Orchestras

Category: Orchestras

Orchestras may choose to take part in the SCL Competition or in the SCL Celebration.

SCL Competition

For the Competition the following categories apply:

Symphony Orchestras
Chamber Orchestras with Winds
String Orchestras

In the Competition orchestras take part in the following program:

- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops in our SCL-Academy at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance before the jury in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- If chosen by the jury: concert in the evening Gala Winners’ Concert in the Konzerthaus
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall

Within a time period of 20 to 25 minutes the participants are required to present the following music pieces to the jury:

the compulsory piece (see below);
one piece of a composer from the ensemble's home country;
one piece of music in contemporary style, which can be identical with the piece by the composer of the ensemble's home country;
additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen.

The participants are advised to present a broad program that entails technical difficulties and fast passages, as well as calmer movements and works in order to give the jury a broad basis of decision-making. No solo pieces are allowed.

+ see the Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria
The SCL Jury evaluates the ensembles upon a transparent catalogue of criteria. The following criteria are observed and rated:

- Technical criteria = intonation, rhythm, dynamics, ensemble playing. (A maximum of 14 points can be reached)
- Musical-artistic criteria = phrasing, expressivity, spontaneity (Max 14 points)
- Overall artistic impression (Max 6 points)
- Program selection - variety, contemporary piece (Max 6 points)

Depending on the rating of the Jury the orchestra and its participants will be awarded with a certificate which lists the result: Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated.

Outstanding:	30 - 40 Points
Excellent:	20 - 29 Points
Good:	10 - 19 Points
Participated:	0 - 9 Points

The orchestras will be provided with a summarized feedback from the whole jury, the result of the competition (Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated) and the rank in their category. However, the points and the individual points of the respective criteria or the individual jury member will not be revealed.

SCL Celebration

In the Celebration orchestras take part in the following program:

- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops in our SCL-Academy at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall

- Gala Winner´s Concert ticket included

Within a time period of max. 20 minutes the participants may present their freely chosen pieces on stage. No solo pieces are allowed.

Join all the participating ensembles one more time at the Gala Winner´s Concert in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus. A true celebration of the individual achievements of the past few festival days as well as a celebration of international friendships that have been established over the course of the SCL Festival.

Additional concerts:
Your program for the additional concerts should be around 25-55 minutes. The program can be freely chosen, it can also include all or parts of your competition / celebration program and/or your workshop pieces.

Compulsory Pieces for the competition:

Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2024

Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2025

Workshop Pieces 2024:

All orchestras taking part in the Competition are asked to prepare their respective compulsory piece for the first workshop. For the second workshop, please select one piece from the list of your respective category. You may also choose a piece from your additional program. This piece, however, needs to be confirmed by the Artistic Director first.

All orchestras taking part in the Celebration are invited to prepare two pieces from the list of your respective category. You may also choose a piece from your additional program. This piece, however, needs to be confirmed by the Artistic Director first.

Symphony Orchestra:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.8 in F major, op.93, IV. Allegro vivace
Hector Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict: Overture
Ludwig van Beethoven: One movement from 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th or 5^th Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven: One movement from Egmont, Coriolan or Fidelio Overture
Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38, 3^rd movement, Scherzo Molto Vivace
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphony No.3 in a minor Op. 56 (“Scottish”), 2^nd movement, Vivace non troppo
Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dances No. 3 and 8

Chamber Orchestra:
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.104 in D major I. Adagio – Allegro or IV. Finale: Spiritoso
Franz Schubert: One movement from Symphony No.5 in B flat major (D 485)
Joseph Haydn: One movement from Symphony No.43 in E flat major Hob.I: 43 (“Mercury”)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: One movement from Symphony Nr. 29 in A major, KV 201
Béla Bartók: Rumanian Folk Dances

String Orchestra:
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Sinfonia No. 4 in C minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: One movement from Divertimento KV 136 or KV 137 or 138
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Josef Suk: One movement from Serenade for Strings in E flat-major Op. 6
Edvard Grieg: One movement from Holberg Suite
Béla Bartók: Rumanian Folk Dances
Johann Sebastian Bach: 3. Brandenburgisches Konzert, 1^st movement
Georg Friedrich Händel: One movement from Concerto grosso Op. 6 / No. 5 in D major