Regulations

D - Sacred Music

Repertoire requirements:

• A 12 – 15 minute programme that includes:

  • A work written before 1750

  • A work by a living composer

  • Free choice

  • Free choice (optional, choirs may choose to perform just one free choice)

E - Gospel/Pop/ Jazz

Repertoire requirements:

• A 12 – 15 minute programme consisting of gospel, pop or jazz music.

F - Folklore

Repertoire requirements:

• A 12 – 15 minute programme consisting of native folk music.
  (Traditional acoustic instruments may be used)

The winning choir from each category qualifies for the final, once they have achieved a minimum score of 70% in that category.

Choirs must present two pieces, one of which has not previously been performed in any competition category.

If a choir wins more than one category, the runners-up in the second chronological category will qualify for the final, provided they have achieved a minimum score of 70% in that category.

The jury also reserves the right to nominate choirs who are not category winners for the final, provided they have achieved a minimum score of 70%.

⇒  Grand Prix First Prize: to be announced

⇒  Grand Prix Second Prize: to be announced

⇒  Grand Prix Third Prize: to be announced

A Special Prize for the best interpretation of a work by the Composer of the Festival, in any competitive event during FICA'19 will also be awarded. 

Published choral compositions may only be performed using original scores or authorised copies.

Selected choirs must send 5 original scores of each piece to the festival organisers. The scores will be returned to the choir immediately after the competition performance.

The early bird registration fee is €200. The regular registration fee is €300.

The registration fee allows choirs to participate freely in any competition category (i.e. choirs may participate in multiple categories).

All repertoire must be unaccompanied.

Programmes must conform to the requirements and time limits of each specific category.

Choirs that do not comply with the time limits will incur a time penalty.

Choirs may not sing the same piece in different categories.

Choirs that qualify for the final may sing one piece they have previously sung in a category. The second piece must not have been previously performed in a competition category.

The jury will award marks for technical and artistic quality of the chosen repertoire, in addition to the quality of the performance.

• The choir must have been organised at least one calendar year prior to the festival, and if required, must be able to provide evidence of this.

• All members of the choir must perform in the choir as amateurs.

• Participation in the competition is subject to approval by the organising committee.

• The organising committee reserves the right to cancel a competition category.

• The jury’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decisions.

• The organising committee accepts no legal responsibility pertaining to a choir’s participation in the festival.

• The organising committee accepts no responsibility regarding meal, accommodation or travel costs for participating choirs.

• Choirs are responsible for organising their own accommodation. The hotels listed on the festival website offer discounts to choirs competing in the festival. Please mention your participation in FICA when booking in order to avail of this discount.

• The festival may record, video and photograph and publish these videos/recordings/photographs on radio/television/internet, or include in promotional materials, without payment to the choir.

• It is the duty of all choirs under 18 years of age that consent is sought from parents/guardians.

• Mixed choirs which qualify for the final in categories B and C must participate in the final with this formation, i.e. as male voice and female voice choirs respectively.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to make any necessary amendments to the existing regulations.