Regional, Adult, and Youth Choirs
ChoirFestME 2020 brings an exciting development with more concerts than ever before and a masterclass workshop format! It is a great opportunity for all participants to receive choral coaching and unique learning experiences from professional leaders. A sing through of this year’s massed choral piece will also be conducted with everyone invited to perform at the Gala concert in Dubai Opera on the 14th March 2020!
How to Enter Your Choir
Fill out the entry form by clicking ‘register’ at the bottom of the page and submit the entry fee for your choir to complete the process. The entry fee is non-refundable, any extra members joining can simply be settled for in cash on the event day at the ticketing desk.
Selection Process
- All choirs are requested to submit a short video of their singing. The videos will be reviewed by the festival organisers and successful choirs will be awarded a place in the competition.
- Previous award winners (any award) gain automatic entry to Choir of the Year
Dates and Venues
Wednesday, 11th March The Fridge Warehouse – Festival Chorus Concert
Thursday, 12th March The Fridge Warehouse – Regional Choir Concert
Friday, 13th March GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai – Masterclass and Choir of the Year Competition
Saturday, 14th March The Dubai Opera – Gala Concert
Competition Categories
This year, we have expanded the categories and have added a “Youth Choir” section.
Youth Choirs are groups of young performers from organisations outside of school institutions. This includes non-profit organisations, performing arts academies, and any auditioned or selected ensembles.
- Youth Choirs – ages 10 to 19
- Adult Choirs – no age limit
- Regional Choir – no age limit (please get in touch with us for questions regarding visas, flights, accommodation, and transport)
Entry criteria
Choirs may choose two to four songs to sing, with a total performance time limit for each category. We will be following a strict implementation of the performance duration.
- Youth Choirs – 10 minutes
- Adult Choirs – 10 minutes
- Regional Choirs – 10 minutes
Session Timings
Please aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the session to find your seats in the auditorium and get settled. The final running order will be shared by the 6th of March along with your seat numbers.
Start Time: 3:00PM
End Time: 6:00PM
Competition Rules
- There is no maximum number of singers for a participating choir.
- There is free choice with regards to performance pieces.
- Each choir is allowed a maximum of four pieces with the total time of their performance lasting no longer than 12 minutes. Choirs may submit just two pieces if they so choose.
- Choirs may be of any type: a cappella, jazz, chamber, barbershop, choral society, etc.
The judges will be rating the choirs using these criteria:
Technical Ability (75%) – tuning, diction, voice quality, balance, ensemble, dynamics and overall sound
Musical Expression (25%) – communication, phrasing, passion, energy, commitment and interpretation of the text
Entry costs and Payment
The entry fee for ChoirFestME 2020 is AED 55 (Inclusive of 5% VAT) per performer. Payment to be completed via bank transfer, full details listed in the registration form.
Competition Awards
Adult and Regional Choirs
Youth Choirs
Youth Choir of the Year
Youth Choir of the Year Runner-Up
Gala Concert
The Adult, Regional, and Youth choir winners will perform as usual at The Dubai Opera from 4PM – 7:30PM along with The Choir of the Year finals for Middle and Secondary schools on the 14th of March.
Accompaniment
There will be a piano on stage for accompaniment purposes, but choirs may also provide alternative instrumental backing or sing a cappella. Let us know if you need any special sound equipment for your performance, whether there are any solos, and exactly what instruments will be on stage, if any. (Please note that ChoirFestME will not be providing an accompanist for your choir).
Dressing rooms
We have limited private rooms available for choirs to get changed before the concert but we will do our best to accommodate everyone.
Food and Drink
Please note that there will be no breaks during the sessions. Students are allowed to take water bottles (containing only water) into the auditorium. NO food is allowed in the auditorium.
Audiences
Tickets for the Gala Concert at Dubai Opera on the 14th March 2020 are on sale through www.dubaiopera.com.
Photography
Choirs are welcome to arrange for friends or families to photograph the event for social media, though flash photography will not be allowed while choirs are performing. Don’t forget to tag @choirfestme and forward your best photos to us so we can include them on the ChoirFest Middle East website. ChoirFestME will also be documenting the event and we are happy to share our photos and videos with you.
Publicity
In taking part in this event, choirs also agree to take part in any post-competition publicity if required and should be aware that there may be radio, TV or newspaper representation during the festival. Photographs and video may be taken by The Fridge for use in future publicity.
Queries
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about ChoirFest Middle East or the Choir of the Year competition.
Email: choirfestme@thefridgedubai.com
Call: +971 4 3477793 and ask for Anne or Jad