WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Choir
- Next edition
- Winter Edition 2026
- Applications until
- December 1
- Entry fee
- €37
- Format
- online, video
RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «CHOIR» NOMINATION 2026
Choir competition online: who can enter and how it works
This online choir competition is open to mixed, female and male choirs from any country, and to choir conductors in a separate category. Choirs compete in five directions – classical, spiritual, world, traditional and opera music – and in age categories set by the average age of the singers. The WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition is held entirely online: the choir records its program on video, and the jury scores the recording. Applications are accepted all year for three editions – Spring, Summer and Winter.
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
Competition program of the participant’s choice and can be performed a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment. The program does not have to be performed by heart. The number of performed composition is not limited.
Participants
Choirs from all over the world are invited to participate in the competition. Choir’s age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator and concertmaster.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Mixed choir/ female choir/ male choir
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category I: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category II: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category III: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category IV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category V: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category VI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category VII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
SPIRITUAL MUSIC
Mixed choir/ female choir/ male choir
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category VIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category IX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category X: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XI: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XIII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XIV: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
WORLD MUSIC
The program can be performed: a) a cappella, b) with “live” musical accompaniment, c) using a backing track (using a phonogram is not allowed).
Mixed choir/ female choir/ male choir
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XVII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XVIII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XIX: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XX: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXI: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
The program can be performed: a) a cappella, b) with “live” musical accompaniment, c) using a backing track (using a phonogram is not allowed).
Mixed choir/ female choir/ male choir
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XXII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXIII: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXIV: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XXV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXVI: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XXVII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXVIII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
OPERA MUSIC
Competition program can be performed with instrumental accompaniment (any use of electrical instruments/devices or playback are not allowed).
Mixed choir/ female choir/ male choir
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XXIX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXXI: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXXIII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XXXIV: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXXV: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
CHOIR CONDUCTOR
Video recording can be made:
- from choir. Camera must be directed to conductor, and a part of choir must be seen.
- from left or right sides of the choir. Camera must be directed to conductor and a part of the choir must be seen.
From an choir recording only a video camera may not reflect the normal sound of the choir. The sound can be recorded using external recording equipment and synchronized with the video.
JUNIOR
- XXXVI category – born in 2009 and younger – up to 12 minutes
SENIOR
- XXXVII category – born in 2008 and older – up to 12 minutes
Repertoire for choirs: what to choose
The choir chooses its own program, and the number of works is not limited as long as the whole performance fits the time limit of its category. Singing by heart is not required, so singers may hold folders. Classical and spiritual programs are sung a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment; world and traditional music may also use a backing track, but not a recorded vocal; opera music is sung with instrumental accompaniment, without electric instruments or playback.
Choose the direction that matches most of your program and build contrast through tempo, language and texture – for example, a slow a cappella piece followed by a rhythmic one. Examples – recommendations, not requirements:
- Children’s choirs: movements from Britten’s «A Ceremony of Carols» or Kodály’s children’s choruses.
- Spiritual music: Mozart’s «Ave verum corpus», Rachmaninoff’s «Bogoroditse Devo» or a Bortniansky concerto.
- Opera music: «Va, pensiero» from Verdi’s «Nabucco» or the Humming Chorus from Puccini’s «Madama Butterfly».
- World and traditional music: «Siyahamba», an arrangement of «Shenandoah» or folk songs of your country.
- Adult choirs, classical: part-songs by Brahms or Mendelssohn, or Whitacre’s «Lux Aurumque».
Recording the video: tips for choirs and conductors
Record one continuous take without editing; the singers must be clearly visible. Place the camera in front of the choir, high enough to show the back rows, in landscape format. Two good microphones in front of the choir give a more balanced sound than a distant phone. In the choir conductor category, film from inside the choir or from its left or right side, with the camera directed at the conductor and part of the choir visible; here the sound may be recorded with external equipment and synchronized with the video. At the start, a choir member names the choir, category and competition, or an A4 sheet is placed on a stand. See recording advice and the rules.
Application, fee and certificates
Send the video, a list of singers with years of birth verified by your institution, and the payment confirmation through the online application. The fee is 37 euros per choir and 37 euros in the choir conductor category (payment). In the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections, choirs with 90–100 points receive the Gold award; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. Every choir receives an e-certificate; teachers can download a letter of appreciation. Full rules – video requirements and identification, documents, fee and scoring – are on the rules page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the choir have to sing by heart?
No. The program does not have to be performed by heart, so the choir may sing from scores.
How many pieces can we perform?
The number of compositions is not limited; the whole program must fit the time limit of your category listed above.
How is the choir’s age category defined?
By the average age of all singers, without the illustrator and the concertmaster (accompanist).
Can we sing with a backing track?
In world and traditional music – yes, an instrumental backing track; a recorded vocal is not allowed. In opera music the accompaniment must be instrumental, without electric instruments, devices or playback. Classical and spiritual music are sung a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment.
How should a conductor’s video be filmed?
From inside the choir or from its side, with the camera on the conductor and part of the choir in view; the sound may be recorded separately and synchronized.
Related pages: chamber ensemble, classical singing and participants.