Mechanics

Mechanics

About Musica FEUROPA 13

The Far Eastern University Chorale is the official and premier choir of Far Eastern University, under the management of the Far Eastern University Center for the Arts. Beyond performances on and off campus, the group has been the chief organizer of Musica FEUROPA, the only national choral competition in the Philippines.

Since its inception back in 2009, Musica FEUROPA has served as an avenue for different Filipino choirs to show their music, feel their harmony, and leave their legacy in the choral scene. Many of the festival’s participants went on to make their mark on the global stage, winning several accolades and recognitions in several prestigious choral competitions. Musica FEUROPA also fostered greater appreciation towards Filipino and European choral music, highlighting the differences that make the cultures unique and beautiful. As music holds an infinite power in bringing people together, it has the unprecedented ability to connect us with people from all sorts of backgrounds regardless of our differences.

Musica FEUROPA 13 Timeline:

  • Masterclass: April 2022 (TBA)
  • Choral Festival: May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022
  • Closing Ceremonies and Concert: May 29, 2022

Musica FEUROPA 13 Online Choral Festival Mechanics

  1. Musica FEUROPA 13 is a choral festival, not a competition. MF13 aims to feature and promote choral music through online platforms.
  2. Interested applicants shall submit the following for screening purposes
    • One (1) choral piece in any Filipino language or dialect by a composer of Filipino descent or citizenship OR one (1) piece in an official European Union language by a composer from a member country of the European Union.
  3. After passing the screening, participants shall submit the following:
    • A video recording of the choir performing the following pieces:
      • One (1) choral piece in any Filipino language or dialect by a composer of Filipino descent or citizenship, and
      • One (1) choral piece in an official European Union language by a composer from a member country of the European Union.
      • The following are the member countries of the European Union:
        • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.[1]
      • The following are the official European Union languages:
        • Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, and Swedish.[2]
      • Important note:
        • Great Britain and the United Kingdom are no longer part of the European Union. Compositions from the said country will not be accepted.
        • Latin is not an official European Union language. Pieces written in that language will not be accepted.
    • The videos can be a pre-recorded live performance or a virtual performance.
    • The video performance must be a high-resolution video with a minimum of 720p video quality.
    • For pre-recorded live performances, the following guidelines should be followed:
      • The pre-recorded live performance must have been shot within the last three (3) years;
      • If the pre-recorded live performance was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, the video must show that IATF health protocols were observed (e.g., wearing of face masks, social distancing)
      • The pre-recorded live performance must have a disclaimer stating that:
        • The video performance was shot following the IATF protocols, or
        • The video performance was shot before the COVID-19 pandemic
    • For virtual performances, the following guidelines should be followed:
      • The audio to be used must be clear and audible;
      • Any video or post-processing edit is up to the creative discretion of the choir.
    • The video performance submitted during the screening can also be presented as the video for the official performance.
    • The video submissions must show the date of recording at the end of the video.
    • The total performance time for Filipino and EU pieces must not exceed 10 minutes.
  4. Mixed audio recording of the whole choir singing the European Union Hymn (An Die Freude) for the virtual tutti performance
    • The participating choirs shall record their rendition of An Die Freude following the piece which can be found in this link:
    • The audio must already be mixed at the time of submission (SATB)
    • The audio must not contain the accompaniment/instrumental
    • During the individual audio recording, each choir member must sing along with the audio guide playing through a headset for synchronization purposes. The audio guide must not be audible in the final audio recording.
  5. Compiled video recording of the whole choir singing the European Union Hymn (An Die Freude) for the virtual tutti performance.
    1. The individual video recordings must be recorded against a plain white or light background.
    2. Choir members must wear uniform apparel (shirt, polo shirt, barong, gown, etc.) that represents the choral group.
    3. Choir members must sing along with the audio guide for synchronization purposes during the video recording. Audio coming from the video will be discarded eventually. 
    4. Additional guidelines for the video recordings:
      • The video must be center-aligned. 
      • Following the rule of thirds, the eyes must be aligned with the first horizontal line of the grid.
      • Leave enough headroom in order to be adjustable to editing. 
      • No unnecessary objects must be visible in the background.
      • See the sample image below:/
      • The individual video recordings must be compiled into one video. 
        • The choirs should ensure the synchronization of the videos by adding the audio guide or the mixed audio of the ensemble.
        • There will be no transitions or visual effects added to the final video.
        • The final video must have a resolution of 1920×1080 px (16:9)
        • The final video must have a 20px margin on all sides.
        • Individual videos must have a gutter/space in between. At least 10px, depending on the number of the videos.
        • The final video must have a green background (hex code: #39ff19)
        • See the sample layout below:
  6. Other requirements:
    1. Accomplished application form (google form link:) 
    2. Choir’s photograph
    3. Conductor’s photograph
    4. Conductor’s profile
    5. Choir’s profile
    6. List of members
    7. Brief write-up about submitted pieces including citations.
    8. Brief write-up about the composers of the pieces including citations.
    9. Soft copies of music scores
    10. Proof of authorization for use of the music pieces
      • Official receipt or order form for published music scores obtained from authorized sites (e.g., JW Pepper & Son, Earthsongs Choral Music, etc.), and/or
      • Letter of authorization to perform if the piece is unpublished or self-published by the composer/arranger.

Musica FEUROPA 13 Special Awards

  1. Best in Virtual Performance
    • The Best in Virtual Performance is a special award to a participating choral group whose performance of their chosen pieces expresses an exceptional level of creativity, innovation, and harmony through the overall video and audio direction and production of their virtual performances.
    • This award will only be given to virtual performances. Pre-recorded live performances are not qualified.
    • One or both submissions of the Filipino and EU pieces can be submitted as an entry for the Best in Video Production.
      • It is not required to produce a virtual performance for both pieces.
      • One video submission will be counted as one entry. Thus, submitting virtual performances for the Filipino and EU pieces will give the group two (2) entries for the award. 
    • The video submissions must be newly created for Musica FEUROPA 13 to be qualified for the award. The performance will premiere on the day of the competition. Videos already submitted to other competitions/festivals or posted on social media pages can be accepted for the choral festival but will not qualify for the award. 
    • The guidelines for this award are only applicable for the interested participants who will be submitting a virtual performance as their entry. 
    • Note: Only participating choirs will be qualified for the award and must follow all guidelines mentioned above to be eligible for the prize.


Dates to remember:

  1. Registration – EXTENDED until May 8, 2022
  2. Deadline of the Filipino, EU videos and other requirements  – EXTENDED until May 14, 2022
  3. Deadline of the EU Hymn video – May 7, 2022

References

[1] Country Profiles. (n.d.). European Union. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles_en

[2] EU Languages. (n.d.). European Union. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/languages_en