Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras – Group IV, no age restrictions

The category will take place on 28 November 2026. Venue: Katya Popova Hall – Pleven. The starting time and exact order of appearance will be published after registration closes.

The ensemble must consist of at least six performers and include at least one classical guitar. Other instruments, singers, a teacher performing as part of the ensemble and/or a conductor are permitted. The ensemble may register in only one A3 group, but may also enter another competition section.

Two or more works of the ensemble’s choice; performed from memory or from the score. Total duration: 14–17 minutes.

The application and payment of the regular fee must be completed via the online form by 26 October 2026. After this deadline and until 15 November 2026 inclusive, late registration and payment are possible with a fee that is 30% higher — €13 per participant, up to a maximum of €130 per ensemble. Confirm your email, create your profile and add the participant or ensemble. Then complete and submit the relevant application. An account alone is not a submitted application; submission does not mean approval or payment. Personal data and age declarations are confirmed online in the relevant steps instead of being uploaded as separate files. The following must be uploaded to the ensemble’s profile by 15 November 2026: a group photograph; a list of participants stating each instrument and date of birth; repertoire; proof of fee payment. Registration is final upon receipt of all documents and payment. Fees are non-refundable unless the organizers cancel the category.

Criteria: ensemble interaction; artistic and technical difficulty; interpretation; sound quality and balance; stage presence. Each jury member evaluates independently according to the announced criteria. Where there are at least five valid scores, the highest and lowest are excluded; where there are fewer, all valid scores are averaged. A jury member does not evaluate their own current or former student. The decisions are final. The results are officially announced via the zCore festival platform. The result is rounded to two decimal places. For categories with point-based prizes: 90.00–100.00 points – first prize; 80.00–89.99 points – second prize; 70.00–79.99 points – third prize; 60.00–69.99 points – special prize. The Grand Prize may be awarded to the participant/ensemble with the highest score, provided that the minimum score is 95.00 points; the jury may decide not to award it.

• Grand Prize in the category: an invitation to perform in concert at the next edition. The specific financial and organizational terms will be determined in a separate written agreement. Additional prizes: one statuette, medals for all participants, diplomas for all participants, prizes in kind;
• First Prize: medals for all participants, diplomas for all participants, prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Second Prize: medals for all participants, diplomas for all participants, prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Third Prize: medals for all participants, diplomas for all participants, prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Special Prize: diplomas for all participants, prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors.