MALTA INTERNATIONAL SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL & COMPETITION

Application Form Price: 155 € Date: 11 - 14 May, 2023
Location: MDINA, Malta
Director: G. P. I. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 2 October, 2022

Groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.

I N V I T A T I O N

With pleasure we INVITE you (only MUSIC bands,orchestras,majorette teams, festival and competition), (children ,youth and adults groups) to participate on XI MALTA INTERNATIONAL SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL & COMPETITION from 11 - 15 May 2023

Malta, with its strategic position at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, has always been a crossroad for exchanges of cultural diversity, also due to so many Nations who have ruled over this country along its history. This is why the island's musical traditions are very old, strong and widespread. The aim of this International Festival is to make sure that the different musical traditions from all over the World meet up in Malta, for a reciprocal cultural exchange and enrichment.

Today, the island of Malta is definitely one of the most important countries in Europe’s tourism sector. Rich in history and charm, with a great sense of hospitality towards visitors and above all, with a warm temperate climate. During the free time, participating groups will have the chance to relax and explore the various unique cities and villages of this magical island… full of history. Hence we would like to invite you to discover this reality, perhaps at the most beautiful time of the year.

International Festival, parades and performances will be held in various locations around the island of Malta.

The artistic programme consists of outdoor parades and standing performances. During the parades, the groups will perform with their own instruments unamplified. During the standstill performances, which will be held at main squares, the Organisation will provide the audio system, compatible with CD and pen drive and 5 microphones to amplify the various instruments / voice ( if these are required). The festival will take place on the island of Malta "the window on the Mediterranean", one of the capitals of European tourism.It will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know a new reality where the band tradition is very ancient and widespread.

The Festival is open to marching bands, wind orchestras, Marching Bands, folk bands, majorette bands, majorette groups, flag wavers, bagpipe groups, Street bands.

The Malta International Spring Music Festival 2021 will be divided into a competitive and a non-competitive part.The Malta International Spring Music Festival 2021 will be divided into a competitive and a non-competitive part

A) Competition for

Concert Bands and Wind Orchestras. Workshop with J. De Haan .

B) Competition for

Parade bands, Marching and Show Bands, Folk bands.

The non-competitive part includes traveling parades and performances in some locations in Malta.

DRAFT FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Day 1

Arrival of all International groups in Malta. Transfers from the Airport to the Hotel, situated at Bugibba/Qawra/St.Paul’s Bay/St. Julian’s– the most touristic venues of the island. Free day at leisure or else you can opt for an optional cultural excursion to one of the most beautiful places in Malta..

Day 2

In the morning: Theoretical Workshop (For concert bands/wind orchestras/marching Bands).

In the afternoon: Opening parade and performances by all the participating groups.

Day 3

In Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel

In the morning: Parade followed by the Marching Bands Competition at St George Square, Valletta. The results will be announced immediately at the the end of the event, followed by the awards ceremony.

In the afternoon: Practical Workshop for the concert bands and wind Orchestras.

Day 4

Buffet breakfast at the hotel

The Concert Bands and Wind Orchestras Competition. The results will be announced at the end of the event, followed by the award ceremony.

The groups not competing will perform in one of the Maltese villages. At the end of the performances, there will be the presentations to all participating groups by the Maltese Authorities and the Festival

Day 5

Buffet breakfast at the hotel

Departures of all International groups.

If a group has an early arrival or a late departure, we can organise other optional cultural excursions, such as the ones to the Three Cities, Mdina – the old capital of Malta or else to Marsaxlokk – the fishing village and even other wonderful locations.

The programme of performances can be adapted in due course. The final programme will be published only after having the confirmations of all participating groups.

Each group is responsible for airfare/transportation to Malta.

Festival package for 3 nights

- In twin room per person €190

- In triple room per person (3 adults) €175

- In quadruple room per person (4 adults) €170

- In triple room per person (2 adults and a child - 4 to 11 years old) €160

- In quadruple room per person (2 adults and 2 children -4 to 11 years old) €155

- For extra persons, who are not performers (friends, family, etc) there is a €5 supplement per person per night.

3***star Hotels affiliated

- San Anton Hotel: http://www.thesanantonhotel.com/

- The Bugibba Hotel: https://the-bugibba-hotel.business.site

- Santa Maria Hotel: http://www.thesantamariahotelmalta.com/

- The St George Park Hotel http://www.thestgeorgesparkhotel.com/

This Package includes:

- 3 nights accommodation in a 3 star standard Hotel

- Half board basis – water included (buffet breakfast, buffet lunch or dinner)

- Tourist tax

- Transfers from the Airport/ Harbour to the Hotel – arrival and departure

- Transfers from Hotel for all performances

- Assistance by our personnel

- Festival/competition/workshop registration fee (see rules)

FESTIVAL PACKAGE PRICES FOR 4 NIGHTS

In twin room per person €220

In triple room per person (3 adults) €205

In quadruple room per person (4 adults) €200

In triple room per person (2 adults and

a child - 4 to 11 years old) €190

In quadruple room per person (2 adults and

2 children -4 to 11 years old) €185

For extra persons, who are not performers (friends, family, etc) there is a €5 supplement per person per night.

This Package includes:

- 4 nights accommodation in a 3 star standard Hotel

- Half board basis – water included (buffet breakfast, buffet lunch or

dinner)

- Tourist tax

- Transfers from the Airport/Harbour to the Hotel – arrival and departure.

- Transfers from Hotel for all performances

- Assistance by our personnel

- Festival/competition/workshop registration fee (see rules)

* If due flight itineraries or else if you prefer so, you will have to spend extra nights, arrangements can be done

* Included in this package/price is one transfer for the group to & from the airport to the hotel. No transfers can be made for participants arriving at different times but we can arrange upon request.

* The choice of hotel is subject to availability.

* Each group is responsible for air fair /transportation to Malta

There are many low cost air company fligh to Malta like Wizz Air and others

NUMBER OF SEATS ARE LIMITED..

International Competition for marching show bands, bands with majorettes, folk music bands & fanfares

Wind band music is one of the most popular musical traditions in Malta. In almost every Maltese town and village, one can find one or two and sometimes even three, band clubs. These clubs annual highlight is their village feast celebration – a whole week religious celebration in honor of their patron saint.

All bands can take part in this competition, regardless of the number of musicians within their band. The bands must not only be professional ones.

The competition is divided in the following categories:

- Category C – For marching bands (with or without majorettes), fanfares and folk music bands.

- Category B- For marching bands, show bands, fanfares.

- Independent category ( not competitive)

Each group can choose to join one of the above categories.

1) Performances

The repertoire for each category, can be freely chosen by each respective participant group.

During these displays, each group will have a space available of minimum 30 meters by 20 meters.

For the Bands taking part in the above categories, the presented programme, including the warm-up piece, must not be less than 12 minutes and must not exceed the maximum duration of 18 minutes. Their maximum display appearance including exits and entrances must not exceed 25 minutes.

There will be a penalty for those groups who exceed the mentioned durations. The jury panel will be strict on this issue and will time their appearance. This time will be counted from the moment first musician appears at the display area till when last one gets off the same area.

2) The Independent Category

The Independent Category is from groups who opt to be out of competition.

Only in this Category the bands will be provided, in private form, a written assessment by one of the qualified International jury members. This assessment will be about the artistic and technical skills of the band, thus proposing them valuable tools and suggestions for further improvement in musical arts

The main aim of this category is to serve as a first step for groups aiming to participate in actual competitions in future years.

There are no prizes in connection with this Category

The bands taking part in this Category must perform two music scores of their choice.

They can also perform a short music score as warm-up, that should not last more than 2 minutes.

All music scores are at the respective band’s own expenses.

3) Applications

The application form which a group must submit, in order participate in any of the

above mentioned category, must include the following documents:

 Band’s CV

 Band’s Director CV

When the group received the official participation confirmation, the group must provide:

 A photo of the band (possibly in marching/parade formation) in jpg format

 3 original copies of the music scores.

 For those participating in the Independent Category - 1 original copy of both pieces to be performed.

After the performance one copy of the music scores will be held by the Organisation.

Given that photocopies are prohibited by law where music scores are involved, please note that the each respective group is responsible for any photocopying of music scores.

4) General Information for Applicants

 Admission in the competitions is at the discretion of the Jury Panel and Festival Organisation, who may even opt to suggest a group to participate in a different category from that requested.

 The running order of performances will be determined by the Organisation and the Jury Panel on basis of organisational and technical necessities and this will be communicated in writing to the participating groups.

 In the event of insufficient number of participants in a category, (minimum 6 bands entered in the competition) the Organization reserves the right to cancel the competition.

 the Organization reserves the right to cancel the respective category. The definitive confirmation will be communicated by 14th March 2022.

 If, due to reasons beyond the control of the Festival Organisation, the promoted venue will be not available, the competition will be organised in a different venue, suitable for such an event.

 The Festival Organisation will provide the participating bands with 3 timpani (26-29-32), bass drum, xylophone, vibraphone and a drum kit set.

Percussion mallets and any percussion instruments which are not mentioned here must be brought by each respective band.

 The Festival Organisation reserves the right to hold also further performances and parades during the Festival days, apart from those scheduled in connection with the competition. These performances can take place in other venues around the island. The detailed programme will be coordinated with each group. (Transfers from the Hotel to these venues will be provided by the Festival).

 Participating groups should opt only for the Festival accommodation packages.

 The Festival Organisation is not responsible for any accident to persons or equipment during their journey to Malta and even during the Festival Days in Malta

 All performances will be held either on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th May.

 All costs connected with travelling and accommodation must be totally borne by the respective participants

5) The Competition judging

 The Jury Panel is going to be formed up of three famous International Directors of Bands/marching bands.

J. De Haan - Holland (Chairman)

Natalino Como (Italy)

(see curriculum).

The third judge will be announced as soon as possible.

 If for some reason or another, one of the above judges cannot make it, the Festival Organisation will provide a substitute, coming also from the

International music sector.

 The jury panel will cast their votes on these parameters:

1. Intonation, quality and balance of sound

2. Repertoire

3. Ensemble and rhythmic

4. Uniforms

5. General view of their performance (precision and uniformity in marching, movements and visual co-ordination of the body and instruments).

 For each Category, the ranking will be based on the final scores. The band that will achieve the highest score in all categories will win “The Malta international Spring Music Festival Trophy”

 The final classification for each category will start with the first, then second, then third place.

 The final classification for each category will be in descending order, with the band declared first obtaining the highest score regardless of the merit. The band that will be declared second will be that obtaining the second highest ranking order and so on.

 The way in which the Jury Panel will do their work, is regulated by internal rules of procedure. The jury's decisions are unquestionable and final.

 The bands participating in all the above mentioned categories and which will exceed the maximum time set for their performance, will be penalised by deducting 0.5 points from their final score, for every minute they exceed the agreed time of their display.

 A group which is not on site at their scheduled performing time, without any valid justification will be disqualified from competition/participation.

 All results will be announced at the end of the event.

 The results and of the written evaluations will both be provided by the Jury Panel at the end of the event, during the closing ceremony.

 As already stated, there will be no prizes for those who register in the Independent Category. The groups in this category will receive a certificate of participation.

 The groups participating in the Independent category may be asked by the Jury Panel, to interrupt their performance if they will exceed the time set for their display appearance

6) The Festival Workshops

 This workshop will be conducted by Maestro Jacob De Haan. All those who love the music of this famous Dutch composer will be able to participate in these meetings, regardless of number and ages. Participants will also have the opportunity to know the creative process that leads to his music.

 The workshops will be divided in three sections:

A) Theoretical

B) Practical (Concert lesson)

C) Marching Bands

In the application form, the group must communicate if intends to participate in these workshops. If the group wants to participate, it is mandatory to communicate the number of participants.

The workshop will be held in English and Italian.

A participation certificate will be given to all those attending these workshops.

 Theoretical Section

This is dedicated for the Band Directors and with a maximum of 4 components from each band as listeners. In this meeting, Jacob De Haan, through a detailed musical analysis of his scores, will make the participants discover the creation of his music scores, from the moment that these were commissioned to the moment when these were performed.

Participants will also discover. step by step, the various musical passages that characterise all his compositions.

 Practical Section

A band will be composed from musicians of different participating groups in the competition/festival. These musicians will be selected by their own respective Band Director, in collaboration with the Organisation, in order to create a balanced band, for a minimum number of 6 to a maximum of 10 musicians from each formation.

All participants, therefore, will have the opportunity to observe, practice, and listen how Jacob De Haan works with a Band and what the concertation technique is in assembling the pieces to be performed in public.

In addition to the selected musicians, it will be also possible for all the other musicians to participate at the “Concert lesson”, but only as listeners.

 Marching Bands Section

This workshop will feature:

a) A general discussion on the marching bands sector.

b) Suggestions to participant groups for improvements.

A maximum of 5 members from each Band accompanied by their Director, can participate in this workshop

7) Prizes

Category C

1st place: A total amount of € 1,500 to be redeemed as follow:

A € 1,000 voucher to be spend on musical instruments from ‘Oltremusica’ via their online portal www.oltremusicashop.com