ABOUT

Akapela Open is a competition for contemporary* a cappella ensemble singing.

It is a project spearheaded by The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. This
competition is deemed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Akapela Open aims
1) to promote the love for contemporary a cappella singing and the appreciation
for vocal harmony performance;
2) to provide a venue for new arrangements of Philippine and international
contemporary vocal music;
3) to provide growth experiences for singers and arrangers;
4) to cultivate a community of contemporary a cappella singers.

MECHANICS
1. The contest is open to a cappella singing ensembles whose members are aged eighteen (18)
years old and above.
2. The contest is open to groups with a minimum of three (3) to a maximum of twelve (12)
singers.
3. Competing groups can be all male, all female, or mixed voices.
4. No instruments are allowed whether as textural add-ons or counterpoints. Rhythmic body
percussion such as snapping of fingers, clapping of hands and stomping of feet are allowed.
5. For the first level of the competition, the group may use an existing contemporary
arrangement of a piece. Please upload a performance video of any song choice, not exceeding
three minutes duration.
6. The Semi-final and Final Rounds allow each of the finalists to perform for a maximum of eight
(8) minutes. Time starts on the first note and ends when the group finishes its last song. In case
a group exceeds the time limit, the judges reserve the right to deduct points from the group.
7. Competing groups are required to sing at least one full song by Ryan Cayabyab with your own
original arrangement.

8. A group shall sing its own arrangement of the songs they will perform. The competition is also
a showcase for inventive and creative adaptation and arrangements of existing or newlycomposed pieces for a cappella groups. Each group must guarantee exclusivity of their
arrangements.
9. If qualified to the live auditions (Level 2), competing groups shall be required to submit five
(5) hard copies of their repertoire's arrangements.
10. A group may perform the same set of songs throughout the whole competition process.
11. Performing in more than one competing group is NOT allowed.
12. Please be advised that the contest is not the traditional choral competition, thus, conductors
are not allowed.
13. Stage movement is encouraged.
14. The organizers reserve the right to make audio and video recordings of the event.
Competition entrants agree to their inclusion in the aforesaid recordings free of charge. The
organizers also reserve the right to publish pictures and names and other related information
about the participants.
15. The organizers reserve ownership rights over the winning entries and reserves ownership
rights over the recording and video sales and public showing of the event.
16. Entries cannot be performed publicly or broadcast on the internet, radio, television, or
through the use of mobile devices and other media. Neither can the same entries be included in
other contests, occasions, or events elsewhere during the entire period of the competition.
Entries that have qualified to Level 3 of the competition cannot be performed publicly or
entered into other contests at all times without prior written permission from the organizers.
17. There will be a Grand Prize winner, First and Second runners-up; and an Outstanding
arrangement of a Ryan Cayabyab song winner.
18. Immediate family members of the organizers are disqualified from joining the competition.
19. A group is allowed to bring along a maximum of two production assistants to the
competitions.

FEES
Once accepted into the live
auditions (Level 2), an entry fee of
Php 1000.00 is required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Fill up an application form found on the website: (please see next page)
2. Upload a video of the performance.
(*Contemporary music allowed: pop, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and rap, rock)

LEVELS OF COMPETITION
LEVEL 1 - Auditions via video and sent online, August 9- 23, 2014
Online submission of entries
Performance of one (1) song only; live sound unenhanced
Movement is encouraged.
LEVEL 2 - Live auditions for those who pass Level 1 (Date to be announced)
The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab
LEVEL 3 - Semi-finals (Date to be announced)
The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab
LEVEL 4 - Finals, October 25, 2014
Meralco Theater