participants will be awarded with a certificate which lists the result: Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated.

Outstanding: 30 - 40 Points
Excellent: 20 - 29 Points
Good: 10 - 19 Points
Participated: 0 - 9 Points

The ensembles will be provided with a summarized feedback from the whole jury, the result of the competition (Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated) and the rank in their category. However, the points and the individual points of the respective criteria or the individual jury member will not be revealed.



SCL Celebration

In the Celebration bands take part in the following program:

- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall
- Gala Winner´s Concert ticket included

Within a maximum time period of 20 minutes the participants may present their freely chosen program on stage.
 
Join all the participating ensembles one more time at the Gala Winner´s Concert in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus. A true celebration of the individual achievements of the past few festival days as well as a celebration of international friendships that have been established over the course of the SCL Festival.
 
Additional concerts:
Your program for the additional concerts should be around 25-55 minutes. The program can be freely chosen, it can also include all or parts of your competition / celebration program and/or your workshop pieces.

 

Compulsory Pieces for the competition:

 

Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2024

Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2025

 

 

Workshop Pieces 2024:

All Bands taking part in the Competition shall prepare the compulsory piece for the first workshop. For the second workshop, you may choose a piece from your additional program. This piece needs to be confirmed by the Artistic Director.

All Bands taking part in the Celebration may choose one piece from their Musikverein program and one piece from their additional concert program. These pieces need to be confirmed by the Artistic Director.



  • SCL Festival Venues - Musikverein

    The Competition and the Celebration held in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein (and/or in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus). Music lovers throughout the world know...
  • SCL Festival Venues - Golden Hall of the Musikverein

    ...the Musikverein as the center of Viennese musical culture, as the focus of the international concert circuit and as the Eldorado of classical music.

    www.musikverein.at

  • SCL Festival Venues - Konzerthaus

    The Gala Winner’s concert, held in the sold out Konzerthaus. In the heart of the Konzerthaus (which consists of more than 600 rooms) lies the Konzerthaus’ flagship, the Grosser Saal (Great Hall). In this room, artists, audiences and atmosphere blend into a harmonious triad...
  • SCL Festival Venues - Great Hall of the Konzerthaus

    ...Home to world-famous orchestras, virtuoso soloists, renowned conductors and legendary jazz musicians, the Great Hall can accommodate an audience of 1,800 and offers the perfect venue for a wide variety of musical activity.

    www.konzerthaus.at

  • SCL Festival Venues - University of Music in Vienna

    Workshops and seminars held in the University of Music in Vienna, one of the largest arts universities in the world.
  • SCL Festival Venues - Rathaus / Vienna City Hall

    Closing ceremony held in the magnificent Festival Hall of Vienna City Hall, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Vienna.

    www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-l-to-r/city-hall

    Sivan Albo Ben-Hur

    Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Luc Anthonis

    Choir Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Pablo Boggiano

    Band & Summa Ensemble Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Christoph Ehrenfellner

    Choir, Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Alexandre Grandé

    Band & Summa Ensemble Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Kenneth Griffith

    Choir Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Andy Icochea Icochea

    Band & Summa Ensemble Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Katharina Müllner

    Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Carolin Nordmeyer

    Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Hermann Pallhuber

    Band Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Philipp Pointner

    Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Agnes Schnabl

    Choir Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Pearl Shangkuan

    Choir Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    David Slater

    Band, Summa Ensemble Jury, Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Jury; Workshop Lecturer

    Saul Zaks

    Artistic Director of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival; Choir, Band, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra with winds, Symphony Orchestra & Summa Ensemble Jury; Workshop Lecturer