15th International Competition of Choirs and Vocal Ensembles
“THE SINGING WORLD”
named after Yu. Falik
St Petersburg, Russia
AIMS
The International Choir Competition “The Singing World” is intended to bring together the world’s choirs in order to provide them with the opportunity, not only to compare with each other but also to discuss choral literature from the individual countries, interpretation, styles, traditions, voice-training and techniques.
CATEGORIES
Category 1 — the Children choirs, the number of participants is not limited. The age should not have more than 17.
Category 2 – the Equal Voices Choirs Adults (Male and Female)
No maximum or minimum age is stipulated. A choir should not have less than 12 singers; the number of participants is not limited.
Category 3 – the Mixed choirs. A choir should not have less than 25 singers; the maximum of participants is not limited, the age is not limited.
Category 4 – the Choirs of boys and youth, the number of participants is not limited.
Category 5 – the Chamber choirs should not have less than 12 singers not more than 24 singers, the age is not limited.
Category 6 – the vocal ensembles – participate Female, Male, Mixed and Children ensembles, the number of participants from 3 to 12 persons in the ensemble, the age is not limited.
Category 7 – the Church, religious and gospel music — for Female, Male, Mixed and Children choirs and ensembles, the number of participants and the age is not limited.
Category 8 – the Modern music — for Female, Male, Mixed and Children choirs and ensembles, the number of participants and the age is not limited.
Category 9 – the Folklore music — for Female, Male, Mixed and Children choirs and ensembles, the number of participants and the age is not limited.
Category 10 – the Early music — for Female, Male, Mixed and Children choirs and ensembles, the number of participants and the age is not limited.
Category 11 – the Church choirs — for Female, Male and Mixed choirs from 12 persons that work at churches and cathedrals, the age is not limited.
Category 12 – the Senior choirs — for Female, Male, Mixed choirs not less than 12 singers, the maximum of participants is not limited, the age must be more that 50 age old. 10% of singers may be less than 50 age.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
| August 2 | Registration in Organizing Committee |
| August 3
10.00 – 20.00 |
Rehearsals. Each choir (ensemble) has the rehearsal in the classroom and 15 minutes on the stage in the contest hall. |
| August 4
10.00 – 19.00 |
Competition day — Performances of the participants by categories |
| August 5
10.00 – 18.00 |
Competition day — Performances of the participants by categories |
| August 6
16.00 19.00 |
Announcement of the results and Prize-giving ceremony. The round table with jury. The contest of the best groups in every category for Grand Prix Gala-concert of the laureates |
COMPETITION PROGRAMME
The total performance time must be from 9 till 12 minutes, including the entrance and exit from the stage. The time breach jury will take into account in their valuations.
The Organizers provide the piano, the other instruments (included traditional folk music instruments) provide the participants
Attention: only life music, the recording is not permitted!
Category 1 – the Children choirs
- one work composed before 1945;
- one work composed after 1945 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 2 – the Female and male choirs
- one work composed before 1945;
- one work composed after 1945 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 3 – the Mixed choirs
- one work composed before 1945;
- one work composed after 1945 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 4 — the Choirs of boys and youth
- one work composed before 1945;
- one work composed after 1945 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 5 – the Chamber choirs
- one work composed before 1945;
- one work composed after 1945 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 6 – the Vocal ensembles
- one work from the ensemble’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 7 – the Church, religious and gospel music
- one work composed before 1800;
- one work composed from 1800 to 1920;
- one work composed after 1920 from the choir’s country of origin;
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 8 – the Modern music
- One work composed after 1969 year;
- one work composed after 2000 from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 9 – the Folklore music
- one work of the choir’s own choice from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Minimum one work must be a-cappella.
Category 10 – the Early music
- One work composed before 1680;
- One work composed before 1725;
- One work composed before 1813;
The works must represent different composer’s schools.
Category 11 – the Church choirs
- One work (church music) composed before 1900;
- One work (church music) composed after 1900;
- One work of the choir’s own choice (in any genre);
The works must represent different composer’s schools.
Category 12 – the Senior choirs
- one work from the choir’s country of origin;
- one work of the choir’s own choice;
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Every choir can participate in some categories.
THE CONTEST FOR GRAND PRIX
In the contest for Grand Prix take part the best choirs and ensembles from every category (max. of balls)
The program for this contest: One work of the choir’s/ensemble’s own choice not more than 3 minutes
JURY
The jury consists of the international expert adjudicators.
The assessment will be based on the following aspects:
| 1. | difficulty of the performance | maximum 25 points |
| 2. | intonation, accuracy with respect to the written notes, | maximum 25 points |
| 3. | vocal technique (tone production, diction, balance and overall) | maximum 25 points |
| 4. | ensemble | maximum 25 points |
| 5. | dynamic, agogics, rhythm, tempo | maximum 25 points |
| 6. | accuracy of style | maximum 25 points |
| 7. | emotions, expressiveness | maximum 25 points |
| 8. | general impression, disclosure of the content, presentation, costumes, artistic | maximum 25 points |
The decisions of the jury are final and may not be legally challenge
The group can get the maximum 200 points:
The jury determines the places in each category by received points for each choir (ensemble):
| Place | Point | Prizes |
| Money prize and participation in Grand Prix contest | One group that received highest point (in each category) | Gold diploma (I place)
(Money prize see below) |
| First prize (in each category) | 175 — 200 | Gold diploma (I place) |
| Second prize (in each category) | 155 — 174 | Silver diploma (II place) |
| Third prize (in each category) | 121 — 154 | Bronze diploma (III place) |
| Diploma of participation | 0 — 120 | Diploma in each category |
Money prizes for the best choir (in each category):
| GRAND PRIX
|
40000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 1 – the Children choirs | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 2 – the Female and male choirs | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 3 – the Mixed choirs | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 4 — the Choirs of boys and youth | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 5 – the Chamber choirs | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 6 – the vocal ensembles | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 7 – the Church, religious and gospel music | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 8 – the Modern music | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 9 – the Folklore music | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 10 – the Early music | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 11 – the Church choirs | 15000 Rub (in euro by course) |
| Category 12 – the Senior choirs | 20000 Rub (in euro by course) |
The jury can separate one prize in two (or more) choirs in case of the same points.
Special prizes:
- The jury award Special prizes:
- the best performance of the Russian composer’s work;
- the best performance of foreign composer’s work
- the best performance of the folk song;
- the best of sacred music;
- the best of presentation the program;
- the best conductor of the choir;
- the best soloist;
- Special price “the best performance of composer Youry Falik work”
- Prize of the public affection.
Rules and conditions:
All choirs which have been officially admitted to the competition can participate. With their application, the choirs agree to the rules and conditions of the competition, to recording and broadcasts in sound and television as well as any other sound or visual recording being made in the context of this event, all rights resulting from such recording belong to organizes.
The choirs that sent the application with all necessary documents and paid the fee are admitted to the competition.
Applications for admission require the following documents:
- The story of the choir (important concerts performed at home and abroad, prizes or honors in competitions and festivals etc…)
- A photo of the choir and conductor.
- An audio cassette or CD with recordings of the choir in the last 2 years (live if possible; with a list of titles and composers). The recording must contain the works of different style.
- The planned competition program including times;
Entrance fee in competition
Category 1 -5 and 12 — 200 euro per the choir
Category 6-11 — 150 euro per the choir and ensemble
In case the choir (ensemble) takes part in some categories, every category must be paid.
The choirs (ensembles) pay the fee after the sending of the application form and not later than May 1, 2018. In case of refusal after June 1, 2019 the entrance fee doesn’t refund.
Registration
Deadline for application in the 15th International Competition of Choirs and Vocal Ensembles “THE SINGING WORLD” named after Yu. Falik is April 1, 2019. You can send the Application by e-mail: singingworld@mail.ru
Supplementary
- Six scores of every works of choral music have to be handed to Organizing Committee (on registration).
- The precise contest program with titles, composers and composer’s dates must be send before July 1.
- All the changes in the contest program after July 1, 2019 are not permitted.
COPYRIGHT ISSUES
Copyright of photographs and videos taken during the Festival and competition activities belong to the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee has the right to use such information, including audio/visual record of the choirs’ performances. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to publish such information in the media or on the Internet.