Welcome to Grieg International Choir Festival
Bergen / Norway 26 – 29 September 2024
INVITATION AND REGULATIONS
Choir competition
The Grieg International Choir Festival competition is open to amateur choirs and each choir may participate in one or two of the following categories:
Categories
A. Mixed choir
B. Female choir
C. Male choir
D. Vocal ensembles (4 – 12 singers)
E. Youth Choirs (up to 25 years) *
F. Children’s choir (up to 16 years)*
G. Sacred music
H. Folk music
* Maximum of 20% of the members may exceed the age limit by 3 years.
Repertoire and performance
For all categories:
The categories are all without level of difficulty.
There is no compulsory piece.
The length of the program must be max. 12 minutes (pure singing)
If a choir competes in more than one category, a different repertoire must be prepared for each category.
Category: A. Mixed choir – B. Female voices – C. Male voices – D. Vocal ensembles (4 – 12 singers)
Accompaniment: not permitted
The program must include:
• A work of a Nordic composer
• A work of free choice written after 2010
• Works of free choice.
Category: E. Youth Choirs (up to 25 years) – F. Children’s choir (up to 16 years)
Accompaniment: Maximum 2 pieces
The program must include:
• A work of a Nordic composer
• Works of free choice.
Category: G. Sacred music
Accompaniment: Maximum 2 pieces
The program must include:
• A work from from the choir’s native country
• Works of free choice
Category: H. Folk music
Accompaniment: permitted
The program must include:
• A folk song arrangement from the choir’s native country
• Works of free choice
JURY
The choirs will be assessed by an international jury.
The jury has the right to award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Prizes in each category.
Adjudicator will give one point of the used the scale 10-25 points for each choir in each category.
The final point will be the average of the given point from the jury. 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 jury mark each performance based on the following:
Technical skills: Intonation, pace, dynamics, articulation, sound, homogeneity
Artistic skills: Interpretation, understanding of style, dissemination, choirs ability to create music within the given frame
General impression
The evaluation sheets of judges with comments will be available in electronic form after the festival. The jury may award special prizes.
Grand Prix Finale
The contestants will be chosen by the jury from the participating choirs in Grieg International Choir Competition. The contestants will do one or two pieces of their own choice. The jury winner of the Grand Prix is the choir with the highest point which will be the average of the given point from the jury. The decision of the jury is final and will not be submitted to further discussion.
Prizes in each of the categories:
1st Prize in each category: € 1000 (more than 22 points)
Grand Prix Finale: € 3000
Festival concerts
Friendship concerts will be scheduled with participating choirs in the center of Bergen and the surrounding area. The concerts will take place at churches and concert halls. Each concert will be composed of 4-6 of choirs singing 15-20 minutes program.
Deadline for application is May 10, 2024
Latecomers can apply until June 1.
Send together with application to post@griegfestival.no
– Short biography
– Photo of the choir
– Recording of the choir (not more than 2 years old)
Latest 20 June 2022
– Program for the competition and five copies of each score
– Concert program
Registration and participation fee
• Registration fee: € 200 per choir, which will not be refunded. Early bird € 100 per choir application before 1. January 2024.
• Participation fee: € 50 per participant which includes participation and entrance in all festival events. € 25 for participants under 18 years.
• Deadline for registration: 10. May 2024
• Deadline for final payment: 20. June 2024
Payment
Registration fee € 200, fee must be paid after confirmation from the organizer, and the rest of the participation fees must be paid until June 20, 2024
Holder of account:
Grieg Internasjonale Korfestival, Komediebakken 9, N-5010 Bergen
Account number: 5210 05 51446
Bank: DnBNOR Bank ASA, Stranden 21, N-0021 OSLO
IBAN:NO18 5210 0551 446
Swift code/BIC: DNBANOKKXXX
Cancellation:
Cancellation must be forwarded in writing. Between 10 May and 20. June 70 % of the paid amount will be refunded.
After 20. June no refund should be expected. Rates: Net rates are calculated, and they are given in EURO
Travel and accommodation:
At the expense of participating choirs. Accommodation can be booked online: http://www.visitbergen.com/en/ or the festival can be at help on request.
Transfer to/from airport can be organized on request.
Festival venues will be in walking distance in the center of Bergen.
General rules
The Organizing Committee accepts no legal responsibility whatsoever in respect of anything pertaining to a choir’s participation in the festival. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of rules and regulations. The festival has the right to use radio and TV recordings at their own discretion, excluding any fees to the participants.
Application