RULES OF COMPETITION 2025

Competition is open to choirs consisting of amateur singers exclusively, on the basis of the Programme Committee’s acceptance of the application form and attachments.

The choirs compete in three categories:

• Category A: mixed choirs (at least 16 singers)
• Category B: men’s or women’s choirs (at least 14 singers)
• Category C: vocal ensembles (at least 12 singers)

Obligatory parts of choirs’ programmes are:

• One composition of a composer born in the 16th century or earlier
• One composition of the contemporary choral expression
• One composition from the choir’s national repertoire of music production
• One or more compositions to the choir’s choice

It is recommended that choirs perform one composition by a Croatian author.

All compositions are to be interpreted in the language of the original and à cappella.

Duration of choir programmes is limited within the range of 15 minutes (minimum) to 20 minutes (maximum), starting from the beginning of the first composition until the end of the last composition. Choirs that do not meet this requirement shall be awarded negative points.

Three choirs with the highest total score, regardless of the category they compete in, continue the competition for the GRAND PRIX OF THE CITY OF ZADAR in the amount of 3,000 EUR. The Grand Prix programme shall include at least one composition that has not been performed in the first part of the competition. Other compositions may be performed again. The total duration of the programme from the beginning of the first composition until the end of the final composition shall not be longer than 10 minutes.

The competing choirs are also required to appear in the outdoor review part of the programme, at the attractive locations in the city centre, with a free choice of programme within the duration of 15 to 20 minutes.

The organizer reserves the right to make sound and image recordings during the Competition.

AWARDS

All choirs with the final total score ranging from 70 to 79,99 points will be awarded the Third prize; those from 80 to 89,99 points will be awarded the Second prize, and those from 90 to 100 points will be awarded the First prize.

The remaining choirs will receive certificates of participation.

Conductors receive the corresponding set of awards.

The best choirs may be awarded a Golden, Silver, or Bronze Abbess Čika’s Cross by the Jury. Prizes are not shareable.

The Jury reserves the right to award special awards to choirs and/or conductors.

The Croatian Composers’ Society assigns one or more awards for the best performance of a choral composition by a Croatian composer.

SCORING PROCEDURE

Performances will be adjudicated by an International jury comprising of five members. Each adjudicator awards up to 100 points. The lowest score vote and the highest score vote are annulled in the final sum.

Decisions of the International jury are final and irrevocable.