Announcement - Chorbewerb

55th International Competition of Choral Singing 2018
Castle of Porcia
Spittal an der Drau – Carinthia – Austria

To all friends of Choral Music!
We should like to present to you the announcement of the 55th International Competition of Choral Singing 2018 at the Castle of Porcia, Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia, Austria, and we cordially invite you to take part in this contest.
Since 1964 numerous choirs of reputation from all over Europe and also from some other continents have participated successfully in our International Competition; we are confident, therefore, that your choir will also be interested in this special event.
We should be delighted, indeed, to welcome you here.

Patronizing authorities:
• The Regional Government of Carinthia
• The Austrian Radio · Studio Carinthia
• The Cultural Department of the Municipality of Spittal an der Drau
• The Singkreis Porcia, Spittal an der Drau

Organisers of the competition:
• The Cultural Department of the Municipality of Spittal an der Drau,
9800 Spittal an der Drau, Burgplatz 1
Tel.: +43  47 62 56 50 223
Fax: +43  47 62  32 37
E-mail: info@chorbewerb-spittal.at
(organisation)

• The "Singkreis Porcia" Spittal an der Drau
Homepage: www.singkreis-porcia.at

• For musical questions:
Bernhard Wolfsgruber

Time and venue:
July 5th to July 8th 2018
Porcia Castle, Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia, Austria

Categories:
Category A:   Choral works, classical and modern (with Günther-Mittergradnegger-Award)
Category B:   Folksong

Schedule:
Thursday, July 5th   

8.30 p. m.:   Opening concert given by the "Singkreis Porcia"

Friday, July 6th   

7.00 p. m.:   Competition in category B   (Folksong)

Saturday, July 7th   

9.30 a. m.:   Competition in category A at Stadtsaal  (Obligatory choral works)
7.00 p. m.:   Competition in category A   (Choral works)

Sunday, July 8th   

11.00 a. m.:   Informal singing in Millstatt
7.00 p. m.:   Awarding of prizes and winners concert

Prizes to be won:
Category A (Choral works):   

1st Euro   1,500,–
2nd Euro  900,–
3rd Euro   600,–
Günther-Mittergradnegger-Award for the best interpretation of a contemporary piece -  Euro  1,000,-

Category B (Folksong):   

1st Euro   1,000,–
2nd Euro  700,–
3rd Euro   500,–

Audience award

Prizes will be awarded by an international jury of experts, whose decisions are beyond dispute.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel-expenses:
Travel expenses to and from Spittal an der Drau hve to be covered by the choir.
Additional costs in Spittal, which are not arranged, must also be paid by the choir.

Accommodation and food:
Lodging and free board will be offered by the organicers from Thursday, 5th of July (supper) until Monday, 9th of July 2018 (breakfast).
Participants will be accommodated in hotels, boarding-houses, hostels and private rooms. Accommodation in larger than double rooms, single rooms only for the conductor and the busdriver.
Extension of your stay at Spittal an der Drau will be possible at your own expense and if announced well in advance.

Participants:
Free lodging and food will be supplied for:

• the conductor / the conductress
  

• the singers (45 persons at max.)
  

• persons who officially accompany the choir, as chairman, interpreter etc. (3 persons max.)
  

• one or two busdrivers
  

Interpreter:
It is advisable that your choir will be accompanied by a German-speaking person.

Assistance:
The choirs will be personally assisted by members of the "Singkreis Porcia" during the entire competition.

Entry:
Kindly announce your participation in the contest not later than January 31st 2018. (arrival at Kulturamt)
Fill in the attached form with a computer.
Together with the entry should be sent:

• a short outline of your choir’s origin and activities (please use the attached form);
  

• a photograph of your choir taken recently – no tapes or CDs. Photos, which are sent via email must be in a high print resolution.

Address your entry to:

Stadtgemeinde Spittal an der Drau
Kulturamt
Burgplatz 1
A-9800 Spittal an der Drau
Austria
Fax: +43  47 62  32 37
email: entry@chorbewerb-spittal.at

Participation:
The competition is intended for mixed choirs.
The choir must not have more than 45 singers, but must have 16 singers at a minimum.
Singers must be amateurs, except for the conductor / conductress.
The choirs have to take part in both categories (A and B).
The final selection for the participation of the registered choirs will be made by a jury.

REGULATIONS - CATEGORY A

• The choir will have to sing 3 obligatory works and a programme of its own choice (10 min. maximum duration). At the programme of own choice a pretentious jazz or pop-arrangement is allowed.
  

• The obligatory choral works in the contest 2018 will be: Claudio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643) - Quelle augelin che canta - Universal Edition - UE32065
  

Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907) - Wie bist Du doch schön - Verlag Ferrimontana - EF1234
Christoph Ehrenfellner (*1975) - Auftragskompostition (New composition for the choir competition)

• The note-sheets will be sent with the acceptance (in February 2018).
  

• The choir will have to sing a cappella. No piano accanpaniment allowed.
  

• The jury’s judgement, briefly announced in public immediately after the contest, will include the following aspects: intonation, choral sound in general, dynamic flexibility, rhythm and stylistic sense.
  

• Additionally the „Günther-Mittergradnegger-Award" is given to the choir with the best interpretation of a contemporary work.
  

REGULATIONS - CATEGORY B

• You are invited to choose a programme of 3 or 4 folksongs characteristic of your own country (10 min. maximum duration). One of them may be performed in a small group (minimum 4 singers).
  

• The programme should contain at least one song in a traditional folk arrangement (it may be in unison) as well as folksong adaptations that show the musical potentials of the choir and are characteristic of the country.
  

• Your programme should be sung and conducted by heart.
  

• Only vocal music is admitted. It may be accompanied by instruments typical of the country excluding the piano.
  

• The jury’s judgement, briefly announced in public immediately after the contest, will include following aspects: intonation, choral sound in general, dynamic flexibility, rhythm and stylistic sense.
  

• National costumes will be appreciated!