Director: Mrs. Venera Janjgava This contest invites for the participation: Vocal studios and choirs, choreographic groups and individual dancers, orchestras and instrumental groups, theaters artists and designer as well as individual performers – soloist International contest “SUN OF ITALY” is a festival of various genres, designed to help participants discover their true artistic selves while enjoying an unforgettable vacation in the sun-kissed country of Italy. After days of rigorous training and rehearsals, artists finally get the chance to showcase their artistic prowess on the international stage. The contestants are evaluated by a professional international jury according to expert evaluation criteria. The festival-contest “Sun of Italy” is not only a platform to exhibit one’s talent, but also an opportunity to forge new friendships, unwind from the daily hustle, and bask in an unforgettable celebratory ambiance. If you want to participate in the International contest but don’t have the means, then hurry to search for sponsor in your region. Such an opportunity may come once in a lifetime. Participating in this festival-contest promises to be an enriching experience, where artists can acquire invaluable skills and memories that will last a lifetime. All of our programs consist of two parts: 1. Participation in the competition and festival 2. Participation in the Festival without competing in the competition*. * For those who don’t want to participate in the competitive program, but wish to participate in the festival. They will still participate in the other festival activities including: joint rehearsals, workshops and master classes, where they receive advice and an official certificate from the renowned international experts during a brief discussion in an open and friendly atmosphere. Non competing participants will also perform at international friendship concerts combining different kinds of art. Communication with other participants, an open exchange of experience as well as a lot of master classes with internationally recognized experts, will certainly bring you to a whole new level of creativity! Categories: GROUP (А) – choreographic groups and soloists: I category: classic ballet; II category: folk dance, folk stylized dance, ethnic dance; III category: ballroom dance; IV category: sport dance (hip hop, disco, techno, street, electric boogie, break dance, pop locking and other street styles); V category: modern dance (jazz modern, neoclassic etc.); VI category: variety dance; VII category: social dance (Argentine Tango, balboa, bachata, boogie, waltz, West Coast swing, zouk, Irish set dancing, country music, kizomba, lindy hop, machine, merengue, reggaeton, rueda, salsa, samba de gafieira, Semba, forró, hustle, and others). GROUP (B) – instrumental groups and soloists: I category: percussion instruments’ ensembles; II category: guitarists’ ensembles; III category: jazz style ensembles; IV category: chamber orchestras; V category: symphony orchestras; VI category: accordion and button accordion players’ orchestras; VII category: folk orchestra ensembles; VIII category: soloists and piano ensembles (programs for a one piano). GROUP (С) – singing (choirs, musicals, ensembles, duets, trios, soloists): I category: academic singing; II category: jazz singing; III category: rock and rap; IV category: folk singing; V category: pop singing; VI category: musicals GROUP (D) – artists and authors of the decorative and applied arts’ products, fashion theaters: I category: fashion theaters; II category: students of art schools and child art schools; III category: students of art colleges, academies and institutes; IV category: young professional artists; V category: photo and video works (photo workshops, photo exhibitions, studios, authors). GROUP (E) – Original genre*: I category: circus, clownery, acrobatics, original gymnastics, juggling; II category: illusion; III category: pantomime, variety miniature, theatre miniature; IV category: art of speaking word, readers. *Air, fire and animal acts are prohibited. Age groups of the participants: I) younger than 9 years old II ) 10-12 years III) 13-15 years IV) 16-19 years V) 20-25 years VI) from 26 years VII) Mixed age group Mixta ESTIMATION OF AGE For DUO/TRIO/QUARTET – the group age is calculated from the oldest participant’s age. For ensembles, groups of 5 or more people and choirs, the age is calculated based on the average age of the group. Terms of participation in nominations for groups a, b, c, e: Each contestant (solo/duet/trio/quartet/group) presents one number; Solo 02:00 – 03:00 minutes (for Groups A), 01:00 – 05:00 minutes (for Groups B, C, E); Duo/Trio/Quartet 03:00 – 04:00 minutes (for Groups A), 01:00 – 05:00 (for Groups B, C, E); Group/Formation 04:00 – 05:00 minutes (for Groups A), 01:00 – 05:00 minutes (for Groups B, C, E); Timing starts from the beginning of the number and ends with the end of the number. There is a time limit of 5 seconds for entering the stage, bowing and going backstage. If number exceeds the time limit, the score will be reduced by 10 points; You may present more than one number. If you wish to submit more than one number, please write about it in the “Additional information” column in the entry form; All songs must be recorded on a USB flash drive. Only the following audio formats will be accepted: MP3, WAV, AIFF; In the application form, please specify whether you need a breakdown of numbers or whether the work will be performed in one block; It is obligatory to specify in the application soloists, duets, and small forms of three to five people; Both groups and soloists are prohibited to use plus phonograms during the competition performances. Technical requirements in nomination for group d: Each participant must submit no more than 2 competitive works, format no more than A3; The subjects and techniques of performances are various Jury and evaluation criteria: The jury of the contest is formed of the most important choreographers and cultural workers of Spain, France, Canada and other countries of the Eastern Europe and Asia. International jury is formed by the contest’s providers. Participation in the gala concert isn’t guaranteed for everyone and is confirmed due to the results of the previous shows according to the consolidated legislative decision of the contest providers and the judges. The jury has the right: not to award all the prizes; to share prize among performers; to award special prizes to teachers for outstanding achievements; to make a decision about breaking a performance which exceeds the bounds of the regulations; the jury evaluates the participants on one hundred-point system, the final result is made up of the average quantity of the received scores and the average value of the progress scores; the jury’s decisions are final and are not subject to review. Evaluation criteria: GROUP (А) – choreographic groups and soloists – mastery – technique of movements’ execution; – compositional creation of the performance; – suitability for the theatre (flexibility, costume, properties, performing standards); – choice and correspondence of the musical and choreographic materials; – artistic skills, disclosure of an artistic image. GROUP (B) – instrumental groups and soloists – degree of the complexity of the repertoire; – degree of virtuosity and technical capability; – scenic culture, artistic skill, posture. GROUP (С) – singing (choirs, ensembles, duets, trios, soloists) – purity of the intonation and quality of sound; – beauty of the timbre and the voice strength; – scenic culture, artistic skill – Mastery – technique of movements’ execution GROUP (D) – artists and authors of the decorative and applied arts’ products, fashion theaters – author’s creative personality and mastery; – composition methods skill – skills in the technique the work is done; – uniqueness of the idea and execution; – colour solution. GROUP (E) – Original genre – level of preparation and mastery; – suitability for the theatre (flexibility, costume, properties, performing standards); – artistic mounting of the program. Prizes: The jury evaluates the participants on 100-point scale. Regarding the genres of performing and nominations the awards are distributed due to seven age groups participants who received up to 70 points become diploma holders; participants who received from 70 to 79 points – laureates of the third degree; participants who received from 80 to 89 points become laureates of the second degree; participants who received from 90 to 99 points become laureates of the first degree; participants who received 100 points become winners of the Grand prize of the contest “Sun of Italy”. Grand Prix winners receive a big cup and diplomas (one for each group/quartet/trio/duo/solo), as well as medals (for each contestant); First place winners receive a standard trophy and diplomas (one per group/quartet/trio/duo/solo) and medals (for each contestant); Second and third place winners receive diplomas (one for each group/quartet/trio/duo/solo) and medals (for each contestant); All contestants receive diplomas with their results (one for each composition/group/quartet/trio/duet/solo), as well as medals (for each contestant). *Groups of 5 people or more, receive a special engraving from the city authorities. *Each leader and sponsor of the group receives a letter of thanks on stamped paper of the Kingdom of Spain. *Each contestant in the group can request a personal diploma for an additional fee (before the competition). Program: 1st day: – check in to a hotel; (from 14:00) – meeting with the organizers of the contest; – registration of the participants, presentation of the excursion programs; 20:00 – dinner. 2nd day: 8:00 – breakfast; 10:00 – rehearsal; 14:00 – competition; 21:00 – dinner. 3rd day: 8:00 – breakfast; 14:00 – rehearsal; 20:00 – dinner; 21:00 – gala concert and rewarding. 4th day: 8:00 – breakfast; – check out from the hotel at 10:00. ATTENTION! Organizers have opportunity to modify the program. ATTENTION! We can provide you with a transfer from airports and train stations to the hotel and back. Ask our managers for the price INCREASE the number of days of your stay and we will organize an excellent excursion program for you! The price of additional days is indicated in the “price” section. For detailed information on excursion programs, you can check with our managers by mail BOOK an excursion program in advance, ask our managers for details about our excursion offer * If you miss the lunch due to excursions or performances you have to ask for dry rations at the reception of your hotel the day before. Participation fee: Hotel 3*** accommodation in a triple room €276 /a person – extra day €50/a person accommodation in a double room €306 /a person – extra day €57/a person accommodation in a single room €414 /a person – extra day €93/a person * All the rooms in these hotels are reserved as the applications for participation and payment are received. After these hotels are fully booked, you may be offered alternative options for hotels at higher prices. Don’t miss the opportunity and arrange the trip now! ATTENTION: Price does not include tourist tax. Tourist tax is paid directly by the client directly to the hotel at check in. Additional fees: Soloists pay 70 Euros extra. Duets pay 60 euros per duo. Small forms of 3-5 people pay 50 euros per group. For each additional nomination for soloists, duets, small groups up to 10 people – surcharge 25 euros/person. For participation in the additional nomination for groups of 11 persons and more – surcharge 275 euros per group Participation fee includes: 4 days and 3 nights in a three-star hotel; half board, buffet (breakfast and dinner) + water; two concerts: competitive viewing; Gala Concert with award ceremony; certificates and trophy cups from the contest providers; medals; thank-you letters for professors and sponsors (included 2 letters); festival fee; Live streaming of the contest viewings and Gala concerts on YouTube. ATTENTION: For accompany who do not perform and do not take part in workshops – a 10% discount is given on the package price. Each 25th group’s participant gets a pack of our services for free!* Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.