• 3-nights in a 3* or 4* hotel with buffet breakfast and evening meal
• Participation in the young2011prague programme
• Guided city tour of Prague
• The services of a local guide for all festival programme activities
• One free place for every 20 paying participants

Accommodation is based on three-sharing in triple rooms in 3* and 4*hotels. Please note that note all triple rooms have three single beds.

Hotel Category	Price per person in triple room	Twin/Single Supplement for 3 nights
2*	€158	€24
3*	€189	€48
4*	€217	€63

The prices are valid provided that there are at least 60% of young people/students up to 26 years of age in a group.

The price does not include flights but we would be happy to offer you best fare at the time of booking. We can also coach transportation to/from festival functions as per your requirements

It was great, on behalf on Collinstown park community college Ireland I would like to thank every one involved.

Thomas Finnegan - Ireland

Ahoj everyone! Prague is most definitely a place I will return to. I, too, had an amazing time getting to know the city and its people. The festival had a relaxed atmosphere and the choirs and orchestras clearly enjoyed themselves -- well.. I sure did! I left Prague with a handful of great memories (..and a slightly overweight suitcase).

It really sucks to be back in Finland, but at least I have lots of photos to look back on.. Met some wonderful people during the trip (and honestly, for you lot in Ashton, I really do hope we meet again! :D) I'm probably never going to travel with this choir again (since I already graduated from the school), but I am proud of the 3 years I had with the group. Dekuju and take care!

Madetoja Music High School, Finland

We are very thankfull for exellent reception in Prague and for the perfect organisation of the competition. It was one of the best international festivals we have taken part in. It is necessary to draw attention to the high professional level of the jury and participants. We met a lot of new friends from Canada, Japan. Elena Bartnovskaya (conductor)

Gloria Choir / Russia, Ekaterinburg

We had such a wonderful time in Prague and the festival was so enjoyable and so well organised

Niamh Crowley, Sligo Academy of Music Sinfonietta, Sligo, Ireland

A big Thank You from Fingal County Youth Orchestra, from our Chairman, Michael Clasby, our Conductor, Karen Joyce, our Committee, and from all the players and the many parents who thoroughly enjoyed our time in Prague. Feel free to tell other orchestras that we recommend Young Prague without reservation: possibly the simplest recommendation is to say that we feel our first visit won’t be our last. Thanks again

Brian Murray, Fingal County Youth Orchestra, Ireland

Thank you very much for that great festival. It was huge fun. We enjoyed it very much. My students have explicitly told me, that we should take part in your festival every year. So let’s see what we can do. Once again thank you for the great time in Prague!

Ulrich Waldvogel Herzig, Kammerchor der Kantonsschule, Schaffhausen, Switzerland

This weekend was the best weekend of my life and i wanna thank everyone involved because everyone from LORETO GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN OMAGH, IRELAND had the best time (the ones in the red sweatshirts!!!!lol!!! Love all the photos and i will never forget the experience! PRAGUE ROCKS!!!!

Karen Turley of Loreto Grammer School, Omagh, Ireland

Choirs and Orchestras can choose to participate in the non-competitive Festival Category or to compete in the relevant Competition Categories.

Non-competitive festival category for both choirs and orchestras

This category is suitable for non-professional choirs and orchestras aged 8 – 26 years who do not wish to take part in the competition category. (age tolerance is plus or minus 10%)

The programme for those participating in this category will include:

Parade in the town centre

For the parade in the town centre, groups should prepare about 3 music pieces of a marching character. Duration of the parade is approximately 40 minutes.

Public concerts

Choirs should prepare an "a cappella" concert programme according to their own selection for a duration of 20 minutes. This includes coming up and leaving the stage. This performance will take place in a church.

Orchestras should prepare a concert programme according to their own selection for a duration of 30 minutes, including coming up and leaving the stage. Weather permitting, the concert will take place outside. If the weather is not permitting an outdoor concert, the concert will move to a music hall.

Chairs and power supply will be available. Orchestral shows are welcome for outdoor presentations.

Common composition: (for choirs and orchestras)

Once you have registered for the festival, you will receive by post a score of the common composition. This should be prepared by all groups for the joint performance. Prior to the joint performance, a common rehearsal will take place under the baton of a Czech professional conductor. The common composition is performed at the closing ceremony.

Competition category for young orchestras

Age category: 12 – 26 years (age tolerance + 10%, - 10%)

The conductor can be a professional. The size of orchestra is not limited.

Categories of Participation:

• Category A Brass orchestras, with obligatory composition
• Category B Symphony and strings orchestras, with obligatory composition
• Category C Jazz orchestras ,with obligatory composition
• Category D Folklore music (orchestra + singing), without obligatory composition

Once registered for the event, orchestras will receive the score of the obligatory composition.

Orchestras should prepare a concert programme as follows:

• One starting composition according the own selection.
• Obligatory composition for respective category
• Other compositions according to the own selection

Competition performance should be approximately 30 minutes, this includes coming up and leaving the stage.

For the parade in the town centre, groups should prepare about 3 music pieces of a marching character. Duration of the parade is approximately 40 minutes.

One month before the date of the festival, we will send all registered groups full final information and a detailed programme tailored to their specific group requirements.

Competition category for young choirs

This category is for non-professional young choirs.

Age category E, F, G, I : 12 – 26 years (age tolerance + 10%, - 10%)

Age category H: 8 - 16 years (age tolerance + 10%, - 10%)

Please note that the choirmaster can be a professional. Choir size is not limited.

Categories of Participation:

• Category E Mixed choirs
• Category F Boys / male choirs
• Category G Girls / female choirs
• Category H Children choirs
• Category I Spiritual, gospel

Obligatory compositions:

• Category E Mixed choirs Will be advised on booking
• Category F Boys / male choirs Without obligatory composition, however one composition must be from Czech composer
• Category G Girls / female choirs Will be advised on booking
• Category H Children choirs Will be advised on booking
• Category I Spiritual, gospel Without obligatory composition

Important note: Choirs who do not prepare compulsory composition (valid for cat. E, G, H) will only be placeed by the jury up to silver level.

Choirs should prepare a concert programme (“a cappella”) as follows:

• One composition of the author of the own country according to own selection
• Obligatory composition for respective category
• Other compositions according to the own selection from various periods – old Masters, romantic period, contemporary composition, folk song etc.

(The above conditions do not apply for cat. I - spiritual, gospel.)

Programme duration should be 20 minutes including coming up and leaving the stage.

For the parade in the town centre, groups should prepare about 3 music pieces of a marching character. Duration of the parade is approximately 40 minutes.

One month before the date of the festival, we will send all registered groups full final information and a detailed programme tailored to their specific group requirements.

The Jury

The international jury consists of at least three reputable specialists. The jury will pass judgement on the competition performances observing technical execution, artistic execution, general impression and dramaturgy.

Eeach jury member will give a written report in expressing his personal evaluation of competition performance. Based on their judgement, the jury will place groups in one of three levels and will determine the winner of each category.

• Gold level: excellent performance
• Silver level: very good performance
• Bronze level: other performance

The jury may award special prizes to orchestras, for example - Conductor Outstanding Performance Award, Special Award for Creative Dramaturgy, The Best Presentation of Compulsory Composition.

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 - Thursday

• Choirs and Orchestras arrive in Prague
• Those arriving by plane are met by their local assistant who will assist with transfer to your hotel in Prague. Your local assistant will accompany your group to all events throughout the festival.
• Groups have a welcome dinner in their hotel restaurant.
• In the evening, there is a reception for group leaders in the Old Town Hall hosted by the city representatives.
• Tonight, all groups attend the get-together party in the National House where groups can meet with other choirs and orchestras participating in the youngprague festival.

DAY 2 - Friday

• Enjoy breakfast in your hotel before meeting your local guide to transfer (usually by public transport) to the Majakovsky Hall in the National House for the festival opening ceremony and matinee concert by the famous Bambini di Praga, children’s choir.
• After the opening concert, groups can enjoy a city tour of Prague with their with their local guide.
• Competitive performances begin on this afternoon and groups have the opportunity to hear others perform. This is especially useful for those participating in the non-competitive category who might be considering a future competitive performance.
• After the days’ activities, groups can relax and mingle at an evening dinner in their hotel.

DAY 3 - Saturday

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guide to transfer (usually by public transport) to the National House for the common rehearsal of all orchestras and choirs at the Majakovsky Hall.
• This is followed by performances of both choirs and orchestras in the competitive and non-competitive categories.
• In the afternoon, all groups participate in the festival parade in the city centre. The Parade route goes from Ovocny trh to Staromestské namesti at the Old Town Square. Groups really enjoy the festival parade and we encourage groups to bring flags from their country for use in the parade. At the end of the parade all groups gather on the Old Town Square to rehearse the common composition.
• Enjoy an evening dinner at your hotel before attending the closing ceremony and awards in the National House. Choirs can then show off their dancing skills at the festival disco-party.

DAY 4

• Transfer to Prague Airport

This sample itinerary is for information purposes only. All final itineraries are tailored to individual choirs requirements.

Flights

Choir Contact International experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking.

Once you enquiry with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group.

We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir.

We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking.

Airport transfers

CCI are happy to arrange airport-hotel-airport transfers for all choirs who have booked flights with us. Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange airport transfers where flights are not booked as part of the festival package.