Table Of ContentMalta International Choir Festival ® The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority
Malta Tourism Authority invite all international and Maltese choirs to participate in
Auberge d'Italie, Merchants Street the 23rd edition of the Malta International Choir Festival ®
Valletta VLT1170, that will take place in Valletta, Floriana and other locations
Malta
from 2 to 5 November, 2017.
www.maltachoirfest.com
www.visitmalta.com/events
Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
MALTA INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL ®
‘Where Voices Shine’
2 – 5 November 2017
organised by the
Ministry for Tourism & The Malta Tourism Authority
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
Table of Contents
Welcome to the Malta International Choir Festival 2017 .................................................................................... 3
Festival Programme .............................................................................................................................................. 4
The Non-Competitive Programme of the Festival ................................................................................................ 5
The Competitive Programme of the Festival ........................................................................................................ 6
SACRED MUSIC .................................................................................................................................................. 9
SECULAR MUSIC .............................................................................................................................................. 10
CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIRS ........................................................................................................................... 12
GRAND PRIX OF MALTA .................................................................................................................................. 13
General terms of participation for choirs ........................................................................................................... 14
Application Form................................................................................................................................................. 16
Additional information on other Festival projects .............................................................................................. 23
Appendix I ........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix II .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
Welcome to the Malta International Choir Festival 2017
‘Where Voices Shine’
Malta has regularly hosted international choir festivals and competitions since 1988. The
islands of Malta and Gozo can boast of a very thriving choral scene and – with over 350
churches serving a population of about 430,000 – the choral tradition is, understandably,
built around and mostly focused on sacred music.
The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority will be organising the 23rd
edition of the Malta International Choir Festival that shall be held from the 2 to the 5 of
November 2017. As with the last edition, in 2015, apart from the Festival proper on the
dates mentioned, the Organising Committee is aiming at expanding the Festival through a
number of satellite projects that do not necessarily take place during these four days.
We very much look forward to welcoming you in Malta to share with you and other
international choirs the joy and love for singing.
Malta International Choir Festival Committee Members
Chairman Christopher Muscat
Artistic Director Rev. John Galea
Festival Administrator Martin Morana
Festival Co-ordinator Gabija Jenciute
Logistics Noel D'Amato
Events Operation Adviser Edward Zammit
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
Festival Programme
WEDNESDAY November 1 Institute, Floriana) and (St Publius
Parish Church)
All day: CHOIR REGISTRATION at the
Festival`s office, Catholic Institute, SATURDAY November 4
Floriana
Morning / early afternoon: CHORAL
THURSDAY November 2 SINGING COMPETITIONS (Catholic
Institute Theatre and St Publius
Parish Church, Floriana)
Morning / afternoon: CHOIR
REGISTRATION at the Festival’s office,
Late morning / early afternoon:
Catholic Institute, Floriana
SINGING IN THE CITY concerts (by
16.00 hrs Opening Ceremony
various choirs at Valletta’s City
SINGING & PRAYING FOR PEACE at St
Entrance )
John’s Co-Cathedral
Leaders of different religious
Evening: FESTIVAL CONCERT by
denominations unite with the
Arsis Handbell Ensemble from
harmonious singing of choirs to pray
Estonia and Gentlemen’s Singers from
together for peace in Malta’s most
the Czech Republic (Venue tbc)
beautiful place of worship
17.30 hrs: CHORISTERS‘ STREET
PARADE in the main streets of Valletta
SUNDAY November 5
18.30 hrs: WELCOME RECEPTION for
Morning: Choirs sing during SUNDAY
all choristers in Valletta
MASS in various churches around
Malta (optional).
FRIDAY November 3
16.00 hrs GRAND PRIX OF MALTA
COMPETITION& PRIZE GIVING and
Late morning / early afternoon: CLOSING CEREMONY. (Catholic
SINGING IN THE CITY concerts Institute, Floriana)
(various venues)
Evening: FAREWELL RECEPTION
Afternoon / evening: CHORAL (Venue tbc)
SINGING COMPETITIONS (Catholic
The Organiser of the Festival reserves the right to make as many necessary changes as required to ensure the smooth
running of the Festival both before and during the actual events. Participating choirs will, however, receive detailed
communications with the exact timings, closer to the Festival.
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
The Non-Competitive Programme of the Festival
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
The Competitive Programme of the Festival
The Malta International Choir Competition 2017
Preambles
"Festival" refers to the Malta International Choir Festival held between 2 and 5 November
2017.
"Competition" refers to the Choral Competition held as part of the Malta International
Choir Festival 2017."
"Artistic Committee" refers to the Artistic Committee of the Malta International Choir
Festival 2017.
"Jury" refers to the panel of distinguished professionals appointed by the Artistic
Committee to adjudicate the Competition.
“Organiser” refers to the Organiser of the festival and in charge of overall and logistical
matters.
Terms and Conditions
1. Non-professional choirs of any nationality may participate in the Festival’s competitive
categories. For the ends of this Competition, "non-professional choirs" shall refer to choirs
whose singing members - therefore with the exception of the conductor and the accompanist –
do not earn their living from professional singing.
2. There are no age restrictions except for Children & Youth Choirs categories.
3. Choirs may opt to take part in up to two (2) categories. Each selected category shall, however,
need to be approved at application level by the Artistic Committee on the basis of the
application package (please ensure that the choir's biography and sound recording is included).
4. Choristers can sing with only one (1) primary choir.
5. Choir members are allowed to sing in smaller ensemble formations in a different category, but
each ensemble should be clearly identifiable with the primary choir.
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
6. The competition programme for each selected category shall be approved by the Artistic
Committee at application stage. Choirs competing in different categories are not allowed to sing
the same work in two (2) different categories.
7. Accompaniment is limited to organ and electronic piano (with weighted keys) which will be
provided by the Organiser where applicable and as indicated in each respective category.
Where required, choirs are to provide their own accompanist who may also be a singer within
the same choir.
8. The use of other pitched instruments is not allowed except for the Folk Category, in which case
the choirs are responsible to provide any non-standard instrument/s as well as the
performer/s.
9. Percussion instruments are allowed in a cappella pieces/categories with the prior permission of
the Artistic Committee. Once approved, choirs would be responsible to provide both the
instrument/s and the performer/s.
10. Amplification (of choirs and of instruments) is not allowed in any of the categories.
11. Time restrictions for every category need to be strictly adhered to and there will be penalties
for over-running. Times indicated in the individual categories refer to actual singing time and
therefore do not include entrance, exit and applause.
12. Works should be performed as originally written by the composers. In some instances,
transpositions to a more convenient key are acceptable but the Artistic Committee should be
informed about any such changes at application stage to be able to inform the Jury.
13. Together with the application package, choirs must submit a PDF file by e-mail of every piece
performed in the competition including the Grand Prix of Malta (full vocal score) for the use of
the international Jury. Vocal scores should be written according to standard western notation
and preferably type-set. Titles and composers’ names should be clearly written in Roman
alphabet on each score.
14. Published works may only be sung using the original printed scores or authorized copies. The
use of unauthorized or handwritten copies is strictly prohibited.
15. Texts of the selected works can be in any language but works set to languages other than Latin
or English need to be accompanied by a translation into English and, if applicable, guidelines for
pronounciation.
16. The running order of choir performances in the competition is scheduled in such a way as to
accommodate any logistical requirements of competing choirs' commitments within the
Festival.
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
17. Due to an already heavy festival schedule, choirs are encouraged not to organise individual
concerts during the days of the Festival. However, choirs wishing to perform other concerts
beside the competition are cordially invited to inform the Artistic Committee at the application
stage so that choirs are assigned participation in Singing in the City within the framework of
the Festival.
18. The Jury shall consist of five (5) distinguished professionals in the field of choral music.
19. The decisions of the Jury are final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into
during or after the conclusion of the Festival. Choir directors may however consult jury
members about their performance and ask for comments and feedback.
20. The competition is divided in various categories as outlined hereunder and based on one (1)
round.
21. PRIZES
a. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of less than 50% will receive a Certificate of
Participation in the Malta International Choir Festival.
b. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of between 50% and 75% will be receiving an
Honorary Diploma of Merit including the overall mark.
c. Choirs obtaining an overall mark of over 75% will be receiving an Honorary
Diploma of Excellence including the overall mark.
d. The winner of each category will be the choir with the highest overall mark with an
Honorary Diploma of Excellence.
e. The category winner shall receive a Trophy and a Diploma.
f. Each category winner shall also gain the right to take part in the Grand Prix of
Malta competition held on the Final Night. The Grand Prix of Malta will be divided
into three (3) divisions: (i) Sacred, (ii) Secular and (iii) Children & Youths. The
winning choir in each division shall receive a monetary prize of one thousand Euro
(€1,000).
g. If deemed appropriate, the Jury may award a number of Special Mention Diplomas
such as best conductor, best stage deportment, best performance of a contemporary
piece etc.
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Malta International Choir Festival ® Information Package
SACRED MUSIC
SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 1 (Sacred 1) with free programme
This category is intended for those less experienced choirs who would like to perform a programme of
their own choice. The presented programme shall nevertheless offer a variety of styles that
demonstrate the choir's abilities at their best.
Choirs will be required to perform a freely-chosen and varied programme of not less than
three (3) and not more than six (6) works.
Organ or piano accompaniment is allowed but at least two (2) works should be originally
written and performed a cappella.
Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes.
SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 2 (Sacred 2) with compulsory programme
This category is intended for those more experienced choirs who would like to perform a challenging
programme ranging over a span of five (5)centuries, thus showing versatility and adaptability to
various styles and genres from different eras.
Choirs will be required to perform:
1. 1 work written up to 1600
2. 1 work written between 1601 & 1750
3. 1 work written between 1751 & 1900
4. 1 work written after 1901
Organ or piano accompaniment is allowed but at least two (2) works should be originally
written and performed a cappella.
Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes.
SACRED MUSIC CATEGORY 3 (Sacred 3): Monodic Chant
This category is intended for choirs interested in the art of Monodic Chant of the choir's own religious
denomination.
Choirs will be required to sing a freely-chosen programme that should consist of not less
than three (3) contrasting works.
Accompaniment is not allowed.
Maximum duration is fifteen (15) minutes.
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