International Performing Arts Competition

Dates: 17- 19 February 2017
Applications deadline: 1 November 2016 (international contestants)
23 January 2017 (national contestants)
Disciplines:
• Singing (classical, contemporary, folk)
• Instrumental playing (solo and ensemble)
• Dance (ballet, modern, historical dance, street-dance)
Age category: Children from 6 y.o. & adults, no age limit.
Programme:
5 November 2016 - 1st Round by audio/video recordings (international participants).
24-25 January 2017 - 1st Round by audio/video recordings (national participants).
21-22 February 2017 - arrival of international participants.
Wednesday, 22 February 2017 – Meeting with participants, running order draw.
Thursday, 23 February 2017 – 1st day of the 2nd Round of the competition, master classes, opening night and concert of laureates of “Stars of the Albion” 2013 – 2016.
Friday, 24 February 2017 – 2nd day of the 2nd Round of the competition, master classes, cultural programme.
Saturday, 25 February 2017 – 3rd day of the 2nd Round of the competition, free time, cultural programme.
Sunday, 26 February 2017 – 4th day of the 2nd Round of the competition, excursions, awards ceremony and the Gala concert with participation of winners of the “Stars of the Albion. Maslenitsa” and celebrity guest artists. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House and Theatre, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT
27 February 2017 - departure.
Diplomas & awards list:
• £500 - Grand Prix.
• I place – Golden trophy and cash prize of £70.
• II place – Silver trophy.
• III place – Bronze trophy.
• £100 - A special prize for the best performance/composition on music by a Russian composer.
Concert prizes (performances throughout the year) are awarded to the Grand Prix winner and laureates of the 1st and 2nd places. “Maslenitsa Performance Prize” nominated by Ensemble Productions to take part in the Gala concert pf the “Maslenitsa” International Festival of Russian Culture in London.
Special prizes for the best dance/vocal number or choreography/ costume/ stage presence.
A “Young Future Talent of Stars of the Albion” Diploma for the youngest contestant.
Diploma of appreciation to teachers and directors.

Registration Form (Download)

International Youth Winter Festival "New Talents World"

10-11 December 2016
Applications are invited from musicians, dancers and theatre studios.
Applications deadline: 1 November 2016
Disciplines:
• Music:
- Singing (classical, folk, pop/jazz). Ensembles (up to 12 members), choirs, soloists.
- Instrumental (classical, contemporary, jazz).
- Piano, strings, woodwinds, guitar, brass.
- Ensembles (up to 12 members), soloists.
• Dance (ballet, modern, hip-hop, ballroom). Groups and soloists.
• Drama. Groups and soloists.
Age category:
• 15 – 19 years
• 20 – 35 years
Additional categories: professional, amateur artist.

Registration Form (Download)

THE I ROUND is based on video recordings of two contrasting pieces recently performed and filmed by the contestant (we accept video links to YouTube or Vimeo and DVD formats). Application forms, proof of payment of a registration fee together with one photograph and recordings should be sent to the org. committee by e-mail or post. It is important that the recordings should be of a good quality and unedited. Photographs equally should be of a fine quality in JPEG format suitable for printing.

Maximum duration per application:
DANCE: 5’50” for ensembles and 4’00’’ for soloists (both pieces in total).
SINGING: 6’ in total.
INSTRUMENTAL: 8’ in total.
DRAMA: 10’ in total.
Only 30 participants will be selected to perform in the II round.

THE II (FINAL) ROUND will be opened to the general public and will be held at the Mission of Rossotrudnichestvo in Central London with participation of distinguished guest artists.
The programme of the II round should consist of two contrasting pieces. It is not allowed for participants to repeat compositions from the previous round. It is expected that the contestants will perform pieces from memory. An original edition (not copies of scores) must be presented to the jury prior to the performance by the contestant if performing one of more pieces written by contemporary classical composer.

Maximum duration per application:
DANCE: 4’00” for ensembles and 1’50’’ for soloists (both pieces in total).
SINGING: 4’50” in total.
INSTRUMENTAL: 4’50’’ in total.
DRAMA: 5’50” in total.

“Stars of the Albion”
A free choice of repertoire and languages.
For participants applying for the "Maslenitsa" award and performance prize each song in both rounds should be performed in Russian or to be written by a Russian composer.
Russian Romance nomination. A repertoire in both rounds should include one classical and one “Old Russian Style” [Starinnyi Russkii romance] or Gypsy Romance.
All compositions should be performed from memory and on the original language.
“Stars of the Albion. New Talents World”
A free choice of repertoire and languages.

The contestants at all rounds will be judged by well-known artists, musicians and representatives of media.
Winners of the “Stars of the Albion. New Talents World” will be invited to perform at the Rudolf Steiner Theatre with London Youth Orchestra.

DANCE maximum 40 points (1 – 10)
• Performance – technique, style, relevance of the repertoire performed to the age criteria of participant.
• Artistic expression, interpretation.
• Choreography
• Stage presentation, costume, attitude.

SINGING maximum 40 points (1 – 10)
• Technique – pitch and intonation, tone colour and tone quality, sound projection and microphone technique (contemporary style).
• Artistic interpretation, expression and musicianship.
• Choice of repertoire, difficulty level.
• Stage presentation, costume, attitude.

INSTRUMENTAL 40 points (1 – 10)
• Performance technique, intonation (n/a for piano), quality of tone and virtuosity.
• Artistic interpretation, expression and character, musicianship.
• Choice of repertoire and difficulty level.
• Stage presentation, attitude.

DRAMA 40 points (1 – 10)
Small forms, mono theatrical plays.
• Performance mastership – development of the theme, quality of artistic interpretation.
• Culture of performance – technique, articulation, movement, stage presentation.
• Scenery, stage decorations, costumes.

Terms of participation:
1. All works must be performed from the memory except the ensemble category.
2. The competitors (except pianists) may bring their own accompanists, and, if so, must mention it in the application form. Alternatively, the Org. Committee can provide accompanists.
3. Participants are allowed to participate in several nominations.
4. Selected participants will receive awards in accordance with all listed nominations and age categories.
5. The adjudicators reserve the right not to award 1-3 prizes to competitors if they consider that the level of participants is not suitable for awarding the prize.
6. The selected participants, winners of the contest will be invited to perform at the final Gala-Concert.
7. The Adjudicators’ decision is final.
Technical requirements:
1. Participants must provide quality instrumental accompaniment on CD/MD bearers or live accompaniment.
2. Every recording should be presented on a separate bearer with the indication of the piece title, name of the lyricist, composer as well as the name of the contestant or a group of contestants and duration of the piece.
3. It is not acceptable for singers to perform with the pre-recorded singing backing track.
4. The representatives of each country provide also a national flag (105 – 70 cm).
Based on the marks scored, each participant will be awarded diplomas & prizes.

Registration fee*:
Registration fee is non-refundable.

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
£50 – registration fee per person
£5 - £15 – ticket to the final Gala concert and awards ceremony
£30 – video recording of gala concert and performances during the festival
£15 – photographs
£20 – rehearsal with the staff accompanist (30 minutes)
Accommodation in the hotel (from £300 for 5 nights or £210 for 3 nights).
Free of charge rehearsal studio**

Special package: £390 for 3 nights or £520 for 5 nights (including registration fee, accommodation in the hotel with breakfast, transfer to and from the hotel to the airport/ train station, master class, excursion, free entry to all festival events, photo and video footage, two 15-minutes rehearsals with staff accompanist).
As per request of the participant we can organize an individual program of your stay in London.
Travel expenses to / from UK and travel insurance are the sole responsibility of the participant.

NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
£25.00 per participant in a solo category
£5-£15.00 per participant (ensemble of 2 – 5 performers)
£8.00 per person for the ensemble of 6 and more performers

Additional positions:
£5 - £15 – ticket to the final Gala concert and awards ceremony
£30 – video recording of gala concert and performances during the festival
£15 – photographs
£20 – rehearsal with the staff accompanist (30 minutes)
Accommodation in the hotel
Free of charge rehearsal studio**
Music/Dance/Drama Master Classes (£25.00 per person in category solo and £15.00 for members of ensembles or groups).

26 - 28 February 2016
"Stars of the Albion" as a bridge between the cultures of Russia and Britain
The 3rd international contest of performing arts “Stars of the Albion” took place in London on 26 – 28 February 2016. The festival was organised by the Russian-British Academy "Musica Nova" with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Mission of Rossotrudnichestvo in the UK and Russian Community Council in the UK.
The “Stars of the Albion” contest is the annual event which joins young extraordinary talented musicians, dancers and actors. The project forms a unique bridge connecting different cultures and in particular of Russia and Great Britain. It aims to provide valuable opportunities for young emerging artists to perform, learn, communicate and develop.
Only 45 contestants (soloists and ensembles) have been selected by the organizing committee to participate in the second round. Audience According to the Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in the UK Mr. Anton Chesnokov: "The jury had a difficult task selecting the best of the best, and we really witnessed how our eyes lighted new stars, the Stars of Albion." Being a perfect opportunity for participants to explore each other culture and traditions, the Festival program was meticulously organised and provided young artists with a busy schedule comprised of performances, master classes with distinguished contemporary artists as well as a cultural program.
Talented artists representing the UK, Russia, Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Israel and Georgia came to London to participate in the event. For three days the audience had the opportunity to enjoy their vocal, dance and instrumental performances held at various prestigious concert halls in Central London.
This year in the jury worked outstanding artists, musicians, singers, instrumentalists and composers: HSH Princess Natalia G. Eromina-Yousoupoff (UK), Count Pierre Cheremetieff (France), Arman Gukasyan (Armenia), Simone Spagnolo (Italy), Lenny Lawrence (Italy), Melanie Spanswick (UK), Alla Komarova (Russia), Alexa Pol (UK), Polina Prutskova (UK), Daniel Keating Roberts (UK) and Shalva Kavtaradze (Georgia). The Patron of the festival is the people's artist of Russia singer Valeri Aliev.
The Gala concert of the festival was a grand, dynamic show, to reveal a stunningly high level of mastery of the participants and, therefore, a serious level of music education in the UK, Russia and European countries, who presented their talents in this competition. The winners, guests and participants of the gala concert welcomed HSH Princess Natalia G. Eromina-Yousoupoff, Count Pierre Cheremetieff, Arman Gukasyan (Armenia), the press secretary of the Russian Embassy Konstantin Shlykov and the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah, who addressed the audience.
Thanks to sponsorship of "Britain Business Consulting", the prize fund of the festival increased to £1250, and the winners of the competition received diplomas, memorable gifts and prizes, including the Grand Prix for £500 received by Seraphim Murzyukov (Russia). Several special prizes, participants received from the World Association for the Performing Arts, as a special prize "Stars of Albion" is the opportunity to perform in the gala show of the international festival "Maslenitsa" at the stage of Milton Court Hall (Barbican center) at 13 March 2016.
For any artist this competition is very important. This is not only a chance to win diplomas and prizes, but also is the possibility of communication, development, expansion of musical and intellectual horizons. It is a platform for the growth and development of the artistic beginning, the opportunity to compete with other talents to perform at the big stage in front of strict professional jury recommendations from well-known musicians, master classes and invaluable experience, staying in a creative mind. The next international competition will be held in 23 – 26 February 2017, applications will be accepted until 1 February 2017.Detailed information on the competition website www.starsofthealbion.org.uk