1. Participation
    
The First B. T. Shtokolov International vocal competition is open to three categories of participants:
I  Category: students of specialized vocational institutions (musical, music pedagogical, arts vocational schools etc.).
II Category:  undergraduate and graduate students, and graduates of music colleges of pedagogical and other institutions of higher learning (musical pedagogical institutes, universities of culture etc.).
III Category: students of conservatories, arts institutions or academies of music, and opera and concert singers.

The competition is open to singers of both sexes born on or after December 12, 1973.
For the first category the competition will be held in two rounds: Preliminaries and Final. No more than 10 participants will be admitted to the Final.
For the second and the third categories the competition will be held in three rounds: two Preliminaries and Final. No more than a half of participants will be admitted to the second round; no more than 12 – to the Final.

2. Financial regulations

The Entry Fees are 2 500 RUB for the1st Category and 3 500 RUB for the 2nd and the 3d Categories. The Entry Fee is not refundable.
All traveling, accommodation and other expenses are the responsibility of the participants.
Participants must acquire their passports, visas and medical insurances on their own.
Participants may be provided an accommodation in the Herzen University Hotel.
Participation is defined according to the citizenship of a participant irrespective to his/her place of study.

3. The Order of application

            To be enrolled participants should mail to the Organization Board not later than 20 November, 2009  the following documents (the date to be defined by post stamp).

• Completed application form 
• Photocopy of all documents indicated in the application form.
• Photocopy of the bank transfer document proving payment of entry fee.
• Two photos 9x12 (electronic version).

 
4. The Order of the competition
1. The order of appearance will be drawn by lot prior to the beginning and remain the same until the end of the competition.
2. Practice facilities in the studios of the RSPU College of Music as well as rehearsals in the concert hall are provided for all the participants.
3. Participants will be provided with a RSPU accompanist if they apply to the Organization Board in advance. 

5. Jury
The jury will consist of eminent musicians well – known in Russia and abroad.
Each participant will be evaluated using 10-score system without preliminary discussion.
The Organization Board will appoint the Returning Committee.
Each stage will be evaluated separately.
To define I, II and III Prize-winners and honorable mentions results of I, II and III Stages will be summarized. One prize could be shared.
Best accompanists could be granted honorable mention.
By decision of Jury Prize-winners get right to perform in the final concert.
The decisions of the jury are final and beyond appeal.  

 6. The Organization Board
The Organization Board has been formed to organize and to carry out the competition. It is commissioned to resolve all matters arising both before or after the beginning of the contest. The members of the Organization Board have been appointed by the Rector of RSPU.

7. Repertory requirements

I Category
I Round
1. Early aria of the XVI–XVIII cent.
2. Song by a Russian composer.
3. Folk tune.
II Round
1. Operatic aria by a Russian or a Western composer.
2. Song by a Western composer.
3. Work by a composer of the XX–XXI cent.

II Category
I Round
1. Aria of the XVI–XVIII cent.
2. Song by a Russian composer.
II Round
1. Operatic aria by a Russian composer.
2. Operatic aria by a Western composer.
3. Folk tune.
III  Round
1. Operatic aria by a Russian or a Western composer (previously performed one is also allowed).
2. Song or folk tune (preferably from B. T. Shtokolov’s repertory).
3. Work by a composer of the XX–XXI cent.

III Category
I Round
1. Aria from an opera, cantata or oratoria of the XVI–XVIII cent.
2. Aria at the participants discretion
II Round
1. Operatic aria by a Russian composer.
2. Operatic aria by a Western composer.
3. Song or folk tune (preferably from B. T. Shtokolov’s repertory).
III Round
1. Operatic aria by a Russian composer.
2. Operatic aria by a Western composer.
3. Work by a composer of the XX–XXI cent.

8. Prizes and awards

Grand-Prix of 50 000 RUB and a laureateship.
For the Category I:
2 First Prizes of 15 000 RUB and a laureateship.
2 Second Prizes of 10 000 RUB and a laureateship.
2 Third Prizes of 5 000 RUB and a laureateship.
For Categories II and III:
2 First Prizes of 35 000 RUB and a laureateship.
2 Second Prizes of 20 000 RUB and a laureateship.
2 Third Prizes of  15 000 RUB and a laureateship

Special Prizes:
For the best performance of a song or a folk tune from B. T. Shtokolov’s repertory – 10 000 RUB.
The Jury has right to award the best two accompanists of the competition special diploma and 10 000 RUB.
Within the limits of the specified Prize fund the Jury has right:

• Not to grant all above Prizes
• Divide Prizes (except for Grand-Prix) between laureates.

Public and non-governmental organization, artistic associations, mass-media organizations, institutions and firms can establish special prizes, provided that they coordinate with the Jury.