2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition

Application Information

Houli—the original “hometown” for Taiwan’s saxophone production—remains a key global hub for the manufacture of musical instruments.  In recent years, cultural and creative industry concepts have been adopted towards the goals of promoting Houli’s instrument-making industry and boosting local businesses.  Related to this is collaboration with the Taichung Jazz Festival, a landmark annual event for Taichung city, to organize the 2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition.  The vision for this competition is to provide a venue for musicians from around the world to share experiences and exchange information with each other in order to improve the breadth and width of Taiwan’s musicians and music scene, promote jazz music and instruments, and gain local and international recognition, thereby maximizing the synergistic impact of this event.

◎Organizer: Cultural Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government

◎Coordinator: Summit Brand Marketing Co., Ltd

◎Qualifications: This competition is open to all jazz saxophone players, regardless of nationality or age.

◎Application Deadline: August 30, 2013, 18:00 (TWT)

◎Application Methods

Complete the application form and send it by mail, or deliver it to our office in person.  Application forms can be downloaded at http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw/ or

http://www.taichungsaxophone2013.com

a.           Submissions via mail:

Please mail (postmarked no later than Aug. 30, 2013) the completed application form and 2 DVDs (music video for preliminary round, limited to jazz) to the following address:

2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition

1F, No. 54, Lane 103, Xinsheng S. Rd., Sec. 1

Da’an Dist., Taipei City 10652

Taiwan (R. O. C.)

Note: Please use delivery services which allow you to track your mail.

b.          Submissions in person:

Please deliver the completed application form and 2 DVDs (music video for preliminary round, limited to jazz) to 1F, No. 54, Lane 103, Xinsheng S. Rd., Sec. 1, Da’an Dist., Taipei City 10652, Taiwan (R. O. C.) before August 30, 2013.  Please note “2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition” on the cover.

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except national holidays)

◎Application Requirements (Please include all of the following items)

a.           Completed application form with one passport-size color photograph of the applicant (2’’ high definition, frontal head and shoulder shot) attached to it.

b.          A photocopy of the applicant’s Taiwan (R.O.C.) ID card or foreign passport.

c.           2 performance DVDs for the preliminary round: Choose one jazz piece and make a video recording no more than five minutes in length. Convert it to NTSC format, and make two copies of standard DVDs (VOB format, which includes two folders with video and audio for DVD players); or MPEG/AVI files (640 x 480 or 720 x 480 resolution, 30 fps) for computers. Please specify the applicant’s name and the piece title on each DVD disc.

d.          A copyright agreement with the applicant’s signature and date.

◎Competition Format

Jazz saxophone performance: Contestants can either bring their own ensemble or choose to be accompanied by a trio jazz ensemble (drums/bass/piano) provided by the organizer.

◎Program (performers will be notified of any time/location changes, which will also be posted on the event website)

a.           Preliminary Round

The preliminary round will take place September 2-14, 2013 and will select 40 contestants for the semi-final round, based on their performance DVDs. Please check the website for results, which will be posted on September 17, 2013.

b.          Semi-Final Round

The semi-final round will take place at The Splendor Taichung Hotel on October 16, 2013. Jurors will select 15 out of 40 contestants for the final round.

c.           Final Round

The final round will take place at The Splendor Taichung Hotel on October 18, 2013, when jurors will select one winner from among 15 candidates. The winner will be announced immediately following the competition.

d.          Awards Ceremony and Performance

The awards ceremony and performance will take place at the 2013 Taichung Jazz Festival on October 19, 2013 (18:00-20:00 TWT).

◎Competition Order:

l   The order of contestants in the semi-final round will be determined by lots.  Results will be posted on the website one week before the competition.

l   The order of contestants in the final round will be decided in an open, fair drawing by the contestants (or by the organizer if a contestant is absent).

Please refer to the official website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government or go to http://www.taichungsaxophone2013.com.tw

◎Competition Rules

Final-round contestants are required to choose one saxophone from those provided by the organizer for all three musical pieces they perform. Failure to comply with this rule will result in disqualification. (Note: Please prepare your own saxophone mouthpiece.)

◎Repertoire

a.           Preliminary Round

One videotaped elective jazz piece, no longer than 5 minutes.

b.          Semi-Final Round

1.          Assigned piece: Please select one piece from the following list:

(Playing time should not exceed 5 minutes.)

2.          One elective piece (Playing time should not exceed 5 minutes.)

c.           Final Round

Please select one piece for each of the three styles listed below:

(Total playing time should not exceed 15 minutes.)

1.          Swing (medium or fast)

2.          Ballade

3.          Elective style (eg. bossa nova, funk, etc.)

◎Prize

1^st: US$30,000 and medal

2^nd: US$5,000 and medal

3^rd: US$3,000 and medal

Special Prize: 1^st through 5^th place finishers in the final round will each receive one medal and the saxophone they have selected to play in this round.

◎Grading criteria

Technique: 30%

Improvisation and Interpretation: 30%

Musicianship: 20%

Appearance and Stage Deportment: 10%

Accuracy: 10%

◎Notes

1.          Please clearly indicate whether you will bring your own ensemble or will require the use of a jazz trio ensemble provided by the organizer.  Please specify the number of performers and line-up on the application form if using your own ensemble.

2.          Please wear formal dress during the competition.  This will be considered under the “Appearance and Stage Deportment” grading category.

3.          In accordance with Taiwan income tax laws, prizes exceeding NT$20,000 will taxed 10% for Taiwan citizens (20% for foreigners).  The exact amount will be based on exchange rate of that day.

4.          The winner is required to collaborate with the organizer for two performances—a concert at the 2013 Taichung Instruments Carnival and the opening concert for the 2013 Taichung Jazz Festival.  The time and location for each will be determined by the organizer.

5.          The winner is required to provide his/her portrait and usage authorization to the instrument sponsor for promotional use for a one-year period.

6.          Foreign contestants requiring certification of their participation should notify us by email.  Applicants are responsible for their accommodations, meals, visa, and travel arrangements to and from the competition.

7.          Please fill out the application form completely.  Incomplete application forms will not be accepted.

8.          Application data files will not be returned.

9.          If a contestant’s musical entries, registration information or attached documents are found to involve plagiarism or misrepresentation, the organizer reserves the right to disqualify the contestant from the competition, with any awarded prizes returned to the organizer.

10.      The competition schedule is subject to change at the organizer’s discretion; the organizer has the authority to modify the time, locations and order for contestants’ performances.

11.      In accordance with the registration status and performance level of the contestants, the jurors reserve the rights to adjust the number of candidates from each stage of the competition, or to not award a prize for the final round.

12.      Contestants must comply with the organizer’s rules and guidelines at the organizer’s discretion.

13.      The organizer has the right to modify the rules at their discretion.

◎ Contact Information

Emma Lin

Telephone: +886-2-2711-2320, ext. 106

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw/ and

http://www.taichungsaxophone2013.com

Appendix I: Application form

Appendix II: Copyright agreement

Appendix I

2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition

Application Form

Appendix II

Copyright agreement

I ______________________________ (your full name) hereby declare that I agree to the following:

I.                   According to 2013 Taichung Saxophone Competition regulations, I bear all responsibility for any damage and expenses caused by my inappropriate behavior.

The organizer has the right to disqualify and withdraw the prizes of any candidate who does not follow the competition rules in their entirety.

II.                I agree that all audio/video copyrights of the competition process and award-winning performances are the unconditional mandate of the organizer.  Organizer has the right to sublicense these to third parties. I promise that I will not exercise any moral rights to the organizer, nor require the organizer to pay any fees.

III.             I agree to provide my portrait and usage authorization to the sponsor for promotional use for a one-year period.

Cultural Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government

Name of Artist (Please print):

Power of Attorney (for participants under 20 years old):

Signature:

ID No.：

Address:

Phone:

Date (DD/MM/YYYY):