The 9th International Competiton
Of The Blind Music Composers 2002

1. The Competition is open to living, blind and partially sighted music composers from all countries of the world. There is no age limit. The degree of visual impairment is judged by the partial sight and/or blindness registration rules valid in the candidate's country of origin. An eye specialist's reference is required.

2. The following types of compositions are accepted:
   1. chamber music - one movement pieces, cycles ( for one to nine performers);
   2. music for learners - pieces ranging from beginners' to intermediate stage (for one to five performers).
   In case there are less than 10 applicants in any of the two above mentioned categories, the Announcer reserves the right to cancel it.

   Compositions sent to any of the two categories shall not be returned to their authors.

3. Only compositions that have been written after October 15, 1999 and have not so far been performed in public are accepted.

4. Pop music compositions are excluded.

5. One author is permitted to enter more compositions at a time.

6. The Competition is anonymous. The cover of each composition should contain the following information (preferrably printed or typed):
   1. the title of the composition;
   2. a label (indicator) a - chamber music or b - music for learners
   3. a password.
   The following information should be placed inside a sealed envelope attached to the folder with the composition:
   1. the identical password;
   2. personal identification of the author (name/s/, surname/s/);
   3. author's brief curriculum vitae (emphasis should be laid on the artistic achievement);
   4. a short description of the composition;
   5. the year of its origin;
   6. medical certificate witnessing the visual impairment of the authors;
   7. reference issued by a relevant organization (e.g. a music society of the blind, a national organization of the blind etc. ).

7. The manuscript of each composition is required to be submitted in five fully legible and reproducible copies. Authors are encouraged (though not required) to enclose sound recordings of their respective compositions. Should a composition include spoken word (e.g. lyrics of songs or recitation), the spoken/sung part is supposed to be performed in one of the following languages: Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. If a composition is designed to be performed in another language, a translation into one of the above listed languages should be provided.

8. In order to be accepted, compositions should be forwarded to the organizer by October 15, 2002, which is the International White Cane Day. The address to be used is as follows:
   SONS (Czech Blind United)
   Competition Secretariat
   Karlínské náměstí 12
   186 03 Praha 8
   Czech Republic
   tel: +420 2 2481 7393
   fax: +420 2 2481 8398
   e-mail: szahr@quick.cz

   The date of the postal stamp is critical for the composition pack to be accepted.

9. Entered compositions will be assessed by a specialist Jury, appointed by the SONS in close agreement with the Association of Music Artists and Scientists. The winners and their winning composition will be officially announced during the Opening Ceremony of the 10th International Competition of the Blind Musicians in 2003. The exact date of the respective ceremony will be announced to the winners in due course. To receive their prizes, the winners will be invited to the Czech Republic; the SONS shall cover their board and lodging expenses for three full days; the travel costs to and from the Czech Republic should be met from their own resources.

10. Three financial prizes are provided for the winners in both categories:

    1st Prize 15 000 CZK
    2nd Prize 10 000 CZK
    3rd Prize 5 000 CZK
    (1 EUR is approximately 35 CZK)

    The winning compositions can be performed either at the Opening Ceremony Concert where the winners are to be awarded (see par. 9. above), or at a specially organized event on a different date.

11. The verdict of the jury is final. The jury reserves the right not to award a prize, divide it, or to grant additional awards and/or prizes for other outstanding compositions.

12. The organizer reserves the right to actively publicize the winning compositions with due respect to copyright.

13. In case of any doubt or misunderstanding, it is the Czech versin of The Competition Regulations that applies.