Dates: 08 October - 12 October 2026 | Kalamata Greece

For the sixth time, Kalamata will host singers from around the globe in 2026 for an international choir competition and festival. Cultural diversity set against the breathtaking backdrop of olive groves has made this event an unforgettable experience for choirs for years!

The opening event sets the perfect tone for a festival where choir enthusiasts from all over the world can immerse themselves in the rich tradition of Greek music and even explore it firsthand. The choir competition traditionally highlights folklore categories, while offering a wide range of workshops, competitions, and concerts, providing every choir with a musical home. And that’s not all: The venues are located in the vibrant old town of Kalamata, surrounded by numerous restaurants, cafés, and shops. Here, you’ll find local delicacies such as the renowned Kalamata olives and olive oil, inviting you to unwind after your musical achievements.

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 Greece!

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, Sacred Choral Music a capella, Popular Choral Music and Folklore

Evaluation Performances | Individual Coachings | Friendship Concerts | Grand Prize Competition & Special Prize

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 G – Children's and Youth Choirs

G1 – Children's Choirs

G2 – Youth Choirs 

Category S – Sacred Choral Muisc a cappella

Category P – Popular Choral Music

Category F – Folklore

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. Piano or digital piano can be provided upon request.

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 & Special Prize

Kalamata Choir Prize

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 Kalamata Choir Prize 2026 - endowed with 1500 €.

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.

Kalamata Special Prize

Among all competition performances, the Kalamata Special Prize will be awarded for the best interpretation of a piece by a Greek composer. The Kalamata Special Prize 2026 is endowed with a prize money of 1000 €.

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 Greecce

SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Stage Rehearsals
• Morning: Сompetitions
• Afternoon: Grand Prize Competition
• Afternoon: Choir Parade
• Evening: Awards Ceremony & Choir Party
• Sightseeing and excursions*

• Departure
• Sightseeing and excursions*

DEADLINE

Early Bird deadline: March 09, 2026

Registration deadline: May 11, 2026

FLIGHTS