Competition Rules

1. Category Festival (Without Competition)

- In this category choirs will perform with a program of their choice (free program). The lenght of the performance must be of 16 minutes maximum. The choirs will sing in a special and different session than the competition. Choirs will be listened by one or more members of the international jury.

- At the end of each choir’s performance, the jury members will be at the choir and conductor’s disposal for a short meeting and discussion. A written expert analysis will be drafted and sent to the choirs at the end of the Festival.

- All choirs (male, female, mixed, youth, gospel choirs) can take part in this category. The number of choir members is not restricted.

- Choirs in this category will not be ranked.

- The instrumental accompaniment is permitted during the performance and is not compulsory prior confirmation of the Jury (choirs are kindly requested to communicate the song with instruments and the kind of instrument).

- Choirs enrolling in this category will also take part in the other music activities such as the open air concert and the choir parade.

2. Categories With Competition

Male, female and mixed choirs, youth choirs and vocal ensembles may enrol. All the choir members, except the conductor, must be amateurs.

Competition’s entries fall into different categories all without level of difficulty and no set piece:

Category M1 male choirs min. 40 voices
Category M2 male choirs from 16 to 39 voices

Category F1 female choirs min. 40 voices
Category F2 female choirs from 16 to 39 voices

Category X1 mixed choirs min. 40 voices
Category X2 mixed choirs from 16 to 39 voices

Category Y youth choirs max. 21 year old
Category V vocal groups up to 12 voices

Categoria G1 gospel choirs from 1 to 30 voices
Categoria G2 gospel choirs min 30 voices

Note:
Choirs have to enrol in the category corresponding to their number of voices; enrolments in higher categories are not admitted. All choirs can only sing in more than one category if their composition and musical programme are radically changed. Men and women in mixed choirs may also enter for the men's and women's choir categories.

3. Repertoire
In all categories the repertoire must include a cappella folksongs; original compositions cannot be performed. The choirs should perform at least one folksong of their country of origin and one European folksong. All songs have to be performed in their original language.
The instrumental accompaniment is permitted during the performance and is not compulsory prior confirmation of the Jury (choirs are kindly requested to communicate the song with instruments and the kind of instrument).

The length of the performance must be minimum 12 and maximum 20 minutes, not intending the length of each separate work but the complete performance from the beginning of the first work to the end of the last piece. Performances in a tonality different from the original score are allowed but they must be previously communicated to the jury.

4. Jury
The jury’s decisions are final and binding. No appeals through the courts may be made. The deliberations of the jury are not public. After the prizes have been awarded, the choir directors may meet the members of the jury to discuss the results. All the competition events are public.

5. Assessment criteria
a) technique
b) artistry

Prizes

Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded for each category. Basing on a maximum of 100 marks, the medals will be awarded as follows:

These prizes will only be awarded if a minimum of three choirs enter in the category. If there are less entrants, the prizes may be reduced. At the discretion of the jury, the prizes may be divided or assigned several times.

PLEASE NOTE: the money prizes will be awarded pre-tax

"Europe and its songs" Cup
The "EUROPE AND ITS SONGS International Folksong Choral Festival Barcelona Cup” will be awarded to the choir with the highest marks among all categories.

Choir master’s prize
The jury may award choir masters a prize of € 250 for particularly outstanding performance.

6. All photographic and recording rights are vested exclusively by the organizer.


Preliminary Program


Wednesday, 22nd September 2010

- Arrival of all participants in Barcelona and surroundings for check-in in the hotels.

- In the afternoon, meeting of all choir directors and the jury members, discussion of the festival program and selection of the performances' order by lots for each category in the Church S. Maria del Pì.

- Inaugural concert in the Church S. Maria del Pì.


Thursday, 23rd September 2010

- in the morning first part of the performances for choirs enrolling in the FESTIVAL category (without competition).

- in the afternoon Open-air concerts in the historical squares of Barcelona.

- in the afternoon rehearsals for the choir competition.

- First part of the Choir Competition in the Church S. Maria del Pì – Barrio Gotico.


Friday, 24th September 2010

- in the morning second part of the performances for choirs enrolling in the FESTIVAL category (without competition).

- in the afternoon Open-air concerts in the historical squares of Barcelona.

- in the afternoon rehearsals for the choir competition.

- Second part of the Choir Competition in the Church S. Maria del Pi’ – Barrio Gotico.


Saturday, 25th September 2010

- In the morning parade, announcement of the winners, prize awarding ceremony. Performance by all choirs of the common chant “Ode An die Freude”.

- At the end of the ceremony, “Fiesta Catalana” with a special greet by the President of the Festival.

- In the afternoon the jury at the choir’s disposal.

- Departure.

The organiser reserves the right to make any changes required due to technical reasons.

If the minimum number of participants has not been reached within the subscription deadline, the competition will be transformed into a choir festival. Choirs that have subscribed will be entitled to take part in the choir festival, i.e. perform in all the concerts, parades and other performances scheduled, or obtain the refund of the deposit.