April 24-27, 2025
The Choral Festival includes both the choral contest and a series of concerts in the churches and concert halls of Tallinn.
Artistic Director of the Festival is Maarja Soone.
The festival is organised by Estonian Choral Association.
Rules
1. The contest is open to amateur choirs in all choral categories (mixed, chamber, female, male, children’s, youth and boys’ choirs).
2. The contest is held in the following categories:
- Mixed choirs and boys’ mixed choirs (at least 30 singers),
- Chamber choirs (16 – 32 singers)
- Equal voices choirs (at least 16 singers)
- Children’s choirs am treble boys’ choirs (at least 16 singers, up to 16 years of age (on the day of the competition). 10 % of the choir can be over this age, but not older than 18.)
- Youth choirs (at least 16 singers, up to 20 years of age (on the day of the competition). 20 % of the choir can be over this age, but not older than 25. In boys’ mixed choirs the age of male voices may be up to 25 years.
- Contemporary music (composed after 2000; at least 16 singers)
- Folk song (at least 16 singers)
3. Category held with the minimum of 5 participant choirs usually.
4. Each choir may participate in 1-3 categories, with the approval of the Festival Artistic Commission.
5. Performing time in each category is 10-12 minutes.
6. Competition program in the categories of mixed, chamber and equal voices choirs:
– Compulsory piece
– A song by a composer of the choir’s native country
– A song from romantic period (composed 1820-1911)
– Music of the choir’s own choice, if there is still time left
At least one song should be performed completely a cappella. Percussion instruments (without tuned pitch) may be used in several pieces. One song in the program allowed with accompaniment with tuned pitch (piano etc).
7. Competition program in the categories of youth and children’s choirs:
– A song by a composer of the choir’s native country, composed after 2000
– Music of the choir’s own choice
At least one song should be performed completely a cappella. Percussion instruments (without tuned pitch) may be used in several pieces. One song in the program allowed with accompaniment with tuned pitch (piano etc).
To enter the competition, choir singers need to be equipped with an identity card (with a photo) issued by a competent authority. This document must be shown before appearing on stage.
8. Competition program in the category of contemporary music:
– Compulsory piece
– Music of the choir’s own choice composed after 2000
If registering to the category of contemporary music, please send the scores of the pieces of your program together with your application!
9. Competition program in the category of folk song:
– at least one folk song arrangement from choir’s native country
– at least one folk song arrangement a cappella
– folk song arrangements of the choir’s own choice
10. Piano will be available on the stage. If your choir will use any other instruments for accompaniment, please inform the organizers about that in the registration form.
11. The Festival has the right to use radio and TV recordings at their own discretion excluding any fees to the participants.
12. All rounds are open for audience.
13. If needed, the organisers have the right to merge categories or not open one if it lacks sufficient number of choirs.
Grand Prix
1. Choir performs a program of their own discretion excluding pieces performed in the 1st round.
2. The performance time is 12 – 15 minutes.
3. The contestants (no more than 6 choirs) will be chosen by the jury from amongst the choirs who have received at least 90 points of the total of 100 in the style category round.
4. All groups who are participating are expected to have prepared for the Grand Prix. The refusal to participate will result in disqualification.
Jury and assessment
1. The choirs will be assessed by a 5-member international jury.
2. In the 1st Round, the jury will assess interpretation, technical acuity and the difficulty of the program (max 100 points).
3. Jurors will give written comments for each choir, which participants will get during 2 months after the competition, with their points.
4. The jury has the right to award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize in each category, with the respective scores of 90, 80 and 70 points of the total of 100. The jury has the right to award special prizes and/or redistribute the prizes at their own discretion.
5. In case a choir exceeds the time limit for more than 30 seconds, each extra minute will equal to 1 minus point in the total score. The same rule applies in case of shorter performance time.
6. The winner of the Grand Prix round will be chosen by simple majority.
7. The decision of the jury is final and will not be submitted to further discussion.
Participation conditions
1. All the choir members, except the conductor, must be amateurs.
2. Each choir will submit the following documents by e-mail by 1st October 2024 at the latest:
- short annotation of the choir and conductor(s) in English (1900-2600 characters)
- photos of the choir and the conductor(s)
- a completed registration form
- a recent (recorded not earlier than 01.01.2023) uncut video recording of a performance (minimum length 10 minutes)
- a copy of the participation fee payment receipt
Please send annotation and photos by e-mail!
CDs, videos and scores will not be returned.
- Each choir will cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
- Each choir will transfer the registration fee of 300 € for the first participation category and 200 € for each following participation category onto the account of Estonian Choral Association. Returnable if the choir should not be chosen to participate. The bank fees will be covered by the payee.
- The final date of registration is 1st of October 2024. The artistic board will announce the final list of participant choirs by 15th of October 2024 at the latest.
- By March 15, 2025, each choir is required to submit the scores of the works which will be performed in the competition (5 copies, not to be returned).
The sets of scores should be filed in the order they are going to be performed. The Estonian Choral Association will not be held responsible for the authenticity of the scores.
- The choirs have also opportunity to give a concert (program about 15 minutes) with sacred or secular program.
- To enter the competition, singers of children’s and youth choirs need to be equipped with an identity card (with a photo) issued by a competent authority. This document must be shown before appearing on stage.
Prizes in children’s and youth choirs’ categories
1st Prize 1000 €
2nd Prize 700 €
3rd Prize 500 €
Prizes in other categories
1st Prize 1300 €
2nd Prize 1000 €
3rd Prize 600 €
Grand Prix: 3000 €
Compulsory pieces:
Equal voices choirs: Andres Lemba „Ave Maria“ (versions for female and male choirs available in EMIC online shop: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=2257&kat=77 )
Mixed choirs: Galina Grigorjeva „Alleluia“ (available in EMIC online shop: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=76&tid=2071&kat=77)
Chamber choirs: Tõnu Kõrvits „Sister Death“ from cycle „Canticle of the Sun“ (available in EMIC online shop: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&kat=41&id=138&lang=eng&tid=3047
Contemporary music: commissioned piece by Rasmus Puur (b 1991), versions for female choir, male choir and mixed choir available in Estonian Choral Association from September 2024.
Contact:
Eesti Kooriühing / Estonian Choral Association
Roosikrantsi 13
10119 Tallinn
Eesti / Estonia
Tel. (372) 627 44 51
Mob (372) 51 44 301
e-mail: kooriyhing@kooriyhing.ee
Bank information
Bank Name: SEB Pank
Account name: Eesti Kooriühing / Estonian Choral Association
IBAN: EE3910 10 0220 0252 0006
SWIFT: EEUHEE2X
The contest will be held in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Estonia Concert Hall.