Dates: 03 April - 07 April 2025 | Riga, Latvia

The beautiful, Baltic city of Riga welcomes you once again to an international Choir Competition in 2025. Sing together with singers from all over the world on stages full of history in honor of the world-renowned Latvian choral conductor and educator Imants Kokars and enjoy the unsurpassed hospitality of the Latvians.  Latvia, celebrated as the singing nation, reaffirms its status as an idyllic setting for global choral events. Situated at the mouth of the River Daugava, the charming city of Riga offers much to be explored. This is a city offering a myriad of architectural styles. Spires of dark, gothic churches tower above the shadowy cobblestone streets below. Explore hidden delights and the medieval streets that makes up the Old Town, including the striking Powder Tower - home to the Latvian War Museum. 

Riga Sings honors the legacy of the globally renowned Latvian conductor and pedagogue, Imants Kokars, a towering figure in both Latvian and international music circles, and the visionary behind the modern Latvian choral conducting school, serving as founder of the Latvian Academy of Music Jāzeps Vītols. The introduction of a “Senior Choirs” category in its upcoming edition allows RIGA SINGS to honor the rich, enduring talents of experienced vocalists. The highlight of the event is once more the final competition among the Category Winners for the “Imants Kokars Choir Prize” – a resonant monument to a great choir conductor. 

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 Riga, Latvia!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Competition |Mixed Choirs, Choirs of Equal Voices, Chamber Choirs, Vocal Ensembles, Children‘s and Youth Choirs, Sacred Choral Music, Senior Choirs, Folklore, Pop & Jazz

Evaluation Performances | Individual Coaching | Friendship Concerts | Festival Stage Choir | Grand Prize Competition

Competition Categories

Category A – Difficulty Level I

A1 – Mixed Choirs

A2 – Choirs of Equal Voices

Category B – Difficulty Level II

B1 – Mixed Choirs

B2 – Choirs of Equal Voices

Category C – Chamber Choirs and Vocal Ensembles

C1 – Mixed Voices

C2 – Equal Voices

Category G – Children's and Youth Choirs

G1 – Children's Choirs

G2 – Youth Choirs of Equal Voices

G3 – Youth Choirs of Mixed Voices

Category S1 – Sacred Choral Music - Difficulty Level I

Category S2 – Sacred Choral Music - Difficulty Level II

Category SE – Senior Choirs

Category F – Folklore

Category P – Pop & Jazz

Evaluation Performances

For non-competing choirs

- Three pieces of the choir's choice

- Performed before a panel of qualified international jurors who provide immediate positive artistic and pedagogical advice for improvement

- Certificates of participation will be awarded, as well as evaluation ratings and recommendation letters for future competitions upon request

Number of singers: unlimited
Singing time: maximum 15 minutes
Accompaniment: possible
Duration: 45 minutes

For competing choirs

- Presentation of the competition program the day before competitions begin

- Performed before a panel of qualified international jurors who provide immediate positive artistic and pedagogical advice for improvement

- The evaluation does not involve preliminary decisions regarding the competition result

Number of singers: according to category rules
Singing time: according to category rules
Accompaniment: according to category rules
Duration: 45 minutes

Individual Coaching

- One piece of the choir’s choice

- With an international choral expert for stimulating artistic ideas and interpretive guidance

- For an effective rehearsal, choirs must prepare one piece in advance

Number of singers: unlimited
Singing time: 45 minutes rehearsal session
Accompaniment: possible

Frienship Concerts

Friendship concerts are a lovely way to meet and mingle with other participating choirs. Choirs sing approximately 15 minutes of their own music pre-approved by the artistic committee. The concert should be preferably a cappella or with own instruments. Piano or digital piano can be provided upon request.  Often the friendship concerts take place outside. In the event that weather conditions do not allow this, some concerts may be cancelled due to the weather. The organisers do try to manage this and will endeavour to manage alternatives but this may not always be podssible.  Choirs can opt to take part in friendship concerts only.

Festival Stage Choir

In Riga, one artistic highlight chases the other: registered choirs have the opportunity to take part in a festival choir project under the direction of the Artistic Director Romāns Vanags and to help shape the brilliant final event - an unforgettable experience for every participating choir. Requirements for participation: The songs that will be sent to you at the beginning of 2025 must be rehearsed ready for performance. During your stay there will be a joint choir rehearsal and the general rehearsal. Interested choirs should not participate in more than one competition category in addition to this project.

Grand Prize Competition

The respective category winners are invited to participate in the competition for the Grand Prize. The jury reserves the right to nominate further choirs for participation. The winner of this competition will receive the Imants Kokars Choral Award 2025 - endowed with 2500 €.

- Program: two freely chosen a cappella pieces which may not be the ones the choir had already performed in their whole competition program. Those two pieces must be confirmed by the artistic committee.

- Singing time: the maximum actual singing time is 8 minutes.

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 Riga

SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Stage rehearsals
• Evaluation Performances and Individual Coachings
• Friendship Concert performances in Riga and surroundings
• All day: Competitions
• Afternoon: Grand Prize Competition
• Evening: Awards Ceremony & Closing Event
• Sightseeing & excursions*

• Friendship Concert performances in Riga and surroundings
• Departure

Early Bird deadline: September 9, 2024
Registration deadline: November 18, 2024

FLIGHTS