2025 Choir Competition International Festival Rules

Attention! This is a machine translation. The original document in English is available here.

March 08-10, 2025

Tallinn – Stockholm – TallinnCruise ship BALTIC QUEEN from TALLINK

Transfer from Riga, Daugavpils, Vilnius, Ventspils, Rezekne and other cities.

Choir Competition is not only participation in competitions, master classes, creative workshops, but also relaxation with parents and friends, an opportunity to meet and communicate with other participants, teachers, jury members, excursions to two European capitals (Tallinn and Stockholm), as well as visiting show programs, discos, karaoke, and tasting a variety of buffet dishes.

Choir Competition competition program will take place in the two-tier Starlight concert show hall, which every evening turns into a luxurious cabaret, where professional artists give spectacular performances featuring famous hits. Every evening, an ensemble performing dance music popular all over the world also performs on the stage of the show hall.

RULES OF PARTICIPATION / REGULATIONS

PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THE FESTIVAL: Discover new talents, foster creative interaction, explore national cultures, arts, and traditions of different countries.

FORM: Festival consists of competition and non-competitive programs.

COMPETITIVE NOMINATIONS: Choir Competition, Non-competitive Program.

Participants can apply in one or more nominations.

CHOIR COMPETITION

Participants: educational and amateur choirs of children’s music schools, children’s art schools, secondary specialized music schools, creativity centers, university students and amateur groups can take part in the competition.

Adult musicians can participate in children’s ensembles up to 20% of the total number of participants.

Minimum number of participants: 10 people.

Nominations: folk, classical, pop choir, gospel.

Categories:

Children’s choirs (average age up to 16 years)

Youth choirs (average age 16 to 25 years)

Male choirs (average age over 16 to 30 years)

Women’s choirs (average age over 16 to 30 years)

Folk choirs (up to 30 years old)

Mixed choirs (the age group of the groups and Mix is ​​determined by the average age of the participants)

Performance duration: up to 4 minutes.

Live accompaniment is permitted during performances. The use of backing tracks, as well as sound amplification equipment (microphones and speakers), is also allowed.

Evaluation criteria: intonation, sound quality, compliance with the score or quality of interpretation (depending on the nomination), overall impression of the performance.

NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM

Participants: no age limit.

Performance duration: up to 4 minutes. 

Categories: any of the categories. 

When submitting an application for the non-competitive program, in the ‘category’ section of the form, indicate ‘participation out of competition’.

JURY

The decision of the jury is final and cannot be changed.

The international jury consists of producers, teachers from specialized educational institutions, leaders of creative groups and organizations, cultural and art figures.

Based on the average score, the international jury determines the laureates of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees, as well as diploma holders of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees in each age group of each category.

Grand prix – 10 points

Laureates:

1st place – 9 points

2nd place – 8 points

3rd place – 7 points

Diplomants:

1st place – 6 points

2nd place – 5 points

3rd place – 4 points

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCES

Performance of the participants is assessed on a 10-point system.

AWARDS

Awards are given by genres and nominations within corresponding age categories.

The Grand Prix is awarded to a soloist or ensemble regardless of nomination and age category at the jury’s discretion.

All participants receive diplomas.

The best participants receive special prizes and commemorative gifts from sponsors and festival organizers.

All winners, both soloists and ensembles, receive trophies, and all participants receive participation medals.

Duets, trios, and quartets receive large medals with their placement.

PRIZES AND SPECIAL PRIZES

  • Cash certificates for participation in one of the Impresa Producer Center’s competitions in 2024 (certificates worth 100 €, 50 €, 20 €).
  • Video recording of the participant’s performance (3 cameras, valued at 50€).
  • Gifts from sponsors and the festival organizer.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

For high performance mastery.

For artistry and spectacle.

COPYRIGHT

By submitting an application and participating in the competition, participants agree to the photo and video filming, as well as audio recordings of their performances on stage and other events and transfer all copyrights arising in this case to the organizer.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

(Estonian time)

08.03.2025 

08:30 – We depart from Riga (Akadēmijas laukums 1, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Riga, LV-1050) by bus.

12.30 – check-in at the port, boarding the ship

13.00-15.00 – sound check – Starlight

15:00 – cabin assignment

16.00 – Choir Competition competition – Starlight

18.00 – ship departure

18.10 – continuation of the competition

20.00 – show program – Starlight

22.00 – karaoke, live music, disco

09.03.2025

10.30 – arrival in Stockholm (local time)

10.45-14.00 – excursion around Stockholm.

14.00-16.00 – free time in Stockholm

16.00 – transfer from the center of Stockholm to the port

17.00 – gathering on the ship

17.30 – departure to Tallinn

17.00-19.00 award ceremony and gala concert – Starlight

20.00 – show program

20.30 – round table for teachers and jury members

22.00 – karaoke, live music, disco

10.03.2025

10.45 – arrival at the port of Tallinn

11.30 – excursion around Tallinn (for those who have a transfer), free time

13.00 – departure from Tallinn

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

Expenses related to travel, medical insurance and stay at the festival participants carry out at their own expense or at the expense of the organization sending the participant to the competition.

The organizing committee reserves a hotel for foreign participants, organizes transfers and excursions, and also helps in obtaining visas and makes invitations.

Applications are accepted until 15.02.2024.

PAYMENT ORDER

When submitting an application, you must pay for cabins and meals.

Before 15.02.2024 – payment of the registration fee and transfer.

Until 15.02.2024 – payment of transfer and registration fee

For the leader of a group of over 18 people, a place in the cabin is free.

Applications are accepted if reservations in the cabin are made only with the organizer.

DISCOUNTS

When submitting an application and paying before 15.02.2024 – a discount of 10 € for each place in the cabin.

When paying for transfer from Riga, Daugavpils, Vilnius, Ventspils, Rezekne and other cities to Tallinn/Stockholm and back until 15.02.2024 – 10 € discount for each seat on the bus.

COST OF FESTIVAL CRUISE FOR ONE PERSON

Cabin class 

B4

When paid before 15.12.2024 – 65 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 75 €

B3

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 74 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 84 €

B2

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 91 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 101 €

B1

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 143 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 153 €

H8

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 69 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 79 €

H7

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 73 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 83 €

H6

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 79 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 89 €

H5

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 86 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 96 €

H4

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 98 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 108 €

A4

When paid before 15.12.2024 – 76 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 86 €

A3

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 88 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 98 €

A2

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 111 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 121 €

A1

When paid before 15.12.2024  – 182 €

When paying after 15.12.2024  – 192 €

* 1 child under 0-5 years old is allowed in the cabin free of charge if he sleeps in the same bed with his parent. A child of 6-11, if he sleeps in the same bed with a parent, needs to pay only 17 € (fuel duty and CO2).

A4 – cabin with window for 4 people

A3 – cabin with window for 3 people

A2 – cabin with window for 2 people

A1 – cabin with window for 1 person

B4 – cabin without window for 4 people

B3 – cabin without window for 3 people

B2 – cabin without window for 2 people

B1 – cabin without window for 1 person

H – HARRY FAMILY

Harry’s themed cabin makes the trip for all children especially exciting. In the A-cabin,  which is connected with an intermediate door, the themed decorations make the children feel just as they are visiting our mascot Harry the Seal. The spacious cabin is 18 m2 and is intended for 4-8 passengers (including at least 2 children).

– on the 5th deck

– single beds

– TV

– WC, shower

REGISTRATION FEES FOR PARTICIPATION

Registration fee per room per person

Team member of 5 people or more

For 1 performance – 20 € 

For the 2nd performance – 15 € 

Non-competition program 1 performance – 10 € 

The registration fee includes: consideration of the application, accreditation of participants, work of the jury, diplomas, cups, medals, work of the creative group and the organizing committee.

ADDITIONALLY (OPTIONAL):

Dinner on the ship (buffet)

Breakfast – Adult in advance – 19 €

Dinner – Adult in advance – 41 €

Breakfast – 12-17 years old in advance – 9 €

Dinner – 12-17 years old in advance – 21 €

Breakfast – 6-11 years old in advance – 7 €

Dinner – 6-11 years old in advance – 17 €

up to 5 years old – free

Transfer and excursions

Transfer to Tallinn and back: Riga, Daugavpils, Ventspils, Rezekne, Vilnius and other cities

bus and walking tour of Stockholm, bus and walking tour of Tallinn

if paid before 15.02 – 65 €

after 15.02 – 75 €

Stockholm city tour 3 hours: 2 hours by Swedish bus and 1 hour walking (transfer from and to the port included) – 29 €

The price of a place in a cabin includes: cruise on the route Tallinn-Stockholm-Tallinn: 3 days and 2 nights on the Baltic Queen cruise ship, a place in a cabin of the selected class, reservation of cabins for festival participants, port tax, fuel surcharge and CO₂ emission surcharge.

Organizational expenses: rent of a concert hall, rent of lighting and sound equipment, rent of conference rooms and other premises of the ship, work of a light director and sound engineer, work of a creative team.

Entertainment program on board: show program, live music, disco, karaoke, games, quizzes, lottery with great prizes and travel gift cards from Tallink.

Issues not covered by this provision are resolved on an individual basis.

If questions arise, as well as comments and suggestions regarding the conduct of the competition, managers (teachers) have the right to send a written request to the organizer’s email.

The order of performance and rehearsal performance approved by the organizing committee cannot be changed.

Technical requirements must be agreed with the organizer when submitting an application.

WHERE TO PAY

Impresa Events

Reģ.Nr: 50008334601

IBAN: LV88HABA0551057260928

BIC: HABALV22

SWEDBANK AS

SUBMIT APPLICATION

TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

Application for participation (online)

Cruise application

Send the musical accompaniment (soundtrack) by email: impresa.lv@gmail.com.

1 photo (in electronic format.JPG) for posting on the contest website

Since Tallink Group has age restrictions, underage passengers can only travel with a parent or an accompanying person over the age of 25.

There are 2 questionnaires in the appendix. 

One form is filled out by parents who allow their child to travel.

The second questionnaire is filled out by a teacher or an adult (over 25 years old), who takes responsibility for underage passengers during the trip.

Each teacher can fill out a questionnaire for 10 underage passengers. We advise you to fill out this form in advance to save time on registration at the port.

Changing applications (name of the room, phonogram, composition of participants) – 25 € for each change.

Changing applications less than 10 days before the competition is not allowed!

The order of performances and rehearsals approved by the organizing committee is not subject to change.

Technical requirements must be agreed with the organizer when submitting an application.

Issues not covered by this regulation are resolved on an individual basis. 

In case of questions, as well as comments and suggestions on the conduct of the competition, managers (teachers) have the right to send a written request to the organizer’s e-mail.

ORGANIZER – PRODUCE CENTER IMPRESA

Main projects since 1996: 

  • festival ‘Morning Star – Jurmala’
  • competition for young performers ‘Jurmala’
  • reality show HELLO JURMALA on channel TV5, 

international festivals:

  • ART-TURNIR, 
  • DEBUT, 
  • EUROJURMALA, 
  • CHRISTMAS SURPRISE, 
  • AMBERSTAR, 
  • TALENT SHOW.

Since 2002, produce center IMPRESA has been collaborating with production centers and festivals in different countries: ‘Eastern Bazaar’ (Ukraine), CANZONI DAL MONDO (Italy) and others, and is a member of the largest international festival organization FIDOF (USA).

CONTACTS

Impresa Produce Center Riga Latvia

Producer – Valentina Makarova

Phone: +371 27009998 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)

Email: impresa.lv@gmail.com 

Festival website: www.impresa.lv 

Submit Your Application – click here»