1. GENERAL CONDITIONS

  1. The 2nd ROMANO GANDOLFI International Choral Conducting Competition (the Competition) is organized with the aim of spreading choral culture, helping the talented conductors of the next generation to start an international career, bridging the gap between training and professional activity.
  2. The Competition is organised by AERCO, Associazione Emiliano-Romagnola Cori, in collaboration with the Associazione Favorita del Re-Centro Studi Romano Gandolfi, the Municipality of Medesano, the University of Parma, and with the patronage of FENIARCO, ANDCI, the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipality of Parma.
  3. The Competition will take place from 26 to 28 November 2021 at the Sala Civica ‘R. Gandolfi’ in Medesano, the Aula Magna of the University of Parma and the Auditorium del Carmine in Parma.
  4. The official language of the competition is English.

2. PARTICIPANTS

  1.  The competition is open to choral conductors, students or graduates in Italy and abroad, born between 1 January 1981 and 25 November 2003.

3. REGISTRATION

  1. To register, you need to fill in an online form, available at https://bit.ly/2EMoqbl.
  2. The competition entry form must be accompanied by:
    a) A current passport photo in digital format.
    b) A scan of an identity document showing the date of birth of the competitor.
    c) Curriculum Vitae of the candidate indicating the artistic activity undertaken and the studies achieved.
  3. If still a student, a letter of introduction of the candidate from the Director of the musical institution attended is welcome.
  4. Transmission of the completed competition entry form is considered acceptance of these competition rules.
  5. The deadline for submitting entry forms for the competition is 30 August 2021.

4. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Candidates will be selected by a committee composed of members of AERCO’s Artistic Commission, on the basis of the applications received, including all the documents required by the Competition Rules. The curriculum vitae submitted shall be the relevant element for selection.
  2. A maximum of 16 candidates will be admitted to the first phase of the competition.
  3. The committee may establish a list of candidates ‘on the waiting list’.
  4. The list of candidates admitted to the first phase of the Competition will be published on the websites www.choralconductorcompetition.eu and www.aerco.it by 15 September 2021. Admitted candidates will receive, by 20 September 2021, a written notification from the Organisation.

V. COSTS

1.Candidates admitted to the Competition will be required to pay an entry fee of €50 (non-refundable) by 30 September 2021.
Payment to be made by:
Bank transfer
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank
IBAN: IT27N0306902480074000010812
SWIFT / BIC: BCITITMM
Reason for payment: Registration for the Romano Gandolfi International Conducting Competition – ‘your name’.
PayPal
AERCO’s PayPal account: ufficio@aerco.emr.it
Reason for payment: Registration for the Romano Gandolfi International Conducting Competition – ‘your name’.
2.Failure to pay the registration fee by 30 September 2021 will be considered as the candidate’s decision not to participate in the Competition.
3.The Organisation will provide, at its own expense, accommodation and breakfast (4 days from the evening of 25 November to the morning of 29 November) for competitors taking part in the Competition.
4.The organisation will not reimburse participants’ travel expenses.
5.Any accompanying persons will pay their own accommodation costs in Parma.

VI. PHASES OF THE COMPETITION

The Competition will be composed of three stages, during which the participants will be evaluated on the basis of their work.

PHASE 1

26 November 2021 – ELIMINATORY – 16 competitors

A. concertation, for a maximum duration of 7 minutes, of a piece chosen by lot on the evening of Thursday 25 November from among seven available. The final performance of the piece itself is not compulsory. Workshop Choir: Male Choir ‘Storie dai Monti’ of Parma.

B. performance, without the possibility of concertation, of one of eight pieces chosen by lot at the time. Workshop Choir: ‘I Madrigalisti di AERCO’.

The order in which the conductors will perform will be drawn on the evening of Thursday 25 November.
The 8 participants with the highest score in Phase I will be admitted to Phase II.

PHASE II

27 November 2021 – SEMIFINALS – 8 competitors

A. concertation and performance of a piece chosen by lot from six available pieces on the evening of Friday 26 November. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 15 minutes. Workshop Choir: Paer Choir of Colorno.

b. concertation and performance of a piece chosen by lot, on the evening of Friday 26 November, among nine available. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 10 minutes. Workshop Choir: ‘Aurora’ Children’s Choir of Mirandola.

The order in which the conductors will perform will be drawn on the evening of Friday 26 November.
The 5 participants with the highest score in Phase II will be admitted to Phase III.

PHASE III

28 November 2021 – FINALS – 5 competitors (tests A and B); 3 competitors (test C)

A. concertation and performance of two pieces of Gregorian chant chosen by lot from eight proposed pieces. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 15 minutes. Workshop Choir: ‘I Cantori Gregoriani’.

B. concertation and performance of a piece chosen by lot at the time and not repeatable, from among 5 proposed pieces. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 20 minutes. Workshop Choir: ‘Corul Madrigal’ (Romania).

C. performance in public concert of a piece drawn by lot at the moment and not repeatable, among 3 proposed. Workshop Choir: ‘Corul Madrigal’ (Romania).

The order of performance of the conductors for rehearsals A and B will be drawn on the evening of Saturday 27 November. The order of performance of the conductors for rehearsal C will be drawn on Sunday 28 November, immediately after the end of phase B.

VII. AWARDS

1.The international jury of the competition may award the following prizes:

1st Prize

  • A grant of € 3,500
  • A seat as a jury member at the third edition of the Romano Gandolfi International Choral Conducting Competition, November 2023.
  • Marin Constantin Prize offered by the Corul Madrigal consisting of a trophy and an invitation to conduct a concert by the choir itself.
  • Diploma.

2nd Prize

  • A grant of € 1,500
  • Diploma.

3rd Prize

  • A grant of € 1,000
  • Diploma.

Special Awards

  • Scholarship of € 500 for the conductor with the most similar artistic characteristics to M° Romano Gandolfi (prize awarded by a special jury)
  • Scholarship of € 500 for the best approach to Gregorian Chant, awarded by the Cantori Gregoriani.

2. The scholarships awarded will be subject to taxation in accordance with the regulations in force in Italy.
3. Depending on the rules of the competition, other special prizes may also be awarded.
4. All participants in the competition will receive a certificate of participation.
5. The jury’s decisions are final.

VIII. COMPETITION PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2021

At 16:00 Arrival of jurors and participants
Aula Magna of the University of Parma:
18:00 Meeting of participants with the jurors, draw to establish the order of performance and the musical pieces for Phase I.

FRIDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2021

Sala Civica ‘Romano Gandolfi’, Medesano:
9:00 Official opening of the competition. Presentation of jurors and participants.
9:30 – 11:00 Auditions Phase I-A (8 participants)
11:30 – 13:00 Auditions Phase I-A (8 participants)
15:00 – 16:30 Auditions Phase I-B (8 participants)
17:00 – 18:30 Auditions Phase I-B (8 participants)
Around 19:15 Announcement of the results of Phase I.
Drawing to determine the order of performance and the pieces of music for Phase II.

SATURDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2021

Aula Magna of the University, Parma:
9:45 – 11:15 Auditions Phase II-A (4 participants)
11:30 – 13:00 Auditions Phase II-A (4 participants)
15:00 – 16:15 Auditions Phase II-B (4 participants)
16:30 – 17:45 Auditions Phase II-B (4 participants)
At around 18:45 the results of Phase II are announced.
Drawing to determine the order of performance for Phase III-A and III-B.

SUNDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2021

Auditorium del Carmine, Conservatorio di Musica “Arrigo Boito”, Parma:
Auditions Phase III-A
Timetable:
10:00 – 10:15 (1 candidate)
10:20 – 10:35 (1 candidate)
10:40 – 10:55 (1 candidate)
11:00 – 11:15 (1 candidate)
11:20 – 11:35 (1 candidate)
11:45 – 12:45 (Workshop offered by I Cantori Gregoriani)
Auditions Phase III-B
Timetable:
15:00 – 15:20 (1 candidate)
15:30 – 15:50 (1 candidate)
16:00 – 16:20 (1 candidate)
16:30 – 16:50 (1 candidate)
17:00 – 17:20 (1 candidate)
18:15 – Announcement of the results of the first two rounds and draw of the order of performance of the 3 finalists
Auditions Phase III-C
Timetable:
21:00 – Concert of the finalists
21:10 (1 candidate)
21:20 (1 candidate)
21:30 (1 candidate)
21:40 (Corul Madrigal Concert, Dir. Anna Ungureanu)
22:15 – Award Ceremony
22:45 – Official closure of the competition.

X. MUSICAL PROGRAMME OF THE COMPETITION

PHASE I

PHASE I-A – Popular Choir
1.La Rosa Bianca (F. Fantuzzi)
2.Dove (M. Maiero)
3.Verdi campi, addio (C. Moser)
4.Monte Camino (L. Pigarelli)
5.Sui Monti Scarpazi (A. Pedrotti)
6.Io resto qui, addio! (G. Susana)
7.Resterà la luce (G. Susana)

PHASE I-B – Madrigal Ensemble
1.Jesu Dolce (B. Bettinelli)
2.Già mi trovai di maggio (B. Bettinelli)
3.Civitas Sancti Tui (W. Byrd, Ed. S. Sanders, CPDL)
4.Ave Dulcissima Maria (C. Gesualdo)
5.Zefiro, torna (L. Marenzio, Ed. M. Mato, CPDL)
6.Nigra sum, sed Formosa (J. L’Heritier, Ed. A. Quarta, CPDL)
7.Cantate Domino (C. Monteverdi, Ed. P. Rottländer, CPDL)
8.Versa est in luctum (T.L. Da Victoria, Ed. N. Alvarez)

PHASE II

PHASE II-A – Mixed Choir
1.Ave Maria (Angelus Domini) for 2 mixed choirs (F. Biebl)
2.Dieu! Qu’il la fait bon regarder! (C. Debussy)
3.Io Tacerò (C. Gesualdo)
4.Lasciatemi morire (C. Monteverdi)
5.Sovae fia il morir (G.P. Da Palestrina)
6.Bogoroditse devo raduisia (S. Rachmaninov)

PHASE II-B – Children’s Choir
1.A flower remembered (J. Rutter)
2.Trittico di haiku (T. Visioli)
3.We are the world (M. Jackson – L. Richie, arr. R. Emerson)
4.Festive Sanctus (A. Bernardelli)
5.Carol of the nativity (G. Cappotto)
6.Our Lu-La song (F. Yuen)
7.From the railway carriage (J. Szafránski)
8.The lobster quadrille (A. Rapezzi)

PHASE III

PHASE III-A – Gregorian Ensemble
1.Verba mea (Gradual Triplex, p. 83)
2.Cantate Domino, (Gradual Triplex, p. 225)
3.Viri Galilaei, (Graduale Triplex, p. 235)
4.Deus in loco sancto, (Graduale Triplex, p. 310)
5.Inclina Domine, (Gradual Triplex, p. 326)
6.Da pacem, (Graduale Triplex, p. 336)
7.Salus populi, (Graduale Triplex, p. 339)
8.Cibavit eos, (Graduale Triplex, p. 377)

PHASE III-B – Chamber Choir
1.Only in Sleep (E. Esenvalds)
2.O Sacrum Convivium (G. Jackson)
3.Which was the Son of (A. Pärt)
4.Pater Noster (B. Zanetti)
5.There is no rose of such vertu (F. Sixten)

PHASE III-C – Chamber Choir
1.Festival Sanctus (J. Leavitt)
2.Ubi Caritas (O. Gjeilo)
3.Cantate Domino (V. Miskinis)

XI. LISTENERS

1.Anyone interested in attending the competition may participate as a listener in the candidates’ auditions. Listeners are required to complete an application form, which is published at https://bit.ly/2EMoqbl. A maximum of 25 participants will be accepted, in chronological order of registration.

2.Listeners are required to pay, by 24 November 2021, a fee of € 50 (members of FENIARCO circuit associations, or ANDCI members) or € 70 (non-members).

Payment to be made by:
Bank transfer
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank
IBAN: IT27N0306902480074000010812
SWIFT / BIC: BCITITMM
Reason for payment: Auditor at the Romano Gandolfi International Conducting Competition – ‘your name’.

PayPal
AERCO’s PayPal account: ufficio@aerco.emr.it
Reason for payment: Auditor at the Romano Gandolfi International Conducting Competition – ‘your name’.

3.The organisation will not provide the auditors with board and lodging and will not cover their travel expenses.

4.The fee includes:

  • An identification card and promotional material.
  • The right to participate in the auditions of the different phases and in the meetings with the jurors.
  • Music material with the Competition repertoire (sheet music in ‘sample’ mode).
  • Workshop with ‘I Cantori Gregoriani’.
  • Study-Tour
  • A ticket for the gala concert.
  • A certificate of participation in the competition as a listener.

XII. COPYRIGHT AND PERSONAL DATA

After submission of the completed competition entry form, the candidate:

1.Accepts that photos may be taken of him/her during the Competition and that such photos may be used, processed and reproduced, by any means, for promotional and AERCO archive purposes, without the need for specific authorisation on each occasion.

2.It grants free of charge to the Competition Organisation the right to use the audiovisual artistic recordings made during the Competition or the Finalists’ Concert exclusively for non-commercial purposes, including promotional and archiving purposes, in the following fields of use:

  • with regard to reproduction – recording by means of digital sound and image technology, production of CDs and/or DVDs or other media;
  • as regards the distribution of copies on which an artistic performance has been recorded – the placing on the market, lending or hiring out;
  • with regard to the dissemination of the performances in a manner other than that specified in point b above: broadcasting, rebroadcasting and making available to the public on selected web pages.

3.They agree to the processing of their personal data for purposes related to the Competition, in accordance with the declaration made on the registration form. Personal data are provided by candidates on a voluntary basis, but their submission is required for participation in the Competition.

Finals Provisions

1. The Organisation reserves the right to amend these regulations.

2. The Organisation may cancel the Competition for important and force majeure reason

The Artistic Direction of the Competition:

Andrea Angelini – Artistic Director
Silvia Biasini – Preliminary Evaluation Committee
Gianluigi Giacomoni – Preliminary Evaluation Committee
Elide Melchioni – Preliminary Evaluation Committee
Giacomo Monica – Preliminary Evaluation Committee
Sandro Bergamo – Preliminary Assessment Committee
Fabio Pecci – Preliminary Evaluation Committee
Matteo Salvemini – Preliminary Evaluation Committee

AERCO
Emilia-Romagna Choirs Association
Via Barberia 9 – 40123 Bologna – Italy

www.aerco.it
www.choralconductorcompetition.eu
aercobologna@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/romanogandolficompetition
Tel. +39 051 0067024

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