1. GENERAL CONDITIONS

  1. The 3rd 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 Parma Conservatory, the Romano Gandolfi Centre of Studies, the Municipality of Medesano, and with the patronage of FENIARCO, ANDCI, IFCdA, the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipal Administration of Parma.
  3. The Competition will take place from 24 to 26 November 2023 at the Parma Conservatory 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 1983 and 23 November 2005.

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 July 2023.

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 1 September 2023. Admitted candidates will receive written notification from the Organisation by 10 September 2023.

V. COSTS

1.Candidates admitted to the Competition will be required to pay an entry fee of €50 (non-refundable) by 30 September 2023.
Payment to be made by:
Bank transfer
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank
IBAN: IT61G0306902520100000005066
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 – ‘Your Name’ International Conducting Competition.
Failure to pay the registration fee by 30 September 2023 will be considered as the candidate’s decision not to participate in the competition.
The Organisation will provide, at its own expense, accommodation and breakfast, (4 days from the evening of 23 November to the morning of 27 November 2023) for competitors taking part in the Competition.
The organisation will not reimburse participants’ travel expenses.
Any accompanying persons will pay their own accommodation expenses in Parma.

VI. STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

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

STAGE I

24 November 2023 – ELIMINATORY

16 competitors

 

A. concertation, for a maximum duration of 7 minutes of a piece drawn at random, on the evening of Thursday 23 November, from among eight available. The final performance of the piece itself is not compulsory.

 

 

B. performance, without the possibility of concertation, of one piece among ten available drawn at random at the time.

The order in which the conductors will perform will be drawn on the evening of Thursday 23 November.

The eight participants with the highest score in Stage I will be admitted to Stage II.

STAGE II


25 November 2023 – SEMIFINALS
8 competitors

A. concertation and performance of a piece drawn at random, on the evening of Friday 24 November, from among eight available. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 15 minutes.

B. concertation and performance of a piece drawn at random, on the evening of Friday 24 November, from eight available. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 10 minutes.

The order in which the conductors will perform will be drawn on the evening of Friday 24 November.

The five participants with the highest score at the end of Stage II (sum of Stage I and II points) will be admitted to Stage III.

STAGE III


26 November 2023 – FINALS
5 competitors (A and B); 3 competitors (C)


A. concertation and performance of two pieces of Gregorian Chant drawn at random, at the time, from among 5 proposed. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 15 minutes.

B. concertation and performance of a piece drawn at random and not repeatable, on the evening of Saturday 25 November, from among 5 proposed. The candidate will have a maximum time limit of 20 minutes.

C. public concert performance of a song drawn at random, at the end of Stage III-B and not repeatable, from among 3 proposed.

The performance order of the participants for rehearsals A and B will be drawn on the evening of Saturday 25 November. The participants’ performance order for rehearsal C will be drawn on Sunday 26 November, immediately after the end of Stage III-B.

The three participants with the highest score at the end of Stage III B (sum of points for Stage I, II, III A and III B) will be admitted to Stage III C.

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 fourth edition of the Romano Gandolfi International Choral Conducting Competition, November 2025.
  • A concert in the United States. Travel expenses to be borne by the winner.
  • Diploma.

2nd Prize

  • A scholarship of EUR 1,500
  • Diploma.

3rd Prize

  • A scholarship of EUR 1,000
  • Diploma.

Special Awards

  • 500-euro scholarship for the conductor with the most similar artistic characteristics to Maestro Romano Gandolfi (prize awarded by a special jury)
  • 500-euro scholarship for the best approach to Gregorian Chant, awarded by the Schola Gregoriana Ecce.

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, 23 NOVEMBER 2023

16:30: Meeting of jurors and participants with the city authorities.
Council Hall of the Town Council of Parma, Strada della Repubblica, 1, Parma
17:30: Aperitif with jurors and participants, draw to establish the order of performance and musical pieces for Phase I.
Mb Matti’s Bar, Strada del Conservatorio, 10, Parma

FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2023

Arrigo Boito Conservatory of Music in Parma:
9:00 Official opening of the competition. Presentation of jurors and participants.
9:30 – 11:00 Auditions Stage I-A (8 participants)
11:30 – 13:00 Auditions Stage I-A (8 participants)
15:00 – 16:30 Auditions Stage I-B (8 participants)
17:00 – 18:30 Stage I-B auditions (8 participants)
Around 7.15 p.m. Announcement of the results of Stage I.
Drawing to determine the order of performance and the pieces of music for Stage II

SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2023

Arrigo Boito Conservatory of Music in Parma:
9:45 – 11:15 Auditions Stage II-A (4 participants)
11:30 – 13:00 Auditions Stage II-A (4 participants)
15:00 – 16:15 Auditions Stage II-B (4 participants)
16:30 – 17:45 Auditions Stage II-B (4 participants)
At around 18:45 the results of Phase II were announced.
Drawing to establish the order of execution for Stage III-A and III-B.

SUNDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2023

Auditorium del Carmine, Conservatorio di Musica ‘Arrigo Boito’, Parma:

Auditions Stage III-A
Hours:
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: Medieval Vibration: Masterclass on Gregorian Chant

Auditions Stage III-B
Hours:
15:00 – 15:20 (1 candidate)
15:25 – 15:45 (1 candidate)
15:50 – 16:10 (1 candidate)
16:15 – 16:35 (1 candidate)
16:40 – 17:00 (1 candidate)
18:15 – Announcement of the results of the first two phases and drawing of the order of the 3 finalists.

Auditions Stage III-C
Hours: 21:00 – Concert of finalists
21:10 (1 candidate)
21:20 (1 candidate)
21:30 (1 candidate)
21:40 (Concert by the En Kör Choir, Sweden, winner of the Grand Prix at the Guido d’Arezzo Polyphonic Competition 2022)
22:15 – Award Ceremony
22:45 – Official closing of the competition.

IX. JURY OF THE COMPETITION

The jury of the competition will consist of seven renowned masters: Tim Sharp, (USA, President of the Jury), Walter Marzilli (Italy), Marialuce Monari (Italy), Stephen Layton (UK), Luca Scaccabarozzi (Italy), Darius Lim (Singapore), Sebastiano Rolli (Italy)

X. MUSICAL PROGRAMME OF THE COMPETITION

STAGE I

STAGE I-A – Early Music Vocal Ensemble: Ingenium Ensemble (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
1. Ne Irascaris (W. Byrd)
2. Haec Diaes (W. Byrd)
3. Sing Joyfully (W. Byrd)
4. Vigilate (W. Byrd)
5. O Vos Omnes (C. Gesualdo da Venosa)
6. Ave Virgo Sanctissima (F. Guerrero)
7. Tu es Petrus (G.P. da Palestrina)
8. Cantate Dominum Canticum Novum (C. Monteverdi)

STAGE I-B – Lyric Choir: Corale Giuseppe Verdi (Parma, Italy)
1. O Signore dal Tetto Natio, da ‘I Lombardi’ (G. Verdi)
2. Qual v’ha Speme, da ‘Giovanna d’Arco’ (G. Verdi)
3. Vedi le Fosche, da ‘Il Trovatore’ (G. Verdi)
4. Patria Oppressa, da ‘Macbeth’ (G. Verdi)
5. Barcarola, da ‘I due Foscari’ (G. Verdi)
6. Orti Pensili da ’Nabucco’ (G. Verdi)
7. Coro dei Pellegrini, da ‘Tannhauser’ (R. Wagner)
8. Inno di Vittoria, da ‘Macbeth’ (G. Verdi)
9. Coro di Zingarelle, da ‘Traviata’ (G. Verdi)
10. Per te d’immenso Giubilo, da ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ (G. Donizetti)

STAGE II

STAGE II-A – Mixed Choir: Youth Choir of Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Italy)
1. Crucifigatur (G. Deák-Bárdos)
2. Eli, Eli (G. Deák-Bárdos)
3. Da Pacem Domine (A. Pärt)
4. Earth Song (F. Ticheli)
5. In Paradisum (E. Fissinger)
6. O Filii et Filiae (I. Antognini)
7. Regina Coeli (R. Twardowski)
8. The Lamb (J. Tavener)

STAGE II-B – White Voice Choir: Young Voices of Bassano (Bassano del Grappa, Italy)
1. Ave Maris Stella (V. Miškinis)
2. Tota Pulchra (O. di Piazza)
3. Kala, Kallà (E. Whitacre)
4. Gloria, from ‘A Little Jazz Mass’ (B. Chilcott)
5. Hotaru Koi (Japanese translation)
6. Dance (L. Spevack-Avery)
7. Song of Hope (S. Lindmark)
8. Lullaby (E. Whitacre)

STAGE III

STAGE III-A – Gregorian Ensemble: Schola Gregoriana Ecce (Bologna, Italy)
1. GR. Hæc dies (responsum only)
2. AN. Lumen ad revelationem gentium
3. Kyrie Lux et origo
4. HY. Veni creator spiritus
5. CO. Videns Dominus

STAGE III-B – Chamber Choir: En Kör (Stockholm, Sweden)
1. Advance Democracy (B. Britten)
2. Nimrod (Lux Aeterna) (E. Elgar)
3. Venite, Gaudete! (A. Peacock)
4. Il Giardino di Aphrodite (I. Pizzetti)
5. Timor et Tremor, from ‘No 1, Quatre Motets pour un Temps de Pénitence’ (F. Poulenc)


STAGE III-C – Chamber Choir: En Kör (Stockholm, Sweden)
1. Even When He is Silent (K.A. Arnesen)
2. Tykus, Tykus (V. Augustinas)
3. Data Est Mihi (P. MacMillan)

XI. STUDY TOUR

1. On the occasion of the third edition of the ‘Romano Gandolfi’ International Choir Directors Competition, we would like to offer the opportunity to participate in the event from a special angle, with the valuable guidance of an experienced teacher-director. The initiative, already in use in important national and international contexts, aims to involve choir directors and students of choral conducting in a training and in-depth study path that allows them to analyse a plurality of situations, experiences, repertoires, in a context of high international profile.
2. It will be possible to follow all the competition rounds (preliminary rounds, semi-finals and finals) with reserved access and guaranteed places in the various competition venues (Parma Conservatory, Auditorium del Carmine in Parma).
3. There will also be specific moments of debate and analysis, outside the competition hours, led by the Study Tour teacher, Professor Ilaria Poldi. An opportunity, therefore, not only to listen but also to deepen and share aimed at personal and professional growth.
4. The programme will start at 9.30 a.m. on Friday 24 November and will end on Sunday 28 November with the award ceremony at 10.15 p.m. Precise times will be communicated after the closing of registration, the deadline for which is 22 November 2023 (subject to availability).
5. The cost of participation is Euro 60 for AERCO/FENIARCO/ANDCI members and € 80 for non-members and includes the complete scores in PDF, “sample” mode.
6. There will be a maximum of 20 participants, according to the order of registration.
7. Is required to pay, by 22 November 2023, a fee of Euro 60 (members of FENIARCO
circuit associations) or Euro 80 (non-members).
8.To register, an online form, available at https://form.jotform.com/aercobologna/studytour2023 must be filled.

Payment to be made by:
Bank transfer
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank
IBAN: IT61G0306902520100000005066
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).
  • 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 Commission
Gianluigi Giacomoni – Preliminary Evaluation Commission
Elide Melchioni – Preliminary Evaluation Commission
Ilaria Poldi – Preliminary Evaluation Commission
Silvia Perucchetti – Preliminary Evaluation Commission
Marialuce Monari – Preliminary Evaluation Commission
Claudia Rondelli – Preliminary Evaluation Commission

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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