Stowe Tango Music Festival
STOWE TANGO MUSIC FESTIVAL'S
2020 INTERNATIONAL TANGO BAND COMPETITION

With the sharp rise of COVID-19 virus globally and in NYC, unfortunately we have decided to postpone the finals of the competition on April 20th. This event will be rescheduled at a date to be announced soon.
We appreciate your understanding and patience and wish you good health!




The Stowe Tango Music Festival is proud to present the nation's premier International Tango Band Competition. The Final Round of the First International Tango Band Competition will be held on April 20, 2020 in New York City.

IMPORTANT TIMELINE

February 1, 2020 : Submission deadline for the application form including preliminary round requirement at 11:59 PM EST
Week of February 9 : Announcement of the Finalists
April 20, 2020 : Live Final Round in NYC

COMPETITION LOCATION

The Americas Society
680 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065


COMPETITION PRIZE

1st $3,000
2nd $2,000
3rd $1,500
Audience Prize $1,000 – This prize is selected by the audience attending the competition. The audience will listen the and dance to each group during the final round.
Prize amount is per band not per member.


ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS

Please read the competition eligibility requirements and regulations prior to completing the online application. Failure to comply with any of the requirements listed below may result in disqualification.

  • The competition is open to instrumental only bands that consist of 2-6 musicians.
  • All travel, lodging, and meal expenses are the responsibility of the band.
  • Bands may only use one piano for the competition.
  • Individuals may enter/compete in up to two bands in the preliminary round. However, only one band of that individual will qualify to compete in the final round.
  • For the final round, one musician is allowed for the replacement for larger ensembles (groups with four or more musicians). Please note that the replacement cannot be in another finalist group.
  • A member of a previous prize-winning band may compete only if the majority (or half, if a quartet or sextet) of the band consists of new personnel.
  • Any combination of the following instruments will be accepted: Bandoneon, Piano, Guitar, Strings: violin, viola, cello, string bass, Woodwinds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, Brass: trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, tuba, Harp, Accordion, Concertina, Harmonica, Pitched percussion: Marimba, Vibraphone
  • Unaccepted Instruments: Voice, Drums & unpitched percussion, Harpsichord, Organ



APPLICATION PROCESS

The following items must be submitted in order for the application to be considered complete:
  • Online application form(one per band)
  • Non-refundable band entry fee (payment is made online)
    • $50 per band
  • Videos of required preliminary repertoire
    • The competition will only accept the recorded videos uploaded to YouTube.
    • Please read the Competition Video Guidelines and YouTube Instructions and follow the directions on how to submit your preliminary round videos via YouTube and learn to make an acceptable video clip for the competition
    • Professional equipment and/or studio space are not necessary.
  • Applications will be accepted no later than February 1, 2020 – 11:59 PM EST. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Jisoo Ok at stowetangomusicfestival@gmail.com BEFORE submitting an application.
  • No changes may be made after the application has been received.
  • Bands invited to the final round will be notified the week of February 9, 2020 via email.



REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENT

    Preliminary Round
  • Traditional danceable repertoire only: 2 tangos & 1 choice (tango, milonga or vals)
    • Examples of preliminary repertoire
    • Ex 1: El Choclo (tango), La Yumba (tango) & Romance de barrio (vals)
      Ex 2: Toda mi vida (tango), La Cumparsita (tango) & Milonga de mis amores (milonga)
      Ex 3: Quejas de bandoneon (tango), El Choclo (tango) & Gallo Ciego (tango)

    Final Round
  • All traditional danceable repertoire: 5 tangos, 1 milonga, 1 waltz & 1 choice (tango, milonga or vals)
  • The preliminary repertoire can be used for the final round.
  • Selections should reflect both the technical ability and musical style of the band.
Repertoire or arrangements of tango in new tango style, non danceable or Astor Piazzolla are NOT accepted.


FINAL ROUND REQUIREMENTS

  • 3 bands will be invited to the final round.
  • Final round will take place at The Americas Society, 680 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 on April 20, 2020 at 7:00pm
  • A high quality (high resolution) full color band photo
  • Orientation should be landscape
  • Accepted formats – JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF
  • A band biography in paragraph form (200 words or less)
  • Concert attire should be worn for this round.
  • Final rounds are open to the public.
  • All travel, lodging, and meal expenses are the responsibility of the band.
  • Each band will perform 3 pieces in a concert setting at 7:30pm. After the performance, there will a milonga. During the milonga, each band will perform 2 tandas (4 pieces per tanda). Winners will be announced after the milonga, around 10pm.
  • The Americas Society will do a live recording of all finalists.
  • Each foreign participant is responsible for obtaining a Visa to enter the U.S. if you are selected for the final round.
  • In compliance with IRS requirements, each individual participant living in the US that is awarded $600 or more in prize money must complete a W-9 Form. Failure to do so will result in no prize award.



COMPETITION CONTACT

Jisoo Ok | stowetangomusicfestival@gmail.com
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