REGULATIONS OF THE COMPETITION

 3 - 7 September 2008, 12th edition

 International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music is organized by the Art Institute in Kracow.

1. The competition is divided into three categories:
- soloists,
- duos,
- trios, quartets, quintets and sextets.
The competition is open to soloists and groups of different instruments, as well as vocalists. The participants have to be less than 30 years old on the first day of the Competition.

2. The number of participants is limited.

3. The Jury qualifies the participants on the basis of the submitted applications with recorded two pieces of music mentioned in section 4 of these Regulations.

4. The candidates submit:
- application form,
- the participant's profile  and the repertoire being presented on competition,
- a set  of legible scores of pieces to be performed,

- photograph of the participant,
- the proof of winning a prize at other competitions or festivals (optionally),
- original performances of two pieces of music (one Polish piece obligatory) recorded on an audio tape or CD. The obligation to send recordings of the mentioned two pieces does not concern laureates of previous editions of the International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in Kracow.

5. The deadline for sending applications is 15 July every year.  

6. On request from the participants, the Institute of Art will help (within its capabilities) with providing scores of Polish music qualified for the competition.

7. Changes in the competition programme (in relation to the submitted records) are acceptable (see: Item 5), provided that it is indicated in the application and that the pieces of music to be performed during the competition meet the competition's requirements (see Item 15).

8. The competition auditions are open to the public.

- competition participants have to agree to the schedule of rehearsals and auditions specified by the organisers,

- the organiser shall not be held responsible for instruments belonging to the competition participants,

- the organisers shall provide instruments (piano and selected percussion instruments) and rooms for practising during auditions.

9. The participants will be judged by an international jury consisting of distinguished musicians and scholars. Decisions of the jury are irrevocable. The chairman of the Jury only may decide about any changes to these regulations.

10. The music may be performed from scores.

11. The competition auditions are divided into two stages. At the first stage the Jury selects the group of finalists and winners in each category and it awards the Marek Stachowski Special Award for the best performance of work written by a Polish composer and Special Award for the best performance of work written by a Dutch composer. At the second stage the Jury selects the Grand Prix winner from among the finalists of first prizes in each category.

12. Total time of the performance during audition must not exceed 20 minutes (fragments of music pieces are acceptable).

The Jury has the right to listen to a part of the programme only. The Jury may request the participants to repeat their performances at a time appointed by the Jury, not later than on the last day of the auditions.

13. The main prize of the competition is Grand Prix - PLN 35 000 (ca. EUR 9 000*) and a statuette. The Jury also awards prizes for winners in each category (statuettes, diplomas, money) and extra prizes. The Jury awards the Special Prize for the best performance of Polish music - PLN 10 000 (ca. EUR 2 700 EUR*). The Jury awards also the Special Prize for the best performance of music written by a Dutch composer. The amount of this award will be known at a later time. The Jury reserves the right not to award any prizes in justified cases.

14. The winners are obliged to take part in the laureates' concert, which will be held after the last day of auditions after the official prize-giving ceremony. The organizers reserve the right to perform free-of-charge video-acoustic recordings during the competition auditions and the laureates' concert, and to possible recordings made by radio and television stations.

15. The programme of the competition consists of performances of two freely selected pieces of contemporary music written after 1965 in case of foreign composers and after 1945 in case of Polish composers. One piece by a Polish composer is obligatory in the competition programme. Karol Szymanowski's music is acceptable in the competition. Electro-acoustic equipment is acceptable in the competition as well.

This same rules apply to music recorded and sent by the participants together with the application form mentioned in Item 4 above.

16. The Jury reserves the right to request performance of a third, non-obligatory piece, being in accordance with the conditions mentioned above or repetition of a piece submitted to the competition.

17. Laureates of the previous editions of the competition may take part in the competition again, however, provided that they change their programme.

18. The cost of participation in the competition is PLN 100 (ca. EUR* 30) paid by every musician qualified to the competition. Foreign participants will pay the equivalent of 100 PLN in their own currency. The fee covers the qualification costs and postal fees. The fee should be paid within 14 days from the received confirmation of participation in the competition. The organizers guarantee to all participants free accommodation and one free hot meal daily during the competition. The organizers can provide board and accommodation to the accompanying persons provided that they cover all respective expenses. In case of resignation from participation in the competition, no participation-related fees will be refunded.

19. Further information about accommodation, dates of arrival and the working time of the competition office will be provided to the participants in documents supplied to persons and groups qualified to the competition.

We wish all the participants good luck. Have a nice stay in Cracow!

* according to the current exchange rate