Dear Friends,
     “Stars of the Albion” international performing arts festival & competition is the annual event held in prestigious concert venues across London. It is a three-day programme consisting of a variety of events including concerts, exhibitions, workshops and the competition itself as a central focus point. The event will be attended by famous artists, celebrities and international performers. 
     "Stars of the Albion" is a unique multicultural project that joins musicians, dancers and artists from across the world and provides valuable opportunities for young emerging artists to showcase their talent as well as to enhance technical and performance skills, to establish and develop their career.  
     The project is organised by Musica Nova Productions Agency & Academy under the Patronage of the World Association of Performing Arts (WAPA) and is promoted by Stars of the Albion Ltd Foundation.
   The 8th international performing arts festival & competition “Stars of the Albion. Grand Prix 2021” will be held on 23 – 25 April 2021 in London. There are two rounds: the 1^st Round is held online and the successful candidates are invited then to the 2^nd round held in London for live concert performances (Open Grand Prix Final).
   Participation in the Open Grand Prix Final will be based upon results of the online competition. We will offer visa support to international artists who may require an entry visa to the UK. The Gala Show and an Awards Ceremony will be held at one of the top theatres in central London. 
   Prizes for the Open Grand Prix Final include diplomas, trophies as well as four monetary prizes per each nomination equalling £500 each. 45 soloists, 10 ensembles/ groups will be selected to come to London to participate in the Open Grand Prix Final round.
   We expect participants from England, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, China, Taiwan, Greece, Malta, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Belarus and other countries.
   Participation in this contest is open to artists from 6 years old with no age limit and is divided between age categories, with two options of participation in the capacity of either as amateur or professional performers. All styles and genres can be presented for the competition programme. There are no repertoire restrictions. It is expected that each participant will perform two contrasting compositions. For singers it is compulsory to include one song in English the second maybe performed either in English or in other languages. If that's the case, prior to the performance the contestant should provide the adjudication panel with an adequate translation into English in writing of their original song, which they are going to perform in the competition programme. Please see a full list of requirements in our programme section.
  Valuable prizes will be awarded for the best artistic work, short documentary film and choreography on music by the 20th century composer.
The adjudication panel is comprised of famous musicians, composers, producers and artists and international judges.
TOTAL PRIZE FUND: £2500
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our events & to extraordinary discoveries of the “Stars of the Albion” project!

• MUSIC              Singing (classical, contemporary, musical theatre). 
                            Soloists and ensembles up to 12 people and choirs. 
                            Instrumental playing (classical, folk, jazz).
                            Soloists, ensembles up to 12 people.

• DANCE             Ballet, modern, folk.
                            Soloists, ensembles up to 12 people and groups.
• VISUAL ARTS   Performance in Fine Art, photography, short documentary films

Age category:    Children from 6 y.o. & adults, no age limit  

Dates of the Grand Final in London: 23 - 25 April 2021

GRAND FINAL IN LONDON
Thursday, 22 April 2021 - arrival

Friday, 23 April 2021

12.00-15.00 Master classes & excursion (optional)
12.00-17.30  Visual Arts competition. Private reception.

16.00-16.45  A press conference, meeting of the participants with the Organising Committee
18.30-20.30  Opening Night of “Stars of the Albion. Grand Prix 2021”
Featuring outstanding young talents, laureates of “Stars of the Albion” festivals and distinguished international musicians, adjudicators & special guests of the competition.

Saturday, 24 April 2021
11.00-20.45 Competition. SINGING. Classical, Contemporary & Musical Theatre nominations. 
11.00-21.00 Competition. INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE.  
*excursion (optional), free time, cultural programme. Venues are subject to change
Sunday, 25 April 2021

Morning: Master classes*excursion (optional), free time, cultural programme. 
11.00-13.00 DANCE (solo, groups), CHOIR
14.00-17.00 Rehearsal for the Gala Show & Awards Ceremony
18.00-21.00 Awards Ceremony & Gala of winners of the “Stars of the Albion. Grand Prix 2021” 8th International Performing Arts Festival & Competition with the participation of celebrity guest artists and ensembles.
Monday, 26 April 2021 – Departure

      The programme and venues are subject to confirmation

Based on the ratings put forward by the jury on a 10-point scale, the Org. Committee determines the winners of the first, second and third places, as well as the Grand Prix of the Competition.

• £2000 in total Grand Prix – 4 monetary prizes of £500 each per Discipline.
• I place – Golden trophy and Diploma.
• II place – Silver trophy and Diploma.
• III place – Bronze trophy and Diploma.

STAR AWARDS
- A special prize for the best performance/choreography on music by the 20th-21st centuries.
- Concert prizes (performances throughout the year) are awarded to the Grand Prix winner and laureates of the 1st and 2nd places.
- Special Diploma and “Star Lyre” award for the best dance/vocal number/ choreography / costume and stage presence.
- Special Diploma and award for the best artistic work and photography.
- Special Diploma and award for the best short film script.
- “Audience Prize” / “Jury Prize” for the best performance / work.
- A “Young Future Talent of Stars of the Albion” Diploma for the youngest contestant.
- Diploma of appreciation to teachers and directors.
- Diploma of participant for every contestant.

Every discipline is subdivided between age categories. Based on the jury recommendation, the Organisers reserve the right not to award any places in a category.
The programme of the final Gala Show will be based on recommendations by members of the adjudication panel. The jury’s decision is a final one and should not be disputed.

A free choice of repertoire within the required total duration limit. Each contestant should perform two contrasting compositions. It is compulsory for Singers to include one of the songs in English. The second song can be performed on any language of the world. A written translation should be provided to the jury prior to performance if a song is to be performed in any language other than English.

All compositions should be performed from memory and in the original language.  

Requirements for maximum total duration of compositions performed 
Singing: 7 minutes
- Participants using the backing track must provide a high-quality instrumental accompaniment on a USB flash drive. Also, the backing tracks must be sent to the organizers in MP3 format at most 2.5 weeks before the start of the competition.
- Each sound recording must be on a separate medium with the name of the work, the author of the music, the text, the name of the ensemble or the name of the artist, as well as the duration of the work.
- Vocalists are not allowed to perform with the “plus”.
Dance: 4 minutes  
- Participants using the backing track must provide a high-quality instrumental accompaniment on a USB flash drive. Also, the backing tracks must be sent to the organizers in MP3 format at most 2.5 weeks before the start of the competition.
Instrumental performance:  Amateur category 10 minutes, Professional category 20 minutes
Visual Arts: Performance in Fine Art, Photography, Short documentary film

- Artistic embroidery, macrame decoration
- Decorative and applied arts and crafts
- Painting (oil, watercolour, gouache, pastel, mixed technique)
- Drawing (graphics)

   All the images that you will be submitting are images of original artwork created by yourself or are the artwork created by an artist who authorized you to submit the images on his/her behalf.
We will have the right to publish and retain images of your artwork selected by the jurors on our website and other advertising channels to promote future competitions and your artwork. 

Online Round. A maximum of 6 images, a minimum of 3.
Based on digital images sent to us with the following specifications:
- Each image must be at least 72 dpi and 200 KB.
- The shortest side of the image must be at least 338 pixels. 
- All entries must be JPG format.
- Each image should not exceed 5MB and should be smaller than 7500 x 7500 pixels.
- Each piece can be no larger than 75 x 85 inches (192 x 218 centimeters). 
Diptych, Triptych: A work made up of multiple pieces can be up to 168 inches (427 centimeters) wide, as long as each part is no larger than 75 x 85 inches (192 x 218 centimeters).
- All images should be sent in a JPG format. 

Grand Final Round. A maximum of 3 works. 

If you are selected into the Grand Final Round, your work must be framed or stretched. You are responsible for the cost of this if the work arrives unframed/unstretched. Framed work must be framed in a similar manner; the frames do not have to be identical, but they must be very similar. It is your responsibility to make sure that your artwork is adequately wired and ready to be hung.  
The applicant is liable for all costs in connection with insurance, postage, transportation to and from competition venue(s), preparation of their works for an exhibition. The applicant should be available in person or to make alternative arrangements to collect their works from the venue on the last day of the festival. Organisation Committee is not liable to storage and for loss of any material left by the participant after the 14 March 2021. 

Short documentary film: 

Online competition. Works to be submitted together with the registration form:
- 3 minutes script competition
Grand Final Round in London:
up to 10 minutes script competition.
- The video file should not exceed 2-3 GB.
- The video file can be sent in one of the formats: AVI, MPG, WMV, MOV.

1.    Choreography
• Composition, choice of repertoire, matching the repertoire with the age characteristics of the performer.
• Performing skills – style and technique, the culture of performance, musicality.
• Artistry, interest and variety, expression.
• Stage presence, decorations and costumes.

2.    Singing
• Artistic interpretation, expression.
• Performance technique, purity of intonation, pronunciation, articulation.
• Choice of works, level of difficulty.
• Stage presentation, acting, production, costumes.

3.    Instrumental performance
• Artistic interpretation, concept, architectonics.
• Performance technique, instrument control, purity of intonation (for strings and winds).
• Choice of repertoire, level of difficulty.
• Stage presence, costumes.

4.    Photography
• Concept, originality, composition.
• Technique, work with light, design, style.
• Expressiveness, impact on the audience.
• Costumes, decorations.

5.    Visual Arts
• Composition, concept, originality.
• Technique, style, work with color, work with a line.
• Expressiveness, impact on the audience.
• Presentation

6.    Short films
• Concept, content of work, compliance with the declared genre.
• Technique of performance, video quality, installation, complexity.
• Emotional impact on the audience, expressive tools and design (the presence of sound, effects, the use of scenery, light, costumes).
• Artistic performance.

Registration fee is non-refundable.
 
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
• £150 - registration fee per person (solo category)
• £80 per person (a group of 2 – 5 people)
• £55 per person (a group of 6 and more people)
• £55 - accreditation fee per accompanying person (include a free ticket to the final Gala concert and an Awards ceremony)

NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS  

• £80 - registration fee per person (solo category)
• £40 per person (a group of 2 – 5 people)
• £20 per person (a group of 6 and more people)
• £25 - accreditation fee per accompanying person (include a free ticket to the final Gala concert and an Awards ceremony)   

ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL FEES:
• £15 - any additional nomination
• £25 - ticket to the Gala concert and awards ceremony                                                 
• £120 video recording of a performance from the competition
  £250 video recording of a Gala concert
  From £500 video clip
• £70 - photographs
• £40 - rehearsal with the staff accompanist (30 minutes)
*Master classes £60 for soloists and £10 per person in a group
*Free of charge rehearsal studio.

* Single/twin/double/triple Accommodation in the 3* (from £440 for 4 nights), in 4* (additional fee of £20 per night). Accommodation includes a continental breakfast.
* A group discount (from 6 people and more) - £380 per person for 4 nights, including breakfast, packed lunch, dinner. A 10% non-refundable deposit of £100 is charged in advance to secure a reservation in the hotel. The rest of the balance should be paid at least one month before arrival.
* Transfers from/to the airport - from £75 per single trip.
* Packed lunch and dinner - £25 per day.
Early bird discount (to be paid by 1 January 2021)

A Festival Package for 4 nights at a price of £460 is available upon request (accommodation in one of central London hotel’s with continental breakfast, half day excursion, transfers from/to the airport).
The hotel is located in a close proximity to the concert venue as well as famous London landmarks, such as: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, the Royal Albert Hall, Natural History Museum and etc.
** The Early Bird discount is not valued for the Special invitation issued to participants which offers a £50 free accommodation in London.
It's not compulsory to purchase the whole package offer from the organisers however it will be advisable to avoid extra costs incurred by the participant. As per request of the participant we can organize transfer to and from the hotel to the airport/ train station and an individual program of your stay in London.  Travel expenses to / from UK and travel insurance are the sole responsibility of the participant.

Organiser: “Musica Nova” International Music Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 7765 845489 | +44 (0)7832341745 | +44 (0) 2078330502
E-mail: starsofthealbion@gmail.com

CEO: Ms. Evgenia Terentieva-Jakubowski
President of the World Association of Performing Arts United Kingdom Section (WAPA)
Winner of a “Queen’s Award” from the British Council
Laureate of international piano, singing, composition competitions
Laureate of the Gold Franz Kafka Medal (Czech Republic)
Concert musician: singer, pianist, composer, educator
Dip Dist St. Petersburg Conservatoire (Russia), DipGSMD, HonLGSM (UK)

Stars of the Albion
Musica Nova Academy office 
88 Cromer Street London WC1H 8DG, United Kingdom 
www.starsofthealbion.org.uk и www.musicanova.org.uk