Rules and regulations

The Competition is held as part of The Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Festival and is organized by the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Cultural Center in Nowy Sącz, hereinafter referred to as the MCK SOKÓŁ.

I. Competition schedule:

II. Application process for The Competition

1. The Competition is open to students and graduates of singing and singing-acting faculties at both Polish and foreign universities and colleges of music. The Artistic Director of The Competition has the capacity to allow singers who are not students or graduates of any university and college of music specified above to take part in The Competition providing they have significant and documented vocal achievements (e.g. awards in vocal competitions, public performances), and can provide a recommendation from an important music figure. The admission age for participants of The Competition: women and men born after January 1^st, 1993.

2. Candidates should submit the application between October 10^th, 2022 and January 16^th, 2023 by filling the application form available on The Competition’s website www.adasari.pl. The application form has to include a link to You Tube for an audio-video recording featuring the candidate’s performances.
   Below are requirements for the said recording / performance:
   • The recording has to be done after June 30^th, 2022. Its length has to be between 7 and 12 minutes without any cuts during individual pieces;
   • Recording should be done in a room with not too much reverberation. Sound and pronunciation on the recording must be clear, without sounds from the surroundings; MP4 recording format, minimum resolution HD 1280 x 720.

3. The list of applicants who qualified to participate in The Competition will be posted on The Competition’s website: www.adasari.pl on February 14^th, 2023. Those who qualified have to complete the new application form available on the website www.adasari.pl. The new application form has to include:
   • black and white photograph - a JPG file with a minimum 300 DPI resolution, longer side minimum 2000 pixels;
   • for students and graduates of singing and singing-acting departments at Polish and foreign universities and colleges of music: a scan of a valid student ID card or of a diploma;
   • for singers who are not students or graduates of the universities and colleges of music specified above: a scan of the documents confirming their artistic achievements in vocal artistry, recommendation from an important music figure (point II/1).

4. The maximum number of candidates accepted for The Competition is 80.

5. The Artistic Director of The Competition reserves the right to accept a greater number of entries than specified in point II/4.

6. Accepting the application is deemed to be an agreement between MCK SOKÓŁ and the participant in regards of participating in The Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition under the Rules of and Regulations of The Competition.

III. Program of The Competition

1. All pieces should be performed in their original languages.

2. Each participant is obliged to prepare a program (“The Program”) consisting of 10 pieces (3 in the Stage I, 5 in the Stage II and 2 in the Stage III), in any musical genre.
   The Program should include:
   a) 1 piece by W.A. Mozart (Stage I),
   b) 1 piece by a Polish composer (Stage II),
   c) 1 piece by a composer born after January 1^st, 1950 (Stage II),
   d) 2 opera arias with the accompaniment of the orchestra, selected from the list of obligatory pieces.
   The Program should take into account various eras and musical styles, but one composer may be represented no more than twice (this does not apply to the PRIZE FOR PERFORMING ART SONGS/ LIEDER). The pieces should be sung in their original languages and the repertoire presented must include pieces sung in at least two languages. The transposition of oratorio and operatic arias is prohibited, except for the cases universally accepted by the performance tradition.

3. In the application form each participant should indicate exact timing of each of the performed pieces.

4. No changes to the submitted program can be made after February 28^th, 2023.

5. The Competition consists of three stages according to the following rules:
   a) In Stage I the participants will perform one piece from the list of 3 selected pieces as set out in The Rule (point III/2 above). The Jury will ask the participants to perform another piece from their list of 3. The total length of the performance in Stage I is 10 minutes;
   b) In Stage II the participants will perform 3 or 4 pieces selected by The Jury from The Program submitted by the participants in their application forms. After Stage I is completed The Jury will inform the participants which songs it selected for their Stage II performances.
   COMPETITION FOR OUTSTANDING RENDITION OF ART SONGS/LIEDER
   In addition to performance of The Program required for Stage II, the participants can also take a part in a separate competition for the outstanding rendition of art songs (cycle or its part) by one composer. It is recommended that the participant chooses art songs which are traditionally published for his/her voice range. The maximum time for the performance of art songs is 15 minutes.
   c) In Stage III, 6 to 8 participants selected by The Jury will perform 2 operatic arias (with orchestral accompaniment) chosen by the participant from the obligatory list. The rehearsal with an orchestra will take place in the morning, a day before Stage III.

6. The overall score is determined by: program selection, stage personality, quality of performance with a special consideration to vocal technique and correct pronunciation in each language.

7. The participants with the highest combined score from Stage I and Stage II will advance to the Final. All prizes will be awarded according to the combined score from all three Stages.

IV. Jury

1. The names of the members of the jury will be announced at the end of 2022.
2. The Jury uses the 25-point scale to evaluate the performances.
3. The Jury deliberations are confidential, and their decisions are final and irrevocable.

V. Prizes

1. There will be three prizes awarded for each of the: male and female singer’s categories - 1^st prize in each group is the equivalent of € 5,000. There will be also special prizes and honourable mentions for the best performance of a piece by W. A. Mozart and a piece by a Polish composer, Ada Sari's prize for the best coloratura soprano performance, a prize for the best accompanist, and others.

2. The Jury, in its absolute discretion, reserves the right not to award prizes or honourable mentions as well as to rank participants of The Competition in a different manner to that set out in The Rules and/or to change the number of prizes as it seems reasonable. Should the 1^st prize be awarded the amount of € 5,000 will not be changed.

3. All the laureates will receive certificates of participation and prizes. All these will be presented during The Winners Gala Concert.

VI. Prize Winners – The Winners Gala Concert

1. All participants who are prize winners agree to take part in The Winners Gala Concert – in Nowy Sącz on May 13^th, 2023 - without any performance or other fees payable to them.

2. The program of The Winners Gala Concert will be mutually decided by The Jury and the participants; however, The Jury reserves the right to have the final decision and the participants will be obliged to adhere to The Jury’s decision.

VII. Organizational arrangements

1. Persons who have been qualified to participate in The Competition are required to pay an entry fee in the amount of:
   • Polish citizens - PLN 500,
   • Participants who are not Polish citizens - the equivalent of EUR 130.

2. In the event that the participant, after being accepted, decides not to participate in The Competition, the entry fee will not be refunded.

3. The participants are obliged to inform the organisers whether they wish to use The Competition accompanists or bring their own one. This information should be submitted by February 28^th, 2023 or provided in the application form, where the name of the accompanist should be indicated.

4. The participants of The Competition should check in at The Competition Office on May 6^th, 2023 between 12.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. The Competition Office is located in Małopolska CulturalCentre SOKÓŁ (MCK SOKÓŁ) at No. 3 Długosza Street in Nowy Sącz (entrance from Kościuszki Street).
   At The Competition Office each participant should present the proof of application fee payment (regardless if the payment was made by the participant or his/her Academy). Without the proof of payment the person will not be admitted to The Competition nor provided with accommodation.

5. The entrance fee entitles the accepted participants of The Competition to the following:
   • accommodation at a standard hotel in Nowy Sącz (2- and 3-person rooms) during Stage I, and if the participant qualifies for Stage II, similar accommodation until the end of The Competition, that is, May 12^th/13^th, 2023. The Competition winners can have their accommodation extended until May 13^th/14^th, 2023;
   • board during Stage I (the first meal is supper on May 6^th, 2023, then full board), and if the participant qualifies for Stage II – full board until the end of The Competition (the last meal will be breakfast on May 14^th, 2023) providing the participant requested it in his/her application;
   • printed materials on The Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Festival and Competition – brochure, catalogue, etc.;
   • a standing ticket for The Competition recitals and evening concerts;
   • The Competition accompanist’s services – provided the participant requests such a need in the application form;
   • providing the accompanist employed by the participant or by his/her Academy with an opportunity to rehearse;
   • providing the participant with opportunity to rehearse with an orchestra on May 11^th, 2023 (applies only to the finalists).

6. The participants who did not qualify for Stage II will not be provided with board or lodging after Stage I. In this case the last meal will be breakfast on May 9^th, 2023, and the hotel room should be vacated by 10 a.m., May 9^th, 2023.
   ACCOMPANISTS (7-10)

7. The board and lodging costs for the accompanist employed by the participant of The Competition during The Competition must be covered by the participant or their respective university or college of music. The amount for this is 900 PLN (€187) and should be paid by April 6^th, 2023 into the following account:
   Account Number: PL 95 1240 4748 1978 0010 6065 8482
   Bank name: Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. o/Nowy Sącz
   ul. Jagiellońska 26, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland
   Paymenttitle: Konkurs im. Ady Sari
   Each accompanist should present at The Competition Office the entrance fee proof of payment. Without the proof of payment no hotel accommodation or board can be provided to the accompanist.

8. The accompanists should check in at The Competition Office on May 6^th, 2023, between 12.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. The Competition Office is located in Małopolska Cultural Centre SOKÓŁ (MCK SOKÓŁ) at No. 3 Długosza Street in Nowy Sącz (entrance from Kościuszki Street).

9. The fee indicated in VII/7 will pay for the accompanist’s stay during The Competition and thus will provide:
   • accommodation at a standard hotel in Nowy Sącz (2- and 3-person rooms) during Stage I, and if the participant qualifies for Stage II, the accommodation will be extended until the end of Stage II;
     board during Stage I (the first meal is supper on May 6^th, 2023, then full board, the last meal is breakfast on May 9^th, 2023), and, if the participant qualifies for Stage II, full board will be provided in Stage II (the last meal will be breakfast on May 11^th, 2023);
     printed materials on The Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Festival and Competition – brochure, catalogue, etc.;
     a standing ticket for The Competition recitals and evening concerts.

10. The accompanists who do not participate in subsequent Stages due to the fact that their singers did not qualify for subsequent Stages will get the refund of the outstanding balance (by money transfer), within reasonable time after the end of The Competition. The cost of each accompanist’s stay will be settled on a separate basis, depending on the number of overnight stays, a kind of hotel and room as well as a number of meals. The accompanist fee also includes the cost of correspondence and printing. The organisers will not settle the accounts concerned with the costs of the accompanists’ stay while The Competition is still on.
    PLEASE NOTE: Any accompanists who withdraw from The Competition will have the fee refunded after the end of The Competition if The Competition Office is informed of their withdrawal in writing by April 12^th, 2023 (inclusive). In this case 20% of the sum will be deducted. If they do not inform The Competition Office of their withdrawal, or if they do it after April 12^th, 2023, 50% of the sum will be deducted.

11. MCK SOKÓŁ will not pay any costs of transportation of the participants or their accompanists.

12. Those who want to participate in The Competition as OBSERVERS are kindly requested to contact The Competition Office. The address and telephone number are provided in Article VII/15b, below.

13. The draw to determine the order of performances during every stage of The Competition will take place on April 6^th, 2023. The results of the draw will be immediately posted on The Competition's website: www.adasari.pl.

14. According to arrival times of the participants there will be a schedule created to give the participants a chance to have a short rehearsal in the recital hall. Those arriving later will have their rehearsals in other halls. There will be a special announcement regarding time and place of rehearsals.

15. Should there be any questions:
    • concerning the program: please contact prof. Wojciech Maciejowski, who represents in this matter The Artistic Director of The Competition: phone: +48 602 222 170; email: maciejowskiwojtek@gmail.com;
    • for any organisational issues: please contact Liliana Olech at The Competition Management Office, Małopolskie Centrum Kultury SOKÓŁ, ul. Długosza 3, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, phone: +48 18/44 82 628 or 44 82 610, (between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday), email: l.olech@mcksokol.pl

VIII. Copyright and personal data

1. The participants of The Competition agree to assign, free of charge, any and all copyright they may have in and to any performances given by them at all the Stages of The Competition as well as during The Winners Gala Concerts to MCK SOKÓŁ in Nowy Sącz with a view to the performances being used in all media and by any means now known or hereafter invented, including but not limited to the following:
   a) recording done in all possible formats (photograph, audio, video),
   b) copying on all audio and video carriers,
   c) bringing into circulation,
   d) entering into computer memory and onto the Internet,
   e) public performance,
   f) exhibition,
   g) renting and lending,
   h) cable, satellite and wireless broadcast and rebroadcast.

2. The participants of The Competition also agree to have their images publicised in all photographic and recording formats with reference to their participation in all The Competition stages and The Winner Gala Concerts.

3. Personal data of the participants of The Competition, such as name, age, address, education and image are collected in order to make necessary plans and arrangements for the 21^st International Festival and the 20^th Ada Sari Vocal Art Competition – Nowy Sącz 2023.
   In accordance with Regulation 2016/679 from April 27^th, 2016 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union in respect of the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46 / EC (General Data Protection Regulation), hereinafter referred to as the GDPR  (known in Poland as "RODO"), below is information on the processing of personal data of The Competition participants.

4. The administrator and controller of personal data is SOKÓŁ Małopolskie Centrum Kultury in Nowy Sącz, ul. Długosza 3, phone +48 18 448 26 10.

5. The Data Protection Officer can be contacted by phone at 600 896 868 or by e-mail: iod@mcksokol.pl.

6. Personal data are processed for the purpose of the realization of The Competition to which these Regulations apply, for promotional purposes, in particular by posting the participant's image with his/her name on the Administrator's website and for archival purposes and ensuring accountability in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR.
   The legal basis for data processing is Art. 6 GDPR, in particular the consent of The Competition participant and, in the case of archival purposes and for accountability – the applicable law.

7. Personal data may be made available to entities authorized under the law to receive them. The personal data of The Competition winners and prize recipients may be given to the prize funders in order to meet the formal requirements related to receiving the prizes.
8. The Competition participants have the right to access their data to: correct, rectify, delete, object to the processing of personal data, transfer personal data, and submit a complaint to the supervisory body, on the terms set out in the GDPR.

9. Providing personal data is voluntary; however, the personal data are necessary for the above listed purposes of collecting data.

10. Personal data will be stored for the period required by provisions of the law concerning archiving. In the case of data processed on the basis of consent, they will be processed until the consent is withdrawn, without affecting the lawfulness of the earlier processing.

11. Information about the processing of personal data of The Competition participants can be found on the organizer’s website at https://mcksokol.pl/en/personal-data-protection.
    By submitting an application form and the entrant’s fee, the entrant confirms that he or she has read, understands and agrees with The Rules set out above and consents to processing of his or her personal data for the purpose of and according to the guidelines set forth in the above points in this paragraph VIII.

IX. The clause concerning the possible occurrence of an epidemic in the territory of the Republic of Poland 

1. MCK SOKÓŁ stipulates that in the event that an epidemic in the territory of the Republic of Poland is announced by the authorized authorities within the time of The Competition, all persons participating and involved with The Competition will be bound by restrictions, orders and prohibitions set by authorities.

2. In the event of an epidemic or other unforeseeable situation or event beyond the control of the Organizers which does not allow The Competition to continue in the form specified in the Regulations, the Organizers reserve the right to change any or all of the terms and conditions of the Regulations at their discretion. Such changes will be published on The Competition website www.adasari.pl as soon as any decision has been made.

3. MCK SOKÓŁ stipulates that in the event that the authorized authorities of the Republic of Poland announce a ban on organizing cultural events, including the 20^th Ada Sari International Vocal Art Competition – not at the fault of MCK SOKÓŁ – The Competition will not take place.
   In this case, immediately after the decision to cancel The Competition, all the entry fees will be refunded. The refund will be done by transfer to the participant's bank account or other account indicated on the entry form.
   If the participant has requested an invoice, the funds may be reimbursed only after issuing by MCK SOKÓŁ a correction of the invoice which the participant has to sign and return to MCK SOKÓŁ.

X. Concluding arrangements

1. Any issues that remain outside The Artistic Director and Jury’s competence are settled by The Director General of MCK SOKÓŁ, Andrzej Zarych. His decisions are final and irrevocable.

2. The rules and regulations in this document have been drawn up in two language versions: Polish and English

3. Any conflict between the terms in the various versions and/or doubts concerning the provisions and effect of The Rules will be resolved pursuant to the Polish version as the only version which is legally binding and which shall prevail in the case of any inconsistency or conflict between the various versions.