The “GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT” is one of the biggest international choir events in the world and offers both a competitive and non-cpompetitive option.  The festival is held anually and gathers together a community of choirs on the Spanish Costa Brava. The festival opens with an impressive opening concert and a bright memoriable closing concert which frames the event for choirs.  Choirs have the opportunity to sing in the basilica of Montserrat together with the Boys Choir 'Escolania' known all over the world.

The choir festival is run by Fiestalonia, a European leader in organisation of worldwide festivals and competitions, the town hall of Lloret de Mar, the ministry of tourism of Catalonia, Sant Roma Church, the monastic complex Montserrat and charity fund Fundación SOS. The event encompasses friendship meetings and events, master classes given by the conductors of the best world’s choirs, round tables and specialised training. Each year, a unique audio track is made of the joing concert which is a memorable event.  Attend the event and develop your love of choral and vocal singing and organ music and make life-long friendships with choirs from around the world.

Choir Contact Ireland can help you plan an unforgettable choral trip for your choir. We take care of the planning and logistical arrangements, dealing with the ground operators and organisers, allowing you to focus on the singing. Contact us today for more information and sing with your choir in Montserrat, Spain!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Choirs can choose to perform in the non-competitive section or opt for competitive participation

Competition | Mixed Choirs, Choirs of Equal Voices, Children‘s and Youth Choirs, Vocal Ensembles and Chamber Choirs, Sacred Choral Music, Folklore, Pop, Jazz, Gospel and Academic Singing.

60 Participating Countries | Official Awards & -Prices |International Jury | 

Competition Categories

Category A - Children's & Youth Choirs

A1 – Children's Choirs

A2 – Youth Choirs of Equal Voices

A3 - Youth Choirs of Mixed Voices

Category B - Vocal Ensembles & Chamber Choirs

 B1 - Age groups : 

1st – 7 – 10 years old

2nd – 11 – 14 years old

3rd – 15 – 18 years old

4th – 18 – 25 years old

5th – above 25 years old

6th – Mixed Age Group 

Category C - Adult Choirs

C1 - Female Choirs

C2 - Males Choirs

C3 - Mixed Choirs

Category D - World Sacred Music

Category E - Folklore

Category F - Pop, Jazz, Gospel

Category G - Academic Singing

Jury & Judging

The competition will be judged by an international Jury. The Judging criteria is based on :Technical Proficiency, Interpretation, Musicianship, Repertoire, Ensemble Interaction, Accuracy of Interpretation and Overall Impression.

Whats Included in the Price 

- 5 days and 4 nights in a three-star hotel or in four-star hotel

- Half board, buffet (breakfast, dinner+ drinks; lunches for additional price – cost €5 for children under 12 years old, €8 from 12 years old)

- Competitive viewing, Gala Concert with award ceremony, performance of choirs in Montserrat optional* (transfer and excursion for additional price)

- Diplomas from the contest providers (one per group/category)

- Special thank-you certificates in the form of engraving on a special base from the town authorities (for group from 5 people)

- Thank-you letters for conductors and sponsors on the official numbered letterheads of the kingdom of Spain (included 2 letters)

- Consolidated rehearsals of choirs with foreign choirmasters

- Master classes

- Festival fee

- Preparation of invitation documents for visa

- “Creative Festival Evening – Friendship Meetup Night – Disco, Battles, Open Mic”

- Live streaming of the contest viewings and Gala concerts on YouTube.

- Return airport transfer

Festival Highlights Include

Evaluation Criteria

- Intonation

- Choral sound

- Correspondence to the music notations

- General artistic impression

Prizes

- The jury evaluates the participants on a 100-point scale.

-The genres of performing and nominations of awards are distributed due to different age groups

- Participants who received up to 70 points become prize winners (copper diploma)

- Participants who received from 70 to 79 points – prize winners of the third degree (bronze diploma)

- Participants who received from 80 to 89 points become prize winners of the second degree (silver diploma)

- Participants who received from 90 to 99 points become prize winners of the first degree (gold diploma)

- Participants who received 100 points become winners of the grand prize of the contest “GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT” (platinum diploma).

-Awards and certificates will be given to all the choirs. Each choir is given a personalized certificate

A CCI Tour Manager will be assigned to you for the duration of your booking, to assist in the pre-departure preparations and to assist with any issues during your stay. The tour manager does not travel with the group.

 Transportation While in Costa Brava

Choirs usually make their way around the city with the local guide via public transport. However, we can arrange coach transportation for your group as required. 

SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Choirs arrive in Spain
• Dinner in your hotel
• Meeting with the festival organisers
• Enjoy an optional excursion
• Rehearsal (on request)

• Breakfast in your hotel
• Choral rehearsals take place
• Cycle of festival concerts begins
• Evening meal in hotel

• Breakfast in your hotel
• Master classes take place
• Choir rehearsals take place
• Studio recording of joint choral singing takes place
• Joint choral singing of choirs on a town square near the town hall (with the shooting of a festival video
• Dinner in hotels 
• Optional visit to a flamenco show with vine, sangria, champaign and other drinks (additional charge)

• Breakfast in your hotel
• Excursion to Montserrat 
• Choirs meet in the basilica before the performance;
• Concert begins in the basilica of the monastery Montserrat;
• Dinner 
• Gala concert and awards ceremony

• Breakfast;
• Choirs depart Spain