Announcement & Conditions

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

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

Municipality of Spittal an der Drau
Department 7 – Culture & City Marketing
Burgplatz 5
9800 Spittal an der Drau, Austria

Phone: +43 (0) 47 62 / 56 50-221
Email: info@chorwettbewerb-spittal.at

Singkreis Porcia, Spittal an der Drau
Director: Bernhard Wolfsgruber

Artistic Director: Bernhard Wolfsgruber

Thursday, 8 July to Sunday, 11 July 2027
Porcia Castle, Burgplatz 1,  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

Thursday, 8 July 2027

• 8:30 pm: Opening concert of Singkreis Porcia (Porcia Castle) *
  (Closed event for the participating choirs)

Friday, 9 July 2027

• 9:30 am: Photo session for the conductors (Porcia Castle courtyard) *
• 9:45 am: Conductors' meeting in the Porcia Room (Porcia Castle, 1st floor) *
• From 10:45 am: Stage rehearsals in the Porcia Castle courtyard and the City Hall (Stadtsaal), Lutherstraße (as scheduled) *
• 7:00 pm: Category B competition – Folk Song in traditional costume (Porcia Castle), repeated from 7:45 pm as a competition concert in the City Hall *

Saturday, 10 July 2027

• 9:30 am: Compulsory songs in the City Hall, Category A competition – Art Song (City Hall) *
• 7:00 pm: Free short programme, Category A competition – Art Song (Porcia Castle) *

Sunday, 11 July 2027

• From 9:00 am: Church services in the surrounding parishes (participation optional)
• 11:15 am: Open singing in Millstatt (in traditional costume) (participation optional) 
• 7:00 pm: Awards ceremony and prizewinners' concert (Porcia Castle) *
• From approx. 9:30 pm: Closing celebration in the City Hall (participation optional) 

*) Participation is mandatory at all events marked with an asterisk!

Eligibility

Only mixed choirs (SATB) are eligible.

• The choir may have no more than 45 and no fewer than 16 singers.
• The choir must consist of amateurs only (conductor excepted).
• Choirs must compete in both categories (A and B).
• The registered choirs are selected for participation by a jury.

Conditions for the Category A Competition – Art Song / Compulsory Songs

Each choir sings a short programme of its own choice with 10 minutes of pure singing time. This guideline should not be significantly undercut or exceeded.

The short programme may also include a demanding jazz or pop arrangement. Only purely vocal performances without piano are permitted!

In addition, the following three compulsory songs must be sung:

• Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) – Alleluia, I heard a voice
• Fanny Hensel (1805–1847) – Schöne Fremde, from Gartenlieder op. 3
• Javier Busto (*1949) – Soñé que tú me llevabas

All three works are compulsory and must be sung by every participating choir. The score of the unpublished commissioned work (Busto) will be sent with the confirmation of participation at the beginning of November 2026; the stated editions of the other works are mandatory and must be obtained by the choir itself.

The jury assesses each of the works performed for intonation, choral sound, dynamics, rhythm, sense of style and quality. The jury will briefly explain its verdict in public.

In addition, the “Günther Mittergradnegger Prize” is awarded as a special prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work.

Conditions for the Category B Competition – Folk Song

Each choir sings a short programme of its own choice consisting of characteristic folk songs of its own country. One of these songs may also be sung by a small group of at least 4 singers. The pure singing time should not significantly undercut or exceed 10 minutes.

The songs should be traditional folk song settings that show the musical abilities of the choir and demonstrate the character of the local culture (unison singing is also possible).

Complex folk song arrangements should make up only a small part of the programme.

The folk songs must be sung and conducted from memory.

In this category, accompaniment with instruments typical of the country is possible (except piano).

The jury assesses each of the songs performed for intonation, choral sound, dynamics, rhythm and sense of style. The jury will briefly explain its verdict in public.

For the folk song competition it is particularly desirable that the choirs perform in regional or national costume.

Travel Costs

The cost of travel to and from Spittal an der Drau must be borne by the participating choirs themselves. Additional travel costs during the competition that were not agreed in advance must be paid by the choir itself.

Any visas required must be applied for by the choir itself in good time.

Participants in the Competition

The following are considered participants in the competition with free accommodation and full board for a contribution towards expenses of € 50 per person:

• The active choir singers (max. 45 persons)
• Conductors and official accompanying persons (e.g. board members, supervisors, interpreters) (max. 3 persons)
• Chauffeurs (max. 2 persons)
• In total, therefore, a maximum of 50 persons

Bringing an interpreter who speaks German or English well is welcome.

Accommodation and Meals

All costs for accommodation and meals (excluding drinks) of the participants in the competition are borne by the organiser (contribution towards expenses: see below).

Participants are accommodated and catered for in shared rooms in hotels, inns, hostels and private rooms, beginning with the meals on Thursday, 8 July 2027, and ending with breakfast on Monday, 12 July 2027.

Single rooms can only be provided for the conductor(s) and the chauffeur(s).

Contribution towards Expenses

Accommodation and full board (from Thursday to Monday) are provided by the Municipality of Spittal an der Drau for the maximum of 50 participating persons listed above for a contribution towards expenses of € 50 per person.

Please note that this applies exclusively to the group of persons defined above.

For persons who are not eligible participants within the meaning of the 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 (9 July 2027)!

The bank details for the transfer of the contribution towards expenses for the registered maximum of 50 persons and any further accompanying persons will be sent after the confirmation of participation. The entire contribution must be paid in January 2027, but no later than 14 days after receipt of the confirmation.

An extension of the stay in Spittal an der Drau at the choir's own expense is possible if requested in good time.

If the choir cancels its participation for reasons of its own after the contribution has been paid, this amount will be retained.

Hosting

The choirs are looked after personally by members of Singkreis Porcia throughout the entire competition.

Category A – Art Song

• 1st prize: € 1,500
• 2nd prize: € 900
• 3rd prize: € 600

Special prize
Günther Mittergradnegger Prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work: € 1,000

Category B – Folk Song

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

Awarding of the prizes: The prizes are awarded by a jury of internationally recognised choral experts. The jury's decision is final.

Registration for the 2027 competition is online only, no later than 31 October 2026, via the registration form on this website (button “Registration”).

The registration can be completed in several steps and saved in between.

A complete registration contains, in addition to the selected songs, a short report on the history of the choir and its activities to date, 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 physical media such as CDs, LPs or USB sticks by post. Digital audio samples can be uploaded or linked in the online registration form.

The works stated at registration may be changed at any time until 31 January 2027; from 1 February 2027 to 1 April 2027 only one piece per category may be changed. Changes after 1 April 2027 are not permitted.

Link to the registration

https://www.chorwettbewerb-spittal.at/en/registration