I 

The Competition Jury is comprised of a distinguished international panel of five musicians who are appointed by Organiser of the Ljubljana Festival International Competition (hereinafter called Competition). 

II 

The Competition Jury acts based on the documents Jury: Rules of the Competition and General Competition Rules. 

III 

The general task of the Competition Jury is to evaluate the musicality, technical perfection, and interpretative conviction of all brass quintets and quartets (hereinafter called Ensembles), advance the best to 2. round of the Competition and award prizes and special diplomas to the best Ensembles after the end of final round. 

IV 

Each Juror is obliged to listen to and evaluate all Ensembles in each stage of the Competition and take part in all Competition Jury meetings. 

V 

The Competition Jury can interrupt the Ensembles during any stage of their performance. 

VI 

The President of the Competition Jury Branimir Slokar will preside over the work of the Jurors and represent them. 

VII 

The Competition Jury will listen to each Ensemble and at the end of Round 1 vote which Ensembles should advance to the following round. Next to the name of each Ensemble, a Juror will choose ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ to evaluate whether they should be accepted to Round 2 of the Competition. After the Jurors evaluate all Ensembles, the Organiser will present the results to the Competition Jury. The Ensembles with the highest percentage of YES votes will advance to Round 2 automatically. If needed, those Ensembles with a lower percentage of YES votes who still have a chance of advancing to the following round will be evaluated by the Competition Jury again, with ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ voting, in order to receive just the required number of Ensembles advancing to the following round. In the case that a decision cannot be reached in such a way, the Competition Jury is allowed to hold additional deliberations. 

VIII 

After the Jurors finish Round 1 evaluation, the names of successful Ensembles advancing to Round 2 will publicly be presented on Competition website in alphabetical order. 

IX 

After Round 1 evaluation has been finished, the Competition Jury will decide which of the Ensembles from Round 1 will receive the special diploma for the best performance of the obligatory work: 

• Special diploma for the best performance of an obligatory work by the Slovenian composer Nina Šenk: 2,000 EUR 

The special diploma for the Best performance of an obligatory work by the Slovenian composer Nina Šenk will be awarded to the Ensemble that receives the highest score for the obligatory work. The Competition Jury will have to evaluate each performance of the obligatory work using the numerical scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest score. The arithmetic mean of a score will be calculated to two decimal places by dividing the total sum of awarded points by the number of the Jurors. The Ensemble receiving the highest score for their performance of the obligatory work will receive the special diploma. If the first vote fails to determine the winner (if more than one Ensemble receive equal highest score), some additional deliberations between Jurors are possible followed by a potential second round of voting between the Ensembles with the equal scores only. The Ensemble receiving the Special diploma for the best performance of an obligatory work by the Slovenian composer Nina Šenk will be revealed at the Awards Ceremony on March 1, 2025. 

X 

The Competition Jury can award the Special diploma for the highest ranked Ensemble representing Slovenia after Round 1 or after Round 2 if more than 1 Ensemble representing Slovenia is accepted to Round 2. The Competition Jury reserves the right not to award the Special diploma.  

• Special diploma for the highest ranked Ensemble representing Slovenia (all members of the Ensemble need to be Slovene citizens): 2,000 EUR 

XI 

In Round 2, the Competition Jury will evaluate the final 6 Ensembles using the numerical scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest score. The arithmetic mean of an Ensemble’s score will be calculated to two decimal places by dividing the total sum of awarded points by the number of the Jurors. After receiving the evaluations and making the calculations, Organiser will present the final standings based on the averages of the Ensembles’ scores to the Competition Jury. After potential deliberations and, if needed, a second round of voting for the Ensembles who receive the same numerical score, the Competition Jury, will name the prize winners. 

XII 

The members of the Competition Jury reserve the right: 

• not to award all prizes and special diplomas 

XIII 

The Competition Jury will in principle select no more than 6 Ensembles to participate in Round 2 of Competition. 

XIV 

The Competition Jury should not publicly state their opinions about any of the Ensembles while Competition is in progress and the main prizes and special diplomas are awarded at the Awards Ceremony on March 1, 2025. 

XV 

The Competition Jury’s decisions are final, and they are not subject to appeal. 

XVI 

Ensembles are not permitted to have contact with any Competition Jury member during their participation in Competition. Failure to observe this rule may lead to disqualification of the Ensemble. 

 XVII 

In exceptional circumstances (such as violations of the regulations mentioned in the documents Jury: Rules of the Competition and General Competition Rules) Organiser may sanction and dismiss a Competition Jury member. 

XVIII 

All issues which cannot be solved based on the document Jury: Rules of the Competition will be subject to discussion by the members of the Competition Jury. The solutions thus accepted will be subject to the approval of Organiser. 

I

The Preliminary Round Jury is comprised of three renowned musicians who are appointed by the Ljubljana Festival International Competition – Brass Quintets and Quartets (hereinafter called Competition).

II

The Preliminary Round Jury acts on the basis of the current Preliminary Round Rules and General Competition Rules.

III

The general task of the Preliminary Round Jury is to evaluate the interpretative skills of each Ensemble and admit the best to Round 1 of Competition.

IV

Each Juror is obliged to listen to and evaluate all Ensembles of the Preliminary Round of Competition.

V

The Preliminary Round evaluation will be based on the video recordings submitted by the Ensembles, as required by the General Competition Rules, as well as the documents included in their applications.

VI

After reviewing each Ensemble (listening to their video recordings and studying the attached documents), the Jurors will fill out the online evaluation form. The Jurors should consider the video recordings as well as all the documents uploaded with the application. The Jurors will evaluate the Ensembles using a numerical scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest score.

VII

After the evaluation of all the Ensembles is complete, the Organiser will calculate the arithmetic mean of Ensembles’ scores to two decimal places by dividing the total sum of awarded points by the number of the Jurors who did the evaluation. After receiving the evaluations and making the calculations, Organiser will present the results to the Preliminary Jury. If needed, the Preliminary Jury will, without any debate, repeat the evaluation of Ensembles receiving the same scores in order to receive just the required number of Ensembles advancing to Round 1 of Competition and to the waiting list. The names of successful Ensembles will be publicly presented on Competition website in alphabetical order.

VIII

The Jury of the Preliminary Round will in principle admit no less than 15 and no more than 20 Ensembles into Round 1 of Competition. The Preliminary Jury will also select 5 Ensembles to be considered part of the waiting list.

IX

The Jurors should not publicly state their opinions about the Preliminary Round Ensembles before the results of the Preliminary Round are published. The results will be published on the Organiser’s website no later than 11 November 2024.

X

The Preliminary Round Jury’s decisions are final, and they are not subject to appeal.

XI 

In exceptional circumstances (such as violations of the regulations mentioned in the Preliminary Round Rules) Organiser of Competition may sanction and dismiss a Jury member. 

XII 

All issues which cannot be solved on the basis of the present Rules will be subject to discussion by members of the Preliminary Round Jury. The solutions thus accepted will be subject to the approval of Organiser of Competition. 

I

The Ljubljana Festival International Competition – Brass Quintets and Quartets (hereinafter called the Competition), organised by Festival Ljubljana (hereinafter called the Organiser), will be held in Ljubljana from 24 February to 1 March 2025.

II

The Competition is open to professional brass quintets and quartets (hereinafter called Ensembles) of all nationalities. The ensembles allowed to apply are:

Brass quintets:

1. 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba

Brass quartets:

1. 4 trombones
2. 4 horns
3. 4 tubas
4. 1 euphonium, 3 tubas
5. 2 euphoniums, 2 tubas

III

An individual musician is only allowed to apply as part of one Ensemble.

IV

The average age of all the members of an Ensemble must not exceed 30 years at the start of the Competition, February 24, 2025.

V

Ensembles wishing to enter the Competition will have to submit the required application documents by 1 November 2024. If accepted by the Preliminary Round Jury, ensembles are required to participate in the Competition held in the Slovenian Philharmonic in Ljubljana from 24 February to 1 March 2025. Round 1 performances will begin on 24 February lasting until 26 February 2025. Round 2 will take place from 28 February to 1 March 2025.

VI

Applications must include:

• A link to a 15- to 20-minute video recording of the Ensemble’s performance. The Ensemble needs to upload the video recording to their YouTube channel and make it an unlisted video, only accessible to those with the link. The video must be recorded with high audio quality and a fixed filming angle, and with the members’ hands and faces visible. The programme used for the video recording can eventually be included in the following rounds of Competition. The video recordings should not be older than six months.

• Birth certificates, passports or national identity cards have to be submitted as proof of age for all members of the Ensemble, showing their average age does not exceed 30 years at the start of the Competition 24 February 2025.

• Three current photographs of the Ensemble to be used in Competition publications (electronic version 300–1200 dpi; accepted formats – jpg, gif, bmp, jpeg).

• A biography of the Ensemble in English, to a maximum of 250 words.

• The name of the mentor or leader of the group and their contact email and telephone number.

• A complete list of the repertoire to be performed in the Preliminary Round (video selection) and Rounds 1 and 2 of the Competition with accurate timings for each piece.

• Proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee of 200 EUR for quartets and 250 EUR for quintets to the Organiser’s bank account. If the application fee is not paid, the application will not be reviewed by the Preliminary Jury.

VII

The application and all correspondence relating to the participation in the Competition should be in English. If the Ensemble fails to meet the abovementioned requirements or does not provide complete information, the Organiser may reject their application.

VIII

The applications should be made using the electronic form available on the official Competition website. No other method of submission will be accepted. The applications should be submitted no later than midnight, 1 November 2024 (Central European Time).

IX

By submitting the application, the Ensemble confirms their acceptance of the competition rules. The Ensemble will receive a formal confirmation of their application by email.

X

It is the Ensemble’s responsibility to take all the necessary steps so that the application can be submitted by the deadline. The Organiser cannot be held responsible if an application is not received on time.

XI

All applications will be reviewed by the Jury of the Preliminary Round, consisting of three renowned musicians, based on the Preliminary Round Rules. The Organiser of the Competition will appoint the members of this Jury.

XII

The Jury of the Preliminary Round will in principle admit no less than 15 and no more than 20 Ensembles into Round 1 of Competition. The Preliminary Jury will also select 5 Ensembles to be considered part of the waiting list. The results will be published on the Organiser’s website no later than 1 November 2024. All the Ensembles selected for Round 1 of the Competition and those selected for the waiting list will also be contacted via email.

XIII

The Competition will consist of two separate rounds. The Competition Jury will consist of a distinguished international panel of five musicians appointed by the Organiser of the Competition. The Competition Jury will in principle advance no more than six Ensembles to Round 2 of the Competition.

XIV

The Organiser will make practice rooms available to all Ensembles at the Vič-Rudnik Music School (Gradaška ulica 24, 1000 Ljubljana). The rooms will be available from February 23 to March 1, 2025.

XV

On the day before the Competition begins, February 23, 2025, there will be an introductory meeting at which at least one member of each Ensemble must be present. The meeting will be held in the morning hours in the Slovenian Philharmonic in Ljubljana.

XVI

The order of performances for Round 1 will be determined by drawing at the introductory meeting on February 23, 2025, and published on the Competition website. The order of performances in Round 2 will follow the order of Round 1. The Organiser of the Competition reserves the right to change the order of performances in both rounds for organisational or programme-related reasons.

XVII

The Organiser will not assist the members of the Ensembles in obtaining Slovenian visas. If needed, the Organiser will provide a note in the form of an invitation letter confirming their participation in the Competition.

XVIII

The Competition Jury has the right to interrupt Ensembles at any time during their performances.

XIX

Members of the Ensembles are not permitted to have contact with any Competition Jury member during their participation in the Competition. Failure to observe this rule may lead to disqualification of the Ensemble.

XX

The Competition will be open to the public.

XXI

In the Preliminary Round, the Ensembles need to perform a programme that should last no less than 15 and no more than 20 minutes. In Round 1, the Ensembles need to perform a programme that should last no less than 35 and no more than 40 minutes. In Round 2, the Ensembles need to perform a recital with a programme that should last no less than 45 and no more than 50 minutes.

XXII

The programmes to be performed by the Ensembles are the following:

– BRASS QUINTET

PRELIMINARY ROUND

1. V. Ewald: Brass Quintet No. 2, Op. 6

Ed. G. Schirmer (Empire Brass)

2. J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C minor, BWV 847

(No edition)

Contact: italianwonderbrass@gmail.com

ROUND 1

1. W. Lutosławski: Mini Ouverture for Brass Quintet

Ed. Chester Music

2. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)

Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com

3. L. Bernstein: Dance Suite for Brass Quintet

Ed. Boosey & Hawkes

4. One of the following pieces:

H.W. Henze: Fragments from a Show

Ed. Schott

or

A. Hillborg:Brass Quintet

Ed. Faber Music

or

U. Krek: Spinning Wheel

Ed. DSS

5. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)

ROUND 2

1. L. Berio: Call

Ed. Universal Edition

2. D. Schnyder: Brass Quintet

Ed. Marc Reift

3. One of the following pieces:

J.A. Gimeno: Quinteto para metal

Ed. Editions Bim

or

V. Persichetti: Parable II for Brass Quintet, Op. 108

Ed. Theodore Presser Company

or

J. Bach: Laudes

Ed. Mentor Music

4. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)

– TROMBONE QUARTET

PRELIMINARY ROUND

1. G.Ph. Telemann, arr. A. Lumsden: Concerto a 4 for Trombones

Ed. Breitkopf & Härtel

2. E. Bozza: Three Pieces for Trombone Quartet

Ed. Leduc Paris

ROUND 1

1. J.Fr. Michel: Jubilee Ouverture for Trombone Quartet

Ed. Woodbrass Music SA

2. N. Šenk:Comissioned composition (10 min)

Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com

3. One of the following pieces:

J. Koetsier: Five Impromptus for Four Trombones

Ed. Marc Reift

or

R. Szentpáli: From Within for Trombone Quartet

Ed. Editions Bim

or

K. Serocki: Suite for Four Trombones

Ed. Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne

4. One piece of free choice

ROUND 2

1. S. Apon: First Trombone Quartet

Ed. Warwick Music

2. A. Vivaldi, arr. J. Tilde: Concerto for Four Trombones

Ed. Gerard Billaudot

3. J. Bark – F. Rabe: Bolos

Ed. Wilhelm Hansen Stockholm

4. One of the following pieces:

A. Plog: Trombone Quartet Nr. 1 “Densities”

Ed. Editions Bim

L. Krajnčan: Suit Latin

Ed. Marc Reift

or

J. Filas: Satans Opfern, Fantasy for Trombone Quartet

Ed. Editions Bim

5. One piece of free choice

– HORN QUARTET

PRELIMINARY ROUND

1. J. S. Bach, arr. M. Linke: Fugue from Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B-flat major, BWV 866

Ed. Grell Verlag Hans Kröll

2. A. Mitushin: Concertino for Horn Quartet

Ed. Southern Music

3. G. Rossini, arr. E. Leloir:Le Rendez-vous de la chasse (en Mi bémol)

Ed. N. Simrock

ROUND 1

1. C. Homilius: Horn Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 38

Ed. Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag

2. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)

Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com

3. M. Tippett: Sonata for Four Horns

Ed. Schott Music

4. One piece of free choice (5-6 min)

ROUND 2

1. K. Turner:Quartet No. 1, for Four Horns

Ed. Phoenix Music Publications

 2. L. Kranjčan: Quartet for Friends

Ed. Marc Reift

3. W. Pirchner: Born for Horn, for Horn Quartet PWV 36

Ed. Doubliger

4. One piece of free choice (10 min)

– TUBA QUARTET

PRELIMINARY ROUND

1. D. Buxtehude, arr. J. Mazura: Canzonetta in D Minor

Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com

2. W.A. Mozart, arr. J. Fletcher: Tuba Serenade

Ed. Emerson Edition Ltd.

3. J. Stevens: Moondance

Ed. Editions Bim

ROUND 1

1. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition

Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com

2. F. Couperin, arr. M. Forbes: Les Barricades Mystérieuses (The Mysterious Barricades)

www.ebrassmusic.com

3. L. Dubrovay: Brummadza’s Dance

4. R. Szentpáli: Homework for 4 Tubas

Ed. Editions Bim

or

M. Forbes: Consequences

www.ebrassmusic.com

5. One piece of free choice

ROUND 2

1. F. Hidas: Tuba Quartet

Ed. Musikverlag Bruno Uetz

2. Z. Kodály, arr. A. Korb: Kállai kettős

Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com

3. C. Chaplin, arr. J. Mazura: Smile

Contact: János Mazura mazurajani@gmail.com

4. M. Forbes: Deus ex machina

www.ebrassmusic.com

5. C. Saint-Saëns, arr. S. Hanson: Adagio from Symphony No. 3

www.cimarronmusic.com

6. R. Schumann, arr. T. Wyss: Träumerei (from Kinderszenen)

Ed. Frank Musikverlag

7. One piece of free choice (10-15 min)

– EUPHONIUM/TUBA QUARTET

PRELIMINARY ROUND

1. J. S. Bach, arr. M. Forbes: Chaconne from Partita in D Minor

or

A. Vivaldi /J. S. Bach, arr. M. Forbes: Concerto

www.ebrassmusic.com

2. S. Bulla: Celestial Suite, Second Quartet for Low Brass

Ed. Winwood Music GN174245

ROUND 1

1. N. Šenk: Comissioned composition (10 min)

Contact: senk.nina@gmail.com

2. M. Forbes: Concerto for Tuba-Euphonium Quartet

www.ebrassmusic.com

and

J. Koetsier: Wolkenschatten, Op. 136, for Tuba Quartet

Ed. Marc Reift EMR 479

or

J. Duda: Tuba Quartet

Contact: joerg.duda@t-online.de

The ensemble can perform pieces by composers M. Forbes and J. Koetsier (total 20 min) or only J. Duda’s composition (20 min).

ROUND 2

1. E. Crausaz: Old Legend for Tuba Quartet

Ed. Woodbrass Music

2. E. Crespo: Three Milongas for Four Tubas

Ed. Lydke Musikverlag GN351093

3. Y. Jan Trede: Tuba Quartet

Ed. Edition Svitzer

4. One or more pieces of free choice (10-15 min)

XXIII

Ensembles can include works from the Preliminary Round in Rounds 1 and 2. However, in Round 2 Ensembles cannot include any works already performed in Round 1.

XXIV

Details of any programme changes must be sent no later than midnight, November 30, 2024 (Central European Time). After this date, the repertoire of any of the two rounds cannot be changed.

XXV

The use of adaptations is allowed. If an adaptation is used, the author of the adaptation needs to be stated.

XXVI

Ensembles must provide one copy of the score for all the pieces that will be performed in the two rounds. The scores need to be provided via email to the Organiser, no later than January 30, 2025.

XXVII

In the event of an illness or accident, officially confirmed by a medical professional, an Ensemble may be permitted to perform outside the established order of performances, at the end of the round in question.

XXVIII

One change in the membership of an Ensemble (from the application to the first day of the Competition) is permissible, if due to important professional or personal circumstances, at the discretion of the Competition Jury.

XXIX

The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the Competition.

XXX

Ensembles must arrange their own travel and accommodation.

XXXI

The following main prizes may be awarded to the top three Ensembles: 

1. 1^st Prize: 20,000 EUR
2. 2^nd Prize: 15,000 EUR
3. 3^rd Prize: 10,000 EUR
4. 4^th Prize: 2,000 EUR
5. 5^th Prize: 1,500 EUR
6. 6^th Prize: 1,000 EUR

Special diplomas may also be awarded for the following best performances: 

1. Best performance of an obligatory work by the Slovenian composer Nina Šenk: 2,000 EUR
2. The highest ranked Ensemble representing Slovenia (all members of the Ensemble need to be Slovene citizens): 2,000 EUR

The sums above are subject to the applicable tax deductions as required by law.

XXXII

The Competition Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. 

XXXIII

The members of the Competition Jury reserve the right not to award all the listed prizes and special diplomas.

XXXIV

The results of the Competition will be officially presented at a ceremony on March 1, 2025 after the Competition Jury has reached its final decisions. The results will also be made public on the Competition website.

XXXV

The Organiser is in the process of negotiating several recitals for the winning Ensemble.

XXXVI

Each Ensemble that applies to the competition: 

1. Agrees with radio and television broadcasts of their performances.
2. Agrees with live audio-video broadcasting and with broadcasting of the recording of entire performances on the Organiser’s official website and Facebook page, and use of the entire video recording of all their performances for the promotional purposes of the Organiser (promo videos, YouTube channel, Vimeo, social networks, official Competition website, and so on).
3. Agrees that the Organiser can share the promotional video recordings with their partners/sponsors, which they can then use on their websites and social media accounts. 
4. Will transfer to the Organiser all property rights to any related photographs, statements, and interviews.

XXXVII

Any matter not provided for in the rules will be subject to Slovenian law. Any legal disputes will be negotiated mutually, and disputes arbitrated in the local court in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

XXXVIII

In case of doubt, the Slovenian language version of these rules will be used in interpreting and clarifying their provisions.