RULES AND REGULATIONS

DA CAPO ONLINE MUSIC COMPETITION
3rd online edition, 2023

I. General dispositions

              The DA CAPO International Music Competition is an artistic event organised by the MUSIC STARS Cultural Association, between October 15th and December 10th 2023.

            The event wishes to support talented artists, to bring value to art and creative inspiration. We aim to encourage passion for music, artistic performance, a competitive spirit based on fair play and the promotion of the cultural heritage while offering, by hosting the event online, the opportunity to participate more easily to an elite event for those who are abroad or not in the vicinity of important cultural centres. Envisioned as a way to harness art, the contest's main goal is to create a space to unite artists from different cultural zones and musical traditions, with various interpretative styles and techniques, a chance to bring new talents and future stars into the light.

Art. 1.  Competition Calendar

  1. PRELIMINARY ROUND
  • Registration October 15 – December 4, 2023
  • Results displayed on December 6, 2023
  1. FINAL ROUND
  • Deadline for receiving videos December 14, 2023
  • Final ranking displayed on December 21, 2023

II. Participation information

Art. 2. The competition is open to participants of any nationality, over the age of 4 years old. There is no upper age limit.

Art. 3. Contestants can choose their own repertoire, provided that it does not exceed the maximum duration specified for the section and age group in which they are competing.

Art. 4. The repertoire must be suitable for the participant’s age!

III. Competition sections, age groups and repertoire

A. POP – JAZZ SINGING (Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz. Folk etc.) 

A1. Romanian Pop-Jazz Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the romanian repertoire, live, live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the romanian repertoire, live, live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks.

A2. International Pop-Jazz Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the international repertoire, live, live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the international repertoire, live, live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks.

A3. Pop – Jazz vocal groups/bands Section: Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. max. 5.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the Romanian or international repertoire, live, with live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 6.00 min.): a pop/rock/blues/jazz/folk etc. piece from the Romanian or international repertoire, live, live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks. Here, the choice is between presenting a different piece or keeping the same one from the first stage. If the same piece is kept, then a different recording must be made.

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

B. ROMANIAN FOLKLORE 

B1. Folklore section - Accompanied Song: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a song from authentic folklore repertoire, live, with orchestral negative on digital support or with instrumental accompaniment (piano, taraf orchestra etc.)
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a song from authentic folklore repertoire, live, with orchestral negative on digital support or with instrumental accompaniment (piano, taraf orchestra etc.)

B2. Folklore section – Unaccompanied / A cappella Song (doina, ballad etc.): 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a doina or ballad from authentic folklore repertoire, live a cappella
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a doina or ballad from authentic folklore repertoire, live a cappella

B3. Folklore section - vocal or vocal-instrumental group: Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. max. 5.00 min.): one song or collage from the authentic folklore repertoire, live, with orchestral negative on digital support or with instrumental accompaniment (piano, taraf orchestra etc.) or a cappella
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): one song or collage from the authentic folklore repertoire, live, with orchestral negative on digital support or with instrumental accompaniment (piano, taraf orchestra etc.) or a cappella

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

C. CLASSICAL SINGING 

C1. Classical singing section, Soloists: 12-14 years / 15-17 years / 18+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 12.00 min.): a piece of your choice - Preclassical Aria, Canzonetta, Lied, Opera/Operetta/Oratorio/Concerto Aria, from the preclassical classical, romantic, modern or Romanian repertoire, live, with piano or orchestral accompaniment.
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 15.00 min.): a piece of your choice – Preclassical Aria, Canzonetta, Lied, Opera/Operetta/Oratorio/Concerto Aria, from the preclassical classical, romantic, modern or Romanian repertoire, live, with piano or orchestral accompaniment.

C2. Classical singing section - Ensemble (duo, trio, quartet, etc.): Unique age group

      • PRELIMINARY ROUND • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max 12.00 min.): a piece of your own choice - duo, trio, ensemble movements from operas, operettas or concerto works (Mass, Oratorio etc.), from the Romanian or universal repertoire, live, with piano or orchestral accompaniment.
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 15.00 min.): a piece of your own choice - duo, trio, ensemble movements from operas, operettas, chamber music or concerto works (Mass, Oratorio etc.), from the Romanian or universal repertoire, live, with piano or orchestral accompaniment.

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

D. MUSICAL/MOVIE SOUNDTRACK

D1. Musical/Movie Soundtrack Section – Soloists & Ensemble: Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): a piece from the Musical repertoire or from movie or animation soundtracks, live, with live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks.
      • FINAL ROUND • FINAL ROUND (MAX. 6.30 min.): a piece from the Musical repertoire or from movie or animation soundtracks, live with live or recorded accompaniment, self-accompaniment or backtracks.

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

E. INSTRUMENTAL HOBBY

(cei care studiază instrumentul secundar sau în sistem privat)

E1. PIANO – Hobby Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

E2. VIOLIN – Hobby Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

E3. GUITAR – Hobby Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

E4. OTHER INSTRUMENTS – Hobby Section: 4-7 years / 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND - Participants can freely choose repertoire and musical styles that reflect their present level (one or more musical works), to be performed live, with a duration corresponding to the age group:

4-7 years: max. 2 minutes

8-11 years: max. 5 minutes

12-15 years: max. 8 minutes

16+ years: max. 15 minutes

      • • FINAL ROUND - Participants can freely choose repertoire and musical styles that reflect their present level (one or more musical works), to be performed live, with a duration corresponding to the age group:

4-7 years: max. 2-3 minutes

8-11 years: max. 6 minutes

12-15 years: max. 12 minutes

16+ years: max. 20 minutes

E5. INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE – Hobby (duo, trio, 4 hands piano etc.): Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 10.00 min.): repertoire of your choice, live performance
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 20.00 min.): repertoire of your choice, live performance.

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

F. INSTRUMENTAL - Professionals

(those in vocational education/music schools/music academies etc.)

F1. PIANO – Professionals Section: 6-8 years / 9-12 years / 13-15 years / 16+

F2. VIOLIN – Professional Section: 6-8 years / 9-12 years / 13-15 years / 16+

F3. GUITAR – Professionals Section: 6-8 years / 9-12 years / 13-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group:

6-8 years: max. 3-4 minutes

9-12 years: max. 7 minutes

13-15 ani: durata maximă 12 min.

16+ years: max. 20 minutes

      • • FINAL ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group

6-8 years: max. 4-5 minutes

9-12 years: max. 10 minutes

13-15 years: max. 15 minutes

16+ years: max. 25 minutes

F4. STRINGS – Professionals Section (Viola • Cello • Double Bass • Harp): 8-11 years / 12-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group:

8-11 years: max. 5 minutes

12-15 ani: durata maximă 10 min.

16+ years: max. 15 minutes

      • • FINAL ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group

8-11 ani: durata maximă 10 min.

12-15 ani: durata maximă 15 min.

16+ years: max. 20 minutes

F5. WOODWINDS & BRASS – Professionals Section: 10-12 years / 13-15 years / 16+

F6. PERCUSSION – Professionals Section: 10-12 years / 13-15 years / 16+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group:

10-12 years: max. 5 minutes

13-15 years: max. 10 minutes

16+ years: max. 15 minutes

      • • FINAL ROUND - one or more musical works or your own choice (etude, preclassical, classical, romantic, part of a sonata), live, with a duration corresponding to the age group

10-12 years: max. 10 minutes

13-15 years: max. 15 minutes

16+ years: max. 20 minutes

F7. CHAMBER MUSIC & ENSEMBLE Section: Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 20.00 min.): repertoire of your choice, live performance
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 30.00 min.): repertoire of your choice, live performance.

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

G. INSTRUMENTAL FOLKLORE

G1. Instrumental folklore – SOLOISTS section: 4-8years / 9-13 years / 14+

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 5.00 min.): one folkloric song or instrumental collage of your own choice, live
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 8.00 min.): one folkloric song or instrumental collage of your own choice, live

G2. Instrumental folklore – GROUP section: Unique age group

      • • PRELIMINARY ROUND (max. 6.00 min.): one folkloric song or instrumental collage of your own choice, live
      • • FINAL ROUND (max. 8.00 min.): one folkloric song or instrumental collage of your own choice, live

It is possible to present either a different piece or the same piece as the first stage (you have the choice between sending the same footage from the eliminatory round or creating a new live recording).

IV. Competition Registration

Art.5. Registrations for the preliminary round can be done until December 4, 2023 at 11.59 PM. The results of the preliminary round will be displayed on both the competition’s website (www.dacapo.music-stars.eu) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dacapomusiccompetition) on December 6, 2023. Competitors admitted to the next stage will send the video file with the chosen repertoire for the final round by December 14, 2023 at 11.59 PM. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be taken into account.

Art. 6. The documents required for registration are:

  • • Registration form (will be filled in online on our website, by accessing the link REGISTRATION FORM)
  • • Proof of payment of registration fee – to be uploaded directly in the registration form
  • • A video file (preferably in mp4 format) containing your performance for the preliminary round. The following format is required for the file title: DA CAPO 2023 - Section - Participant name - Age - Title of the chosen piece / Composer* (*the composer must be mentioned for the classical singing and instrumental sections) Example: DA CAPO 2023 – E1 – John Smith – 12 y/o - Etude Op. 599 no. 20 / C. Czerny

V. Registration fee

Art. 7. Registration fee:

  • • For solo sections (individual performance) the fee is EUR39/section.
  • • For group sections, the fee is EUR75/section (for groups up to 3 members). For groups with 4 members or more, the fee is EUR100/section.

In case of enrolment in several sections, the fees can be paid cumulatively in one single payment.

NO ADDITIONAL FEE IS CHARGED FOR THE FINAL ROUND.

Art. 8. All registration fees should be paid in advance in EUR. Please do not forget to indicate your first and last name on the payment.

Payments can be made by:

• Bank Transfer
IBAN EURO: RO10BTRLEURCRT0528201601
SWIFT CODE: BTRLRO22
ACCOUNT HOLDER: MUSIC STARS Association;
Address: 8 Doamna Chiajna Str., Bucharest - Romania; ZIP code 031234
• Revolut: revolut.me/acms
• PayPal: paypal.me/anca5

IMPORTANT! BANK COMMISSIONS AND FEES WILL BE PAID BY THE PARTICIPANT.
The contest entry will be validated ONLY after full payment of the fee!
Once the entrance fee has been paid, it cannot be refunded under any circumstances

VI. Video recording guidelines

Art. 9. Audio-video materials must be recorded live, without interruptions, cuts or edits of any kind. “Studio live ” recordings are not acceptable. No professional filming is required, however we recommend paying special attention to the sound, aiming for the microphone not to be blocked by the stand or your hand. Be aware that poor recording quality may interfere with the jury’s ability to review the material. Participants will not be penalized for the quality of your video, but it is very important that the quality is good enough to see and hear the artistic performance clearly.

Filming can be done with both mobile phone and camera, provided that it does not contain any subsequent edits ( cuts, filters, effects ). Separate takes between different pieces are permitted. The video can not be cut in the middle of a movement. Live recordings from other contests or events can be accepted as long as they are not older than 12 months.

ALL MATERIALS WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE RULES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED WITHOUT RIGHT OF APPEAL, WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REGISTRATION FEE.

Art. 10. If the performance you register in the competition includes several musical works (sections E and F), they must be included into a single video file.

VII. Competition process

Art. 11. The video recordings sent by the participants for the preliminary round will be published on the Facebook page DA CAPO International Music Competition until December 5, 2023. Each member of the jury will watch all the materials submitted and will send to the organizers the judging sheets containing the grades awarded (admitted / rejected), as well as various personal comments, where it deems necessary.

Art. 12. The lists of the participants admitted to the final round will be displayed on December 6, 2023, on both the competition’s website (www.dacapo.music-stars.eu) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dacapomusiccompetition).

Art. 13. The finalists will send the the video files (preferably in mp4 format) for the next round by December 14, 2023. These will be published on the Facebook page DA CAPO International Music Competition until December 16, 2023. Each member of the jury will watch all the materials submitted and will send to the organizers the judging sheets containing the scores awarded, as well as various personal observations, where it deems necessary.

Art. 14. The final ranking will be displayed on December 21, 2023 (by the end of the day), on both the competition’s website and Facebook page.

VIII.The Jury and the judging criteria

Art. 15. Romanian and international artists and personalities will be part of the competition jury. The organisers and members of the MUSIC STARS Cultural Association will not be a part of the jury.

The judging criteria will take into account:

• The age of the competitor;

• Level of study;

• Native qualities (timbre, musicality and charisma);

• Technical skills (breathing, support, vocal emission, intonation, diction, rhythm, virtuosity, musical phrasing, posture, hand position, accuracy of performance);

• Stage attitude (movement, choreography, stage presence, outfit);

• Correct choice of repertoire (depending on native and technical skills, age, temperament);

• Originality of interpretation.

Art. 16. In the preliminary round, the jury will award the admitted / rejected grades.

Art. 17. In the final round, the jury will award each competitor a score between 1 and 100 points. The final score represents the average of the scores awarded by each member of the jury.

Art. 18. All Jury decisions are final and irrevocable.

IX. Awards

Art. 19. The prizes will be awarded depending on the score obtained by the finalists, as follows:

  • • DA CAPO Grand Prix – worth EUR150, is awarded to the finalist competitor who exhibits outstanding artistic and interpretative abilities and achieves the maximum score (100p), regardless of category, section or age group. If there are more competitors with the same score, the winner of the Grand Trophy will be awarded by the vote of all members of the jury.
  • • VIRTUOSO Grand Prix – worth EUR100, is awarded for each CATEGORY, to the finalist competitor who exhibits outstanding artistic and interpretative abilities and achieves the maximum score in their category. In the event that there are multiple competitors with identical scores, the winner will be determined by the vote of the members of the jury in the respective section.
  • • The 1st Prize is awarded in each category, section and age group to the finalists who scored between 95-99 points.
  • • The 2nd Prize is awarded for each category, section and age group to the finalists who scored between 90-94 points.
  • • The 3rd Prize is awarded for each category, section and age group to the finalists who scored between 85-89 points.
  • • Honorable Mentions will be given, in each category, section and age group, to the finalists who scored between 80-84 points.
  • • Participation diploma: is available on request to all participants who do not qualify for the final round. In order to receive a digital participation diploma, please send an email to the contest address after the ending of the competition and the announcement of the final ranking.
  • • For each category and section, the jury may decide to award special prizes.
  • • The prizes can also be shared or ex aequo.
    • If the Jury deems it appropriate, some of the prizes may not be awarded.

Art. 20. DA CAPO Grand Prix and VIRTUOSO Grand Prix consist of cash prizes and digital diplomas. Prizes 1, 2, 3 and the Honorable Mentions consist of digital diplomas. High-quality ready-to-print files will be sent to competitors by email within 30 days of the competition. The cash prizes are to be paid within 30 days of the competition, only through bank transfer. Cash prizes are subject to taxes and duties, according to the laws of the Romanian state.

Art. 21. The winners of DA CAPO Grand Prix and VIRTUOSO Grand Prix will be presented on the competition website and on our social media pages with an artist portrait and their winning video. Presentation materials will be provided by competitors.

Art. 22. The organisers and partners involved in the project may award prizes consisting of invitations to present a recital in their future concert seasons, possible scholarships and extra money prizes, depending on the event budget and possible sponsorships.

X. Final Mentions

Art. 23. All present and related copyrights required (where applicable) in the songs and melodies performed in the Competition belong entirely to the participants. The organizer of the DA CAPO Contest is in a position to broadcast and promote the videos with the submitted performances, without holding any copyright on the works in the contest, this being called broadcaster and not user or provider in fact of the compositions and interpretations exhibited in the 2nd edition of the Contest. (Measures in accordance with Romanian copyright law no. 8/1996.)

Art. 24. By completing the registration form, the competitor (legal guardian) gives their consent to the use, reproduction, printing and publication of the name, image, voice, photographs and biography in the context of promotion and broadcasting of the performance in the Competition. This involves, but is not limited to, the use of photographs and any other audio and video material for the Competition page or website, in the media etc.

Art. 25. Depending on the number of participants registered in the competition, the organiser reserves the right to change the age groups.

Art. 26. The materials sent and the registration fee are non-refundable in case of non-participation for whatever reason.

Art. 27. By completing the registration form, competitors and legal representatives unconditionally accept all the provisions of this Regulation.

Art. 28. The competition is not open to students and members of the MUSIC STARS Cultural Association.

Art. 29. The competitors will keep a spirit of fair play towards the other Participants.

Art. 31. The organizers will follow the preservation of fairness, objectivity and impartiality throughout the competition by all those involved (jury, competitors, partners, collaborators).

Art. 32. The present Regulation may be modified. This will be brought to the notice of the participants as soon as possible, by posting it on the competition’s page.