1. General Information
The organizer of the 5th International Jarek Śmietana Jazz Guitar Competition is the My Polish Heart Foundation. The competition is open to guitarists of all nationalities, up to 35 years of age, performing jazz and related improvised music genres. The organizers accept all types of guitars, including acoustic and electric instruments. The competition is held every 2 years.
2. Applications
A complete application must be submitted via the application form within the non-extendable deadline from May 1, 2025 to August 10, 2025.
3. Application Fees
Candidates are required to pay a qualification fee in the amount of: 30 EURO, 34 USD, 130 PLN.
After the announcement of the pre-selection results, candidates qualified for the competition in Kraków are required to pay an additional qualification fee of 30 EURO.
Qualification fees can be paid in the selected currency to the following accounts:
Bank account number in PLN: Account in PLN: 82 1160 2202 0000 0002 7693 1515
Bank account number in EURO: Account in EURO, IBAN: PL82 1160 2202 0000 0001 6679 1701 SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Bank account number in USD: Account in USD, IBAN: PL15 1160 2202 0000 0002 7476 4189 SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name and address of the Organizer: Fundacja My Polish Heart, ul. Karmelicka 52/1, 31-128 Kraków
Bank name: Bank Millenium, ul. Szlak 50, 31-153 Kraków. The qualification fee is non-refundable.
4. Repertoire Requirements
The Organizer does not impose any repertoire requirements at the online application stage. Candidates qualified for the semi-finals must prepare the following program:
One freely chosen composition by Jarek Śmietana;
Two freely chosen pieces (own compositions are allowed)
Candidates qualified for the finals must prepare the following program:
One freely chosen composition by Jarek Śmietana (different from the one performed during the semi-final audition);
Two freely chosen pieces (own compositions are allowed).
The Organizer allows solo performances. All other compositions must be performed with the same rhythm section provided by the Organizer (bass/double bass + drums). The Organizer does not allow performances with pre-recorded backing tracks (playback, half-playback, sampling, etc.)
Performance time during the semi-final and final auditions for each candidate is max 30 minutes.
The Organizer allows the performance of one solo piece during the semi-final and one solo piece during the final.
ATTENTION!!! The pieces selected by participants for the semi-final and final performances must not be repeated.
5. Prizes
The Organizer establishes three competition prizes:
First prize – 15,000 PLN
Second prize – 7,500 PLN
Third prize – 5,000 PLN
Honorable mention – 1,000 PLN
Special prize funded by Anna and Alicja Śmietana – 1,000 PLN
The final distribution of prizes is decided by the competition jury.
Winners are required to take part in the Final Concert of the Laureates (September 20, 2025). Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Competition rules and will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize.
6. Competition Auditions
Auditions for candidates qualified for the semi-finals will take place at the Kraków Philharmonic on September 18–19, 2025.
Final auditions and the evening Laureates Concert will also take place at the Kraków Philharmonic on September 20, 2025. The order of performances will be determined by a random draw and announced before the start of the semi-finals. All competition auditions will be open to the public.
7. Sheet Music Material
Sheet music of the candidates qualified for the semi-final auditions in Kraków must be submitted to the Organizer by no later than September 5, 2025 to the following address: info@smietanacompetition.com. The sheet music must include titles and names of composers, performance suggestions, basic musical notation (melody and harmonic outline), and sample MP3 recordings (for candidates' own compositions). Failure to comply with this requirement will result in disqualification from the Competition. Laureates selected by the jury agree to free TV, radio, and internet broadcasting of all stages of the competition auditions, including the Laureates Concert on September 20, 2025.
8. Obligations of the Organizer
The Organizer provides a concert hall with full sound system, lighting, and technical support. The Organizer provides a rhythm section consisting of: double bass/bass guitar and drums, with whom the candidates qualified for the competition will be able to rehearse before each performance. All participants will perform with the same rhythm section. Participants are responsible for covering their own transportation, accommodation, and insurance costs.
9. Final Provisions
Laureates selected by the jury agree to free TV, radio, and internet broadcasting of all stages of the competition auditions, including the gala concert on September 20, 2025. The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the Competition without stating reasons.
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08/10/2025 23:59 |
Deadline for submitting applications |
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08/18/2025 21:00 |
Announcement of semi-finalists |
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09/18/2025 13:00 |
Competition auditions - semi-final |
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09/19/2025 13:00 |
Competition auditions - semi-final |
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09/20/2025 13:00 |
Competition auditions - final |
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09/20/2025 20:00 |
Concert of Winners and Stars |