Budapest International Choir Festival & Competition

Budapest International Choir Festival & Competition

Date:  13 to 17 April 2025

About the Event

In April 2025, Budapest will play host to the Budapest International Choir Festival & Competition. The festival attracts choirs from all corners of the globe who come to take part in the festivities.  The festival begins on the Sunday as choirs begin to arrive and then continues throughout the week with a variety of choral activities. The festival is organised by Meeting Music and is one of a range of Meeting Music festivals offered throughout Europe.
 
  • Perform before an international panel of qualified international jurors
  • Receive valuable feedback from the jury during the evaluation performance which takes place before the competition
  • Compete for a cash prize and awards.
  • Meet choirs from around the world at the International Open Competition and Grand Prix of Choral Music Budapest.
 
The festival is 4-nights in duration and begins with an opening concert on the Sunday. Activities continue throughout the weekend such as Gala & Friendship Concerts, rehearsals and much more. Each itinerary is tailored to the individual choirs’ requirements. This event takes place every year.
 
Choirs have the option of participating in the non-competitive festival category and singling purely for pleasure or participating in one of the Competitive categories.
In addition to the competing and singing in the festival, choirs also have the opportunity for individual coaching, friendship concerts with local Italian host choirs, and accompanied stage rehearsal for competing choirs. Each day of this choral is filled with music opportunities and sightseeing.
 
Budapest is an enchanting city with beautiful palaces and castles. See the city sights as you are chauffeured along Budapest's elegant boulevards to Heroes’ Square, across the mighty Danube and up to Gellert Hill. Look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. Visit the Castle District and enjoy the amazing views from the Fisherman’s Bastion over the exquisite Parliament building, one of the largest in Europe.  During your free time, be sure to spend the afternoon at the popular pedestrian shopping street of Váciutca where the city’s museums and monuments, churches and synagogues, historic squares and buildings are within easy reach or enjoy a relaxing visit to one of Budapest's famous thermal baths.
 

Performance Information

If you prefer to take part at the choir competition, chose from our Competition Categories. The competition will run on two levels: The International Choir Competition is open to all the choirs, while the Grand Prix is announced for choirs that can present results from previous international competitions.
Your choir may attend both events, but you are free to participate only in the festival or only in the competition.
 
Participate in one of the Competitive Categories (see below) or choirs can choose to participate in non-competitive events only.
 

A – with requirements: Mixed, Female, Male Choirs, and Chamber Choirs and Vocal Ensembles

B – without requirements: Mixed, Female, Male and Senior Choirs

G – Children's Choirs, Youth Choirs of equal voices, and mixed voices

S – Musica Sacra

F – Folklore

P – Gospel / Pop / Modern

J – Jazz

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
  • Arrival at airport
  • Opening Concert 
Day 2
  • Choral activities 
Day 3
  • Choral activities 
Day 4
  • Gala & Friendship Concerts
  • Rehearsal: Closing Concert
  • Jury & Conductor Meeting
  • Closing Concert Award Ceremony Béla Bartók National Concert Hall – Müpa
  • Festival Choir Concert
Day 5
  • Depart
 
  • This sample itinerary is for information purposes only.
  • All final itineraries are tailored to individual choirs’ requirements.
 

Your festival ground arrangements include the following:

  • 4 nights in choice of hotel with breakfast included
  • Dinner in hotel on four evenings
  • Return airport transfer with pick-up at airport meeting point with sign
  • Participation in your chosen competition categories and activities
  • Scheduled stage rehearsal(s) for your choir
  • Complimentary copy of juror’s evaluation documents, 1 per choir
  • Complimentary copies of the official programme book
  • Preparation of your choir’s specific itinerary
  • Participation in one meeting in music concert with other choirs (Friendship concert)
  • Participation in the Opening, Award and Closing Ceremonies
  • Competent assistance and support on-site from our international & local team
  • Conductors & Jury Meeting:
  • Reception for two choir representatives with a small buffet
  • One to one discussion with the jury members - this is a valuable opportunity to have your programme reviewed and discussed!
  • Free place on the ground for choir director

 

Transportation while in Budapest

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

Flights Options

Once you enquire with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group. Choir Contact experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking. We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir. We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking. Travel Insurance CCI recommend that all travellers take out travel insurance at the time of booking.
 

A quotation costs nothing, so contact us today on 01 888 7830

 or email us at reservations@choircontactireland.ie