Competition Rules 2024 E.G.P.
ARTICLES IN COMMON TO ALL THE E.G.P COMPETITIONS
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Article 1
The European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP) is organised by the following six international choir competitions: AREZZO (Italy) – DEBRECEN (Hungary) – MARIBOR (Slovenia) – TOLOSA (Spain / Basque Country) – TOURS (France) – VARNA (Bulgaria).
Article 2
It takes place every year in turn in each of the six cities above mentioned, the date being arranged by the organizer.
Article 3
Can take part in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing the choirs who won the Grand Prix in any of the six contests the year before. Under exceptional circumstances, a substitute choir may be called.
As soon as a choir has been qualified by one of the Competition members, it can not be qualified again.
Article 4
These choirs must perform in the same group/category as in the contest they won (mixed choir or female choir…).
Article 5
All the choirs who take part in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing must participate with the same number of choristers that they had for the qualification contest. However, a margin of 10% more or less of this number of choristers is allowed (enlarged to the nearest integer, decimals from 1 to 5 go down and from 6 to 9 go up) with a minimum of 12 choristers and a maximum of 50 choristers. If these limits are not respected, the choir will be automatically disqualified.
Article 6
It is reminded that only Amateur choirs may take part in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
Article 7
The program is up to the choirmaster. However, it cannot be devoted to one composer only. It should include various works throughout times and styles. Each choir will present a free programme lasting a minimum of 22 minutes and a maximum of 26 calculated net of breaks between one song and another. If these margins are not respected the choir will be punished by deduction of points (up to 1 minute – 1 point, up to 2 minutes – 2 points …).
Instrumental accompaniment should not exceed ten minutes.
Article 8
The winning choir is granted the appellation of Winner of the “European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – 2024”. It will be awarded a diploma and a Trophy and may be offered a prize, the amount of which is defined by the host contest.
The “Festival des Choeurs Lauréats” (partner of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing) will offer him:
– An invitation to perform some concerts in the surroundings of Vaison-la-Romaine in Provence (France)
– An important indemnity for these concerts which will be stated by the“Festival des Choeurs Lauréats” (Festival of Winner Choirs)
– Travel expenses to be determined together by the winning choir and the Festival
– The Festival will provide all accommodation, meal and a part of travelexpenses at Vaison la Romaine and in the surroundings.
The competing choirs will be awarded a smaller copy of the trophy and a diploma that will mention them as finalist of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. Except the winner there will not be any ranking.
Article 9
The winning choir can not be nominated in two years by any of the contests organized by the cities mentioned in article 1 following the competition it won.
Article 10
Except case of force circumstances, a choir that refuses to take part in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing will be banned from any of the six contests organised by the cities mentioned in article 1 following the European Grand Prix that he did not take part in.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
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Article 11
The 2024 E.G.P. choral singing competition will take place on Saturday evening, September 14th in Festival and Congress Centre (Varna, Bulgaria).
The E.G.P. Competition is open to choirs that have won the Competitions in AREZZO, MARIBOR, TOLOSA, and VARNA in 2023.
If any choir refuses to take part, the substituting choir selected by the same contest will be called out.
The selected choirs will have to answer as soon as possible about accommodation facilities, programme, etc… so as to help with practical organizing.
Article 12
The organiser of the EGP finale 2024 will proclaim only one winner. The other choirs will not be ranked, but will be proclaimed as EGP finalists. The winning choir will be awarded a diploma, a Trophy and 2000 Euros.
Article 13
About the musical programme (see article 7) at least one work in the programme has to be by a Bulgarian composer.
Each ensemble will be allowed to rehearse on the stage on Saturday, 14th September in the morning (30 minutes maximum for each choir), according to a schedule prepared by the Organizers.
Article 14
a) The Organizers cover the expenses of the choirs taking part in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, for their stay during the competition period – accommodation and food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from 14:00 p.m. on September 13, 2024 till 09:00 a.m. on September 15, 2024.
b) The choristers, the choir conductor, one accompanist and one or two drivers (if the choir travels by bus) will get free accommodation and meals following the above-mentioned
c) Participants have free accommodation in a hotel offered by the Organizers. In case the choir would prefer to stay in different hotel the organizers will cover the accommodation costs in the amount of the proposed hotel by the Organizer. The choir has to pay the additional costs.
e) The Organizers provide local bus transportation from the place of accommodation to the concert venue during the whole event for the participants who do not have their own bus.
f) Arrival to Varna, Bulgaria and departure from Varna, Bulgaria are at the participants’ expense.
Article 15
The participants are obligated to be present from 14 September 2024, 09.00 until the end of Prize giving Ceremony on 14 September 2024, 22.00.
Article 16
All competition performances take place in front of an audience. A Commission appointed by the Organizer decides the order of the choirs’ appearance through drawing lots.
An International Jury makes the evaluation of the choirs’ performances. Its decisions are final and irrevocable.
Article 17
The participating choirs have to provide their rights for broadcasting their live and recorded performances (including for radio and TV), presented during the competition. The performers are not paid for any of the recordings, made during the competition. The scores submitted by the participating choirs shall not be given back and shall remain for the archive of the Competition.
Article 18
The Organizers can organise additional concerts in Varna if the participants express such a wish. In such case, the Organizer has to be informed at least 2 months before the date of the Competition.