The competition is organised in two rounds, with a compulsory piece for each round. The durations of the performances of each round have to be between 20 and 25 minutes, including the compulsory piece.

Competition Programme

Every choir will perform an a cappella programme consisting of the compulsory piece and at most four pieces of choice, forming a programme that is diverse and yet structured in a musically sensible way. The choirs are expected to deliver stilistically adequate performances. Generally, original compositions shall be chosen. Admittance of adaptations will be decided on request in advance by the jury

One of the pieces of choice is to be a composition from before 1800. This piece can be performed with a reduced number of singers. One of the pieces of choice may be a folk song or a piece of popular music.

After the preliminary round, three choirs will be selected for the final round. The conditions for the preliminary round also apply to the finals. At most one piece of the preliminary round may be repeated.

Compulsory pieces

Preliminary round:

Brahms, Johannes: Darthulas Grabgesang (from “Drei Gesänge” op. 43, Nr.3) (Breitkopf & Haertel, Peters, Carus)

Final round:

Poulenc, Francis: Un soir de neige (Editions Salabert)

Jury / Awards

The jury consists of Prof. Frieder Bernius and Prof. Marcus Creed. Decisions of the jury are incontestible. Any recourse to courts of law is excluded.

Every choir will receive a certificate. Furthermore, the following awards will be presented:

  • 1st prize: €3000
  • 2nd prize: €2000
  • 3rd prize: €1000