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The Vienna International Association for Music and Culture Exchange presents:

The Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival Vienna

 


TERMS AND CONDITIONS


I.   General Festival Information

  1. The annual Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival Vienna (hereinafter referred to as the “Festival”), organized and presented by Via Musica (Vienna International Association for Music and Culture Exchange), is intended to promote interaction among young musicians on an international level.

  2. The Festival takes place every July in Vienna and is open to young musicians of all nations below the age of 26. A maximum of 10% of the participants may be between 26 and 30 years of age and three participants may be older than 30 years of age. Conductors and piano players accompanying the choirs are not subject to the age limit.

  3. The Festival consists of the Summa Cum Laude Competition (hereinafter referred to as the “Competition”) and the non-competitive Summa Cum Laude Celebration (hereinafter referred to as the “Celebration”). All participants will take part in the following program:
    - Opening ceremony in St. Stephen's Cathedral / Musikverein or Konzerthaus
    - Two workshops at the University of Music and one lecture
    - Two additional concerts in or in the vicinity of Vienna
    - Closing ceremony at Vienna Town Hall (location subject to change)
    - Competition only: one performance before the jury in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein and possibly (for groups selected by the jury) the performance during the Gala Winners’ concert in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus
    - Celebration only: one daytime performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein

  4. Out of respect for their fellow participants, all participants are strongly encouraged to be present at the Competition, Celebration and additional concerts if their schedule allows.

  5. All applicants undertake not to copy or reproduce works during or for the Festival. The participants agree to have their names, photographs and film-footage used for promotional purposes relating to the Festival. Via Musica is entitled to record, reproduce and dispose of the musical works of the participants and of the media submitted. Via Musica is entitled to prohibit photos and audio/video recordings of the events taking place during the Festival. No photo or video equipment is allowed in the Musikverein and in the Konzerthaus. This is a requirement of the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus. The SCL Festival staff is instructed to act accordingly. However, festival photographers will be present at both venues and the photos taken will be forwarded to all participants after the festival. These photos are not for commercial use. All other photos and/or audio/video recordings taken on the premises of the Musikverein/Konzerthaus must be previously authorized by the management of the Musikverein/Konzerthaus and by Via Musica.

    For documentation, reporting purposes and future releases, photo, video and sound recordings will be taken during the SCL Festival. The contracting party declares its consent to be recorded and broadcasted by the organizing party via a variety of multimedia channels (in particular via media and cultural partners), as well as to be recorded on audio and video, including the duplication and use of said recordings in all media formats. Any rights regarding the recordings will be transferred to the organizer (Via Musica and Concerts-Austria). Ensembles with underage participants must obtain the consent of their legal guardians. On request, the organizer will provide a form for this purpose.

  6. All participants are encouraged to take care of their instruments and other belongings during all festival events. Via Musica will not be held responsible for any damages from theft or damages of property.

  7. A breach of the terms and conditions or a failure to comply with instructions of jury members or festival staff can lead to disqualification of the participating group.

II.   Festival Fees and Services

  1. The registration fee per group and category is € 250.-. This amount is due on registration and is non-refundable. The applicant is required to transfer the registration fee to the following account:

    VIA MUSICA Verein f. internat. Musik- u. Kulturaustausch Wien
    Mauthnergasse 6/12
    A-1090 Vienna
    Austria/Europe

    IBAN (international bank account nr.): AT292011128722215100
    BIC (Bank Identifier Code): GIBAATWW
    Bank Address: Erste Bank der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG
    Graben 21
    1010 Vienna
    Austria/ Europe


  2. The participating group will additionally be presented with a package fee by the authorised Festival travel partner, which includes the following services:
    - Travel, board and lodging for the 5 days of the festival
    - Organization costs for the following festival services, which are not subsidized by public or private sponsors:
    - Opening ceremony in St. Stephen's Cathedral / Musikverein or Konzerthaus
    - Two workshops at the University of Music and one lecture
    - Two additional concerts in and/or around Vienna
    - Competition only: one performance before the jury in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein and possibly (for groups selected by the jury) the performance during the Gala Winners’ concert in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus
    - Celebration only: one daytime performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
    - Closing ceremony at Vienna Town Hall (location subject to change)
    - Participation certificates for every group and every participant
    - Diplomas for every participant for the workshops attended at the University of Music
    - Online presentation of the biography of the group and the conductor and the exact Festival program
    - Printed Festival program for every participant and conductor

  3. Payment schedule
    - After acceptance of the group a non-refundable registration fee of EUR 250.- per group and category will be directly invoiced by Via Musica (see above)
    - 20% deposit payment of the package fee till 24th of October of the preceding year. For deposit payment of the package fee until the 24th of October of the preceding year an early bird fee applies. The total early bird package fee contains a reduction of € 100.- per participant
    - 40% deposit payment till the 16th of February of the corresponding year
    - Final payment till the 1st of May of the corresponding year

  4. Cancellation policy
    - 10 % cancellation fee of the total package price till the 31st of October, (preceding year)
    - 30 % cancellation fee of the total package price till the 27th of February of the corresponding year
    - 60 % cancellation fee of the total package price till the 30th of April of the corresponding year
    - 90 % cancellation fee of the total package price till the 29th of May of the corresponding year
    - No refund from the 1st of June of the corresponding year

  5. The package fee varies according to the type of travel and accommodation booked and possible additional services required (e.g. instrument transport, hiring of instruments, possible logistical complications). Please note, that Via Musica cannot guarantee all festival services in the event that the proposals of the festival travel partner concerning logistical matters are not accepted by the participants.

III.    Registration and Required Materials

  1. Due to a limited capacity, Via Musica strongly recommends registration as soon as possible.

  2. The application to the Festival must contain the following materials.
    Until the 15th of February
    • Application form and music program form (available for download on the Festival’s website), filled out completely
    • Audio-files or links to recordings (live or studio) of the performing group with a minimum of 3 works, not older than 4 years
    • Short biography (in English) of the performing group and the conductor (all texts together should not exceed a maximum of aprox. 900 words or 5000 characters - uploaded to the ensemble´s page on mytourdata.com; login accessible after completion of the application)
    • Stage plan (blank versions available for download on the Festival’s website) indicating the location of the instruments and the group members (uploaded to the ensemble´s page on mytourdata.com; login accessible after completion of the application)
    • High resolution colour photos of the performing group and the conductor (Tiff, Bitmap or Jpeg – uploaded to the ensemble´s page on mytourdata.com; login accessible after completion of the application)
    At the latest by 15th of April
    • PDF files of the scores of the freely selected works performed in the Competition (uploaded to the ensemble´s page on mytourdata.com)
    • Travel information on the individual participants on mytourdata.com
     



    deadlines




  3. Applications and other materials are to be sent to the office of the artistic office of the Festival:

    CONCERTS-AUSTRIA
    Artistic office of the SCL Festival
    COLUMBUS Reisen GmbH & CoKG.
    Universitätsring 8
    A-1010 Vienna, Austria
    Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


  4. Via Musica shall decide on the acceptance of applicants within 2 weeks after receiving the application as outlined above; the decision is final and no explanations will be given on behalf of Via Musica. Applications, which do not conform to the regulations of the Festival can be rejected. By sending in the signed application form the signatory accepts the terms and conditions of the Festival as well as all decisions of the jury; legal procedures are thereby ruled out. The signatory represents the ensemble and ensures that the participants are aware of the terms and conditions set down by Via Musica.
  5. Changes to the category, the repertoire, the materials handed in or the information given will be accepted until the 15th of April. No changes will be accepted after this date.
  6. The festival reserves the right to allocate a group to a certain category that was not initially chosen by the group in its application, should this become necessary for organizational reasons.
  7. By signing the application form you grant us the right to raise and process personal data like name, date of birth, food allergies, medication etc. These data are needed to cooperate with third party service providers such as restaurants and hotels, as well as precautious information in case of emergency.

IV.    Competition - Categories and Music Selection

 

  1. Choirs

    Mixed Choirs (Soprano+Alto+Tenor+Bass)
    Treble (female) Choirs (Soprano+Alto)
    Male Choirs (already changed voices: Tenor+Bass)
    Children’s Choirs (boys and girls up to an average age of 12, maximum age 14, Soprano+Alto)

    Within a time period of 15 to 20 minutes the participants are required to present the following pieces:
    • compulsory pieces (see SCL homepage);
    • 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 choir may be accompanied by a piano player supplied by the choir. A piano will be supplied in the Musikverein.
    Along with the application, applicants are to inform Via Musica of the pieces presented with the accompaniment of a piano or percussion. No solo pieces are allowed. Apart from piano and percussion instruments other instruments are permitted only with the consent of the artistic director.


  2. Orchestras

    Symphony Orchestras
    Chamber Orchestras with Winds
    String Orchestras

    Within a maximum time period of 20 to 25 minutes the participants are required to present the following pieces:
    • the compulsory piece (see SCL homepage);
    • one piece by composer from the ensemble’s home country;
    • one contemporary piece of music (tonal language of the 20th/21st century) which can be identical to the piece by the composer of the ensemble’s home country; the style and difficulty of the contemporary piece influence the vote of the Jury
    • additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen.

    The participants are advised to present a broad program that entails technical difficulties and fast passages, as well as calmer movements and works in order to give the jury a broad basis of decision-making. The jury strongly recommends not to play solo pieces.


  3. Symphonic Bands

    Within a maximum time period of 20 to 25 minutes the participants are required to present the following pieces:
    • the compulsory piece (see SCL homepage);
    • 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 participants are advised to present a broad program that entails technical difficulties and fast passages, as well as calmer movements and works in order to give the jury a broad basis of decision-making. The jury strongly recommends not to play solo pieces.


  4. Summa Ensembles

    Within a maximum time period of 20 to 25 minutes the participants are required to present the following pieces:
    • the compulsory piece (see SCL homepage) in a format and instrumentation adapted to the respective performing ensemble, while staying as faithful to the original composition as possible needs;
    • 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 participants are advised to present a broad program that entails technical difficulties and fast passages, as well as calmer movements and works in order to give the jury a broad basis of decision-making. The jury strongly recommends not to play solo pieces.

V.    Competition - Repertoire and Material

  1. Original compositions are strongly recommended. In the event that only a part of the work is performed, the beginning and the end of the extract is to be clearly indicated on the scores handed in.
  2. Via Musica shall decide on whether or not the suggested repertoire meets with the conditions of the Festival.
  3. After the end of the Festival six of the conductor scores will be returned to the participants; all other materials shall remain with Via Musica.
  4. The jury has the right to assign the piece of the ensemble's competition repertoire that is to be performed in the Gala Winners’ Concert.

VI.    Celebration - Music Selection and Duration

  • Participants of the Celebration are free to choose their musical program and are not bound by category. The maximum playing time for the Celebration shall be 20 minutes. No solo concerts are allowed.

VII.     Competition and Celebration - Workshops

  1. Choirs

    Two workshops will take place for choirs at the University of Music. The pieces will be selected by the lecturers and no preparation by the choirs is required.

  2. Orchestras
    All orchestras taking part in the Competition are asked to prepare their respective compulsory piece for the first workshop. For the second workshop, please select one piece from the list of your respective category on the homepage. You may also choose a piece from your additional program. This piece, however, needs to be confirmed by the Artistic Director first. The participants are required to bring along the corresponding conductor scores.
    All orchestras taking part in the Celebration are invited to prepare two pieces from the list of your respective category. You may also choose a piece from your additional program. This piece, however, needs to be confirmed by the Artistic Director first.

  3. Symphonic bands
    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. The participants are required to bring along the corresponding conductor scores.

  4. Summa Ensembles
    Workshop pieces for Summa Ensembles are subject to reconfirmation with the artistic director of the Festival.

  5. Music+Dance Ensembles
    Workshop pieces for Summa Ensembles are subject to reconfirmation with the artistic director of the Festival.

VIII. Competition and Celebration - Additional Concerts

  1. Each group will take part in two additional concerts taking place in or in the vicinity of Vienna. The concerts shall have a length of 25 to 60 minutes. Participants are required to hand in their freely chosen concert programs at the latest with the Festival application. The suggested concert program is binding. Please include the approximate duration of the works.

  2. Once confirmed by Via Musica, the additional concerts may not be cancelled by the group.

  3. Either a piano or a keyboard or an organ will be supplied at the additional concert venues for performing choirs. Additional instruments and technical equipment are generally not supplied by Via Musica. Should additional equipment be required, the participants are asked to contact Via Musica for organizational assistance as soon as possible. Costs accrued by the hiring of additional equipment are not carried by Via Musica.

IX. Instruments

  1. Only for performing choirs pianos will be supplied at the Musikverein, the Konzerthaus and the workshops and either a piano or a keyboard will be supplied at additional concert venues.

     

  2. Some percussion instruments and the music stands will be provided by the SCL Festival at:
    - the Musikverein
    - the Konzerthaus
    - additional concerts taking place at the “MuTh”

    Please see homepage for details and stage plans!
    Music stands will be provided at the University of Music. Please also note that at all other locations and during additional rehearsals participants are required to use their own percussion instruments and music stands.

  3. None of the festival venues are necessarily equipped with PA-systems, monitoring or other audio equipment. Performances generally take place without technical assistance (unplugged).