INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION OPUS 2024

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION OPUS 2024

1 General terms

1. The organizer of the International Music Competition Opus 2023 (further: “Competition”) is the Life and Art Foundation with its main office in Krakow, Poland.
2. The competition is held only online. Every necessary piece of information concerning the competition is posted on the website www.lifeandart.eu

§ 2 Organization of the competition

1. The participants of the competition are divided into the following categories:

a) soloists

• category “Little virtuoso”: born in 2016 and later – program free of choice up to 5 minutes;
• category A: born in 2015 – 2012 – program free of choice up to 5 minutes;
• category B: born in 2011 – 2008– program free of choice up to 8 minutes;
• category C: born in 2007 – 2005 – program free of choice up to 10 minutes;
• category D: born in 2004 – 2000 – program free of choice up to 12 minutes;
• category E: born in 1999 – 1992 – program free of choice up to 15 minutes;

b) chamber ensembles:

• category F: under 12 years old – program free of choice up to 8 minutes;
• category G: 13 – 19 years old – program free of choice up to 15 minutes;
• category H: 20 – 32 years old – program free of choice up to 20 minutes;

2. The competition is divided into the following sections:

• section I – piano;
• section II – string instruments;
• section III – wind instruments (all wind and brass instruments);
• section IV – percussion, accordion, guitar, lute, harp;
• section V – chamber music (2 – 10 performers);

3. The age category of the chamber music ensembles is based on the average of the ages of the performers calculated for January 1st 2024.

           § 3 The participants of the competition

1. The instrumentalists of all nationalities can take part in the Competition, including: the students of music schools of the first and second degree, students and graduates of higher education schools, performing classical music. The competition is dedicated to the musicians up to the 32 years old.
2. The competition is dedicated to the musicians playing the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, accordion, guitar, lute, harp.
3. The participation in the competition is voluntary.

§ 4 Terms of participation

1. In order to participate in the Competition it is mandatory to prepare 1 (one) link with an audio-video recording on YouTube (not a playlist). The length of recording should be in accordance with the category a participant is assigned to. The tittle of video should contain: International Music Competition OPUS 2024, name and surname of the participant. The description of the recording on YouTube must include the following: International Music Competition OPUS 2024, name and surname of the participant, section, category, instrument, program. The audio-video recording should be set to public.
2. The recording cannot be edited and should contain the whole silhouette of the  performer or the whole ensemble, from the distance that enables to identify participants. The registration should be made on one camera without any cuts during the performance. It is allowed to record the parts of a musical piece separately or few independent pieces and combine them into one video.
3. The participant of the competition pays a non-refundable application fee:
   a. 40 Euro  for solo categories;
   b. 25 Euro for each performer in chamber ensembles categories.
   Life and Art Foundation does not account or have any liability for any participants’ bank fees and charges that may be levied as a result of currency conversion, foreign exchange transaction, or non-sufficient funds (NSF) transaction. The payment should be completed to:
   Recipient: Life and Art Foundation
   Bank of beneficiary – Nest Bank
   IBAN PL04253000082062104094900001
   SWIFT/BIC NESBPLPW
   Remittance information: International Music Competition Opus 2024 + name and surname;
   or PayPal competitionopus@lifeandart.eu
4. In order to participate in Competition it is necessary to fill interactive application form available on competition’s website, uploading there link to video recording and payment confirmation. Submitting application form is equivalent to agreement to process personal data and acceptance of regulations. Online application form will be active between 15th January 2024 – 15th April 2024. 
5. Chamber ensemble fills one application form. 
6. Any questions should be send to competitionopus@gmail.com 

§ 5 Awards and decisions of the jury

1. In “Little virtuoso” category competitors receive medals: gold, silver, bronze – according to gathered points. Each jury member gives points 0-100 evaluating the performances according to the following criteria: intonation (in case of pianists precision), articulation, rhythmical precision, interpretation and musicality, the level of program. Final score is the average of the scores given by individual members of jury. The medals are given according to the following table:

Gold medal	95 – 100 points
Silver medal	85 – 94 points
Bronze medal	70 – 84 points

2. In categories A-E jury members gives points 0-100 evaluating the performances according to the following criteria: intonation (in case of pianists precision), articulation, rhythmical precision, interpretation and musicality, the level of program. Final score is the average of the scores given by individual members of jury. The prizes are given according to the following table:

Grand Prix	100 points
First Prize	95 – 99 points
Second Prize	90 – 94 points
Third Prize	85 – 89 points
Honourable mention	80 – 84 points
Participation certificate	less than 80 points

3. The Grand Prix winners of each age category will receive the following prizes:

Category A     300 PLN

Category B     400 PLN

Category C     500 PLN

Category D     800 PLN

Category E     1000 PLN

Category F     400 PLN

Category G     600 PLN

Category H     1000 PLN

4. The winners of the first three prizes as well as the honoured performers in every section and category are the laureates of the Competition. The Jury has the right not to bestow the awards or to decide to share the awards ex aequo. 
5. Special prizes can be awarded, of which the jury decides.
6. Awards can be monetary or non-monetary (participation in music courses, participation in concerts, invitations for masterclasses, shopping vouchers, accessories to the instruments, sheets).
7. A panel of judges evaluates a submitted audio-video material in full length, regarding maximum time for each age category. 
8. Participants’ performances will be evaluated by an international jury consisting of respectable musicians. More info you can find here: http://lifeandart.eu/jury2024/
9. The names and surnames of the laureates of the Competition will be published on the website on the 20th May 2024. Every participant receives a certificate of attendance and short opinion on a performance, send by e-mail. 
10. The diplomas of laureates will be sent by e-mails. 
11. Little Virtuoso laureates receive their medals by post.
12. The decisions of the jury are final.