13th International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival & Competition, Wernigerode, Germany
Dates: 02 July - 06 July 2025 | Wernigerode, Germany
Welcome to one of INTERKULTUR's most popular events! Worldwide choirs and music ensembles have been drawn to the International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival and Competition since its inception in 1999. Wernigerode, the host city, enthrals guests with its distinct mediaeval architecture charm and melodic qualities: It is home of three renowned German choirs.
The festival is placed in a unique location, with the old town hall and the timber-framed city centre. At the same time, the event gains a feeling of familiarity from committed residents serving as individual choir helpers.
Irish choirs that are interested are invited to participate in a number of other activities, such as individual coaching sessions and evaluation performances, which offer remarkable opportunities for professional growth and mutual learning.
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 Wernigerode, Germany!
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 Choirs & Youth Choirs, Sacred Choral Music a cappella, Pop & Jazz a capella and Folklore.
Evlaution Performance | Individual Coachings | Friendship Concerts |
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 & Vocal Ensembles
B1 - Mixed Choirs
B2 - Choirs of Equal Voices
Category G - Childrens & Youth Choirs
G1 - Children's Choirs
G2 - Youth Choirs of Equal Voices
G3 - Youth Choirs of Mixed Voices
Category S - World Sacred Music a cappella
Category F - Folklore
Category P - Pop & Jazz a cappella
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
Participating choirs may register to perform together with other international choirs. Choirs must prepare approximately 15 minutes of their own music pre-approved by the artistic committee. The concert should be preferably a cappella or with own instruments.
Please be aware that several friendship concerts are planned open air. In the event that weather conditions do not allow this, some concerts may be cancelled due to the weather. The organizers will try to manage alternatives but choirs do not have any legal claim to this.
Choirs can also take part in friendship concerts only.
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 Johannes Brahms Choir Prize 2025 - endowed with 2.000 €.
- 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.
Tour Manager
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 Germany
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
Day 1
- Closing Concert of the 7th International Conductors' Seminar Wernigerode
- Arrival
- Stage rehearsals and rehearsals
- Evaluation Performances and Individual Coachings
- Gala Concert
- Sightseeing & excursions*
- Stage rehearsals and rehearsals
- Evaluation Performances and Individual Coachings
- Friendship Concert performances in Wernigerode and surroundings
- Competitions in the morning
- Opening event & reception
- Opening Concert
- Sightseeing & excursions*
- Stage rehearsals and rehearsals
- Evaluation Performances and Individual Coachings
- Friendship Concert performances in Wernigerode and surroundings
- All day competitions
- Benefit Concert
- Folklore concert in Wernigerode
- Sightseeing & excursions*
- Stage rehearsals and rehearsals
- Evaluation Performances and Individual Coachings
- Friendship Concert performances in Wernigerode and surroundings
- All day competitions
- Grand Prize Competition
- Choir Parade, Awards Ceremony & Choir Party
- Sightseeing & excursions*
- Closing Concert
- Sightseeing & excursions*
- Departure
DEADLINE
Early Bird deadline: November 25, 2024.
Registraion Deadline: February 10, 2025.
FLIGHTS
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