Dates: 27 September - 01 October 2026 | Grado, Italy

Experience the magic of choral music in Italy! The Sunny Island of Grado offers a perfect blend of music, art and culture: with its historic city center, scenic waterfront, and proximity to Trieste and Venice, it is an inspiring setting for international choirs.

Sing in stunning historic venues like the Basilica of Sant’Eufemia in Grado and the Basilica in Aquileia, where your voices will resonate with centuries of history. Whether you seek a competitive challenge or a festival atmosphere, each performance will be a highlight in an unforgettable musical journey.

Evaluation Performances or Individual Coaching with international choral experts will help to refine your skills, receive professional feedback, and share your passion for music with like-minded people from around the world.

Grado invites you to meet other singers from across the globe, forge new friendships, and experience the joy of singing together.

Join us in 2026 and let your voices shine under the sun of Adriatic Sea!

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 Italy!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Competition | Adult Mixed Choirs, Adult choirs of Equal Voices, Mixed Vocal Ensembles, Equal Voices Vocal Ensembles, Children‘s and Youth Choirs, Sacred Choral Music and Folklore

Evaluation Performances | Friendship Concerts | Grand Prize Competition

Competition Categories

Category A – Adult Choirs

A1 – Mixed Adult Choirs

A2 – Adult Choirs of Equal Voices

Category V – Vocal Ensembles

V1 – Mixed Vocal Ensembles

V2 – Equal Voices Vocal Ensembles

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

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

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 2026 - 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.

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 Italy

SAMPLE ITINERARY

• Stage Rehearsals
• Evaluation Performances
• Morning: Competitions
• Afternoon: Grand Prize Competition and Awards Ceremony
• Concerts & performances in Grado and surrounding area
• Sightseeing & excursions*

• Sightseeing & excursions*
• Departure

DEADLINE

Early Bird deadline: February 23, 2026

Registration deadline: May 11, 2026

FLIGHTS