School Choir
ChoirFestME 2020 brings an exciting development with the introduction of a new middle school category. A dynamic morning session will be dedicated for the junior school choirs while the afternoon session will feature the middle and senior schools. All participants will perform in front of a professional jury and an audience of their peers. Each session will have an interactive workshop as well as a sing through of the massed choral piece for which all are invited to perform at the Gala concert in Dubai Opera on the 14th March 2020. Hosting this year’s festival is Canada’s premier vocal group, Cadence!
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. No changes will be considered after the registrations close on the 6th of February.
Dates and Venues
Sunday, 23rd February Brighton College, Abu Dhabi
Monday, 24th February Brighton College, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, 25th February GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai
Wednesday, 26th February GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai
Thursday, 27th February GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis, Dubai
Saturday, 14th March The Dubai Opera
Competition Categories
This year, we have expanded the categories and have added a “Middle School” section. Please see below the age range for each. If your choir has younger or older members, you can still qualify for the category if the majority of the students are within the age range.
- Junior School Choirs – ages 6 to 11
- Middle School Choirs – ages 11 to 14
- Senior School Choirs – ages 14 to 18
Entry criteria
Choirs may choose two or three songs to sing, with a total performance time limit for each category. We will be following a strict implementation of the performance duration.
- Primary School Choirs – 5 minutes
- Middle School Choirs – 7 minutes
- Senior School Choirs – 10 minutes (at least one of these songs is to be performed a cappella)
Session Timings
The day will be split into two sessions, please aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of each session to find your seats in the auditorium and get settled. The final running order will be shared by the 13th of February along with your seat numbers.
- Junior School Session: 9:30AM – 12:00PM
- Middle and Senior School Session: 2:00PM – 4:30PM
Performance Pieces
There is free choice with regards to performance pieces. In previous years songs have included ‘Space Oddity’ ‘I’ll be there for you’ (from Friends) and ‘What a wonderful world’, as well as songs from popular musicals like Moana, The Greatest Showman and Frozen.
Competition Rules
The judges will be rating the choirs using these criteria:
Technical and Vocal Interpretation (75%) – balance and blend, rhythmical accuracy, intonation, tone quality, diction, and dynamics
Presentation (25%) – stage presence, energy, visual communication, and appropriateness of movement
Entry costs and Payment
The entry fee for ChoirFestME 2020 is AED 55 (Inclusive of 5% VAT) per child. Payment to be completed via bank transfer, full details listed in the registration form.
Competition Awards
Primary School Choirs
Junior School Choir of the Year
Junior School Choir of the Year Runner-Up
Best Harmony Performance
Middle School Choirs
Middle School Choir of the Year
Middle School Choir of the Year Runner-Up
Senior School Choirs
Senior School Choir of the Year
Senior School Choir of the Year Runner-Up
Best A Capella Performance
Accompaniment
There will be a piano on stage for accompaniment purposes, but you can also bring any manner of instruments with you, including drum kits, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, winds and strings. Alternatively, you can also bring a backing track on USB. Please fill in the registration form with your accompaniment requirements and we will do our best to accommodate.
Gala Concert
This year ChoirFestME launches the first ever Junior Schools Choir of the Year finals hosted at The Dubai Opera. Participating choirs will be chosen from the schools’ sessions and will include the finalists for the Junior Choir of the Year, plus those choirs with special mention. This concert will take place at 11:30AM – 1PM on the 14th of March.
The Choir of the Year finals for Middle and Secondary schools will take place as usual at The Dubai Opera from 4PM – 7:30PM along with the Adult and Regional choirs on the 14th of March.
For both Gala Concerts, we strongly encourage all choirs that have participated in ChoirFestME to join us on stage for an unforgettable performance of this year’s massed choral piece.
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 2019 are on sale through www.dubaiopera.com.
Photography
Schools are welcome to arrange for students or teachers to photograph the event for school websites and newsletters, 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. By agreeing to take part, you are giving consent to the ChoirFest team to taking photos and videos which you might be included in.
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