1. Organizers

Organizer:
Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras, Rzeszów Branch

Co-organizer:
Faculty of Music, University of Rzeszów

 

2. Date and Venue

The Festival will take place on January 31, 2026, in Rzeszów.

Venues:

Faculty of Music, University of Rzeszów

Basilica of the Bernardine Fathers in Rzeszów

 

3. Participants

The competition is open to amateur choirs and orchestras.

 

4. Aims of the Festival

To enhance the artistic quality of amateur choirs and orchestras.

To evaluate and promote artistic achievements of participating ensembles.

To integrate the choral and orchestral communities of the Podkarpackie region.

To support the professional development of conductors.

 

5. Participant Categories

The following ensembles are invited to participate:

I. Adult Choirs
a) Equal-voice choirs
b) Mixed choirs
c) Chamber choirs (up to 16 singers)

II. Senior Choirs (55+)

III. Children’s and Youth Choirs (up to 18 years of age):
a) Children’s choirs (up to 15 years)
b) Youth choirs (15–18 years)
c) Equal-voice choirs (girls’ or boys’)

IV. Orchestras
a) Symphony orchestras
b) String orchestras
c) Wind orchestras

 

6. Applications

Applications should be sent by December 29, 2025, to:
📧 festiwal.rzeszow@gmail.com

Required materials:

Completed application form

Recent photo of the ensemble (JPG format, high quality)

Short description of the ensemble

 

7. Qualification

The selection of ensembles will be made by the Artistic Council appointed by the organizers.

Notification of qualification will be sent to participants no later than January 2, 2026.

 

8. Fees

Accreditation fee: 500 PLN
For ensembles affiliated with PZCHiO: 450 PLN

Bank account:
PEKAO 63 1240 2614 1111 0000 3958 5930

Payment deadline: January 6, 2026

The fee is non-refundable in case of withdrawal.

 

9. Conditions of Participation

Each ensemble may perform in only one category.

Participants are responsible for copyright compliance regarding performed works.

 

10. Regulations for Vocal Ensembles

The program must include at least one piece by a Polish composer.

Repertoire: free choice, stylistically diverse (one piece may include piano/instrument/small ensemble accompaniment).

Mandatory piece: “Bóg się rodzi” (God is Born) in any arrangement (for both competition and final concert).

Performance time: 6–10 minutes.

Maximum: three verses of any selected carol or pastoral song.

Submitted program cannot be changed — violation will result in disqualification.

 

11. Regulations for Orchestras

Performance time: 10–15 minutes.

Repertoire: instrumental, acoustic (no amplification).

Theme: Christmas or winter.

Mandatory piece: “Bóg się rodzi” (God is Born) in any arrangement.

Vocal-instrumental presentations are not permitted.

Any change to the submitted program without organizer approval will result in disqualification.

 

12. Jury and Awards

The Jury, appointed by the organizers, consists of distinguished musicians.

Evaluation criteria include:

Repertoire selection

Intonation

Vocal production / sound quality

Interpretation

Level of difficulty

Scores are public and included on the diploma.

The Jury awards:

Financial prizes for the top ensembles in each category

Commemorative trophies/medals for the winners

Diplomas for all participants

The value of prizes depends on available funding.

Decisions of the Jury are final and not subject to appeal.

Results will be announced on January 31, 2026.

 

13. Final Provisions

An ensemble awarded the top financial prize cannot receive it again in the next edition (special prizes excluded).

Performing ensembles are responsible for ZAiKS (copyright) fees.

Submitting the application form implies full acceptance of these regulations.

Participants grant the Organizer the non-commercial rights to their artistic performances and consent to:

Recording and distribution of their performances and photographs,

Publication of their image,

Processing of personal data for purposes connected with the competition and the statutory activities of PZCHiO.

 

14. Contact

Festival Director:
Dr. hab. Prof. UR Anna Marek-Kamińska
ul. Okrzei 7, 35-959 Rzeszów
📞 +48 600 159 077
📧 festiwal.rzeszow@gmail.com