Festival postponed to April 13-16, 2023.
INTERNATIONAL JURY :
Nadežda Averina (Russia)
Triin Koch (Estonia)
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (Finland)
Ban Sheng Toh (Singapur)
Rob Vermeulen (The Netherlands )
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 Ingrid Kõrvits.
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.
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
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 month 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 September 2021 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 01.01.2019) 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 200 € for the first participation category and 150 € 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 15th of September 2021. The artistic board will announce the final list of participant choirs by 1st of October 2021 at the latest.
· By October 15, 2021, 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
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Registration form:
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Prizes in children’s and youth choirs’ categories
1st Prize 1000 €
2nd Prize 800 €
3rd Prize 600 €
Prizes in other categories
1st Prize 1300 €
2nd Prize 1000 €
3rd Prize 700 €
Grand Prix: 3000 €
In addition the prize for the best conductor will be given.
Compulsory pieces:
Equal voices choirs : Andres Lemba „Gloria I“ (available in Estonian Music Information Centre:
1) Female choirs: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=2257&tid=2257&kat=77
2) Male choirs: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=1586&tid=1586&kat=77
Mixed choirs: Galina Grigorjeva „To the Virgin Theotokos“ from „Vespers“ (this part of the cycle is separately available in Estonian Music Information Centre,
https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=2072&tid=2072&kat=77 )
Chamber choirs: Arvo Pärt „Morning Star“ (Universal Edition)
Contemporary music : Erkki-Sven Tüür “Omnia mutantur…” (versions for mixed choir, male choir, female choir), available in Estonian Choral Association
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
web-site https://www.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 Methodist Church in Tallinn and Estonia Concert Hall.