Registration
To register, you need to use the form on the Register page by providing the initial details, which will create your user account. With this account, you can then log in via the Login page and use your dashboard to provide the necessary choir information for festival registration, make the calculated payment, and monitor the confirmation status.
Registration Deadline
All registrations must be completed by March 31st, 2025.
Registration is currenlty closed due to low attendance.
Category Overview
Category A – Adult Choir
- Mixed Choir
- All Male
- All Female
Category B – Youth Choir
- Secondary and High School
- Mixed Choir
- All Male
- All Female
- Up to 19 years old
Category C – College/University Choir:
- All Male
- All Female
Category D – Non-Competitive
- All choir members, except the conductor and accompanist, must be amateurs.
Prizes
Each of the 3 competitive categories will compete on an assigned day. Each category will have 2 winners
- First Prize: €4,000 and Award Certificate
- Second Prize: €1,500 and Award Certificate
The winning choires will perform in the Grand Prix Final Competition
- Grand Prix Winner: €10,000, Award Certificate
Eligibility
The competition is open to choral groups from all over the world, with no restrictions on age, gender, or nationality. The choir must consist of at least 20 members, without a maximum limit. All choir members, except the conductor and accompanist, must be amateurs.
Judging
The competition will be judged by a panel of three internationally recognized choral conductors. They will evaluate the choir based on intonation, accuracy, blend, interpretation, and overall musicality. The final result shall not be contested.
Accompaniment
Accompaniment is allowed, but only a piano may be used. Rhythmic instruments like bells, shakers, small drums, and similar instruments are allowed.
Technical Requirements
The competition will take place in a basilica church or an auditorium with excellent acoustics.
Competitive Categories (A-B-C)
Repertoire and Performance
Each choir will have a maximum of 15 minutes to perform, not including entrances and exits. Performances can be a cappella or with piano accompaniment. The choir may perform from memory or with music scores.
Each participating choir will prepare and perform a set repertoire of 3 pieces from the following:
- Required: A composition from their country, either folk or modern music.
- Required: One piece of music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
- Required: A compulsory music piece commissioned by Fondazione Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
For the Grand Prix Final Competition: One piece of music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina selected by the Fondazione Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
Application Process
Fill out the online registration form together with the following documents:
- A video recording of the choir singing live (free choice), not more than 10 minutes.
- A short biography of the choir and the choirmaster in English (max. 1 page Word file).
- Photos of the choir (in high-resolution).
- A copy of the registration fee payment: bank transfer.
Registration and Participation Fees per Person
Non-refundable registration fee of €100 for each choir member and conductor. The registration fee will only be refunded if the choir is not admitted by the committee.
The participation fee includes participation in all Festival & Competition events: Competition, Workshop, Familiarization meetings, Restaurant lunch during the competition day, Renaissance gala evening, and buffet dinner.
Non-Competitive Categories (D)
Repertoire and Performance
The “Festival – non-competitive” category is addressed to all ensembles not interested in the competitive aspect of the event. They will perform during the Festival day: July 5, 2025, a set of 2 pieces:
- One taken from the sacred repertoire without historical restrictions.
- One of free choice.
The performance will take place in the presence of a qualified jury that will express a technical evaluation at the end of each performance. Every choir taking part in the “Festival” category will be given a participation certificate.
Application Process
Fill out the online registration form together with the following documents:
- A video recording of the choir singing live (free choice), not more than 10 minutes.
- A short biography of the choir and the choirmaster in English (max. 1 page Word file).
- Photos of the choir (in high-resolution).
- A copy of the registration fee payment: bank transfer.
Registration and Participation Fees per Person
Non-refundable registration fee of €50 for each choir member and conductor. The registration fee will only be refunded if the choir is not admitted by the committee.
The participation fee includes participation in Festival day events: Performance of 2 pieces in the cathedral and Renaissance gala evening and buffet dinner.