Launching of Eusko Cantat, EuskoSare’s Vocal Group Competition

EuskoSare has organized the first edition of EUSKO CANTAT “International Vocal Group Competition through the Internet,” in collaboration with Eusko Ikaskuntza – Basque Study Society’s music department, Basque Archives of Music – ERESBIL, and the Federation of Choirs of the Basque Country – EAE. The competition is open to all singing groups outside of the Basque Country who wish to contribute Basque folkloric repertoires from the country of their ancestors. The recordings must be performed by groups made up of 5 to 8 members.

Eusko Cantat aims to spread choral song outside of the Basque Country at all levels: amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals. Likewise, one of its objectives is that Basque music comes to form a part of different vocal groups’ repertoire outside of the Basque Country.

Contest Terms and Conditions are the following:

1.- The group must have between 5 and 8 members; including vocalists and musicians.

2.- In order to participate, the group must perform 3 songs: 2 must be traditional Basque songs and 1 must comes from their native country. Of the two Basque traditional songs to be performed, one is designated by the competition committee and will be sung by all groups who participate; the other song can be chosen amongst 5 possible songs from #5 on this list of terms and conditions.

3.- The songs can be sung a cappella (one or more voices) and/or accompanied by instruments.

4.- The song that all groups must perform is ‘Maitea, nun zira.’ Sheet music and audio are available at: http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4939

5.- The second song that will be performed must chosen from one of the following:

"Haltzak eztü bihotzik" (Lapurdi) - http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4995

"Beti penetan" (Arraiotz, Nafarroa) - http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4938

"Birjiña maite" (Durango, Bizkaia) - http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4958

"Itsasoa" (Hondarribia, Gizpuzkoa) - http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4927

"Begira nago" (Legutiano, Araba) - http://www.euskomedia.org/cancionero/4936

6.- The three songs should be recorded as a MP3, WAV, AVI or MPEG file.

7.- Groups should submit their recordings in video or audio to Eusko Ikaskuntza-Basque Study Society’s Euskomedia Foundation, through e-mail (info@euskomedia.org) or regular postal mail at the following address:

Euskomedia Fundazioa
Asteasuain 14,
20170 Usurbil
Gipuzkoa
Spain

8. – The recordings should be accompanied with the following information:

• Name of the vocal group
• First and Last names of all members of the group
• Where the members come from
• Sheet music of the local song that has been selected and performed by the group.
• Contact information: postal address, telephone, e-mail address.

9.- The vocal groups will give Eusko Ikaskuntza – Basque Studies Society rights to record the songs submitted on a non-commercial CD, which can be disseminated via Euskomedia Foundation’s website non-exclusively and without an end date.

10.- Eusko Ikaskuntza-Basque Studies Society will select a jury composed of three individuals. Likewise, Internet users will be able to submit their votes as well. The votes received through the Internet will count towards one thirds vote of the jury when it comes time to determine the winner.

11.- The last day to submit recordings is September 15, 2007.

12.- The Euskomedia Foundation will post all recordings received on their website.

13.- The time slot opened for Internet voting will be between September 20 and September 30, 2007 on Euskomedia Foundation’s website.

14.- The winner will be announced on October 5th.

15.- The winner will receive the prize of 1,200 Euros. The first finalist will receive a prize of 500 Euros. The second finalist will receive a prize of 300 Euros. All participating vocal groups will receive an accredited diploma.

16.- The jury can defer one or more of the prizes.