BASIC RULES 2009

1. Ohrid Choir Festival in the year 2009 will be held in the period from 27th to 31st of August in Ohrid, Macedonia.

2. Every choir and singing formation has the right to participate. The application deadline is 1 May 2009. In order to apply a completed application form must be sent, including a photograph of the choir and the conductor as well as a recent audio recording. The requested materials can be sent by post or by email.

                  The Application form can be downloaded here.

3. If the number of choirs applying exceed the number of allotted spots the Festival Organization Committee will select the participants based on the material sent by the choir ( application, audio recordings etc). By 5 May 2009 the names of the participants will be announced on the Festival web site: www.ohridchoirfestival.com

4. The selected choir is required to pay non-refundable deposit (Festival fee) of 10 euros per person no later than 20 May 2009 in order to confirm their participation.

5. The Festival has five sections:

Section 1   -   "Open air" performances (required)

Section 2   -   Competition

Section 3   -   Folk music

Section 4   -   Sacred music

Section 5   -   Pop music

6. All choirs are required to perform in at least two sections, although if they desire, they may take part in more than two sections. The first section of the festival - "Open air" performances is obligatory and the second one can be chosen by the choir.

7. Description of the Festival's sections

Section 1  

In the "Open air" performances section - the choir is required to perform a 20-30 minute program of their choice at several outdoor public locations.

Section 2  

To participate in the Competition section, the choirs are required to perform a 15-20 minute program of their choice. Although, it is strongly recommended for the program to contain different styles of choral music and contain at least one composition by a Macedonian composer. Since the program is intended to be vocal only, we will only allow you to have one or at most two compositions accompanied by instrument(s). The performances will be monitored by an expert jury that will rank the choirs on different aspects of choral performance. The best choirs will perform at the final concert where they will compete for the Grand Prix of the Festival. The choirs will be divided in several categories and subcategories:

-Category A - children's choirs

 (2/3 of the participants must be 15 or younger)

-Category B - youth choirs

(2/3 of the participants must to be 25 or younger )

-Category C - adult choirs

(2/3 of the participants must be older than 25)

Subcategories for categories B & C may be added if the number of interested choirs in either of these categories is more than expected.

Section 3  

The Folk music section is not competitive. The program must contain choral arrangements of folk songs or motives. The program should last 7-12 minutes. The choirs can be accompanied by instrument(s).

Section 4 

The Sacred music section is not competitive. The program must contain sacred songs .The program should last 7-12 minutes.

Section 5

The Pop-music section is not competitive. The program must contain choral arrangements of pop songs. The program should last 7-12 minutes. The choir can be accompanied by instrument(s).

8. By applying to the Festival the choir agrees to give rights to the Festival to use any material recorded during the Festival.

9. Organization Committee has the right to make any necessary last-minute logistical changes to the program. This does not include fees and lodging prices, they will remain as quoted.