International festivals calendar

The 18th International Choir Festival “Tallinn 2025”

24/04/2025 - 27/04/2025

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.

Festival jury:
Geoffrey P Boers (USA)
Ingrid Kõrvits (Estonia)
Jānis Ozols (Latvia)
Soma Szabó (Hungary)
Sofia Söderberg Eberhard (Sweden)

The festival is organised by Estonian Choral Association.

The SCHEDULE of the 18th International Choir Festival „TALLINN 2025“



THURSDAY, APRIL 24
All activities will take place at the Concert and Theatre Hall of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT), Tatari Str 13! Entrance from Sakala street side!

From 14.00 festival check-in at the lobby
15.00-17.25 acoustic rehearsals in Great Hall, 7 minutes per choir: mixed and chamber choir + choirs performing at the opening concert

Mixed choirs
15.00-15.07 Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia)
15.08-15.15 E STudio Chamber Choir (Estonia)
15.16-15.23 Tartu Students’ Mixed Choir (Estonia)
15.24-15.31 Chamber Choir of Tartu University (Estonia)
15.32-15.39 Mixed Choir Norise (Latvia)

Chamber choirs
15.40-15.47 Šaleški Academic Mixed Choir (Slovenia)
15.48-15.55 Chamber Choir NOX (Finland)
15.56-16.03 The Epiphoni Consort (UK)
16.04-16.11 Mixed Choir Noorus (Estonia)
16.12-16.19 Tallinn Chamber Choir (Estonia)
16.20-16.27 Chamber Choir Näsi (Finland)

16.35-17.30 acoustic rehearsals for the performers at the opening concert
16.35-16.45 Girls’ Choir Ellerhein (Estonia)
16.46-16.56 Coro Voci Bianche Garda Trentino (Italy)
16.57 -17.07 Gdansk University Mixed Choir
17.08-17.18 Dulciana Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
17.19-17.29 Chamber Choir Glasis (Slovenia)

18.00-19.30 Opening Concert
• Girls’ Choir Ellerhein (Estonia)
• Coro Voci Bianche Garda Trentino (Italy)
• Gdansk University Mixed Choir (Poland)
• Dulciana Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
• Chamber choir Glasis (Slovenia)

20.30 Reception of the Mayor of Tallinn at the Town Hall, 1 Raekoja Sq (2 representatives from each choir!)

FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Concert and Theatre House of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
9.50 – 10.30 acoustic rehearsals, 7 minutes per choir: children’s and youth choirs
9.50 – 9.57 Children’s Choir Via Stella
9.58 – 10.05 Children’s Choir of Estonian Television
10.06 – 10.13 E STudio Girls’ Choir
10.14 – 10.21 Mixed Choir of Tallinn French Lyceum
10.22 – 10.29 Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral Studio

11.00-12.20 Competition for children’s and youth choirs
11.00-11.02 Introducing the jury
Children’s Choirs
11.03-11.15 Coro Voci Garda Trentino (Italy)
11.16-11.28 Children’s Choir Via Stella (Latvia)
11.29-11.41 Children’s Choir of Estonian Television (Estonia)
Youth Choirs
11.42-11.54 E STudio Girls’ Choir (Estonia)
11.55-12.07 Mixed Choir of Tallinn French Lyceum (Estonia)
12.08-12.20 Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral Studio (Estonia)

12.45 – 13.08 acoustic rehearsals, 7 minutes per choir: equal voices choirs

12.45-12.52 Tartu Academic Male Choir
12.53-13.00 Academic Female Choir of Tallinn University of Technology
13.01-13.08 Chamber Female Choir Sireen

13.30 – 14.30 Competition for equal voices choirs
Concert and Theatre House of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
13.30-13.32 Introducing the jury
13.33-13.45 Tartu Academic Male Choir (Estonia)
13.46-13.58 Academic Female Choir of Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia)
13.59-14.11 Dulciana Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
14.12-14.24 Chamber Female Choir Sireen (Estonia)
15.00 Festival Concert in Tallinn School of Music and Ballet MUBA, 59 Pärnu Rd
• Dulciana Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
• Coro Voci Bianche Garda Trentino (Italy)
• MUBA choirs (Estonia)
15.00 – 16.20 Competition for mixed choirs
15.00-15.12 Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia)
15.13-15.25 E STudio Chamber Choir (Estonia)
15.26-15.38 Tartu Students’ Choir (Estonia)
15.39-15.51 Gdansk University Mixed Choir (Poland)
15.52-16.04 Chamber Choir of Tartu University (Estonia)
16.05-16.17 Mixed Choir Norise (Latvia)

17.00 – 19.00 Competition for chamber choirs
17.00-17.02 Introducing the jury
17.03-17.15 Šaleški Academic Mixed Choir (Slovenia)
17.16-17.28 Chamber Choir NOX (Finland)
17.29-17.41 The Epiphoni Consort (UK)
17.42-17.54 Chamber Choir Glasis (Slovenia)

intermission

18.15-18.27 Mixed Choir Noorus (Estonia)
18.28-18.40 Tallinn Chamber Choir (Estonia)
18.41-18.53 Chamber Choir Näsi (Finland)

20.00 Festival Concert in the House of Brotherhood of Blackheads, 26 Pikk Str
• Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia)
• Children’s Choir Via Stella (Latvia)
• Tartu Student’s Choir (Estonia)
• Chamber Choir Glasis (Slovenia)

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

12.00 Festival Concert in Jaani Church, 1 Vabaduse Sq
• Children’s Choir of Estonian Television (Estonia)
• Mixed Choir Norise (Latviai)
• The Epiphoni Consort (UK)

9.30-9.37 Chamber Choir Encore acoustic rehearsal in the Great Hall of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre

10.00 – 12.21 Competition for contemporary music in the Concert and Theatre House of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
10.00-10.02 Introducing the jury
10.03-10.15 E STudio Chamber Choir (Estonia)
10.16-10.28 Šaleški Academic Mixed Choir (Slovenia)
10.29-10.41 Chamber Choir Näsi (Finland)
10.42-10.54 Chamber Choir Encore (Estonia)
10.55-11.07 Gdansk University Mixed Choir (Poland)

Intermission
11.30-11.42 Dulciana Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
11.43-11.55 Chamber Choir NOX (Finland)
11.56-12.08 Tartu University Chamber Choir (Estonia)
12.09-12.21 Chamber Choir Glasis (Slovenia)
13.00 Announcement of the participants of Grand Prix Competition
14.00 – 15.30 acoustic rehearsals for GP choirs in Estonia Concert Hall (15 min per choir)
16.00 Grand Prix in Estonia Concert Hall
18.00 Final Concert and Award Ceremony in Estonia Concert Hall, 4 Estonia Blv
Vache Sharafyan Cello Concerto No 3 “Some other Paradise” for cello, piano, male choir, tuned crystal glasses and two actors

Estonian National Male Choir, conductor Mikk Üleoja
Theodor Sink (cello)
Ralf Taal (piano)

21.00 Afterparty and dinner in the restaurant Merineitsi in Sokos Hotel Viru, 4 Viru Sq (with tickets, for pre-registered choirs!)

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

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 Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Estonia Concert Hall.

Please find the registration form HERE:

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