The competition is divided in the following categories:
- Category A
- Category B
- Independent category (not competitive)

Each group can choose to join one of the above categories.
A band can only share up to 5 musicians with another Band, but only if these are in different categories.

Only percussion and wind instruments are allowed (or else specific instruments which may be required to perform certain musical scores)

Keyboards can only be used to replace instruments which are not provided by the Festival Organisation, but only after authorisation. Details of instruments to be provided by the Festival can be found further down under the General Information heading (No. 4)

Any changes and / or edits to the instrumentation scores, must be submitted to be evaluated by the Organisation/Jury, at the moment of admission for the actual Festival Competition Day.

1) Music Scores
All bands participating in this competition must perform: Compulsory Music Score

CATEGORY A:
Gustav Holst, "FIRST SUITE in Mi b" op. 28 n.1
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

CATEGORY B:
Jacob de Haan “CONCERTO D'AMORE”
Publisher: De Haske

A music selection of the band’s choice
This should respect the International music parameters of difficulty:
Category A: parameters of difficulty 3.5 – 5
Category B: parameters of difficulty 2-3

Groups can perform a short piece of music as warm-up (out of the competition), that should not last more than 3 minutes.

For the Bands taking part in categories A and B, the overall performance, including the warm-up intro and the chosen repertoire, must not exceed the
maximum duration of 35 minutes. The maximum time on stage must not exceed 40 minutes.

There will be a penalty for those groups who exceed the mentioned duration on stage. The jury panel will be strict on this issue and performances will be timed.
This 40 minute period will commence the moment first musician gets on stage, till when the last musician gets off stage.

2) The Independent Category
The Independent Category is intended for groups who opt to be out of competition.

Only in this Category the bands will be provided, in private form, a written assessment by one of the qualified International jury members. This assessment
will deal with the artistic and technical skills of the band. It will propose valuable tools and suggestions for further improvement in musical arts.

The main aim of this category is to serve as a first step for groups aiming to participate in actual competitions in future years.

There are no prizes in connection with this Category.
The bands taking part in this Category must perform two music scores of their choice.

They can also perform a short music score as warm-up, that should not last more than 2 minutes.

For the Bands taking part in this category, the presented program, including the warm-up piece and their chosen pieces of music, must not exceed the
maximum duration of 20 minutes. Their maximum stage appearance must not exceed a total of 25 minutes.

All music scores expenses are to be incurred by the respective band.

3) General Information for Applicants
Admission in the competitions is at the discretion of the Jury Panel and Festival Organisation, who may even opt to suggest a group to participate in a different category from that requested.

The running order of performances will be determined by the Organisation and the Jury Panel on basis of organisational and technical necessities and this will be communicated in writing to the participating groups.

Directors may only conduct one band in the same category. A band can have two alternating Directors. The Orchestra Directors can conduct two bands
only if these are participating in two different categories.

Participant groups can make amendments to their list of musicians submitted with the application. These have to be communicated with the  Festival Organisation by not later than the 9th May 2022.

In the event of insufficient number of participants in a category, (minimum 8 bands entered in the competition) the Organization reserves the right to
cancel the competition. The definitive confirmation will be communicated by 14th March 2022.

If, due to reasons beyond the control of the Organisation, the promoted Theatre will be not available, the competition will be organised in a different venue, suitable for such an event.

The Organisation will provide the participating bands with 40 lecterns, 3 timpani (26-29-32), bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, suspended cymbal, tambourine, wind chimes, bongos, glockenspiel, xylophone, a drum kit set.
Percussion mallets and any percussion instruments which are not mentioned here must be brought by each respective band.

The Organisation reserves the right to hold also further performances and parades during the Festival days, apart from those scheduled in connection
with the competition. These performances can take place in other venues around the island. The detailed program will be coordinated with each group. (Transfers from the Hotel to these venues will be provided by the Organisation).

Participating groups should opt only for the Festival accommodation
packages.

The Organisation is not responsible for any accident to persons or equipment during their journey to Malta and even during the Festival Days in Malta.

All performances will be held either on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th May.

All costs connected with traveling and accommodation must be totally borne by the respective participants.

4) The Competition judging
- The Jury Panel is going to be formed up of three famous International Directors of Bands/Orchestras.
o J. De Haan - Holland (Chairman)
o Alfio Zito – Italy
o Archibald Mizzi - Malta
(see curriculum).
- If for some reason or another, one of the above judges cannot make it, the Festival Organisation will provide a substitute, coming also from the International music sector.
- The jury panel will cast their votes on these parameters:
1. Intonation
2. Quality and balance of sound
3. Technique and articulation
4. Ensemble and rhythmic
5. Expression and dynamic
6. Interpretation

- For each Category, the ranking will be based on the final scores. The band that will achieve the highest score in all categories will win “The Malta International Spring Music Festival Trophy”
- The final classification for each category will start with the first, then second, then third place.
- The 1st prize for Categories A & B will be awarded to the Band receiving the highest score, higher than 85.01/100.

- The 2nd prize for Categories A & B will be awarded to the Band receiving the second-highest score, higher than 80.01/85.00.
- The 3rd prize for Categories A & B will be awarded to the Band receiving the third highest score, higher than 75.01/80.00.
- The final classification for each category will be compiled to scroll, it will be considered first the band that has achieved the highest score regardless of the merit.
- The way in which the Jury Panel will do their work, is regulated by internal rules of procedure. The jury's decisions are unquestionable and final.
- For the band to be eligible for adjudication of the above-mentioned categories, its score has to be at least in the range between 60.01 and 75.00.
- The bands participating in all the above mentioned categories and which will exceed the maximum time set on stage, will be penalised by deducting 0.5 points from their final score, for every minute they exceed the agreed time on stage.
- A group which is not on site at their scheduled performing time, without any valid justification will be disqualified from competition/participation.
- All results will be announced at the end of the event.
- For the Independent Category, the Jury Panel will judge each group respective performance, so that each group will be able to know their respective musical level within the categories of this competition. The Jury Panel will also prepare a written evaluation, in private form, according to the following parameters: intonation, sound quality and balance, technique andarticulation, ensemble and rhythm, expressiveness and dynamic, and interpretation.
- The results and of the written evaluations will both be provided by the Jury Panel at the end of the event, during the closing ceremony.
- As already stated, there will be no prizes for those who register in the Independent Category. The groups in this category will receive a certificate of participation.
- The groups participating in the Independent category may be asked by the Jury Panel, to interrupt their performance if they will exceed the time set for their stage appearance.

5) The Festival Workshop

This workshop will be conducted by Maestro Jacob De Haan. All those who love the music of this famous Dutch composer will be able to participate in
these meetings, regardless of number and ages. Participants will also have the opportunity to know the creative process that leads to his music.

The workshop will be divided into two sections:
A) Theoretical
B) Practical (Concert lesson)
In the application form, the group must communicate if intends to participate in this workshop. If the group wants to participate, it is mandatory to communicate the number of participants.

The workshop will be held in English and Italian.

Theoretical Section
This is dedicated to the Band Directors and with a maximum of 4 components from each band as listeners. In this meeting, Jacob De Haan,
through a detailed musical analysis of his scores, will make the participants discover the creation of his music scores, from the moment that these were commissioned to the moment when these were performed.
Participants will also discover. step by step, the various musical passages that characterize all his compositions.

Practical Section
A band will be composed of musicians of different participating groups in the competition/festival. These musicians will be selected by their own respective Band Director, in collaboration with the Organisation, in order to create a balanced band, for a minimum number of 6 to a maximum of 10 musicians from each formation.

All participants, therefore, will have the opportunity to observe, practice, and listen to how Jacob De Haan works with a Band and what the concertation the technique is in assembling the pieces to be performed in public.
In addition to the selected musicians, it will be also possible for all the other musicians to participate in the “Concert lesson”, but only as listeners.

Prizes

Category A
1st place: A total amount of €1,700 to be redeemed as follow:
A € 1,200 voucher to be spend on musical instruments from ‘Oltremusica’ via their online portal www.oltremusicashop.com
A € 500 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy).

2nd place: A total amount of € 1,000 to be redeemed as follow:

A € 600 voucher to be spend on musical instruments from ‘Oltremusica’ via their online portal www.oltremusicashop.com
A € 400 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy)

3rd place: A total amount of € 500 to be redeemed as follow:
A € 500 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy).

Category B
1st place: A total amount of € 1,300 to be redeemed as follow:
- A € 1,000 voucher to be spend on musical instruments from ‘Oltremusica’ via their online portal www.oltremusicashop.com
- A € 300 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy)

2nd place: A total amount of € 800to be redeemed as follow:
- A € 500 voucher to be spend on musical instruments from ‘Oltremusica’ viatheir online portal www.oltremusicashop.com
-A € 300 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de
Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy)

3rd place: A total amount of € 400 to be redeemed as follow:
- A € 400 discount voucher, to be used before December 2023, to participate in the festivals that the Organisation holds annually in Malta, Malgrat de
Mar (Spain) and Taormina (Sicily- Italy).

The mentioned discount voucher is not transferable and it is valid only if the group participates in the chosen festival (not only for taking a holiday). Voucher cannot be used as payment for the competitions registration fee.

Groups will be responsible for all shipping charges.

The Bands that will only get a final score of 60.01 to 75.00 will not be eligible for any prize. However, all the participating bands will receive a certificate of
participation.

The Festival Organisation reserves the right to award additional prizes for performances of particular interest or to Band Directors who will have demonstrated special artistic skills.

During the awards ceremony, there must be a representative for each participating Band, who will collect the participation certificate and also a technical document including details of the votes for each song and criteria and even awards if any.