Praga Cantat, Czech Republic
International Choir Days in Prague – Competition & Festival

29 October - 01 November 2009
29 October - 01 November 2010

• Discover the “City of a Hundred Spires”
• Compete in the competition or Perform for pleasure in the festival at the majestic Majakovsky Hall and the Raisuv Hall of the National House, Prague
• Meet choirs from around the world
• Attend a performance by the famous Bambini di Praga

The Golden City, the City of a Hundred Spires and the Jewel of Bohemia are all names by which Prague is commonly known. The city has palaces, castles and churches in abundance and charming, long-forgotten lanes lie just a few steps from the busy streets of the Old Town. Prague Castle was founded around 880AD and the “new” dates back to 1348. Prague has a breathtaking array of architectural styles with buildings that have been home to Kafka, Mozart, Einstein, Smetana and Dvoràk.

Prague is one of the most exciting cities in Europe and offers the perfect backdrop to a our choral festival Autumn Choral Competition and Festival

PRAGA CANTAT

“Praga Canta” is a CCI international Choral Competition and Festival, held each autumn in Prague. It is an impressive choral competition and festival that attracts choirs from around the world. Both the festival and competition are held in the majestic Majakovsky Hall and the Raisuv Hall of the National House, a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building designed by architect Antonin Turek.

Choirs can choose to participate in the competition section of Praga Canta, judged by an international jury or just sing for pleasure in the festival section.

The competition has 6 categories:
* Category A Male choirs
* Category B Female choirs
* Category C Mixed choirs
* Category D Advanced mixed choirs
* Category E Girls and youth mixed choirs
* Category F Male, female, mixed choirs, girls and youth mixed choirs – folksong

The competition jury is made up of international judges who will assesses the quality of a competition performance in such a manner that the choirmaster receives expert advice on how to continue working with the choir. The competition performance is assessed based on the specialist aspects of the technical rendition and the artistic elements of the competition compositions sung. Each juror drafts independent written remarks expressing his personal assessment of the technical and artistic aspects of a competitive performance.

Special prizes are given for:
- excellent conductorial performance
- interesting choice of competitive programme
- the best interpretation of folk-song
- the best interpretation of Czech composition (for foreign choirs only)

The festival has 1 category with no competitive element
* Category G Festival

Those participating in Category F (the Festival) can have a special performance where one juror will listen to the performance and analyse it together with the choir director. This is given no classification and is non-competitive. This is very useful for choirs who are considering entering a competitive event in the near future, as you will be given advice and pointers to help you to prepare for your first competitive performance. Choirs who are participating in the festival category also have the opportunity to perform in a social institution during their stay in Prague.

One of the highlights of the International Choir Days in Prague is the performance by the famous and highly qualified choir “Bambini di Praga” during the opening ceremony.

This festival gives choirs the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful city of Prague and to meet with other choirs from around the world. The farewell and awards ceremony is held on the last evening and is an enjoyable evening with entertainment and refreshments where all choirs participating sing together.

Download full information and rules for all competitive categories for Praga Cantat

Land arrangements include:
• 3 nights’ hotel accommodation
• Welcome drink
• Choir Directors’ reception in Town Hall
• Performance by the world famous Bambini di Praga
• Competition/Festival participation fees
• Closing ceremony and prize distribution
• Farewell evening with entertainment and refreshment
• Certificate, cup and souvenir for each choir
• Participation in general rehearsal (Festival participants)
• Performance at church/social institution (Festival participants) Costs are tailored to each individual choirs’ requirements.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
Below is the most popular itinerary of the CCI Family of Choirs who has attended the International Choir Days in Prague. This is for information purposes only. All final Itineraries are tailored to individual choirs requirements.

DAY 1
• Arrive in Prague and be met your local czech assistant and transfer to hotel
• Group dinner at the hotel
• Choir Director and Vice-President (2 choir members) will be picked up at the hotel for transfer to the Town Hall for the welcome champagne reception.

DAY 2
• Group breakfast at the hotel
• Coach transfer (with guide) to performance venue
• Official opening concert with performance by the famous “Bambini di Praga” followed by free time for optional lunch.
• In the afternoon the competitions for those competing in categories A, B, C, D E and F take place in the National House. At the same time, the performances of festival choirs take place at senior citizens homes
• Coach transfer to hotel after performance
• Group dinner at your hotel

DAY 3
• Group breakfast at the hotel
• In the morning, continuation of choirs competing in the competition and performances of festivals choirs participating in Category G
• In the afternoon, dress rehearsal for all participating choirs with the compulsory song “In Praga carmina resonant”
• Guided city tour including visit of the Prague Castle
• Group lunch at your hotel
• Free time in the afternoon
• Depart hotel in afternoon with your guide for transfer to the National House.
• Closing ceremony + awards ceremony for choirs
• Following the closing ceremonies, all choirs come together to enjoy a farewell evening of music and dance
• Coach transfer back to hotel after farewell event

DAY 4
• Group breakfast at the hotel and check-out of hotel
• Depart Prague for home

Land arrangement includes: • Participation in the young2010prague programme • Three nights' hotel with buffet breakfast • Three dinners in a hotel • Guided city tour of Prague • Night cruise on Vltava River • Services of a local guide for all festival programme activities • One free place for every 20 paying participants on ground arrangements Hotel Price pp Supplement (3 nights) 3* €184 €48 4* €211 €63 The price does not include: Flights, please call us for a quotation on available air arrangements Ground transportation - Please note that we would be happy to arrange transportation to/from festival functions as per your requirements Accommodation is based on 3-sharing in triple rooms in 4*hotels and 3*hotels. The prices are valid provided that there are at least 60% of young people/students up to 26 years of age in a group. Please note that not all triple rooms have 3 single beds.