Propositions
Article. 1 - The purpose of the competition
The purpose of the 13th international festival "Mitteleuropa Blasmusikfest 2025" is to promote wind and chamber music through the competition of wind orchestras and chamber ensembles in order to increase their musical quality in Croatia and in the Central European region (Mitteleuropa) and Europe as a whole.
Also, through mutual meetings and gatherings at the festival, promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences between professional and amateur musicians of different cultures and languages, as well as students of music schools and students of music academies and conservatories.Article 2 - The following have access to the competition:
- Wind orchestras and brass bands;
- chamber groups with at least one instrument which can be attributed to the brass band
(eg strings-only groups, etc. are not allowed); - composers for wind orchestras
The right to participate in the competition is open to all wind orchestras and chamber ensembles from Croatia, the Central European region and other parts of Europe and the world that meet international criteria for wind and chamber music. Competition provisions are mandatory and valid for all orchestras and chamber ensembles participating in the festival.
During the competition, it is not allowed to change members of the orchestra and chamber ensemble.
The organizer allows the participation of professional musicians in each orchestra, provided that they are also members of the orchestra. The wind orchestras can include a maximum of three auxiliary performers - amateurs for performance at the show in case of the need to perform compositions.
Along with the application form for the festival, wind orchestras and chamber orchestras must attach a list of all their performers (amateurs, professionals and auxiliary performers). The organizer reserves the right to check the authenticity.
Article 3 – Competition program for wind orchestras and chamber ensembles and a composer's competition in the wind composition category
The competition is held in 6 categories, 4 for brass bands, 1 for chamber music and 1 for composition. The competition is open to everyone, without age and/or national restrictions.
- Competition of wind and brass bands
Orchestras participate in the competition in 4 categories A, B C and D, the first three mentioned categories must perform 4 pieces in this order:
At the Competition, the order of performance is NOT changeable and is as follows:
– Warm-up piece
– Mandatory piece
– Mandatory piece
– Free choice piece
Youth wind orchestras from category D perform only one compulsory composition, while orchestras from the three mentioned categories (A B and C) perform two compulsory compositions
- A warm-up composition with a degree of difficulty equal to or greater than their category.
That composition will not be graded;- two mandatory compositions of different character/style, indicated below in the text in the selection compulsory compositions determines the category for which the orchestra will perform at orchestar snd the brass band competition with the judges;
Composition of their choice, with a degree of difficulty equal to or greater than their membership category is also evaluated.
Solo instrumental or vocal compositions are not allowed at all.
– Categories by strength for wind orchestras and performance time and names of compositions by authors and publishers.
.Categories for orchestras:
– CATEGORY A – LEVEL 4.5-6 - Maximum performance duration 40 minutes.
– CATEGORY B – LEVEL 3-4.5 – Maximum performance duration 35 minutes.
– CATEGORY C - LEVEL 2-3 – Maximum performance duration 30 minutes.
– CATEGORY D – Youth orchestra – Maximum performance duration 25 minutes.
Competitors are required to respect the maximum times established for individual categories; for those who do not respect these limits, a penalty of 5/100 will be applied for each minute exceeded. For floor D means all those orchestras whose average age of all members is not more than 25 years. Youth orchestras can apply for categories larger than the ones provided, if they feel that their preparation allows it.
Competitors cannot register for more than one category, except cat. E (e.g. if musicians from the chamber group also play in the orchestra in the competition, registration is allowed).
The artistic committee of the competition proposed the following mandatory compositions to the orchestras in the categories (A, B, C and D):
Category A - Level 4.5-6
- Slovenian Overture – Schonherr/Prasel, ed. Hartman.si
- Symphonic Suite - Clifton Williams, ed. Alfred Music
Category B - Level 3-4.5
- Intermezzo from the opera Ksenija - Viktor Parma/Firmi, ed. Tierloff Music
- Masquerade - Philip Sparke, ed. Anglomusic
Category. C - Level 2 -3
- Suite from Dora - Dora Pejačević / arr. Jure Primožič & Stefano Pastorcich, ed. BoraVerlag (available from 1 December 2024 at www.sheetmusicdirect.com)
- Bright Dawn Overture – Franco Cesarini, ed. Franco Cesarini
Category D – Youth Orchestra
• La matita di Leonardo – Luciano Feliciani, ed. Scomegna
For floor D means all those orchestras whose average age of all members is not older than 25 years. Youth orchestras can apply for categories larger than the ones provided, if they feel that their preparation allows it. Competitors cannot register for more than one category, except cat. E chamber ensembles (e.g. if musicians from the chamber group also play in the orchestra in the competition, registration is allowed).
b) – CATEGORY E – Chamber music (min. 2 – max. 15 elements),:
The competition is divided into two parts: the first part online and the second final part at the festival with the presence of 6 placed chamber ensembles. The maximum performance duration for each stage is 25 min.
For the online competition, during registration, participants must also attach a video with a maximum duration of 25 minutes, without cuts or post-production operations, in which they must play at least two compositions of different character/style. In addition, each competing group must also attach a program of songs played with the name of the group and a copy of the score (all in PDF format).
The video can also be sent via Wetransfer link. All material must be sent to e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject "BAND NAME, chamber music – Blasmusikfest 2025". The six best chamber ensembles enter the finals. The date of publication of the results will be March 28, 2025 on the Festival's social channels (Facebook and Instagram).
The final will be held in Omišalj (Croatia) during the competition (April 25-27, 2025). Failure to attend the final will result in immediate disqualification from the competition.
The program of the Final is free, with a maximum duration of 25 minutes. Songs that have already been suggested in the first stage cannot be played again.
Chamber groups will be divided into 2 subcategories (indicate when sending the video):
– AMATEUR (intended for all music schools of all levels)
– PRO (intended for state music academies and conservatories).
The top six placed in the Finals will be selected based on the combined standings, with the six groups with the highest number of points participating in the Finals, with no subcategory restrictions.
Registration starts on OCTOBER 15, 2024. The last day of registration for the online competition is February 28, 2025. The groups admitted to the final phase will compete to win the "Mitteleuropablamusik -Chamber groups" Trophy The date of publication of the results of the 6th best placed chamber ensembles is March 28, 2024, and their competition at the festival will be held on April 26, 2025 in the Community Center in Omišalj.
c) – CATEGORY F – Composition
Composers compete online with a composition for brass band, which must necessarily be of original character and level. Therefore, the submitted composition must be one's own author's work. Popular themes can be used, but they must be on the cover as a working source, which the author must illustrate briefly and in detail.Please take a look at the composition “BRIGHT DAWN OUVERURE” by Frank Cesarini to guide you in composing your composition. The maximum duration of the composition is 5-8 minutes. Composers should submit a piece for concert band between levels 2 and 3. Each author must submit to an email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
send the following with the subject "TITLE OF THE WORK, Composition – Mitteleuropa Blasmusikfest 2025":
– 1 PDF file with the score (only and exclusively with the title of the piece, without the author's name);
– 1 attached file with personal data of the author and the title of the work.
Each author retains all rights of publication. Taking into account Article 4 of this Ordinance, composers can register multiple compositions. The winning song will be included as a required song on 14. Mitteleuropa Blasmusikfest 2026.
The results of the competition will be published on April 27, 2025, on the festival's website and on social networks (Facebook and Instagram).Article 4 - Registration of competitors and registration fees for all types of competitors
In the categories of wind orchestras (A, B, C), the registration fee for participation in the competition is 350 euros for each orchestra, and in category (D) 300 euros.
The registration fee in category E (chamber music) for the online competition is 30 euros per one member, 60 euros for two, 90 euros for three members, etc.
After the online competition, the 6th best-rated chamber ensembles enter the final part of the festival (Friday, April 26).In category F (compositions), the registration fee is 50 euros for each composition.The registration fee is paid upon registration and is non-refundable. All bank charges must be paid by the registrant. The deadline for applications for categories (A, B, C, D) for the competition is February 28, 2024, if the number of participants is not filled by then. Please register as soon as possible.
Article 5 Documentation for the wind orchestras category
At the request of the registered wind orchestras, the organizer sends an application form with which the orchestra reserves a place at the competition. The sends wind orchestras the completed and signed application form to the festival organizer.
After receiving the application form, the wind orchestras are obliged to send the organizer the following information:
- Title and name of the composer of the opening piece, compulsory piece and optional piece
- Sheet music of your choice (4 pieces for each member of the jury
- See the actual photo of the orchestra for the festival brochure at www.blasmusikfestival.net
- Brief description of the orchestra, the most important information about the orchestra no longer than a sentence.( www.blasmusikfestival.net)
- A written list of all musicians in the orchestra according to point 2 of the Regulations and accurate the number of members of the orchestra with the given names as well as their accompaniment due to reservations of beds and rooms in the hotel Uvala Scott..
Article 6– Deadlines for rehearsals and competitions
The dates and schedule of calls for rehearsals and competition will be communicated to individual participants and displayed on the competition's Instagram and Facebook pages. The competition is open to the public and takes place in the Community Center in Omišlj (Croatia).
The organizer will inform the competitors about the necessary documents that should be attached after registration. If there are more participants than the expected number, the organizer has the right to shorten the rehearsal time.
Article 7 – Jury and evaluation criteria
The festival jury is international and appointed by the organizer. All competitors are evaluated by a jury composed of three to five members, depending on the number of orchestras and ensembles in the competition.The evaluations and final decisions of the jury are indisputable and final, and the contestants have no right to appeal. Each member of the jury awards a maximum of 100 points according to the criteria listed below. The final grade is given by the arithmetic mean of all the criteria mentioned in the text of all the members of the jury
The evaluation of the performed compositions will follow the criteria listed below:
1. General impression of the orchestra ,
2. Tonal quality of performance
3. Articulation
4. Performance technique
5. Rhythm and metric
6. Performance dynamics
7. Pace of performance
8. Sound equalization of the orchestra
9. Musical expression and
10. Interpretation and style
Each member of the jury gives a maximum of 10 points according to the criteria listed below: 10 excellent" 9 very good" 8 good" 7 satisfactory" 6 does not satisfy"
Article 8 – Jury and interview with competitors
After all the participants of the Competition have finished their performances, and before the award ceremony and the official announcement of the results, the presidents of the orchestra and the conductors will hold a personal professional interview with the members of the jury, in which the jury will not reveal the final grades for any reason before the official announcement of the results
9.- Announcement of competition results and awarding of recognition
At the final ceremony, each orchestra and chamber ensemble will be officially announced the place won and the total number of points won. At the same time, orchestras and bands will be awarded the following (points):
90.1 – 100 points: "achieved excellent success by participating"
80.1 – 90 points: "achieved very good success by participating"
70.1 – 80 points: "achieved good success by participating"
60.1 – 70 points: "successfully participated"
The following recognitions are given to the first three orchestras in all six categories:
- 1st place:Golden recognition
- 2nd place: Silver recognition
- 3nd place: Bronze recognition
In addition, in each category a special prize is awarded for the best interpretation of the compulsory composition and for the best conductor of the competition.
All other participants at the final part of the declaration of results will receive awards with the number of points won and a performance rating.
Article 10. - Acceptance of the rules
The organizer of the festival "Mitteleuropa Blasmusikfest 2025" disclaims all responsibility for any risks or damages, of any nature, caused to persons and/or things, both during the trip and during the period of stay in Omišlj for the entire duration of the 2025 festival. They are not responsible for possible theft or damage to instruments, clothing and other valuables, and reserve the right to exclude from the competition any competitor who does not respect the rules and propositions prescribed by the competition.
In case of unforeseen circumstances, the organizer reserves the right to change the program and venue. All participants will receive a booklet with the Festival program.In case of disputes, the rules in Italian and English will apply. Application for the 2025 competition implies full and unconditional acceptance of the rules contained in this rulebook.