ESCO organised song competition
“I sing about white and black storks”

Aim of the competition
To encourage creation of new musical compositions about storks, nests, home, forest and to think about storks as a symbol of home. The song will be a uniting symbol for future ESCO meetings, conferences and other events.

Participants and timeframe of the competition
The competition will take place from June 1 to August 15, 2009. The number of participants is not limited, but only representatives (composers, singers, groups) from towns with stork in their coat of arms can participate.

Requirements
Recorded songs in CD or audio cassette format should be sent to ESCO coordinator Ārija Daugule. Information about the author/authors (name, phone number, e-mail address), title and motto of the song should be attached to the CD or audio cassette.

Deadline
Compositions should be submitted until August 15, 2009 (postal stamp).
Address:
Arija Daugule,
ESCO coordinator
Liela iela 7, Staicele, Alojas novads, LV-4043, Latvia

Evaluation
The evaluation will be organised in two parts:
1. After listening to all received CDs and audio cassettes 3 (three) best songs will be selected.
2. After hearing the three best songs live in Storkow during the 9th annual ESCO Conference, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded.
The three best songs for the final round will be announced until August 31, 2009.

Evaluation criteria
1. Content matching the theme.
2. Musical quality.

Competition jury
Chairman: Jānis Bakmanis - ESCO president
Members of the jury:
Alvils Altmanis – composer, teacher
Jānis Kalejs – artist of the Latvian National Opera
Kārlis Vanags – producent, jazz student (Master’s programme) at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Imants Ziedonis - poet
Ārija Bakmane – director of Staicele Music and art school

Award ceremony
Winners of the competition will be invited to the Storkow Town festival on September 17-20, 2009 where the award ceremony will take place.
Prizes:
1st prize: EUR 140
2nd prize: EUR 100
3rd prize: EUR 70
The jury has the rights to keep CDs and audio cassettes as a property of the competition organiser ESCO.

I wish you every luck!

Ārija Daugule,
ESCO coordinator,
Mobile phone nr.: +371 29166998
e-mail: arijadaugule@gmail.com