I. Competition categories
| CHORAL COMPETITON CATEGORIES: | |
| Category A – Unrestricted repertoire | |
| A1 – Children’s Choirs (up to 16 years of age*) | |
| A2 – Mixed Adult Choirs | |
| A3 – Female Adult Choirs | |
| A4 – Male Adult Choirs | |
| A5 – Chamber Choirs | |
| A6 – Youth Choirs A7 – Senior Choirs |
|
| Category B – Sacred music | |
| B1 – Children’s Choirs (up to 16 years of age*) | |
| B2 – Mixed Adult Choirs | |
| B3 – Female Adult Choirs | |
| B4 – Male Adult Choirs | |
| B5 – Chamber Choirs (9 – 24 singers) | |
| B6 – Youth Choirs (up to 21 years) B7 – Senior Choirs |
|
| Category C – Folklore | |
| C1 – Children’s Choirs (up to 16 years of age*) | |
| C2 – Youth Choirs C3 – Adult Choirs |
|
| C4 – Chamber Choirs | |
| Category D – Spiritual, gospel, pop, jazz D1 – Children’s Choirs (up to 16 years*) D2 – Youth Choirs D3 – Adult Choirs D4 – Chamber Choirs |
|
| Category X – Non-competitive | |
| X1 – Non-competing Choirs | |
* 10 % of choristers may be older than 16 but not older than 18 years of age.
| INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITON CATEGORIES: | |
| Category E – Children´s Orchestras up to 16 years | |
| E1 – Orchestras with free instrumentation | |
| E2 – Ensembles with free instrumentation | |
| E3 – Mixed Ensembles: instrumental or vocal-instrumental ensembles | |
| Category F – Youth Orchestras up to 21 years | |
| F1 – Symphonic Orchestras | |
| F2 – String Orchestras | |
| F3 – Symphonic Wind Bands, Fanfares and Brass Bands | |
| F4 – Orchestras with free instrumentation F5 – Ensembles with free instrumentation |
|
| F6 – Mixed Ensembles | |
| Category G – Adult Orchestras | |
| G1 – String Orchestras | |
| G2 – Chamber Orchestras | |
| G3 – Symphonic Bands | |
| G4 – Symphony Orchestras | |
| G5 – Ensembles with free instrumentation | |
| Category X – Non-competitive | |
| X2 – Non-competing Bands and Orchestras | |
II. Competition conditions
- 1. The Musica Orbis Prague Festival competition is open only to non-professional ensembles.
- 2. Age limit: The organizer has the right to request a list of performers with their dates of birth in order to correctly categorize the performers.
- 3. Instrumental accompaniment:
- a. Choirs (categories A, B, C, D, X): at least one a cappella piece must be performed in all competition categories. An acoustic or electric piano is available in the competition hall.
- b. Orchestras (category E, F, G, X): solo pieces are not allowed.
- 4. Scores and list of competition pieces: the list of competition pieces must include the full names of the composers, titles of the pieces, cycles of pieces and the minutes of each piece. The list must be sent to the organizer no later than 30th April 2026. The scores of the competition pieces will be sent in electronic version by e-mail no later than 30th April 2026. The competition pieces must be performed in the order indicated in the sent list of pieces and the festival brochure.
- 5. Competition programme: if the choir participates in the Musica Orbis Prague Festival in more than one category, a different programme must be performed in each category. Each piece may be performed only once in the Musica Orbis Prague Festival competition. The programme must include a piece by a Czech composer or a composer from the ensemble’s country of origin.
- a. Choirs (categories A, B, C, D, X): the competition performance must not exceed 15 minutes (including the arrival and departure of the choir).
- b. Orchestras (category E, F, G, X): the competition performance must not exceed 25 minutes.
- 6. Competition compositions: any unauthorized modifications or interventions in the compositions (including transpositions) must be announced in advance and recorded in the scores sent by the ensemble to the organizer.
- 7. Competition scores: the scores and their copies will not be returned, they will remain in the festival archives.
- 8. Apparatus, microphones, instrumental accompaniment: the absence of microphones and apparatus is a prerequisite in the competition categories.
- 9. Acoustic rehearsal in the competition hall:
- a. Choirs (categories A, B, C, D, X): the maximum rehearsal time is 10 minutes total time (including arrival and departure from the stage).
- b. Orchestras (Category E, F, G, X): the total time limit for the performance of ensembles is 40 minutes (stay on stage), which includes a maximum of 15 minutes rehearsal on stage in the competition hall without the presence of the jury and 25 minutes competition performance. The orchestra’s arrival and departure are included in the total time
If the time limit is exceeded, the organizer has the right to rehearse. The time of the acoustic test must be respected. If the participant does not keep the time set for the acoustic rehearsal, no alternative time can be set and the participant loses the right to the rehearsal.
- 10. Competition venue: upon arrival at the competition venue, the ensemble will immediately report to the competition registration, where they will be assigned a dressing room whose maximum length is limited according to the current occupancy of the competition venue – all participants are obliged to respect the time schedules of the competition venue and follow the instructions of the organizers.
- 11. Competition jury: the competition is represented by an expert jury headed by a chairman. Once the jury has given its decision, it is final and there is no possibility of appeal.
- 12. Judging system: each juror has a maximum of 30 points to award based on the following evaluation criteria:
- a. Choirs (categories A, B, C, D, X):
- Technical performance – vocal culture and singing technique, intonation, rhythm
- Interpretation – dynamics, tempo, colour, phrasing, stylistic interpretation, etc.
- Dramaturgy of the competition performance
- Overall artistic impression
- b. Orchestras (category E, F, G, X):
- Technical performance – harmony, balance of orchestra sound, intonation, rhythm
- Interpretation – dynamics, tempo, colour, phrasing, stylistic interpretation, etc.
- Dramaturgy of the competition performance
- Overall artistic impression
- a. Choirs (categories A, B, C, D, X):
- 13. The final score is determined by the average of the marks obtained from the individual judges. On the basis of the final score, the choirs are placed in the relevant scoring band (bronze, silver and gold). The score bands are not limited by the number of competitors placed.
| 25,00 – 30,00 | Golden medal |
| 20,00 – 24,99 | Silver medal |
| 15,00 – 19,99 | Bronze medal |
| 0,00 – 14,99 | Honorable mention |
- 14. GRAND PRIX: a special award, the Grand Prix, will be given to the choir that achieves the highest number of points across categories.
- 15. Special Jury Prizes: the jury has the option of awarding a special prize for outstanding performances such as conducting, vocal technique, compositions, competition performance dramaturgy and other positive aspects of the performance identified by the Jury, either for the ensemble, choirmaster or conductor or instrumental accompaniment.
- 16. Documentation of the evaluation: each choir director or choir representative has the opportunity to interview the jury members after the announcement of the competition results to receive feedback.
III. General conditions
- 1. Registration: to register you must fill in the registration form by 31st March 2026
- 2. The registration fee must be paid within 14 days after the registration of the ensemble. The registration fee is non-refundable. The registration fee includes:
- participation of the choir in the International Competition Musica Orbis Prague Festival
- participation in the announcement of the competition results
- competition diploma and medal
- participation of the choirmaster and representatives of the ensemble in social meetings with the competition adjudicators
- presentation packages for choir members and choirmaster
- online file presentation
- participation in accompanying concerts and performances in Prague
- participation in the opening concert
- participation in the workshop
- the opportunity to accompany the Mass in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle with your singing
- 3. Competition repertoire: All participants must provide a list of competition and non-competition pieces with a copy of the score by 30th April 2025
- 4. Additional documents to be sent: all documents must be sent no later than 30th April 2026
- High quality colour file photo (at least 1000 px, 300 DPI)
- Colour photo of the choirmaster in high quality (at least 1000 px, 300 DPI)
- Biography of the ensemble (max 100 words) and choirmaster (max 70 words)
- 5. Accompanying the Mass in the Cathedral: For the accompaniment of the Mass in St. Vitus Cathedral, a composition of a spiritual nature is required. The title of the composition shall be sent by the choirs to the festival organiser together with the other scores by 30th April 2026.
- 6. Transport: the groups will arrange their own transport at their own expense.
- 7. Festival Packages: out of Prague participants are obliged to choose one of the festival packages with accommodation.
IV. Final provisions
- 1. The organizer reserves the rights related to the taking of video and audio recordings of festival activities, including their further processing and use. By submitting the application form, participants agree to the taking of images and sound recordings.
- 2. By submitting the application form, participants agree to the use of images and sound recordings by the festival organiser for documentary and promotional purposes, for publication of materials in the media and on the Internet.
- 3. Change of the festival programme reserved.
- 4. By submitting the application form, the participants declare that they have been informed of the above conditions of competitions and participation in the festival.
- 5. The personal data provided will be used solely to check compliance with the rules of the competition (age-restricted categories) and will not be disclosed to any third party. This data will be deleted after the end of the festival.
- 6. In the event of an adverse epidemiological situation or by government decree, the festival programme may be restricted or cancelled.
V. General trade terms and conditions
- The Prague Concert Co.,s.r.o VAT: CZ64577333 Registered at the Municipal Court in Prague, registration no. C 41525/MSPH is the Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2025 production provider. Contact: mailto:admin@concert.cz, Tel: +420 222 524 388
- The following sets out the general trade terms and conditions which apply between the Customer ordering services from The Prague Concert Co. (hereinafter referred to as “the Customer”) and The Prague Concert Co. s.r.o as provider of the services (hereinafter referred to as TPCC). TPCC is the Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2025 production provider and suplies services in the area of tourism and destination management, particularly performing arts tours, cultural and educational tours. Services supplied include, but are not limited to, accommodation, meals, transport, excursions, tickets and the organisation of Musica Orbis Prague 2025 activities.Firm Orders for ServicesA Firm Order for services is deemed to have been made if the Customer accepts a Festival Quotation sent by TPCC to the Customer. The acceptance is deemed to be the confirmation of the Festival Quotation by the Customer’s authorised representative, expressed to a representative of TPCC in writing. Services ordered by means of a Firm Order shall be governed by these General Trade Terms and Conditions (hereinafter referred to as the “Terms”) and the provisions of the Czech Commercial Code and Civil Code, as amended. TPCC Festival Quotation sets out the terms and conditions under which TPCC undertakes to provide the Customer with professional inbound services based on the inclusions set out in the Festival Quotation. The Itinerary forms an integral part of the Festival Quotation and any change to the Itinerary may result in a change to these terms and conditions, including the price of the tour.Cancellation conditions:Till 31.03.2025 Except non-refundable registration fee – no cancellation fee will be charged
From 01.04.2025 50% of package price per person will be charged
From 01.05.2025 100% of package price per person will be chargedComplaints policy All complaints must be made to a representative of The Prague Concert Co. in a person or sent by mail to mailto: admin@concert.cz as soon as possible after the subject of a complaint arises. TPCC will use all reasonable endeavours to resolve the subject of a complaint immediately. At the latest all complaints will be responded to and a resolution offered within 30 days of their being made. Link to the EU dispute resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/?event=main.trader.registerInformation on data protection GDPR: All personal data provided by participants will be used by The Prague Concert Co. s.r.o. solely for the purpose of registration, invoicing and communication before, during and after the Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2025. Such data will not be used for the sending of newsletters or unsolicited commercial offers and will be not forwarded to 3rd parties without the participants’ prior permission.Delivery and payment terms TPCC undertakes to deliver the ordered services to the Customer within the scope and time set and confirmed according to the Festival Quotation – under the section: Inclusions.
The Itinerary forms an integral part of the Festival Quotation and any change to the Itinerary may result in a change to these terms and conditions, including the price of the tour.Payment Terms- Prices will be quoted in Euros and payment made in Euros unless the parties agree otherwise.
- The payment schedule for each Firm Order shall be specified in a Quotation sent by TPCC to the Customer.
- We reserve the right to curtail or cancel services if payments are not received by the due date.
- The remittance of your deposit shall be deemed to indicate your acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in Festival Quotation.
- The cost of remitting funds shall be borne by the Customer, who will ensure that funds are remitted in Euros unless otherwise agreed.
- Should the specified payments not be received 7 days before the provision of services, TPCC shall be entitled to withdraw from the contractual relationship, by which the right to claim damages shall not be affected.
- TPCC shall issue an invoice for taxable supplies.
- Payments for the services provided shall be executed by interbank transfer, unless otherwise agreed.
- Where a „valid until“ date is appended to the Quotation, the quoted price is valid only until the date specified.
- TPCC shall be entitled to modify the price unilaterally if rates of VAT or other taxes applicable to the services provided (e.g. city tax) rise in the period between the placement of a Firm Order and the provision of services.
- The exchange rate of the Czech crown as used for the determination of the service price quoted in another currency changes by more than 10% from that in force at the date the Quotation was sent. For the avoidance of misunderstanding the exchange rates used to determine fulfilment of this condition will be the official rate published by the Czech National Bank applicable on the relevant dates.
- TPCC shall notify the Customer of any increase in the price of services no later than 20 working days before the provision of services.
- TPCC may in respect of specific quotations guarantee the price in a given currency against exchange rate fluctuations. Where such a guarantee is explicitly given, the right to modify the price unilaterally is waived.
