The International Federation for Choral Music has organized four international choral composition competitions since this project was created in 2010. The aim of these competitions is to promote the creation and distribution of new, innovative, and accessible choral repertoire. Also, to promote and encourage composers to creation and distribution.
IFCM announces its Fifth International Competition for Choral Composition to promote new works in choral music and to encourage innovation in choral writing which fits the needs of a 21st-century choir. We are looking for compositions that combine originality, imagination, and creativity within the context of contemporary global themes.
The competition is open to all composers of any nationality and any age. The participation fee varies according to the nationality of the composer and a country’s designation in the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI country groups are based on measures of achievement in the basic dimensions of human development across countries. These dimensions include knowledge (education index), long and healthy life (life expectancy index), and a decent standard of living (GNI index). For more information about the index, visit IFCM website, Membership fees.
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Voicing: SATB with minimal divisi or SSA(A) or TTB(B)
Duration: 4-6 minutes
Difficulty: The composition should be accessible to an average - good amateur choir and must have a medium level of difficulty.
Instruments: The composition may feature instruments, with the understanding that the primary focus of the work should be the voices. The total number of the added instruments should be no more than three. The instrumental part should enrich the
texture of the music and not merely double the voices.
Text: The text of the composition can be either original or from sacred or secular sources in any world language. It may also be based on onomatopoeic syllables or on newly-created words and sounds that do not necessarily convey a meaning. If the text is not original or is not in the public domain, written authorization from the author or copyright holder must be sent with the application. The authorization should indicate rights for use and reproduction.
Movement: The inclusion of optional choreography and eurythmic elements is acceptable.
World Choral Day (WCD) is an international choral event to celebrate the values of solidarity, peace, and understanding through choral singing! Thousands of choirs have joined in the celebration of World Choral Day on or around the second Sunday in December in the past twenty years. Millions of singers across the globe have been involved in World Choral Day concerts, festivals, sing-alongs, choral seminars, Days of Friendship, and other events.
The Song for World Choral Day category calls for a composition that will be sung on World Choral Day by choirs around the world. By its nature, this composition should concentrate on values that connect all humans all over our planet.
Voicing: Two parts with high and low voices.
Duration: 2-3 minutes
Difficulty: The composition must be singable by all choirs and should be easy to teach/learn.
Instruments: An optional piano part is acceptable.
Text: The text of the piece can be in any world language. The text should carry a message related to the philosophy of World Choral Day. If the text is not original or is not in the public domain, written authorization from the author or copyright holder must be sent with the application. The authorization should indicate rights for use and reproduction.
Composers may join the competition with one piece per category.
Submissions should be sent by email to manager@ifcm.net. Each submission should include:
The file name for the score and accompanying audio file should include: category (Mixed or WCD), the title, pseudonym/motto chosen by the composer, and the estimated duration of the composition (e.g., Mixed_Ilovetosing_LouiseMaeDye_4.70). Compositions not submitted in this format will not be accepted.
The compositions submitted must be original and unpublished. They cannot have been awarded prizes nor be waiting for a verdict in any other competition. They should not have been presented to the public. Arrangements or adaptations of existing works will be excluded.
Participants should ensure that their pseudonym/motto is clearly written on the files according to the specified above. Any indication that reveals the composer's identity in advance will lead to immediate disqualification.
The works presented should not be divided into parts as a song collection or suites; rather, they must be one comprehensive work.
Official magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music, the International Choral Bulletin is published quarterly in the four official languages of IFCM: English, French, German and Spanish. It is distributed in more than 80 countries on the five continents and is the official voice of choral music around the world.
Read moreOur focus at the moment is to unite the choral calendars of international choral organisations. Meanwhile please consult the calendar of choral events published by the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat here.
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