Director: Mrs. Venera Janjgava International choir contest “GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT” – it is one of the biggest international choir competitive festivals in the world for professional and amateur nonprofit choirs. Each year, the festival attracts a large number of choirs and transforms the Spanish coast of Costa Brava into the hub of the singing world. The emotional opening of the contest and a memorable final concert will be a highlight of this grand event for all the choirs and singers. In addition to the professional competition, choirs have the opportunity to perform in the basilica of the Montserrat monastic complex, alongside the world-famous choir of boys, “Escolania”. The contestants are evaluated by a professional international jury according to expert evaluation criteria. This choirs festival&contest is filled with friendly gatherings, masterclasses by the conductors of top world choirs, round tables, specialized training, final rehearsals, leader reveals, and a memorable flash mob on one of the most beautiful Mediterranean coasts near the town hall of Lloret de Mar. We give our priority to learning and sharing experiences. At this contest a big attention is paid to the educational program. The event includes master classes, workshops, rehearsals of joint numbers with foreign specialists with world names, whom we invite to upgrade the skills of the contestants and additional qualification of teachers. Teachers who have completed the master classes receive a certificate on a stamped paper of the Kingdom of Spain with individual numbers. A unique audio track is created each year specifically for the contest of choirs, and upon arrival, choirs will participate in a joint recording. The final concert of the festival will be a fitting conclusion to this grand event, as the singing itself becomes the crowning moment when thousands of voices come together in harmony. All of our programs consist of two parts: There are two options for participating in "GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT": 1. Competitive Participation: This option allows choirs to take part in the competitive segment of the competition, where they will be evaluated by the jury, compete with other choirs, and have a chance to win awards and recognition. 2. Non-Competitive Participation: In this option, choirs can participate in all concerts and events without being part of the competitive aspect. They will still receive diplomas of participation and recommendations from the jury members. Why is it worth participating in this contest: one of the biggest choir’s event; not just rare, but the only opportunity to perform in the most famous Catholic church in Europe in the basilica of the Montserrat monastery. Now this is real!; participation in competitions of this magnitude – a great motivation for children and adults to develop their talents and improve themselves; bright opening and closing ceremonies; evaluation system, which guarantees the highest quality of judging; Full board (buffet: breakfast, lunch, dinner + drinks); official international numbered certificates with the results of the contest are given not only the choirs, but each individual participant is also given a personalized certificate; team heads and sponsors are given personalized thank-you letters on the official numbered letterhead of the kingdom of Spain; each choir is given a personalized certificate for its contribution into the cultural international progress in the form of engraving on a special base; possibility of solo performances. Categories: A) CHILDREN’S CHOIRS and YOUTH CHOIRS. The performance program may be of the choir's choice and should include at least two different musical styles or time periods.At least one of the pieces must be performed a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment). А1 CHILDREN’S CHOIRS Age groups: 7-16 Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -16 A2 – YOUTH CHOIRS OF EQUAL VOICES Age groups: 16-25 Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -16 A3 –YOUTH CHOIRS OF MIXED VOICES Age groups: 16-25 Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -16 B) Vocal Ensembles and Chamber Choirs. The performance program may be of the choir's choice and should include at least two different musical styles or time periods.At least one of the pieces must be performed a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment). Age groups: 1st - 7-10 years old 2nd 11-14 years old 3rd 15-18 years old 4th 18-25 years old 5th above 25 years old 6th Mixed Age Group (participants from various age categories) Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -3 Maximum Number of Singers -16 C) Adult Choirs. The performance program may be of the choir's choice and should include at least two different musical styles or time periods.At least one of the pieces must be performed a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment). С1 - Female Choirs Age groups: 18 and over Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -17 С2 - Male Choirs Age groups: 18 and over Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -17 С3 - Mixed Choirs Age groups: 18 and over Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Minimum Number of Singers -17 D) World Sacred Music. Participants can present choral arrangements and ritual music from Christian Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and many other traditions. This may also include religious melodies and hymns, prayers, spiritual songs, and ceremonial music. The performance program may be of the choir's choice Age groups: no age restrictions Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Number of Singers no restrictions E) Folklore Ensembles perform typical for their country program – compositions which represent vocal traditions of their country. Correspondent choreography and stage performance are also possible. It’s advisable to sing in traditional costumes. In case if there is no music notation, please prepare a short description of the program in English. The performance program may be of the choir's choice Age groups: no age restrictions Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Number of Singers no restrictions F) Pop – jazz – gospel. The performance program may be of the choir's choice. Performances may include pieces with instrumental accompaniment, phonograms or a cappella Age groups: no age restrictions Singing time: maximum 15 minutes Number of Singers no restrictions Conditions for participation: Competition performance: 1) The competition takes place at the Municipal Theater of Lloret de Mar. 2) For performances, the organizer provides a Yamaha Arius YDP 143 piano with 88 keys and two organ functions. Additionally, a grand piano is available (subject to availability on the day of the competition). The organizer can also provide 6 Condenser microphones, 4 Wireless microphones, and 2 Headset microphones. If the choir requires any additional equipment, musical instruments, or anything else, they must bring it with them or request it from the organizing committee for an additional fee. 3) SINGING TIME: In all categories, the time limit for clean singing is 15 minutes (minimum 7 minutes). This does not include applause and stage time. The exact duration of each piece must be correctly indicated on the Program Confirmation form that we will send you 30 days before the contest. 4) In those categories where a phonogram is used for performances, please send the phonogram in MP3 format to the specified e-mail address together with the confirmation form. 5) Please ensure you bring 5 copies of the sheet music for each musical composition to be performed. Scores without titles or composer names printed in the Roman alphabet must have a transcription in Roman characters One copy of the score will be retained by the organizer after the competition. The remaining scores can be collected from the organizer after the awards ceremony. Each participating choir is responsible for respecting copyright and performance rights for the songs during the competition. The use of unauthorized or reproduced copies is strictly prohibited. Performance in Montserrat 1.Only choirs preparing a single a cappella musical composition are permitted to perform in Montserrat. 2.All girls and women must ensure their shoulders are covered while performing at the Montserrat monastery. 3.Repertoire for performances in the Basilica of Montserrat must be appropriate for the venue. 4.Participation in the concert is optional; participants may choose not to perform in the Montserrat concert. However, they are welcome to join the Montserrat tour, participate in group photos with all choirs, and attend the concert. AGREEMENT: With the application, all participating choirs agree to photography, recordings and broadcasts in sound or television as well as any other recordings made in conjunction with the contest “GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT” "Creative Festival Evening - Friendship Meetup Night - Disco, Battles, Open Mic" “Creative Festival Evening - Friendship Meetup Night - Disco, Battles, Open Mic” is designed for creative exchange and interaction between participants from different countries. All participants are invited to present their performances and show their skills in a friendly and fun atmosphere. For “Creative Festival Evening - Friendship Meetup Night - Disco, Battles, Open Mic” you can prepare one number to be performed together or in separate groups. It can be an a cappella performance, songs with instrumental accompaniment or with a phonogram. The participants' performance at the evening is optional. Jury and judging criteria: The jury of the contest is formed of the most important cultural workers of Spain, France, Canada and other countries of the Eastern Europe and Asia. International jury is formed by the contest’s providers. 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. Judging criteria 1-Technical Proficiency: This criterion assesses the quality of performance, pitch accuracy, intonation, diction, rhythmic precision, breath control, and other technical aspects. 2-Interpretation: It evaluates the choir's ability to convey emotions and ideas of the musical composition, expressiveness, artistry, depth, and insight into the musical work. 3-Musicianship: This criterion focuses on the choir's musical understanding and expressiveness, their ability to work in unity, maintain tempo and dynamics, and use dynamic nuances effectively. 4-Repertoire: The evaluation includes the selection and diversity of musical repertoire, the complexity of the pieces chosen, and how well the choir adapts to different styles and genres. 5-Ensemble Interaction: This criterion assesses the unity and coordination of the choir during performance, their ability to listen to each other, synchronize movements, and interact with the conductor. 6-Accuracy of Interpretation: It evaluates how well the choir follows the provided scores and accurately interprets the musical notations. 7-Overall Impression: It encompasses the overall assessment of the choir's performance, their level of professionalism, originality, and uniqueness. Awards: The jury evaluates the participants on 100-point scale. Regarding the genres of performing and categories 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 “GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT”. Each choir is given a personalized certificate in the form of engraving on a special base for its contribution into the cultural international relations. Each team head and sponsor will be given a personalized thank-you letter on the official numbered letterhead of the kingdom of Spain. Special trophy cups are provided for the winners. Program: 1st day: check-in to a hotel from 14:00 pm; dinner; meeting with the organizers of the contest; presentation of the excursion programs; rehearsal (on request); 2nd day: 8:00 – breakfast; 12:30 – lunch; 14:00 – rehearsal; 15:30 – beginning of the contest concert; 20:00 – dinner. Creative Festival Evening - Friendship Meetup Night - Disco, Battles, Open Mic" 3rd day: 08:00 – breakfast; 09:00 – possible organization of friendly concerts and master classes; 13:00 – Lunch at the hotel; 18:30 – Gala concert in the main square of the city. Thousands of visitors gather to see this spectacular show of choirs; 21:00 – Dinner at the hotel. 4th day: 08:00 – breakfast; 09:00 – travel to the basilica of a monastic complex of Montserrat; – Performance at the Basilica of Montserrat for the thousands of viewers and visitors; – Return to the hotel; 20:00 – dinner; 21:00 – possibility to visit flamenco show with wine, sangria, cava and drinks (for additional fee). 5th day: breakfast; check out from the hotel at 10:00. 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*** Three-star hotel with full board accommodation in a triple room €335 /a person – extra day €41/a person accommodation in a double room €355 /a person – extra day €53/a person accommodation in a single room €405 /a person – extra day €63/a person Hotel 4**** Four-star hotel with full board accommodation in a triple room €360 /a person – extra day €53/a person accommodation in a double room €390 /a person – extra day €65/a person accommodation in a single room €433 /a person – extra day €79/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. Participation fee includes: 5 days and 4 nights in a three-star hotel or in four-star hotel; full board, buffet (breakfast, lunch, dinner)+ drinks; three concerts: competitive viewing, performance of choirs in Montserrat Gala Concert with award ceremony; certificates and trophy cups from the contest providers; special thank-you certificates in the form of engraving on a special base from the town authorities; thank-you letters for conductors and sponsors on the official numbered letterheads of the kingdom of Spain; Consolidated rehearsals of choirs with foreign choirmasters; Master classes; festival fee; visas support; performance of choirs in Montserrat “Creative Festival Evening - Friendship Meetup Night - Disco, Battles, Open Mic”; Live streaming of the contest viewings and Gala concerts on YouTube. PERFORMANCE IN MONTSERRAT *Participants who want to perform at Montserrat pay for the transfer to the place of performance, which also includes an excursion - 27 euro per person ADDITIONAL FEES -For participation in the additional nomination of groups - an additional fee of 275 euros per group. - Each participant in the group may request a personalized diploma for an additional fee (before the start of the competition). FREE PLACES Each 25th group’s participant gets a pack of our services for free!* Attention: We can provide you with a transfer from airports and train stations to the hotel and back. Ask our managers for the price: info@fiestalonia.net Attention: Check out from the hotel at 10:00. Additional services: Original pictures from the contest, gala concert and the award ceremony on a CD/flash drive; Photo services during the trips/excursions. Photoshoots for groups and soloists; Concertmaster; Hair stylist (Make up and hairstyle); Master classes from the Spanish art workers; Assisting Translator. (accompanying person); Video shooting of a contest/gala concert. Additional Travel services Airport transfers to the hotel or any transportation services. Hotel reservation in Barcelona Excursions Barcelona city sightseeing tour + The Spanish Village or Aquarium Montserrat Girona + museum of Salvador Dali Port Aventura - entertainment Park complex Tossa de Mar (city-fortress)! Flamenco show with dinner and drinks *All the extra services are provided on demand. They should be requested minimum 3 days before the beginning of the contest. The prices of the extra services are to be specified from our managers. Extra trips Barcelona city sightseeing tour + The Spanish Village or Aquarium Girona + museum of Salvador Dali Port Aventura Tossa de Mar (city-fortress)! Chivalrous tournament with dinner and drinks Flamenco show with dinner and drinks 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.