Choir Competition Spittal
Anmeldung / Entry

Announcement & Conditions

To all friends of choral music!

We are pleased to present the announcement for the 60th International Choir Competition 2027 at Porcia Castle, Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia, Austria, and cordially invite you to participate.

Organizers

  • Office of the Carinthian Provincial Government
  • Austrian Broadcasting Corporation · Carinthia Studio
  • Department of Culture, Municipality of Spittal
  • Singkreis Porcia, Spittal an der Drau

Event Management

Municipality of Spittal an der Drau
Department 7 – Culture & City Marketing
Burgplatz 1, 9800 Spittal an der Drau
Phone: +43 (0) 47 62 / 56 50-221
Email: info@chorbewerb-spittal.at

Singkreis Porcia, Spittal an der Drau
Director: Bernhard Wolfsgruber

Artistic Director: Bernhard Wolfsgruber

Date and Venue

Thursday, July 8 – Sunday, July 11, 2027
Porcia Castle, Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia, Austria

The competition is held in two categories:

  • Category A – Art Song (Advanced Choral Literature) (with the Günther Mittergradnegger Prize)
  • Category B – Folk Song

Schedule

Thursday, July 8, 2027

  • 8:30 PM – Opening concert of Singkreis Porcia (Porcia Castle)

Friday, July 9, 2027

  • 9:30 AM – Photo session for conductors (Porcia courtyard)
  • 9:45 AM – Conductors' meeting (Porcia Room, 1st floor)
  • From 10:45 AM – Rehearsals at Porcia courtyard and City Hall (as scheduled)
  • 7:00 PM – Category B competition – Folk Song in traditional costume (simultaneously from 7:45 PM as competition concert in City Hall)

Saturday, July 10, 2027

  • 9:30 AM – Compulsory piece performance, Category A – Art Song (City Hall)
  • 7:00 PM – Free short program, Category A – Art Song (simultaneously from 7:30 PM as competition concert in City Hall)

Sunday, July 11, 2027

  • From 9:00 AM – Optional participation in church services in nearby parishes
  • 11:15 AM – Open singing in Millstatt (in traditional dress)
  • 7:00 PM – Awards ceremony and prizewinners' concert (Porcia Castle)
  • From approx. 9:30 PM – Closing celebration (City Hall)

Participation in all scheduled events is mandatory.

General Conditions

Travel Costs

Travel expenses to and from Spittal an der Drau must be borne by participating choirs. Any additional transportation costs during the event, not agreed upon beforehand, must also be covered by the choir.

Required visas must be obtained in advance by the choir.

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation and full board (excluding beverages) are covered by the organizers for competition participants (see participation fee below).

Lodging will be arranged in hotels, guesthouses, hostels, or private rooms. Accommodation is in shared rooms; single rooms are only available for the conductor and bus driver.

Accommodation begins with dinner on Thursday, July 8, and ends with breakfast on Monday, July 12, 2027.

An extended stay at personal expense may be arranged with early notice.

Participants

The following are considered official participants entitled to accommodation and meals for a fee of € 50 per person:

  • Active singers (maximum 45)
  • Conductor and official accompanying persons (e.g., manager, assistant, interpreter – max. 3)
  • Bus driver(s) (max. 2)
  • Total maximum: 50 persons

A German- or English-speaking interpreter is recommended.

For additional officials or accompanying persons, a flat rate of € 250 per person for accommodation and meals will be charged (payable the day after arrival).

Supervision

Each choir will be personally hosted by members of Singkreis Porcia throughout the competition.

Prizes

Category A – Art Song

  • 1st Prize: € 1,500
  • 2nd Prize: € 900
  • 3rd Prize: € 600
  • Günther Mittergradnegger Prize (best interpretation of a contemporary work): € 1,000

Category B – Folk Song

  • 1st Prize: € 1,000
  • 2nd Prize: € 700
  • 3rd Prize: € 500

Awards will be determined by an international jury of choral experts. The jury's decision is final and binding.

Registration

Registration for the 2027 competition is online only, until 30 September 2026, via the entry form on this website (button "Anmeldung / Entry"). The form can be filled in several steps and saved in between.

A complete registration contains the selected songs, a short report on the history and activities of the choir, and a digital print-quality photo of the choir not older than one year (unrestricted right of use is transferred to the organiser).

Please do not send audio recordings.

Songs may be changed freely until 31 January 2027; from 1 February to 1 April 2027 only one piece per category may be changed. No changes are possible after 1 April 2027.

Participation Requirements

  • Open to mixed choirs (SATB) only.
  • Minimum 16, maximum 45 singers.
  • Only amateur singers (except the conductor).
  • Participation in both categories (A and B) is required.
  • Selection of choirs will be made by a jury.

Category A – Art Song / Compulsory Works

Each choir must perform a 10-minute free program (pure singing time). An advanced jazz or pop arrangement is allowed, a cappella only (no piano).

In addition, the following three compulsory pieces must be performed:

  • Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) – Alleluia, I heard a voice
  • Fanny Hensel (1805–1847) – Schöne Fremde, from Gartenlieder, Op. 3
  • Javier Busto (*1949) – commissioned work (unpublished)

The score for the commissioned work (Busto) will be provided with the participation confirmation (October 2026). The other editions must be obtained by the choir itself.

The jury will evaluate based on intonation, sound, dynamics, rhythm, style, and overall quality and will give a brief public statement of their assessment.

The Günther Mittergradnegger Prize will be awarded for the best interpretation of a contemporary work.

Category B – Folk Song

Each choir must perform a 10-minute free program of characteristic folk songs from its own country. One song may be performed by a smaller group (minimum four singers).

Songs should be traditional and reflect the local culture. Complex arrangements should be limited. Songs must be performed by heart and conducted.

Accompaniment with typical folk instruments (except piano) is permitted.

The jury will assess intonation, sound, dynamics, rhythm, and style and give a brief public summary.

Performing in traditional or national costume is especially encouraged.

Additional Program Points

  • For the winners' concert (Sunday), one additional piece per category must be prepared.
  • During "Singing under the Linden Tree" in Millstatt (Sunday, 11:15 AM), light and cheerful songs are encouraged, preferably not from the Category B program.
  • For church services on Sunday, both sacred and secular choral pieces are welcome.

Participation Fee

Upon confirmation of participation, participating choirs must pay a participation fee of € 50 per eligible participant (conductor, interpreter, bus driver, and singers, up to a maximum of 50 persons) by 1 January 2027.

For persons who are not eligible participants as defined above (non-participating accompanying persons), a flat fee of € 250 per person for accommodation and full board is payable. This amount is due no later than the day after arrival.

Bank account details will be provided upon confirmation of participation. In the event of a later cancellation for which the choir is responsible, this amount will be forfeited.