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Choral Competition REGULATIONS

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General Reculations
(for all choirs)


(Currency: USD)

  1. AMATEUR CHOIR : The BCFC is only open to non-professional choirs (competitive teams only).
  2. MAXIMUM TWO CATEGORIES : All choirs are eligible to compete in a maximum of two competition categories. For choirs competing in two categories, the repertoire for each category must be different.
  3. PURE SINGING TIME : For all categories, the allotted pure singing time limit is 15 minutes (minimum 10-minute). This time limit excludes the time incurred by applause or by stage entry/exit. Piece durations must be accurately submitted in the application form. CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT RESPECTING THE TIME LIMITS.
  4. CHOREOGRAPHY : While choreography is allowed, only the music will be judged during the competition (Except Ethnic Category).
  5. AUDIO FILE : All choirs (including 'festival only' choirs) MUST submit good audio recordings (2 works within 10 minutes) in mp3 format for the initial screening and the result will be sent via email in a couple of working days.
  6. SCORE : Choirs must send the digital copies of scores in PDF format via Email by August 31, 2024, AND send 5 original copies of each performance piece to the BCFC office IN THE MAIL until September 30, 2024. Submitted original copies of scores will be used only for judging and NOT BE GIVEN BACK. CHOIRS CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT SENDING THE 5 SET OF SCORES TO THE BCFC OFFICE IN THE MAIL UNTIL September 30, 2024. (postmark deadline).
  7. REPERTOIRE CHANGE : After application is submitted, repertoire changes (including an order of performance) are allowed by August 31, 2024.
  8. REGISTRATION FEE : $1,000 per choir (up to 2 categories)
    Deadline: July 31, 2024
    Coverage (Only for stage performers including conductor and accompanist):
    All Tickets to BCFC concerts except the opening concert (50% DC)
    Workshop
    Grand Prix Final and Award Ceremony
    Farewell Party Dinner
    Festival Gifts (Festival Program book, Ecobag and Ballpoint pen)
    Translator
    All Prize Money, Trophy and Diploma with all singer's name on it (1 per choir)
    Original Pictures & Videos from the competition via Email
    Scoring Sheet and Jury's Comments via Email
    Outreach Concert Opportunity with a Free Meal
  9. DISCOUNTS : 20% of early bird discounts will be applied to choirs who pay all the fee by June 30, 2024
  10. REFUND : 50% of Registration fee will be refunded to choirs who withdraw their participation by August 31, 2024 and NON-REFUNDABLE AFTER THEN.
  11. COPYRIGHT : All participating choirs are individually responsible for honoring copyright and performance rights of the songs during the competition. The use of unauthorized/reproduced copies is strictly prohibited.
  12. PROHIBITION : Any use of unauthorized video or sound recording, MICROPHONE, amplification of voices or instruments other than the setup provided at the venues is strictly prohibited. For only category D, up to 15 mics will be provided.
  13. 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 BCFC.

Adjudication and Evaluation

The jury
  1. The decision of the jury is final and cannot be contested.
  2. In cases where the overall scores are the same, the final rankings will be discussed and decided by the jury.
  3. Total score and juries comments per each category for each team will be sent to the choirs by Email within 2 weeks after the competition.
Assessment Criteria

Each choir will be assessed on a 100-point scale based on the following criteria:

  1. 1. Artistic Performance (50 points) - Fidelity to score and Interpretation, Phrasing and Musicality, Overall Artistic Impression.
  2. 2. Technical Performance (50 points) - Blending and Balance, Accuracy of Pitch, Intonation and Rhythm, Tone Color and Choral Sound.
  3. 3. Number of points:

    100.00 - 80.01 Gold Diploma

    80.00 - 70.01 Silver Diploma

    70.00 - Bronze Diploma

    All choirs will receive a diploma and the choir receiving the Gold Diploma with the most points (3 choirs per category from the highest) will be awarded the title "1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize Winner of BCFC".

  4. 4. For the sake of fairness in assessment, the score of any juries who has teacher-student relations and kinship with the choir will be excluded.
Special Adjudicator's Award

The jury can award special prizes or allow participation in the grand prix if they deem a particular choir or conductor to deserve so.

Category
Regulations

Category A (Classical Mixed & Equal)
  1. Must include a minimum of 3 pieces in the Renaissance or Baroque period choir music.
  2. All competition repertoire must be performed in the original language.
  3. Accompaniment is NOT allowed while percussion is allowed.
  4. No age limit.
  5. Group size (including conductor and accompanist) must be at least 16 persons.
Category B (Ethnic/Traditional)
  1. The pieces should be Ethnic/Traditional/music from the choir's country of origin or pieces arranged from ethnic/traditional music. No limitation on the number of piece.
  2. Choirs should submit a document including a summary or description of each piece in English translation by July 31, 2024 (limited to 100 words).
  3. The combination of choreographic movements together with singing is permitted and desirable. THIS MAY DESERVE SPECIAL MERITS.
  4. Accompaniment is allowed for all pieces.
  5. No age limit.
  6. No limitation on the size of the choir.
Category C (Pop & Acappella)
  1. Musical style includes: Pop & Acappella (including Barbershop & Doo-wop)
  2. Only piano is allowed for Pop.
  3. Should have at least 3 FREELY CHOSEN pieces.
  4. Must be performed in the original language.
  5. No limitation on the size of the choir.
  6. This category might be divided into two categories named “Pop Ensembles (up to 15 singers)” and “Pop Choirs (more than 16 singers)” if it is deemed necessary.
  7. Up to 15 mics are allowed (provided).
Category D (Youth)
  1. Should have at least 3 FREELY CHOSEN pieces.
  2. Should have at least 1 piece without accompaniment.
  3. All members must be under 18 years of age (including 18-year old).
  4. No limitation on the size of the choir.
  5. This category might be divided into two categories named “Children’s Choirs (up to 12 years old)” and “Youth Choirs (13-18 years old)” if it is deemed necessary.
Category S (Non-competitive, Festival only Choir)
  1. Choirs accepted as 'Festival only' choirs will have:
    • - 2 arranged outreach concerts in Busan Metropolitan City area.
    • - More performance opportunities organized by the BCFC upon your request.
    • - Access to all competition, workshops and concerts.
  2. Free choice repertoire (10-15 min). Titles, composer, duration of the repertoire should be included for publicity purposes.
  3. No age limit.
  4. No limitation on the size of the choir.

Grand Prix

Choirs selected for the Grand Prix competition are required to perform 1 song of their winning category not exceeding the pure singing time of 8 minutes.

Festival Fees
& Deadline

  1. Early Bird Discounts: By June 30, 2024
  2. Online Application: By July 31, 2024
  3. Registration Fee: By July 31, 2024
  4. Accommodation Fee: By July 31, 2024
  5. Repertoire Changes : By August 31, 2024
  6. Sending All Digital Copies of Scores: By August 31, 2024(via Email)
  7. Sending 5 Original Copies of Scores: By September 30, 2024 (in the Mail)

BCFC Bank
Information

  • Choirs MUST deduct both (yours and ours) BANK COMMISSION and remit the NET amount
  • Beneficiary : KCI (Korea Choral Institute)
  • Bank : BUSAN BANK (Daeyeondong Branch)
  • Account Number : 154-2000-0274-07
  • Swift Code : PUSBKR2P
  • Address : 1740-8, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan

BCFC Office
Address

  • Busan Choral Festival & Competition / 3F Bosudae-ro 82, Jung-gu, Busan, S.Korea 48973
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