Grado, Italy

26 September - 30 September 2027

Experience the magic of choral music on the sunny island of Grado, a beautiful coastal destination on the Adriatic Sea. With its historic old town, scenic waterfront and proximity to Trieste and Venice, Grado offers the perfect setting for an inspiring international choir festival.

Perform in stunning venues such as the Basilica of Sant’Eufemia in Grado and the historic Basilica in Aquileia, where your voices will resonate in spaces rich with history and atmosphere. Alongside performances, choirs can take part in evaluation performances and coaching sessions with international experts, while enjoying a vibrant programme of concerts and cultural exchange.

Meet choirs from around the world, share your music, and create unforgettable memories in one of Italy’s most picturesque locations.

Choir Contact Ireland can help you plan an unforgettable choral trip for your choir. We take care of the planning, logistical arrangements, dealing with the ground operators and organisers, from start to finish, allowing you to focus on what matters most — the singing.

Contact us today at reservations@choircontactireland.ie to begin planning your choir's unforgettable experience in Grado, Italy!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Competition | Adult Choirs, Vocal Ensembles & Chamber Choirs, Children‘s and Youth Choirs, Sacred Choral Music a cappella and Folklore

Evaluation Performances | Friendship Concerts | Grand Prize Competition

Competition Categories

Category A – Adult Choirs

A1 – Mixed Choirs

A2 – Choirs of Equal Voices

Category C – Vocal Ensembles & Chamber Choirs

C1 – Mixed Voices

C2 – Equal Voices

Category G – Children's and Youth Choirs

G1 – Children's Choirs

G2 – Youth Choirs 

Category S – Sacred Choral Music a cappella

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

Frienship Concerts

Choirs have the opportunity to take part in joint performances with international choirs as part of a musical exchange. Each ensemble prepares a program of approximately 15 minutes, which will be approved by the Artistic Committee.

The concert program should preferably be a cappella (or performed with the ensemble’s own instruments). A piano or electric piano can be provided upon request.

All Friendship Concerts take place at the festival venues.

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 Grand Prize Isola del Sole 2027 - endowed with €1,500.

- 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.

What's Included in Your CCI Festival Experience in Grado

- Festival registration and participation in the Isola del Sole International Choir Festival

- Accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Grado or the surrounding area

- Daily breakfast (other meals can be arranged as requested!)

- Participation in friendship concerts

- Participation in the Grand Prize Competition for qualifying choirs

- Return airport transfers (with guide assistance on arrival)

- Flight sourcing and booking

- Public transport guidance or optional private coach arrangements

- On-ground coordination

- Dedicated CCI Tour Manager

- Ongoing tour support throughout your booking

We take care of the logistics — so you can focus on performance

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. 

Transportation While in Italy

Sample Tour Itinerary - Grado 2027!

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning competitions and final performances take place.

In the afternoon, qualifying choirs may participate in the Grand Prize Competition, followed by the Awards Ceremony.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Check out and transfer to the airport for return flights home.

Depart Grado with unforgettable memories, new international friendships, and a shared musical experience!

DEADLINE

Early Bird deadline: February 22, 2027

Registration deadline: May 10, 2027

FLIGHTS