Dear choristers from all over the world,

in spirit of the world peace, we are honored to invite you to take part in the 1st edition of John Paul II International Choir Festival of Sacred Music MUNDUS CANTAT GDAŃSK, named after Pope John Paul the Great, who made history by being a vocal advocate for human rights and using his influence to effect political changes.

“He who sings, prays twice”

Feel invited to join us in our prayers in these hard times of constant battle for the world piece.Let’s voice our common desire to stop the violence. Let the imploring prayers of united choirs from all over the world fill the most breath-taking insights of Gdańsk churches. Because “He who sings, prays twice”!

Welcome to Gdansk – a city blessed with incredible architecture and a long history of Catholicism, home of many spectacular cathedrals and churches. Welcome to the 1st John Paul II International Choir Festival of Sacred Music MUNDUS CANTAT GDAŃSK.
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Come to Gdansk – the capital of culture

The festival will be held in historical birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of political activist Lech Wałęsa, played a major role in bringing an end to Communist rule across Central Europe. A thousand-year history location at the crossroads of important commercial and communication routes, an extensive port and mercantile traditions – all this makes Gdańsk a meeting place of many cultures, nationalities and denominations.

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APPLY NOW!

 

Festival details

Thursday – 8th October, 2015

  • Arrival of choirs
  • Opening ceremony
  • Festival concerts – St. John Church, Gdansk

Friday – 9th October, 2015

  • Auditions – Festival Competition
  • Workshop / rehearsal for the Holy Mass
  • Festival concerts

Saturday – 10st October, 2015

  • Auditions – Festival Competition
  • Competition results announcent
  • Gala concert of the competition winners in memory of John Paul II – Oliva Cathedral, Gdansk

Sunday – 11th October, 2015

  • Ceremonial Holy Mass Gdańsk Oliwa Archcathedral
  • Departure of choirs or the optional programme
  • Morning: performances of the choirs during the Holy Mass in Gdańsk churches
  • Evening: an independent concert in Gdańsk or in the neighbouring area can be arranged
  • Additional offers: a visit to Malbork castle, a visit to Pelplin Cathedral

1. Only amateur choirs are eligible to take part in the Festival.
2. Competition categories
A1: Children choirs to 12 years
A2: Children choirs up to 16 years
B1: Boys’ choirs (soprano, alto)
B2: Boys’ choirs (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)
C1: Youth choirs up to 21 years of age (soprano, alto)
C2: Youth choirs up to 21years of age (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)
D1: Mixed choirs
D2: Female and male voice choirs, minimum 24 singers
E1: Vocal ensembles 4 – 8 singers /mixed, female, male/
E2: Chamber choirs 9 – 24 singers /mixed, male, female/
R: Choirs of seniors
In categories A1,A2,C1 and C2 at minimum 75% of singers must be under the age limit.
3.Choirs shall present a sacred music repertoire a cappella. For children’s and boys’ choirs only two compositions a cappella are obligatory, the rest of the programme can be with the piano accompaniment but musical instruments must be provided by the choir.
The following a cappella repertoire up to 15 minutes net is compulsory:
• a work from the period before 1600
• a work from the period of Romanticism (19th Century)
• a work by a composer born after 1920
• other works of choir’s own choice

4. Each choir can participate in more than one category.
5. The list of musical pieces to be performed for competition which a choir submits to the organizers should not be changed.
6. Time of the performance should not be shorter than 12 min and longer than 15 min of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). Should a choir’s performance exceed the prescribed time limit, the jury will interrupt the performance of that choir during the competition.
7. The jury should be informed in writing before the choir performance about any changes in the key of presented pieces.
8. Competition presentations will be judged by a jury, consisted of distinguished specialists in choral music.
9. The jury shall award the following certificated based on the total number of prints awarded each choir:
Diplomas
– Diploma of Participation Less than 59,9 Points
– Bronze Diploma 60-74,9 Points
– Silver Diploma 75-89,9 Points
– Gold Diploma 90-100 Points
and statues Mundus Cantat in each category.
10. Jury decisions are beyond dispute.
11. Choirs will be judged according the following criteria:
intonation, fidelity to the score, sound quality, programme choice, overall artistic impression.
12. Jury reserves the right NOT to select a winner in a particular category, if the jury assesses that the finalists in the category in question do NOT live up to the standards high enough.
13. Organizers may add special prizes.
14. Choir can take part in the festival again under take the condition that submitted competition repertoire will not consist of pieces performed during previous editions.
15. Choir can resign from festival competition and take part only in the accompanying concerts.
16. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to use any audio-visual recordings made during the Festival.
17. The organizers may plan additional meetings and performances for participating choirs. Please see the Festival guidebook for more information.
18. All choirs taking part in the Festival are requested be prepared to perform suitable pieces at the following events and email their repertoire:
1) Opening Ceremony – 2 pieces
2) Additional Festival Concert – 15 – 20 minutes
3) Final Concert (decision made by the jury)

1. Entries with the registration fee can be submitted by May 31, 2015.

2. The following materials should be submitted for each choir:
a) completed electronic application form
b) competition programme (name of the composition, composer full name, length of the compositions), (sent by e-mail in *.doc) – DOWNLOAD
c) Sound recording of the choir not older than 3 years (CD, mp3, link)
d) five sets of scores of the pieces to be presented at the competition
(the scores will not be returned, sent by the post)
e) a brief history of the choir (ca.10 lines, sent by e-mail)
f) a recent photo of the choir (resolution 300 dpi , photos, sent by e-mail)
g) a copy of money order or bank transfer confirming payment for the festival fee

3. After receiving the application form, each accepted participating group will be contacted by email and receive an official confirmation of participation.

1. The Festival will take place between 8 and 11 October 2015 in Gdansk.
2. Each choir is required to cover its own expenses related to transportation, room and board.
3. Accepted choirs should pay the registration fee of 500 PLN (125 EUR, non-refundable). The entry fee for participating in additional categories is 300 PLN (75 EUR) per category.
4. For the participation in the festival without participating in the competition 500 PLN (125 EUR).
5. Should a choir withdraw from participation in the Festival, the entry fee will not be returned.

1. Each choir including the conductor, accompanying people and bus drivers shall pay their travel expenses, expenses on accommodation and food by itself.
2. Festival packages for accommodations are available in the following classes (per one day):
Choirs must decide how many days want to spend in Gdansk.
• Class I – Double, Triple, Four and Multiple-person rooms in hostels, holiday centers or hotels 70– 140 PLN (18 – 35 EUR), (additional fee for a single room),
• Class II – Double, Triple and Four-person rooms in holiday centers, sanatoria or hotels 141–200 PLN (35 – 50 EUR), (additional fee of 20 EUR for a single room),
• Class III – Double and Triple rooms in two-star hotels 201- 250 PLN (50 – 60 EUR), (additional fee of 30 EUR for a single room)
• Class IV – Double rooms in three-star hotels over 251 PLN (61 EUR), (additional fee for a single room).
3. Festival package includes:accommodation, breakfast and dinner during the time of the Festival
• guidance during whole stay
• participation in all events related to the Festival
• guide services for Festival events.
4. To guarantee the rates listed above, reservations must be made through the Festival Organizers for registered Festival participants only.

May 31, 2015

deadline for sending entry forms with the registration fee

July 15, 2015

deadline for first payment for room and board – 50%

September 1, 2015

deadline for final payment for room and board

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