EUROPEAN STUDENT ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL INFORMATION BROCHURE European Student Orchestra Festival 22-25.11.2012
Is your orchestra doing well...... and in search of an exciting and international challenge? The University Symphony Orchestra challenges you at the European Student Orchestra Festival from 22 till 25th of November 2012. The University Symphony Orchestra of the Catholic University of Leuven has reached its fiftieth anniversary and this calls for a celebration! In order to mark this festive event, we organise the European Student Orchestra Festival. Next to an opportunity to give concerts, this four day festival wants to be a crossroads for likeminded students a place where students with the same passion for music can meet each other and enjoy playing music. We also want to link an aspect of competition to this encounter. We want to assess student orchestras and reward them for their achievements. An internationally renowned jury will decide who wins this cultural benchmark. the USO? For almost fifty years, the University Symphony Orchestra of the Catholic University of Leuven has been a well- established name in the Belgian musical world. Every season starts at the beginning of the academic year and ends with a climax in March with the concerts in the Pieter De Somer lecture hall. Apart from intensive rehearsals and concerts in Leuven and elsewhere in the country, the USO also has a yearly concert tour on its calendar, as well as two rehearsal weekends. This is all made possible by the qualified experience of our conductor Edmond Saveniers. Next to playing music, the USO stands for lots of fun during many extra activities. >> For more information about the USO, click on www.usoleuven.be << Leuven as operating base The city of Leuven as operating base can only be but a blessing for the European Student Orchestra. Leuven is located within a stone s throw from Brussels, and it takes only fifteen minutes to reach the national airport by train. No other Flemish city fires one s imagination as a centuries-old university city as Leuven does, combining a rich historical heritage with a friendly and exuberant urban culture and an unlimited creative energy. Leuven is not only centuries-old, but also alive and kicking! >> For more information about Leuven, click here << 1
THE PROGRAM Thursday November 22th 2012 MORNING & AFTERNOON Sightseeing in Leuven Rehearsal (depending on the orchestra s programme) EVENING Preliminary concerts 1 (19h 23h) Concert Orchestra 1 Concert Orchestra 2 Concert Orchestra 3 Friday November 23th 2012 MORNING & AFTERNOON Sightseeing in Leuven Rehearsal (depending on the orchestra s programme) EVENING Preliminary concerts 2 (19h 23h) Concert Orchestra 4 Concert Orchestra 5 Concert Orchestra 6 Proclamation Saturday November 24th 2012 MORNING & AFTERNOON Winner: rehearsal Other orchestras: socio-cultural activity EVENING Final show (20u 23u) Concert winning orchestra Presentation of the Award Reception / final party Sunday November 25th 2012 MORNING Brunch AFTERNOON Departure of the orchestras End of the festival 2
Price? Only 100 each orchestra member. This includes: Accomodation for three nights All meals (beverages not included) All excursions planned A unique experience to take home and share with all of your friends Interested? Enrol before May 31 (enrolment regulations cfr competition regulations). Questions? Do not hesitate to contact us by mail at info@esof.be or call us on +32 472 382 682. Follow us on Facebook! Click here. This project is a coopera tion with Acco, the city of Leuven, the Catholic University of Leuven, Alma, ENUO and Inbev. 3
Competition regulations European Competition for University Symphony Orchestras Competition regulations The European Competition for University Symphony Orchestras will take place from November 22th till November 25th 2012 as a way to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the University Symphony Orchestra of the Catholic University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven). Five participants will be chosen out of all the applications. These participants will hold a concert (30minutes) during the festival. The USO will participate as a guest orchestra and does not need to be selected by the jury, but they agree to the competition regulations and will submit a complete enrolment file. One of these six orchestras will be elected and will have the honour to take care of the final concert. Article 1: Participation criteria Participation at this competition is open to all University Symphony Orchestras on condition that the following criteria are satisfied and that the orchestras refrain from a candidature in the jury: The symphony orchestra must consist of members younger than 35 years. The symphony orchestra must be linked with a European university. A minimum of 50% of their members must be Bachelor, Master or postgraduate students. The enrolment file must be complete. Article 2: Enrolment The application is only complete when it consists of the following elements: The orchestra s curriculum vitae. The member list with the names, addresses, birth dates, studies, year (or completed studies) of the musicians. A recent recording. The conductor s curriculum vitae (and the soloist s, if so desired). Festival programme + programme of the festival s final concert. Musical recommendation letter. Recommendation letter of the rector or culture board of the university. Contact details (name, address, email address, phone) The evaluation of the applications will be based on the completeness of the file, the artistic quality, the musical recommendation letter and the programme. Only five orchestras will be chosen to participate in this competition, joined by the USO as sixth orchestra. The enrolment deadline is May 31, 2012. Article 3: Participation at the European Competition for University Symphony Orchestras The organisation / jury decides which orchestras can participate, based on the criteria mentioned above. At least half of the jury consists of professional musicians / musicologists. Maximum five orchestras can be selected out of all the applications. Each orchestra has to pay 100 per member for the complete package (accommodation, food, ) Article 4: Repertoire The programme chosen for the festival and the final concert of the festival (should that prove to be necessary) has to be submitted when enrolling. The festival program takes maximum 45, presentation included. The programme of the final concert (duration max. 45 + 40 ) consists of two works to be chosen. The programme of the final concert must be coherent, which has to be amplified by the participant s submitted programme explanation. The right to use sheet music is at the expense of the participating orchestras. 4
Article 5: Assessment The assessment is effectuated by a professional jury. The professional jury consists of at least three persons chosen out of a group of professionals. (conductors, soloists, pedagogues and musicologists). The professional jury s chairman also takes part in the assessment. The public award consists of the audience that has heard all of the orchestras. The organisation composes the professional jury. The criteria for the assessment include the selection for the programme, musical level, appearance, interpretation, technique and so on. The jury judges unanimously. The jury will be at the participants disposal to receive feedback during an informal talk. Article 6: Prizes The jury will grant a certificate to all of the participants. The winner of the festival will have the honour to perform at the final concert (24/11/2012) and will also receive a prize of 1500. The winner will also get hold of the ESOF orchestra trophy. There will also be an occasion to discuss an exchange between university ensembles during the next academic year. Article 7: Other regulations During the festival, the participating orchestras are introduced by a host. If the orchestra wishes to do so, they are offered the possibility to give a presentation themselves. For unconventional presentations, however, the orchestras have to take into account the technical limitations and the time available. This needs to be requested in advance to the organisation. When enrolling, the participant agrees with these regulations. Extra jury regulations will be formulated by the organisation. All prizes mentioned are under the proviso that the financial means are available. Orchestras which do not meet with certain criteria can be disqualified by the organization. In all situations which are not dealt with within these regulations, in case of difference of opinions or interpretation of an article, the organization will decide upon the sanction. This decision is binding and irreversible. There will also be an occasion to discuss an exchange between university ensembles during the following academic years. Exceptions to these regulations have to be applied for to the organization at least a month in advance and need to be thoroughly motivated. 5