The videos of the 17th International Choir Festival „Tallinn 2023“ are downloaded to YouTube address: https://www.youtube.com/@EestiKooriyhing/featured You can find there the highlights of the festival and an after movie.
The videos are produced by Ichie Visual.
The results of the 17th International Choir Festival “Tallinn 2023”
Grand Prix – Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland)
Photo: Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School, photographer Vahur Lõhmus
Children’s Choirs
II Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral School (Estonia) 84,4
III Ellerhein Children’s Choir (Estonia) 74 ***
Youth Choirs
I Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland) 91,2
II E STuudio Girls’ Choir (Estonia) 88,4
III Mixed Choir of Tallinn School of Music and Ballet (Estonia) 76
Sympaatti Youth Choir (Finland) 61,2
Equal voices choirs
I Eller Girls’ Choir (Estonia) 90
I Musamari Female Chamber Choir (Estonia) 90
I Youth Male Choir of Estonian National Opera (Estonia) 90
Sireen Female Chamber Choir (Estonia) 84,6
Spīgo Girls’ Choir (Latvia) 83,4
Mixed choirs
II Mixed Choir HUIK! (Estonia) 88,6 *
III Pa Saulei Mixed Choir (Latvia) 88
K.O.O.R. Mixed Choir (Estonia) 71,2
Con Cuore Waregem (Belgium) 66,2 **
Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia) 61,8 *
Chamber Choirs
I Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway) 91,8
II Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland) 82,4
III Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales) 81
Encore Chamber Choir (Estonia) 79,6
Incantatio Chamber Choir (Belgium) 68,8
Rae Chamber Choir (Estonia) 64,8
Contemporary music category
I Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway) 95
II Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland) 86,8
III Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia) 75,6 ***
Con Cuore Waregem (Belgium) 74
Folk music category
I Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland) 92,8
II Mixed Choir HUIK! (Estonia) 88,8
III Pa Saulei Mixed Choir (Latvia) 87,6
Spīgo Girls’ Choir (Latvia) 86,2
Encore Chamber Choir (Estonia) 85,6
Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales) 83,8
Male Choir of Tallinn University (Estonia) 76
K.O.O.R. Mixed Choir (Estonia) 72
Kalva Female Choir (Latvia) 66,8
Special prizes
Maija Laurinsilta – conductor’s prize
Cuore Chamber Choir – for the best performance of the compulsory piece “Omnia mutantur”
by Erkki-Sven Tüür
Spīgo Girls’ Choir – for the outstanding performance of „Čigānu dziesma“ in the folk music
category
* 1 point reduced because of the longer program
** 1 point reduced because of the shorter program
*** 2 points reduced because of the longer program
**** 2 points reduced because of the shorter program
The SCHEDULE of the 17th International Choir Festival „TALLINN 2023“
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
18.00-20.00 Opening Concert in the Concert and Theatre House of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Tatari Str 13
Riga Cathedral Girls’ Choir Tiara (Latvia)
Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales)
Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway)
Estonian Voices (Estonia)
22.00-23.00 Festival Night Concert in Hopner’s House, 18 Raekoja Sq
Musamari Female Chamber Choir (Estonia)
Kalva Female Choir (Latvia)
Mixed Choir HUIK! (Estonia)
Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland)
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
11.00 Competition for children’s and youth choirs, Tallinn Methodist Church, 51 Narva Rd
11.00-11.02 Introducing the jury
11.03-11.15 Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral School (Estonia)
11.16-11.28 Ellerhein Children’s Choir (Estonia)
11.29-11.41 Sympaatti Youth Choir (Finland)
11.42-11.54 Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland)
11.55-12.07 Mixed Choir of Tallinn School of Music and Ballet (Estonia)
12.08-12.20 E STuudio Youth Choir (Estonia)
12.20-13.30 Break
13.30 Competition for equal voices choirs in Tallinn Methodist Church, 51 Narva Rd
13.30-13.32 Introducing the jury
13.33-13.45 Sireen Female Chamber Choir (Estonia)
13.46-13.58 Spīgo Girl’s Choir (Latvia)
13.59-14.11 Musamari Female Chamber Choir (Estonia)
14.12-14.24 Eller Girls’ Choir (Estonia)
14.25-14.37 Youth Male Choir of Estonian National Opera (Estonia)
Break 14.37-15.00
15.00 Competition for mixed choirs in Tallinn Methodist Church, 51 Narva Rd
15.00-15.02 Introducing the jury
15.03-15.15 K.O.O.R. Mixed Choir (Estonia)
15.16-15.28 Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia)
15.29-15.41 Pa Saulei Mixed Choir (Latvia)
15.42-15.54 Con Cuore Waregem (Belgium)
15.55-16.07 Mixed Choir HUIK! (Estonia)
Break 16.07-16.20
16.20 Competition for chamber choirs in Tallinn Methodist Church, 51 Narva Rd 16.20-16.22 Introducing the jury
16.23-16.35 Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales)
16.36-16.48 Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway)
16.49-17.01 Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland)
17.02-17.14 Rae Chamber Choir (Estonia)
17.15-17.27 Incantatio Chamber Choir (Belgium)
17.28-17.40 Encore Chamber Choir (Estonia)
Break 17.40- 18.00
18.00 Competition for contemporary music category in Tallinn Methodist Church,
51 Narva Rd
18.00-18.02 Introducing the jury
18.03-18.15 Con Cuore Waregem (Belgium)
18.16-18.28 Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway)
18.29-18.41 Tartu Youth Choir (Estonia)
18.42-18.54 Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland)
13.45-14.30 Festival Concert in Tallinn School of Music and Ballet, 59 Pärnu Rd
Ellerhein Children’s Choir (Estonia)
Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland)
Girls’ Choir of Tallinn School of Music and Ballet
20.00 Festival Concert in Jaani Church, 1 Vabaduse Sq
Con Cuore Waregem (Belgium)
Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir (Norway)
Riga Cathedral Girls’ Choir Tiara (Latvia)
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
12.00 Festival Concert in Tallinn Town Hall, 1 Raekoja Sq
Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral School (Estonia)
Incantatio Chamber Choir (Belgium)
Rae Chamber Choir (Estonia)
Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales)
10.00 Competition for folk music category in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, 13 Tatari Str
10.00-10.02 Introducing the jury
10.03-10.15 Chamber Choir CF1 (Wales)
10.16-10.28 Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School (Finland)
10.29-10.41 Spīgo Girl’s Choir (Latvia)
10.42-10.54 Pa Saulei Mixed Choir (Latvia)
10.55-11.07 Mixed Choir HUIK! (Estonia)
Break 11.07-11.20
11.20-11.32 Encore Chamber Choir (Estonia)
11.33-11.45 Kalva Female Choir (Latvia)
11.46-11.58 Male Choir of Tallinn University (Estonia)
11.59-12.11 K.O.O.R. Mixed Choir (Estonia)
15.00 – 16.30 Grand Prix in the Concert and Theatre House of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, 13 Tatari Str
18.00 Final Concert in Estonia Concert Hall: Estonian National Male Choir
Festival tickets and passes available in Piletilevi
For useful advice and inspiration on Tallinn’s top attractions, activities, events, and places to eat and drink, check out the city’s official tourism portal www.visittallinn.ee
Participating choirs:
| Choir | Country |
| Chamber Choir of Sibelius Upper Secondary School | Finland |
| Chamber Choir CF1 | Wales |
| Con Cuore Waregem | Belgium |
| Cuore Chamber Choir | Ireland |
| E STuudio Girls’ Choir | Estonia |
| Eller Girls’ Choir | Estonia |
| Ellerhein Children’s Choir | Estonia |
| Encore Chamber Choir | Estonia |
| Girls’ Choir of Musamari Choral School | Eesti |
| Incantatio Chamber Choir | Belgium |
| K.O.O.R. Mixed Choir | Estonia |
| Kalva Female Choir | Latvia |
| Male Choir of Tallinn University | Estonia |
| Mixed Choir HUIK! | Estonia |
| Mixed Choir of Tallinn School of Music and Ballet | Estonia |
| Musamari Female Chamber Choir | Estonia |
| Pa Saulei Mixed Choir | Latvia |
| Rae Chamber Choir | Estonia |
| Schola Cantorum Chamber Choir | Norway |
| Sireen Female Chamber Choir | Estonia |
| Spīgo Girl’s Choir | Latvia |
| Sympaatti Youth Choir | Finland |
| Tartu Youth Choir | Estonia |
| Youth Male Choir of Estonian National Opera | Estonia |
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.
Jury:
Aira Birziņa (Latvia),
Triin Koch (Estonia),
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (Finland),
Ban Sheng Toh (Singapur),
Rob Vermeulen (Holland).
The festival is organised by Estonian Choral Association.
1.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 15th of November 2022 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 01.01.2021) 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 November 2022. The artistic board will announce the final list of participant choirs by 1st of December 2022 at the latest.
- By March 15, 2023, 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
I koht / 1st Prize 1000 €
II koht / 2nd Prize 800 €
III koht / 3rd Prize 600 €
Prizes in other categories
I koht / 1st Prize 1300 €
II koht / 2nd Prize 1000 €
III koht / 3rd Prize 700 €
Grand Prix: 3000 €
Compulsory pieces:
female choirs: Andres Lemba “Gloria” (I) Scores are available here: https://www.emic.ee/?sisu=tootekataloog2&mid=150&lang=eng&id=2257&tid=2257&kat=77
male choirs: Andres Lemba “Gloria” (I) Scores are available here: 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”. Scores are available here: 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…” (mixed choirs, male choirs, female choirs- the scores are available from the Estonian Choral Association)
“Omnia mutantur”, mixed choirs, 1st page: https://kooriyhing.ee/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tuur_Omnia-mutantur_mixed-choir-1st-page-1.pdf
“Omnia mutantur”, male choirs, 1st page: https://kooriyhing.ee/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tuur_Omnia-mutantur_male-choir-1st-page.pdf
“Omnia mutantur”, female choirs, 1st page: https://kooriyhing.ee/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tuur_Omnia-mutantur_female-choir-1st-page.pdf
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 and Estonia Concert Hall
Please find the registration form here: