Leonardo da Vinci International Choral Festival
06th Leonardo da Vinci International Choral Festival, Florence, Italy
Date: 16 July - 19 July 2024
About the 4th Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival
This festival is run by the co- founder of the Florence International Choir Festival, Leonardo Sagliocca. The Festival’s concept is focused on Leonardo Da Vinci principally in the choice of venues, where Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero – a notary in Florence – and Leonardo himself worked. LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL has the goal to create a great opportunity for cultural exchange between the different geographical and artistic traditions of the participating countries – music is an excellent vehicle for sharing knowledge and friendship among peoples.
LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is open to all genres of choral singing, even with instrumental presence, according to the rules and categories expressed in the “CATEGORIES” section.
Florence
Florence – cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable heritage of history, architecture and art – forms the stunning backdrop to this remarkable festival. Florence is the capital city of Italy’s Tuscany region cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable heritage of history, architecture and art. With its many galleries, museums and monuments, it is an inspiration to artists to see places such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti.
Sample Itinerary
All groups participating in the festival will perform in two stages:
- The Competition
- The Evening Concerts
Day 1
Opening Ceremony: 4 pm
Opening Concert: 6 pm
Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 2
Competition: 10 am to 12:30 pm
Workshop with Paul Phoenix (Purple Vocals and former tenor of King’s Singers)
Concert: 7 pm
Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 3
Competition: 10 am to 5 pm
Nomination of the candidates for the Choral Grand Prix: 6 pm
Concert: 7 pm
Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 4
Finalists’ Competition for the Choral Grand Prix: 4 pm
Awarding Ceremony: 6:30 pm
Final Concert: 8:30 pm; Conductor Tim Sharp
During the Final Concert participating choirs will also perform famous Opera Choruses (not obligatory but recommended)
Festival Dinner for all participants, Jury & Staff: 9:30 pm
Categories
A Mixed Choirs Adults
B Equal Voices Choirs Adults
C Youth & University Choirs
D Children Choirs
E Chamber Choirs, Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles
F Sacred Music
G Popular, Folk, Gospel, Barbershop, Jazz and Modern Ensembles
H Early Music
M Modern and Contemporary Music
Z Non-competitive Choirs (only concerts)
Each group will perform 3 pieces. The total performance time must be between 9 and 15 minutes
Category Rules
Categories A, B, C, D, E
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one work of classical repertoire
-
one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
-
one work of the choir’s own choice
Category F
-
one work of Renaissance polyphony a cappella
-
one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
-
one work of the choir’s own choice
Category G
-
one work of Italian repertoire with original arrangement
-
one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
-
one work of the choir’s own choice
for Jazz Ensembles
-
one work from the great American Jazz repertoire
Category H
-
one work composed before year 1400
-
one work composed before year 1600
-
one work composed before year 1750
– minimum one piece must be a cappella
– one piece must be from the Italian repertoire
– one piece must be from the choir’s country of origin
Category M
-
one work to be chosen among the downloadable pieces in the sections “Renowned Composers” and “Emerging Composers” of this website
-
one work of modern music (1900-2000)
-
one work composed after 2000
Category Z (non-competitive)
PRIZES
In each category the Jury will assign the following prizes:
1st place: 700 Euros (only for categories A, B, C, D, E), Gold Medal, Diploma
2nd place: Diploma
3rd place: Diploma
SPECIAL PRIZES
Grand Prix for the Best Choir of the Festival: 3.000 Euros and “La Battaglia di Anghiari” by Leonardo Da Vinci (reproduction made by a notable Florentine artist)
Best Conductor: 500 euros and Trophy
Best Male Soloist: Trophy
Best Female Soloist: Trophy
Best Performance of Italian Composer’s Work: Trophy
Best Performance of Contemporary Composer’s Work: Trophy
Best Choreography: Trophy
Best Traditional Costumes: Trophy
Audience Special Prize: Special Trophy
ADJUDICATING CRITERIA
Performances will be judged by the international jury whose members include conductors, opera singers and composers. Choirs will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Intonation
- Vocal Production
- Insieme
- Interpretation
- Dynamics
- Repertoire
- Diction
- Overall Artistic Effect
The Jury
The Jury for the Competition will be composed of 5 members. Another Jury of 5 members, different from the Competition Jury, will decide the Winner of the Choral Grand Prix.
The winners of the different categories, if their mark is at least 80,01 points or higher, will be admitted at the Grand Prix Competition.
During the Grand-Prix the Choirs will perform a free chosen repertoire lasting between 7 and 10 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). The pieces must be different from those performed during the categories. The decisions of the Jury are final. The Jury, after consideration of all artistic matters, may not award some prizes or may award joint or additional prizes.
Final concert
The final concert, with orchestra, will focus on a selected repertoire and will be conducted by a famous musician. The repertoire will be communicated soon after the application. This concert is not compulsory, but it is a great chance to enhance the artistic skills of the choir.
Enrollment fee
The Festival enrollment fee for each Choir is 200 euros and 150 euros for every additional category, non refundable. The Festival enrollment fee for each Choir joining only non-competitive concerts (category Z) is 200 euros.
|
Diploma |
Level |
Points |
|
Bronze Diploma |
1 |
65,01 – 70,00 |
|
2 |
70,01 – 75,00 |
|
|
Silver Diploma |
1 |
75,01 – 80,00 |
|
2 |
80,01 – 85,00 |
|
|
Gold Diploma |
1 |
85,01 – 90,00 |
|
2 |
90,01 – 95,00 |
|
|
3 |
95,01 – 100,00 |
Travel and Accommodation
Accommodation for all choirs and orchestras will be organized by the Festival organisers in single, double, triple, multiple rooms in 2, 3, 4, 5 stars Hotels in the historical centre of Florence. For every group, up to three complimentary free accommodation will be offered according to the number of participants. On request we can organise a longer stay in Florence with visits to other Italian cities.
The Festival will organize meals for all the choirs and orchestras in typical Florentine restaurants serving traditional Italian food with quick service and inexpensive prices. At the end of the Festival there will be a dinner (offered by the Organisers) for choir and orchestra conductors (up to 2 members for each group), Jury, staff in a very special and historical restaurant in the centre of Florence. All the other participants will have a special dinner-buffet in another venue in Florence.
Application Deadline
Application deadline: 10th January 2020. After receiving the application form, each group will be contacted by email and receive detailed information on further steps. The payment of the enrollment fee must be paid as soon as possible after application.
20th January 2020 – Deadline for the first payment for rooms and board – 40% of the total
10th February 2020 – Deadline for the final payment for rooms and board.
Price does not include Flights
Once you enquire with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group. Choir Contact experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking. We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir. We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking. Travel Insurance CCI recommend that all travellers take out travel insurance at the time of booking.
A quotation costs nothing, so contact us today on 01 888 7830
or email us at reservations@choircontactireland.ie