WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Traditional-Folk Singing

Next edition: Winter Edition 2026
Applications until: December 1
Entry fee: €37
Format: online, video

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «TRADITIONAL-FOLK SINGING» NOMINATION 2026

Traditional-folk singing competition online: who can enter and how it works

Traditional-folk singing is the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition nomination for folk songs performed in the traditional manner of a region. Soloists, small forms of 2 to 4 singers and vocal ensembles of 5 to 15 participants from any country can enter. The competition is held online: you send a video instead of travelling to a stage. There are three editions a year – Spring, Summer and Winter – and applications are accepted all year. Soloists compete by year of birth, ensembles by the average age of their members.

Schedule

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The competitor selects one of three editions and sends an application.

SPRING EDITION
Application deadline is March 15th. Announcement of the results on April 05.

SUMMER EDITION
Acceptance of applications until June 1. Announcement of the results on June 15.

WINTER EDITION
Application deadline is December 1th. Announcement of the results on December 15th.

Program

The competitive program includes two diverse works of the participant’s choice and is performed completely by heart. Both or only one song can be performed: a) a cappella, b) with “live” musical accompaniment, c) using a backing track (use of a phonogram is not allowed).

Participants

Right to participate is given to all competitors from all the countries in the world. The age category in ensembles is determined by the average age of all participants, not taking into account the age of the illustrator and accompanist.

Competition program must be performed only in traditional way. It is preferable that the backing musical instruments and traditional costumes are from the area that contestant presents.

Soloists

JUNIOR

Category I: born in 2020 – maximum 7 minutes
Category II: born in 2019 – maximum 7 minutes
Category III: born in 2018 – maximum 7 minutes

MIDDLE JUNIOR

Category IV: born in 2017 – maximum 7 minutes
Category V: born in 2016 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VI: born in 2015 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VII: born in 2014 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VIII: born in 2013 – maximum 7 minutes

JUNIOR ARTIST

Category IX: born in 2012 – maximum 7 minutes
Category X: born in 2011 – maximum 7 minutes
Category XI: born in 2009 and younger – up to 7 minutes

SENIOR ACADEMIC

Category XII: born in 2007 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XIII: born in 2005 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XIV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XV: born in 2001 and younger – maximum 8 minutes

SENIOR ARTIST

Category XVI: born in 1999 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XVII: born in 1998 and older – maximum 8 minutes

SMALL FORMS (2 – 4 singers)

Category XVIII: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XIX: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXIII: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXIV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XXV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XXVI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 8 minutes
Category XXVII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 8 minutes

VOCAL ENSEMBLES (from 5 to 15 participants)

Category XXVIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXIX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXX: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 15 minutes
Category XXIII: born in 2005 and older – maximum 15 minutes

Repertoire for traditional-folk singing: what to choose

The program is two contrasting works of your choice, sung completely by heart. Both songs, or only one, may be sung a cappella, with live accompaniment or with a backing track; a recorded vocal (phonogram) is not allowed. The rules ask for a traditional manner of singing, and it is preferable that accompanying instruments and costume come from the region you represent.

A simple way to build contrast is to pair a slow lyrical or long-drawn song with a fast dance, game or wedding song, or to take songs from two areas within one tradition. Time both songs together, including instrumental introductions, against the limit of your category. Examples – recommendations, not requirements:

Children: a lullaby or game song of your region sung a cappella, and a round-dance song.
Teenagers: a lyrical song and a ditty with a regional instrument such as accordion, balalaika or kantele.
Adult soloists: a long ballad, for example in the Irish sean-nós or Russian protyazhnaya style, and a dance song.
Small forms and ensembles: a polyphonic village song – Georgian, Bulgarian, Corsican or Russian – and a song with live instruments.

Recording the video: tips for folk singers and ensembles

Record one continuous take without editing; every singer must be clearly visible. Ensembles often sound best in a semicircle or two rows, as in a village circle, rather than in one long line; place the camera far enough back to keep all faces in the frame. Costume details read best in soft, even daylight. Unaccompanied polyphony depends on the room: choose a space with natural resonance but no hard echo, with the microphone at the centre of the group. Keep any instrumentalist in the frame. For identification, one member names the ensemble, category and competition; a soloist says name and year of birth or places an A4 sheet on a stand. See recording advice and the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Submit the video, identity document (for ensembles – a list of members with years of birth) and payment confirmation via the online application. The fee is 37 euros per soloist and 37 euros per small form or ensemble (payment). In the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections the Gold award goes to 90–100 points; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. All participants receive an e-certificate; teachers receive a letter of appreciation. Full rules – video requirements and identification, documents, fee and scoring – are on the rules page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sing with a backing track?

Yes, for both songs or for one of them. Only an instrumental backing track is allowed – a recording with your own or someone else’s voice is not.

Do we have to sing by heart?

Yes. The program is performed completely by heart, by soloists and groups alike.

Is a traditional costume required?

It is not compulsory, but the rules say it is preferable that the costume and accompanying instruments come from the area you present.

How is the age category of a group determined?

By the average age of all participants, without the illustrator and the accompanist. Small forms have 2 to 4 singers, vocal ensembles 5 to 15.

When are the results announced?

For the Spring edition on April 05, for Summer on June 15 and for Winter on December 15; the application deadlines are in the schedule above.