Moscow international
music Festival
“WE ARE FOR PEACE!”

dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory

in World War II

as part of Moscow city complex target

youth education programs

 “MOSCOW CHILDREN SING”

XVIII Moscow International Children and Youth Musical Festival (contest)

“MOSCOW SOUNDS”

VIRTUAL FORM OF PARTICIPATION

Dates:

April 26, 2020 - May 25, 2020

print version

1. REGULATIONS

The XVIII Moscow International Children and Youth Music Competition “Moscow Sounds” (virtual form of participation) is held as part of the Moscow International Music Festival “We are for Peace!”, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Competition "Moscow Sounds" - is Russia's largest youth music forum, known far beyond the country. Seventeen of the previous festivals "Moscow Sounds", the first of which has united young musicians in 1990, were a great success. Group of participants, which took part in them, were from Austria, Armenia, the Bahamas, Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Hong Kong, Georgia, Spain, Italy, China, Korea, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, the US, Thailand, Ukraine, France, Estonia, Japan and other countries, dozens of Russian cities.  

The competition “Sounds Moscow” is supported by:

 • Moscow International Union of Musical Figures,

 • All-Russian Choral Society,

 • Union of Composers of Russia,

 • International Choral Federation "CHORUS INSIDE",

 • FGBUK “State Russian House of Folk Art”,

 • Moscow Musical Society,

 • Union of Composers of Moscow,

 • UNESCO Chair “Musical Art and Education Throughout Life” at Moscow State Pedagogical University (IPSU),

 • The single information portal "Music Festivals".

2. Objectives and goals.

• Preservation and enhancement of the cultural and historical heritage of Moscow and Russia.

• Promotion of culture, art, creativity of peoples of Russia in the framework of international cooperation.

• Enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations between children and young people from different countries.

• Solving the urgent problems of spiritual and moral education, the formation of moral values of young people.

• Education of children and young people respect and personal interest in the traditions of the artistic culture of the different countries.

• Mass involvement of children in choral singing.

• Improving children's performing arts.

• Support the functioning children and youth creative collectives, presenting their success at the international level.

• Creation of conditions for creative self-realization of young musicians and their social adaptation in the field of culture.

• Identifying and supporting talented creative youth of Russia and other countries.

3. The organizing committee of the competition

The founder of the competition is the Moscow Department of Education and Science.

 
The direct organizer of the competition is the Center for Creative Development and Musical and Aesthetic Education of Children and Youth “Radost”, the leading institution of the Russian capital in the field of musical and aesthetic education of youth, the operator of the Moscow Department of Education and Science for organizing mass creative events, operator of the Department of Education and Science of the city of Moscow for the implementation of the city’s comprehensive targeted youth education program “Moscow Children Sing”.

4. Festival-contest participants

Children and youth choral, folklore and instrumental (orchestras) groups take part in the Festival.

The competition is open, it involves collectives and pupils of organizations of any departmental affiliation.

Age groups at the contest

I: Junior age group – from 7 to 10 years.

II: Middle-aged group – from 11 to 14 years.

III: Senior age group – from 15 to 18 years.

IV: Youth age group – from 19 to 22 years.

V: from 23 years (without age restriction). (Only for Nominations: Choirs and vocal groups of academic singing style, Competition for the best execution of orthodox music, Competition for the best execution of Catholic music, National (folk) choirs and vocal groups.)

Note: mixed groups are allowed to perform. (15% max)

5. Nominations of the Festival-contest:

1. Choirs and vocal groups of academic singing style (choirs and vocal choral ensembles).

2. Competition for the best execution of orthodox music (choirs and vocal choral ensembles).

3. Competition for the best execution of Catholic music (choirs and vocal choral ensembles).

4. National (folk) choirs and vocal ensembles.

5. Orchestras and chamber orchestras (ensembles) – national, wind band, symphony, variety, composite orchestras.

6. Requirements for the competitive program

For performances in all nominations of the competition, a selection of works is preferred, the content of which corresponds to the themes of the Moscow International Music Festival "We are for Peace!", dedicated to the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Among such works are compositions whose imagery and mood reflect the spirit of wartime, concern contemporary aspects of the problems of war and peace, transmit the memory of the war, and tell about the significance of the Great Victory for the world community. Also recommended works include works dedicated to other significant events of world history, Days of military glory, compositions about the world, friendship, happy childhood, etc. You can include in the program arrangements of orchestra, instrumental, vocal compositions, processing songs of the peoples of the world, relevant to the subject festival "We are for the peace!".

Choirs and vocal groups of academic singing style

The choir is 20 persons.

The vocal choral ensemble is from 12 to 19 persons.

Competitive auditions in all singing nominations are evaluated separately in the following categories:

• class choir,

• school choir,

• collective organization of continuing education,

• music school staff,

• boys’ choir,

• choir of boys and youths,

• Sunday school staff,

• mixed amateur choir,

• female amateur choir,

• male amateur choir,

• professional choir,

• inclusive choir

• family ensemble,

• choral dramatization.

Requirements for the competitive program of participants in the categories “Collective education organization group”, “Music school collective”, “Boys’ choir”, “Boys and youths choir”, “Sunday school collective”, “Mixed amateur choir”, “Female amateur choir”, “Male Amateur Choir”, “Professional Choir”, “Choral Theatricalization”, “Family Ensemble”:

Each collective performs a program consisting of at least 3 (three) works of the participant’s choice. The works should correspond to the theme of the festival “We are for peace!” (See above).

At least one work of the competitive program is performed without musical accompaniment (a cappella).

The total duration of the program is no more than 10 minutes.

Requirements for the competitive program of participants of the categories “Class-choir”, “School choir”, “Inclusive choir”:

Each collective performs a program consisting of at least 2 (two) works of the participant’s choice. The works should correspond to the theme of the festival “We are for peace!” (See above).

The performance of a work without musical accompaniment (a cappella) is welcome, but is not required.

The total duration of the program is no more than 5-7 minutes.

PERFORMING OF THE ORTHODOX MUSIC

(CHORUS AND VOCAL-CHOIR ENSEMBLES)

Each collective member performs a program that includes at least 2 (two) works of the participant’s choice, belonging to the Orthodox singing tradition.

The total duration of the program is no more than 7 minutes.

I age group: at least one piece without musical accompaniment (a cappella) is welcomed.

II age group: the performance of at least one work without musical accompaniment (a cappella) is required.

III, IV and V age groups: the entire program is performed without musical accompaniment (a cappella).

PERFORMING OF CATHOLIC MUSIC

(CHORUS AND VOCAL-CHOIR ENSEMBLES)

Each participating group performs a program that includes at least 2 (two) works of the participant’s choice, belonging to the Catholic singing tradition.

The total duration of the program is no more than 7 minutes.

In age groups II – V, the performance of at least one piece without musical accompaniment (a cappella) is encouraged.

Russian groups can take part in the competition for the best performance of Catholic music only after attending competition for the best performing of orthodox music.

NATIONAL (FOLK) CHOIRS

(FOLK CHOIRS AND FOLKLORE ENSEMBLES)

The nomination participants are folk choirs and folklore ensembles focused on both ethnographic and stage reading of song material, folk song and dance ensembles, folklore ensembles of small compositions.

Each collective performs a program consisting of at least 3 (three) compositions different in character. The works should correspond to the theme of the festival “We are for peace!” (See above).

The total duration of the program is no more than 10 minutes.

I age group: the performance of a work without musical accompaniment (a cappella) is welcome, but is not required.

II – V age groups: obligatory performance without musical accompaniment (a cappella) of a lyrical or ceremonial two- or three-voice song with elements of variation, as well as the performance of songs with movements.

ORCHESTRAS AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS AND ENSEMBLES

Each collective performs a program consisting of at least 3 (three) compositions different in character.

The program may include:

• the work (or arrangement) of the classic composer or the composition of a modern composer;

• a work (or arrangement) of symphonic, jazz or pop music;

• processing (arranging, instrumentation) of a folk song or dance;

• a large form or accompaniment to a soloist - instrumentalist or vocalist.

The works should correspond to the theme of the festival “We are for peace!” (See above).

The total duration of the performance of one collective, taking into account the seating and tuning the sound of the program - no more than 20 minutes.

Orchestra Composition Requirements

• The number of illustrators in the orchestras of organizations of general and additional education, music schools and art schools.

• Must not exceed 20% of the number of team members.

• The number of illustrators in the orchestras of secondary schools should not exceed 10% of the number of participants collective.

• Only one microphone for a soloist is allowed.

• Using a keyboard or grand piano as a part of the orchestra only if it should be considered as a missing orchestra voice.

The committee can provide such instruments for the groups: tubular bells, a big drum, timpani, piano. Also provided are music stands for orchestra and conductor, one microphone for a soloist. Special requests must be specified in the online application and must be coordinated with the curator of the nomination!

7. Forms of the competition

The competition is held in one stage in virtual form.

8. The Jury

The Festival jury is formed from the number of specialists in the sphere of culture and art in Russia and foreign countries. All of them have outstanding achievements in the sphere of musical performances and pedagogy. Also, the jury includes famous composers and conductors and representatives of world musical public.

9. Criteria for evaluating competitive performance

Winners of the competition are determined by the following criteria:

• compliance of the program with the competition theme,

• depth of disclosure of the imagery of performed works,

• art-shaped solution,

• performing skills,

• complexity and originality of the repertoire.

10. Contest performance rating

Contest groups performances are rated on a 1-10 scale.

Estimation of participants in the II round:

• 10 points: grand prize;

• From 9 to 9,9 points: the winner of the first class;

• From 8 to 8,9 points: the winner of the second class;

• From 7 to 7,9 points: the winner of the third class;

• From 6 to 6,9 points: diploma winner.

Special diplomas are provided.

Collective that participated in the competition and scored less than 6 points receive a Diploma of the participant.

The decision of the jury is not subject to appeal.

Any violation of the rules of the competition entails the loss of points when evaluating the performance of the team.

Foreign and non-resident contestants, as well as virtual contestants, diplomas of winners and participants can be sent by Russian Post.

Attention! Participants from Moscow diplomas of winners and participants are not sent. The diplomas remaining in the Organizing Committee upon completion of all the competition events can be obtained at the Center of Creative Development and Musical Aesthetic Education of Children and Youth “Radost” (22, Mikhalkovskaya St.) by individual agreement with the project coordinators until May 31, 2020.

The festival booklet will be posted electronically on the website of the City comprehensive targeted youth education program “Moscow Children Sing” (http://choirsofmoscow.ru).

Participants from Moscow and the Moscow Region can receive the festival booklet from the Organizing Committee at the Center “Radost” (Mikhalkovskaya St., 22) The festival booklet can be sent to the foreign and nonresident participants by C.O.D. For foreign and nonresident participants who scored from 9 points, the festival booklet will be sent by Russian Post at no extra charge.

The results of the auditions will be announced on the website of the City comprehensive targeted youth education program “Moscow Children Sing” (http://choirsofmoscow.ru) no later than May 31, 2020.

11. The procedure and deadlines for submitting documents for participation in the competition

To participate in the competition, no later than April 25, 2020, you must fill out an online application on the website of the City comprehensive targeted youth education program “Moscow Children Sing” (http://choirsofmoscow.ru).

Acceptance of video recordings of participants no later than May 17, 2020.

When participating in several categories: a separate application must be filled out for each category.

Attention! Filing an application for participation in the competition confirms the consent to the processing by the Organizing Committee of the personal data of the participants.

The information specified in the application will be used in the preparation of diplomas. Acknowledgments of the competition can only be noted by teachers and accompanists indicated in the application.

Feedback from the contest participants will be carried out exclusively by phone and e-mail specified in the application.

For participating collectives to publish in the competition booklet, you must attach to the online application:

• color photo of the team (jpeg, tiff file; at least 3 MB);

• a description of the collective indicating creative achievements for the period from 2017 to 2020 (Word file; text size - 2000 printed characters with spaces);

• color photo of the artistic director of the collective (jpeg, tiff file; at least 3 MB);

• a description of the artistic director with an indication of education, creative achievements for the period from 2017 to 2019 (Word file; text size - 1000 characters with spaces).

12. Requirements for creating a link to the video of participants

Video recording must meet the following requirements:

• the collective members and the conductor should be visible on the video;

• the competition program must be performed in the format of a concert performance, without stops (the use of microphones is allowed);

• within the framework of the competitive program, it is possible to use video recordings of works performed from various concert venues, but recording must be done without turning the camera off and on - from the beginning to the end of the performance (subsequent editing is not allowed);

• Recording should be made no earlier than 2019.

Video recording of the competition must be posted on the YouTube video service (youtube.com).

Videos posted on other Internet services, or sent by e-mail, are not accepted for participation in the competition.

When uploading videos to YouTube, you must specify:

In the "Video Title" field:

- country

- city,

- name and surname of the soloist / name of the collective.

In the Description field:

- the name of the competition: “Moscow Sounds 2020”;

- nomination;

- age of the participant / age range of the team members;

- executable program;

- surname, name, patronymic of the teacher / team leader.

The leaders of choirs, vocal ensembles, orchestras must be provided with a list of members of the collective, which will contain the following data for each participant: first name (full), last name, year of birth, age, full name of the educational institution, class. The list is placed in the online application. Without a list, the application is invalid.

13. Entry fee for participation in the competition

Participating collectives from organizations subordinate to the Department of Education and Science of Moscow and foreign participants take part in the competition for free.

For other participants, the entry fee for participation in the competition is:

• 1000 rubles,

When participating in several nominations, an organizational fee is paid for each nomination.

For participation in the nominations "Performing Orthodox Music" and "Performing Catholic Music" is submitted once.

In case of refusal to participate in the competition, the entry fee is not refundable.

A receipt with details for paying the entry fee can be downloaded on the website of the City comprehensive targeted youth education program “Moscow Children Sing” (http://choirsofmoscow.ru).

Confirmation of payment must be attached to the online application.

Attention!

Sample receipts from previous seasons of the contest are not valid! Corrections in the receipt are not allowed!

Attention!

Speeches of participants who did not send a full package of documents will not be evaluated.

14. Contacts

Festival organizing Committee:

Center of Creative Development and Musical Aesthetic Education of Children and Youth “Radost”

125008, Moscow, Michalkovskaya street, 22

Tel: +7 (499) 154-5003

E-mail of Festival Organizing Committee:

ms@choirsofmoscow.ru

Nominations coordinators:

Academic Choral Singing –

Galiya BUKAEVA  g.bukaeva@radost-moscow.ru

National (folk) choirs singing –

Olesya KARASEVA olesyadnx@mail.ru

Orchestras and chamber orchestras (ensembles) –

Dmitriy BAZANOV dmitrii_bazanov@mail.ru

Choirs and ensembles of academic style of singing –

Galiya BUKAEVA  g.bukaeva@radost-moscow.ru